Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering – Automotive Curriculum (LM-33)

Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering – Automotive Curriculum – programme overview

The Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering aims to prepare professional figures able to research, plan, design, develop, manage and control complex products, systems, processes and services. The course aims to train highly professional engineers able to work in industry, even with responsibility roles, planning tasks, managing complex systems or working in the Research and Development departments.

Graduates will acquire:

• fundamental knowledge on advanced mechanical design both on components development and complex systems;
• an in-depth knowledge of advanced tools like CAD/CAM design and modern numerical analysis simulation approach;
• basics on management and control of production plants, knowledge on technological-logistic issues always present in every industrial system with a particular attention to cost and timing as well as quality control, etc.

The Master focuses on aspects related to vehicles and to mobility in general, for what concerns both the design of the vehicle as a whole and the engine (both conventional and electric-hybrid) and its control.

A significant laboratory activity is planned for some technical subjects in order to allow the graduate to acquire skills needed to understand customer’s needs and translate them into a specific research project.

Online degree

The MA degree in Mechanical Engineering (online) is designed for those who are unable to attend a traditional education programme due to distance or professional commitments.

Through Unicusano e-learning platform, it is possible to attend the Mechanical Engineering degree classes online, to study using computer storage media at home, at your own pace and take the exam at the nearest exam centre. Thanks to the teaching quality and to the broad number of authorised exams centres spread across Italy, Unicusano is today the best choice for students willing to earn an online degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Job profiles

The Automotive Curriculum trains professional engineers able to work in various fields. In particular, they:

• design propulsion systems, with regard to both their control and environmental and energy issues; to the engineering of the chassis and the passenger compartment; to the production technologies and the assembly of the components, to the aerodynamics of the vehicle;
• supervise the design phases of the engine and its components, of the chassis, and of auxiliary systems;
• plan the design phases of the body of a motor vehicle with the right tools;
• coordinates the design of the chassis with particular reference to the suspension, steering and braking subsystems;
• set the modeling in the field of vehicle dynamics, using the mathematical models for the study of the chassis as a system and considering the active control systems of the vehicle dynamics and the related control strategies;
• supervise the development phases of the design of the interior of a motor vehicle with particular reference to the aspects of comfort and passive safety.

Acquired competences
Graduates in Mechanical Engineering (LM-33) – Automotive Curriculum

• handle the constructive aspects of the heat engines in reference to the advanced systems for the management of air and fuel supply;
• has in-depth knowledge of the issues related to (conventional and alternative) fuel injection, the related control systems and their dynamics;
• know how to choose and set the dimensioning of the components of hybrid and electric propulsion systems;
• know how to control and reduce exhaust emissions;
• know how to design and apply the drive system, in the architectural and construction aspects of the clutch, gearbox, shaft and differential gear subsystems, participating in internal training;
• has expertise on the aerodynamic of motor vehicles and on numerical and experimental analysis and optimisation methods.

Career opportunities

Graduates acquire competences in the following fields:

1. alternative or hybrid endothermic engines of the motor vehicle;
2. production of structural and functional elements of the vehicle;
3. design and production of components for the internal and external aerodynamics of vehicles.

A Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (LM-33) – Automotive Curriculum prepares students to the following careers (ISTAT DATA):

1. Mechanical engineers – (2.2.1.1.1);
2. Industrial and managerial engineers – (2.2.1.7.0);
3. Researchers and technicians graduated in industrial and information engineering sciences – (2.6.2.3.2).

Entry requirements

To enroll in the Master’s degree students must:

• have a good knowledge of methodological and operational aspects of Industrial Engineering (L-9);
• be able to conduct experiments and use specific instruments and techniques;
• be able to understand the impact of the chosen solution;
• know their own duties and responsibilities;
• be able to update their knowledge.

Accessing to the Master’s programme in Engineering requires a Bachelor’s degree in the L-9 classes; other bachelor’s degrees or qualifications in a relevant subject or overseas qualification of a similar standard from a recognised high educational institution are accepted, as long as they provide:

• at least 24 credits in MAT/02, MAT/03, MAT/05, MAT/06, MAT/07, MAT/08, MAT/09 sectors;
• at least 12 credits in FIS/01, FIS/03, CHIM/03 e/o CHIM/07 sectors;
• at least 30 credits in ING-IND/08, ING-IND/09, ING-IND/10, ING-IND/12, ING-IND/13 ING-IND/14, ING-IND/15, ING-IND/16, ING-IND/17;
• at least 18 credits in ICAR/08, ING-IND/22, ING-IND/25, ING-IND/31, ING-IND/33 e/o ING-IND/35 sectors.

A good knowledge of English language, both written and oral (B2 level) is also required for the ammission. Any curricular supplements in terms of the CFU/ECTs must be acquired beforehand.

The procedures for admission are established by the Regulations of the degree course in Engineering.

