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Engineering Science and Aeronautical Engineering

A large number of disciplines come under the umbrella of Engineering. It's likely that you're looking for a chance to contribute technically and creatively if you want to get into either aero engineering or auto engineering. The aerospace industry in the UK is world-class, and is one of the most diverse and technically advanced industries to be employed in today. Automotive design, development and production are significant employers, and the UK motorsport industry is recognised globally.

Reputable Training

Many UK universities offering aero and auto engineering degrees are globally distinguished - you will find more than 30 with BEng and MEng syllabuses listed.

Engineering graduates can also choose to take post-graduate qualifications. (There are of course less academic college courses available around the country). BEng and MEng courses at university usually follow the same structure for the first two years, and then take on a different format for the final year or two.

Part-time sandwich training is also an option for those who prefer to split their time between studying and working.

If you're prepared to agree to work for a particular organisation following graduation, you may be able to negotiate a sponsorship deal. As you do your research into the different training options, look for details of graduate sponsorship programmes.

Automotive-Engineering

Every facet of a motorised machine has been developed because of automotive engineering. Auto engineers need to have knowledge of several other engineering principles - primarily mechanical engineering. As standards are constantly set to improve to accommodate global issues, new technologies such as ultra low emissions are being introduced.

If you take the critical path of a vehicle, you have design, development and then manufacture. The designers have to create the parts on a vehicle and ensure that they meet all of the stated requirements. Development engineers are concerned with the attributes or qualities of the complete vehicle. Developers supply designers with various specs they have to comply with. Their work is then given to the manufacturing engineers, who establish how the vehicle will be built.

There's a terrific amount of knowledge for an automotive engineering student to learn. Throughout your training you will learn about all three stages of the automotive engineering processes. As safety is vital, designs have to go through various crash scenarios to test their impact on the vehicle occupants.

All components have to function well for the job they're designed to do, but they also have to work synergistically with the whole vehicle. So an understanding of development engineering is necessary.

'Trade-offs' come under this function, for example balancing fuel economy with engine performance. Development engineers ultimately have to be sure that everything on the completed vehicle not only meets the manufacturers spec, but is also compliant with the latest regulations.

When the design and development work are completed, the vehicle is ready for the manufacturing process. Manufacturing engineering is involved with a wide assortment of tasks related to the planning and engineering of assembly. At every assembly plant, manufacturing engineers have to plan out the body shop, the area for engine and transmission placement and the chassis and trim area.

Engineering - Aeronautical

Aeronautical engineering covers all things to do with flight technology - the design, construction and science of aircraft. If you qualify at degree level or above in Aeronautical Engineering, you will have proved yourself worthy to enter the fascinating business of aerospace. You might also be interested to know that the development and design of a Formula One racing car uses aerospace technology!

All aircraft have to endure severe conditions and stresses, such as changes in atmospheric pressure and temperature, and structural loading on the components. Aeronautical engineering requires a great deal of specialist knowledge, and so teams of engineers who each specialise in their own branch of science work together on projects.

Degree courses will cover design, systems (such as landing gear), flight mechanics, forces, materials, performance and stability. A thorough treatment of analytical subjects will be included. Analytical methods will be developed which allow aeronautical engineers to design and analyse aircraft. In recent years advances in computing mean that simulations can be used to test the behaviour of fluid, which lessens the need for expensive wind tunnel research. (Nevertheless, students will still get plenty of opportunity to experiment with wind tunnels and other physical testing machines).

Practical application is an important element of training to be an engineer. All engineering students will get the chance to contribute to a practical group assignment to create an automobile or flight vehicle. Other more broad based vocational skills may be incorporated into an engineering degree programme. Employers often expect graduate entrants to have additional soft skills when they get into industry.

Aeronautical and automotive engineers are at the forefront of technological advances, and can make a valuable contribution to society. Graduate engineers can apply to Professional Institutions to become certified with the Engineering Council - an organisation that works to ensure the UK is well served by its engineering resources.