Aeronautical Engineering is primarily the application of scientific and technological methods to research, design, development, maintenance and performance testing of both civil and military aircraft including the structural components and onboard systems. Typical areas of specialism include disciplines such as propulsion, computational fluid dynamics, aerodynamics, materials and structures. This accredited engineering degree is designed to produce graduates who display technical and commercial leadership with a personal commitment to professional standards, recognising obligations to society, the profession and the environment. You will be encouraged to use our three flight simulators to enter national competitions. Salford have won such competitions twice. The degree can be studied with an optional industrial placement year between Levels 5 and 6. If this option is taken it will be assessed and if completed successfully a Certificate of Professional Studies will be awarded on proper completion of the degree programme. The sandwich year can also be pursued in Europe if you have the appropriate language qualifications and if completed successfully a Certificate of Professional Studies (Europe) will be awarded on proper completion of the degree course.
This course has been awarded accredited status by both the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) for 2010 to 2014 intake cohorts as meeting the exemplifying academic benchmark for registration as Incorporated Engineer (IEng) requirement in full, and the Chartered Engineer (CEng) requirement in part.
It provides external validation of the degree course content which recognises that it meets both UK and international standards required by the engineering profession.
Professional registration and Institution membership will enhance your career in the following ways:
This accredited degree covers the essential elements of aircraft design, including aircraft structures, flight systems, aerodynamics and design methodology.
You will undertake experimental and project work throughout your studies, culminating in a personal project in the final year. Other highlights of the final year include principles of advanced flight control, the aerodynamics of high speed vehicles, and structural analysis using finite element methods.
There is a flight test course just prior to the final year, which is delivered by Cranfield University’s National Flying Laboratory Centre using their specially instrumented Jetstream 31 aircraft. During the flight, the aircraft will conduct specific manoeuvres during which flight data is gathered for later analysis by the students. This valuable experience allows you to link practical issues of aircraft behaviour to principles of flight taught in the classroom.
The modules are designed to develop effective interpersonal skills.
Year 1
Engineering Mathematics
An understanding and ability to use mathematics are essential skills for success in engineering subjects. This module will review and expand on the following subjects: algebra, trigonometry, functions, geometry, vectors, complex numbers and calculus, with emphasis on their applications to engineering.
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Engineering Materials and Electrical Systems
In this module you will develop an understanding of the basic properties and applications of materials and of the principles of electronic and electrical engineering. This will include learning about the relationship between microstructure and mechanical properties of materials, mechanisms of corrosion and corrosion protection, the principles of electronic and electrical engineering, and the response of electrical elements in circuits to d.c. or a.c. supplies.
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Engineering Thermodynamics and Fluid Dynamics
You will develop an understanding of the basic concepts of engineering thermodynamics and be given a introduction to the subject of fluid mechanics in this module. Skills in handing thermodynamic concepts enabling the definition and analysis of thermodynamic systems are vitally important to the mechanical engineer.
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Engineering Structures and Engineering Dynamics
This module will develop your knowledge and understanding of the basic principles of structural behaviour and the nature of stress and strain and provide you with a foundation in engineering dynamics, allowing you to tackle simple engineering problems, and preparing the you for subsequent modules.
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Product Engineering
This module will give you an insight into the complete process for the design or engineering of products and services.
On completion of the module you will have basic marketing techniques and have an understanding of how to present information using both written and oral techniques. You will also be able to read and interpret engineering drawings, with particular reference to BS 308. You will also be taught skills in basic manufacturing processes and be able to create 2-dimensional orthographic engineering drawings. Your experience and learning are enhanced by the use of 3D CAD models viewed as projected images as well as ‘printed’ physical models.
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Aviation Business Enterprise
This module will introduce you to the history of air transport systems leading to the current state of the aviation business.
You will study topics such as the:
- Evolution of surface transportation systems – roadways, railways and waterways
- Beginnings of air transport – first generation airships and winged flying machines
- Development of technologies relating to improvements in civilian and military aircraft designs
- Passenger facility enhancements such as in-flight catering, conveniences and entertainment
- Birth of the modern airliner leading to the demise of the airships and the ocean liners.