Educational aims and course plan outline

The graduate mechanical engineer is a highly trained technician able to face problems in the innovation and development of industrial production, advanced design, management, maintenance, installation, testing and operation of simple or complex systems and plants in the manufacturing and mechanical industries with particular reference to the automotive sector, as well as in companies and entities for energy conversion.

The Mechanical Engineer’s adaptability derives from a broad-spectrum preparation linked to the disciplines aimed to improve specific professional field knowledge. The Master’s degree course consists of 12 exams, a curricular internship and a final thesis within 2 academic years with the overall achievement of 120 CFU/ ECTs credits.

The offer consists of 36 shared CFU/ECTs credits. The Automotive course provides interdisciplinary skills, knowledge about innovative materials, mechanics and aerodynamics of the vehicle, heat, electric and hybrid engines.

The student can choose whether to do an internship in a company or at University, followed by the preparation and discussion of a degree thesis. The macro-areas taught in the two-year course include:

• specific teachings on energy and machine area aimed at providing expertise on industrial processes in the various sectors of energy production and environment sustainability;
• specific teachings in the design area, aimed at providing advanced knowledge on mechanical modeling, on assisted design and in-depth analysis of problems related to mechanical vibrations;
• teachings in the area of ​​technologies, aimed at providing knowledge of the processes of transformation of materials, mechanical processing of components and assembly of complexes;
• management courses, aimed at providing the methodological knowledge related to the organisation and management of industrial processes, as well as the management of technological innovation;
• specific teachings of the motor vehicle system, aimed at acquiring an in-depth knowledge of motor vehicle systems: powertrains, chassis, bodywork; the issues relating to safety, the control of environmental emissions and electric and hybrid vehicles are also specifically addressed.

Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and comprehension skills

At the end of the course, graduates in Mechanical Engineering should demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the methodological-operational aspects of Mechanical Engineering, in particular, during the course they should prove:

• to have a broad knowledge of the basic scientific disciplines, in their applicative and theoretical-abstract aspects, in order to develop a deeper and unifying understanding of the physical and chemical phenomena and of the mathematical techniques, related to machine construction, energy and industrial production design;
• to know basic, analytical, numerical and experimental concepts and methodologies, for the study of vibrating systems (Design and Automotive area);
• know the CAD / CAE mechanical design methodologies with the integrated use of traditional calculation models, solid modelers and finite element calculation packages (Design and Automotive field);
• to know the engine system in general and in particular the injection process, fuel supply systems and their control, as well as knowledge of the management of hybrid and electric motors (Automotive area);
• to know the design phases of the chassis organs and its subsystems; ability to set the modeling for the evaluation of vehicle dynamics; knowledge on the active control systems of vehicle dynamics and the related control (Automotive area).

During the Master’s degree, the student can attend recorded video lessons and make self-assessment tests. The student preparation will be evaluated through written exams, e-tivities carried out autonomously by the students and by tracking virtual classrooms activities and self-assessment tests. The final vote is expressed in thirtieths.

Ability to apply knowledge and comprehension skills

Graduates in Mechanical Engineering will be able to deal with high complex problems, concerning:

• the engineering of products of varying complexity;
• the design of driving and operating machines, as well as of plants that use thermofluidodynamic processes for industrial, energy and environmental applications;
• the design and management of industrial plants and processes in the various energy production sectors, with an eye for environment sustainability and, then, in the environmental management, control and requalification sectors;
• the management of product and process innovation.

In all the cases listed above, the graduate in Engineering should be able to face problems and propose solutions. The graduates should be able to:

• use working tools for the design and simulation of components and systems (CAD-CAE-CAM tools, design area and specialised aspects of design and production);
• choose traditional and non-traditional materials, with associated production technologies and test methodologies;

Making judgements

Graduates in Mechanical Engineers should have the ability to integrate data and information with a high degree of autonomy of judgment, having gained awareness of the ethical responsibilities of their work and social consequences of their choices.

The Master’s degree activities allow the graduate to develop managerial skills, autonomy and decision-making ability, useful at a high level of responsibility both in the technical or technological office, and in the management of production.

Communication skills

The graduate should be able to convey information, scientific data and outcomes to specialists and non-specialists using, if necessary, the English language and the necessary IT tools.

The development of communication skills is achieved through written exercises carried out in the activities of virtual classes and its verification takes place through the evaluation of the E-tivity, written exams, as well as through the dissertation.

Learning skills

The Master’s degree in Engineering helps engineers to develop solutions to technical issues, not by only by applying theoretical formulas, but also by learning methodologies to solve any kind of engineering problems. This approach encourages the development of continuous learning and updating skills also in a post-graduate education.

Final exam

The final dissertation is the discussion of an innovative thesis written by the student, supervised by a tutor.

The thesis can be experimental, numerical or theoretical and may be carried out in companies or external public or private bodies. The student must also demonstrate the ability to tackle complex problems with a multidisciplinary approach.

The procedures for conducting the final exam are defined in the Academic Didactic Regulations of the study programme.