Aerospace Dynamics

Starts: October

Duration: 1 year full-time

Course overview:

Skills in the areas of both fluid and flight dynamics are increasingly in demand in the aerospace sector and related areas such as automotive, environmental, energy and medicine.

Environmental issues will ensure that aerodynamic refinement will dominate the next generation of civil transport aircraft, placing even greater emphasis on flight control and flight dynamic aspects.

In the military arena Cranfield has unparalleled experience in the design and development of uninhabited aerial vehicles (UAVs). This has drawn heavily on aerodynamic modelling, using both wind tunnels and computational fluid dynamics (CFD), as well as flight dynamics.

To ensure students develop the necessary skills, the School of Engineering has a wide range of facilities including 11 wind tunnels, both low and high-speed, extensive computing facilities, and a unique engineering flight simulator. We use National Flying Laboratory Centre aircraft as a practical means of reinforcing theory, with in-flight exercises and laboratories forming the basis of the assessment for core modules.

The Aerospace Dynamics course has three main components: a group flight test laboratory (10%), the taught course (40%), and a research thesis (50%). Initially, a range of core lectures provides a firm grounding in aerospace dynamics.

Subjects include aircraft aerodynamics, stability and control and performance, together with related analytical techniques. These modules, together with the flying laboratories, make up the group flight test component. Students then select specialist modules which determine their chosen option: Aerodynamics or Flight Dynamics in the taught component. Choice is a key feature of this course, allowing students to build their own portfolio of skills around a core specialisation. Options overlap, allowing students to spread their area of expertise or focus on specialist areas.

Research topics:

Research topics are varied and can be either selected from those put forward by the teaching team or chosen by students in agreement with the academic staff.

Entry requirements:

A 1st or 2nd class UK honours degree (or equivalent) in mathematics, physics or an engineering discipline. Applicants who do not fulfil the standard entry requirements can apply for the Pre-Master's Course in Engineering, successful completion of which will qualify them for entry to this course for a second year of study.

English Language Requirements:

Our normal minimum requirement is a TOEFL score of 580 (paper test) or 237 (computer test), essay rating 4.5 or 92 (Internet test), all skills 19 or an IELTS 6.5 with 6.0 for writing, a TOEIC overall score of 830, or a Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English grade C or Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English grade C, although a number of our programmes require higher scores.

Funding:

Please contact us for the latest information.  Well-qualified UK applicants may be eligible to apply for the EADS Masters Training Award.

Want to know more?

Contact our Enquiries Office for further details, E: enquiries@cranfield.ac.uk, T: +44 (0)1234 758008

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