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Year 2
Aerodynamics
Topics and concepts covered in this module include fluid mechanics, boundary layer theory, sources of drag in particular aircraft drag, thin aerofoil theory, lifting line theory as it applies to the aerodynamic analysis of unswept wings in low speed flow and the apparatus used and techniques employed in wind tunnel testing.
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Aircraft Design Enterprise
This module will provide you with experience and learning in the interactive nature of aircraft design, including business and commercial influences, and to report outcomes effectively. You will also gain an appreciation of market requirements in the design process.
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Aircraft Structures
On completion of this module you will be able to establish the integrity of typical basic structural aircraft components and explain the process of material selection for the structural items of an aircraft.
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Engineering Mathematics
This module will build on the engineering mathematics module from your first year by developing advanced knowledge and skills in mathematical analysis. It will enable you to tackle more advanced engineering problems. Subjects covered include partial differentiation, determinants and matrices, vector analysis, Laplace transforms and functions of a complex variable.
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Flight Systems
In this module you will learn the basic principles and theory of statics and dynamics as related to the static and dynamic behaviour of an aircraft and the theory of flight control as related to the dynamic behaviour of an aircraft.
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Navigation Systems and Aircraft Performance
This module introduces the basic concepts of aircraft performance by modelling aerodynamic loads and propulsion system performance, leading to key results in both steady and accelerated flight.
You will be taught how to calculate and assimilate performance in cruise, climb and glide, and how to link the predictive methods to design issues. You will also cover the operating principles and performance analysis of major aircraft navigation systems, with emphasis on inertial navigation systems and the NAVASTAR global positioning system.
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Year 3
Aerodynamics
This module is concerned with the analysis of gas turbine engines as used in aircraft propulsion and high speed aerodynamics. Emphasis is placed on the aerodynamic and thermodynamic aspects which influence the performance of a given engine design. Wherever possible, data for actual aircraft engines is used to support the analysis.
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Aircraft Design Enterprise
In this module you will learn about aircraft design, including detailed refinement of component design and major interactions that have a crucial influence on the overall effectiveness of the design.
You will study the interactive nature of aircraft design, including business and commercial influences, and be able to report outcomes effectively. On completion you should also have an appreciation of market requirements in the design process.
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Finite Element Analysis and Structural Mechanics
This module will introduce finite element analysis as a tool for the solution of practical engineering problems. The finite element method is based on the premise that a complex structure can be broken down into finitely many smaller pieces (elements), the behaviour of which is known or can be predicted. These elements can then be assembled to model the behaviour of the full structure.
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Flight Systems
Following on from Flight Systems module in your second year, you will develop a deeper understanding of the theory of statics and dynamics and flight control as related to the dynamic behaviour of an aircraft.
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Industrial Management and Project Preparation
This module has two main components. Industrial management in which you will be introduced to the commercial issues which must be addressed by engineering businesses, and the principles of quality management systems. Project preparation will develop your ability to work independently, become competent in analysing and assessing the value of information and develop effective communication skills both written and orally.
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Year Four
Aerodynamics
This module introduces you to Computational Fluid Dynamics ( CFD) methods for the numerical prediction of aerodynamic flows.
You will study finite-difference and finite-volume techniques, the vortex-lattice method, the modern CFD method for the prediction of transonic aerofoil flows and be give an introduction to the requirements for turbulence modelling and review classes of turbulence models.
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Flight Dynamics and Control
To give a comprehensive understanding and systematic understanding of knowledge in the analysis of flight dynamics and the design of flight control systems.
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Flight Simulation
The aim of this module is for you to obtain an in-depth understanding of the specification, technologies and use of flight simulation systems as they may be used in the aviation industry.
The module will be taught by a series of lectures supported by practical activities using the three flight simulators.
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Finite Element Analysis
This module concentrates on finite element analysis as a tool for the solution of practical engineering problems. The finite element method is based on the premise that a complex structure can be broken down into finitely many smaller pieces (elements), the behaviour of which is known or can be predicted. These elements can then be assembled to model the behaviour of the full structure.
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Aerospace Assembly
This module looks at the processes associated with the assembly of very large aircraft structures, including the techniques of forming, joining and fixturing. You will be taught about the relevant regulatory and design standards that have to be met and the processes that must be used to ensure conformity with those standards.
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