Aeronautical Engineering

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 the micro-structure 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 AC or DC supplies.

In this module, you will be given an understanding of the internal combustion engine and the gas turbine and an introduction to refrigeration cycles. You will also expand your knowledge of heat transfer processes, fluid mechanics to viscous flows by examination of the Navier-Stokes equations, and compressible flow analysis to one and two dimensional flows.

You will build on the engineering mathematics module from your first year by developing advanced knowledge and skills in mathematical analysis. This will enable you to tackle more advanced engineering problems. Subjects covered include partial differentiation, determinants and matrices, vector analysis

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 you for subsequent modules.

You'll be introduced to project management techniques, particularly in project planning, organisation and control. You will develop an understanding of project timings and resource allocation and a broad understanding of quantitative methods used for decision making in industry. You will gain experience in the interactive nature of engineering, including business and commercial influences, and effectively communicate the outcome using computer software and presentations.

This is your introduction 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.

In this module you will learn about the fundamentals of lift and drag generation by aerofoils and wings, the theory of low-speed (incompressible) flow, aerofoil aerodynamics and the thin aerofoil theory, wing aerodynamics and the lifting line theory, the fundamentals of boundary layer theory, introduction to high speed (compressible) flow, convergent-divergent nozzles, apparatus and techniques employed in wind tunnel testing as well as the first steps of conducting a numerical flow simulation using computational fluid dynamics.”

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.

In this module, you’ll undertake a group design project to do the preliminary design of a specified type of aircraft. You will decide the size and performance of the aircraft based on a survey of the potential market for its type and then work through stages of the design, both internal and external, checking that the aircraft will meet certification requirements and can do the tasks for which it is intended as well as being commercially viable.

You will build on the engineering mathematics module from your first year by developing advanced knowledge and skills in mathematical analysis. This will enable you to tackle more advanced engineering problems. Subjects covered include partial differentiation, determinants and matrices, Laplace transforms and functions of a complex variable

You'll 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.

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 performance in straight and level flight, climb and glide, turns, and on take-off and landing. You will also cover the operating principles and performance analysis of major aircraft navigation systems, with emphasis on inertial navigation systems and the global positioning system.

This module deals with the analysis of high speed (super- and hypersonic) flows, and of engines as used in aircraft propulsion, particularly gas turbines. The two halves of the module are combined to examine the workings of intakes and exhaust nozzles as part of the study of the components of a gas turbine engine.

In this module, you’ll undertake a group design project to do the preliminary design of a specified type of aircraft. You will decide the size and performance of the aircraft based on a survey of the potential market for its type and then work through stages of the design, both internal and external, checking that the aircraft will meet certification requirements and can do the tasks for which it is intended as well as being commercially viable.

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.

You'll be introduced to 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.

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; and project preparation which 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.

The aim of the Final Year Project is to develop your ability to work with a significant degree of independence on a structured programme of activity. You should demonstrate your competency in analysing and assessing the value of information derived from the programme, be able to communicate effectively (both through written reports and orally) the details of the programme and conclusions that can be drawn together with suggestions of further work.

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 given an introduction to the requirements for turbulence modelling and review classes of turbulence models.

This module provides a systematic understanding of knowledge on computational methods as a tool for the solution of practical engineering problems. You will develop a comprehensive understanding of the development of appropriate computational models of physical systems, and how to interpret the results of the analysis. The module also covers advanced aspects of finite element analysis (FEA) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) including harmonic vibration analysis and will give practical instruction in the use of an industry-standard analysis program

In this module you will develop an in-depth knowledge of aerospace systems and subsystem integration. As a case study which is representative of larger aircraft, an in-depth knowledge of design to market requirements of unmanned aerial vehicles and their associated systems is a cornerstone of the module. You will design and implement system requirements relevant to integrated aerospace systems.

A key focus of this module is ‘design for manufacture’ and hence the design has to be built and tested at the end of the module. You will develop a core competency of the design, build, integrate and test procedures of aerospace systems for future requirements.

On successful completion, you will be able to demonstrate an advanced knowledge of the operating principles of aerospace system design and prepare system specifications and integration plans. Ground testing, documentation and flight operations manuals are produced in line with CAA guidelines and requirements. You will also develop a critical understanding of aerospace system developments for future system requirements.

This module looks at the processes associated with the assembly of large aircraft structures, including the techniques of forming, joining and fixturing. Composite design theory will also be taught. A composite design assignment will also be used to demonstrate application of the design and analysis process.

This module provides a comprehensive and systematic understanding of the analysis of flight dynamics and the design of flight control systems.