WHAT’S THE GOAL OF THIS COURSE?

The objective of the Master is to offer students innovative training to make them highly skilled in all disciplines relating to the automotive industry using competition racing as a training support. At the end of this course, the students either join a competition team or the automotive industry in general.

WHAT’S THE AMBITION BEHIND THIS CONCEPT?

The concept is based on a partnership between three institutions:

- ISMANS, a well-known French Institute of Technology recognized for advanced skills in automobile design and safety as well as engineering and design competences.

- Barazi-Epsilon, a great racing team which was LMP2 World Champion in Le Mans Series 2006 and which is involved in most racing competitions around the world such as Le Mans Series®, Formula Renault 2.0 (with Epsilon Sport) and 24 Heures du Mans®.

- The Institut Automobile du Mans, an institution whose mission is to develop the social and economic aspects to automotive activities in the Pays de la Loire Region.

The theoretical-practical training is provided in three modules:
1) Power train
2) Chassis and Aerodynamics,
3) Modeling and Calculation

The Management and Master’s project are included as a link between these three modules. Each student has his own workstation during the entire Master’s Course. The software packages that are widely used in automotive engineering today are available on these workstations such as CATIA® V5, PATRAN-NASTRAN®, ALTAIR® Software (HyperMesh, MotionSolve, Optistruc, Radioss), Tgrid FLUENT ®, Star CD/CCM+ ®, ADAMS ®, MATLAB-SIMULINK ® and TEAMCENTER ®.

More than 1500 teaching hours are spread over 11 months and the course runs from Mondays to Fridays.

Lectures are given by personalities from the automotive industry (either motor vehicle or motor sports industry) and students attend FIA circuits as part of a competition team.

There is also the possibility of joining Epsilon Sport after completing the course.

WHO CAN APPLY ?

Given the competitiveness and complexity of the automotive industry, it needs highly skilled individuals with specific automotive competences combined with in-depth knowledge of the “quality, cost and delivery” concept. These competences are stipulated by the racing industry that emphasises performance, cost reduction, high quality and reactivity. Engineering schools, universities and institutes of technology provide a solid and wide scientific base, but they cannot produce professionals with specific training under industrial conditions. To respond to this need, ISMANS selects its students amongst graduate engineers. Students must have a Master of Science in one of the following disciplines (non-exhaustive list):

- Mechanical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Electrical Engineering
- Structures Engineering
- Automotive Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Systems Engineering
- Manufacturing Engineering

WHAT’S THE CONTENT OF THE COURSE ?

The Master is divided into three interrelated modules which cover each of the technological areas developed in the automotive industry and competition activity is the forum to use this knowledge. The course modules are as follows:

- Power Train
- Chassis and Aerodynamics
- Modeling/Calculation

Master’s project and Management are included as a link between these three modules.

A. Power Train Module

The Power train module covers a complete approach to the technology used in the internal combustion engine. After presenting the characteristics of the different types of engines, a thermodynamic study is carried out on different engines. This module will also examine engine and gear box integration in the chassis. There will be special emphasis on the materials used in power train systems (behaviour and surface treatment).

· Power train for racing
· Motor control
· Energetic study of engine cycles
· Materials for power train: behaviour and surface treatment

B. Chassis and Aerodynamics Module

The Chassis and Aerodynamics Module covers aspects relating to the engine block and the body work of cars. It deals with the vehicle’s dynamic performance and materials used in chassis systems. Aerodynamics are also taught in this module.

· Technical terminology
· Aerodynamics
· Study of vibratory phenomena
· Vehicle’s dynamic performance (car)
· Vehicle’s dynamic performance (motorbike)
· Designing chassis for competition vehicles
· Global engineering and design
· Composite materials
· Light alloys materials
· Testing methodologies and data acquisition
· Fatigue

C. Modeling/Calculation Module

The Modeling/Calculation Module aims to give the student complete training in using different computer programs for CAD, Fluid Dynamics, Mechanics and Programming. This training will be applied to the different modelling possibilities, particularly within the other modules. Special attention will be paid to crash test study.

· Fluid modelling
· CAD
· Structural analysis using finite elements
· Crash test study
· Data acquisition
· Programming
· Cinematic and dynamic analysis
· Product Life Management

D. Management and projects

The Management Program is built to go further than the classical approach adopted in universities, engineering schools and institutes of technology. By drawing on the strong team cohesion and composure required in a racing team, the management module will allow students to learn team management and stress management under real conditions. A multi-cultural approach in a team is developed in this module.

· Self-knowledge
· Team management
· Management of competition teams
· Stress management
· Race debriefing

E. Projects

The purpose of the projects is to apply the knowledge acquired during the course. There are two different types of projects: application projects and End of Master’s Course Project. Application projects may be subjects assigned by industrial partners or technological subjects. They are developed during short periods in the year. The End of Master’s Course Project is the final project of the year. It lasts approximately 12 weeks and must be done on an industrial subject. The subject can be related to either the automotive industry in general or to the racing competition industry. The End of Master’s Course Project can be done in the company asking for the study or in the Engineering Platform of the Institut Automobile du Mans if the company is unable to accommodate the student (specific software needed for example).

WHAT’S THE COURSE METHODOLOGY?

All the modules are coordinated by a tutor under who supervises the different subjects. The course is given by university professors and professional engineers from the industry.

Lectures will also be given within the Master program by people with recognised standing in the international automotive industry (engineers, technicians, designers, drivers, etc.).

Depending on the subject matter, the teaching methods are a combination of theory, practice, projects and lectures.

WHAT AND WHERE ARE THE FACILITIES?

Students will be given the necessary documentation to follow and work on the course. Extra reading and documentation are also available. The theoretical presentation of the subject matter will take place at the Institut Automobile du Mans in the Le Mans 24 h Technoparc near the Le Mans track. The practical part will take place in the Barazi-Epsilon workshop in addition to the different circuits that students will visit during the 2008 season. The Institut Automobile du Mans can provide a list with different accommodation possibilities in the area close to the aforementioned Le Mans 24 h Technoparc.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

The fee includes training, uniforms and trips to the circuits.

The Institut Automobile du Mans has reached an agreement with a well-known bank, HSBC, to facilitate payment transfers which will offer special conditions to students wishing to finance the cost of the programme.

The programme fee is:

- European candidate (EU): € 8 000**

*The Institut Automobile du Mans is subsidised by the Région des Pays de la Loire, Le Mans Métropole and Le département de la Sarthe
**Depending on their circumstances, some students may be eligible for a grant.

WHAT ARE THE JOB OPPORTUNITIES?

On completion of the course, 60% of the job opportunities are estimated to be in the automotive/aeronautics industry and 40% in the racing competition industry. Job content is essentially linked with engineering and project management.

The return on investment is estimated to be two or three years.

HOW TO APPLY?

The selection is made on the basis of a questionnaire detailing the student’s motivation and an application form.

Please, click here to get an application form !

Applications will be studied by an admission board who will inform applicants of their decision as quickly as possible. If necessary, candidates may be asked to demonstrate their knowledge of English. The number of places for the International Master “Advanced Automotive Engineering” 2008 is limited to a maximum of 12 students. Anyone interested in taking this course should apply by 30th November 2007 for the academic year 2008.

Multimedia Pedagogy : IT co.cli.co

The academic part of the educational program will be made extremely efficient by an extensive use of the most advanced multimedia techniques (Podcasting, IT). The access to the multimedia techniques will operate through the STELA platform which was developed by our partners and will provide the student : the text of all the courses, all the data and the experimental works obtained within the competition based teaching, all the bibliographical links and address books, on a mobile, standardized, customized and securized console available at all time. This console will be directly associated with a lifelong educational program by permanent updating to which the trainee, once he becomes a high level engineer, will have a permanent access.

 

WHO CAN I CONTACT?

You can contact two people: It’s also possible for you to come and visit us and the facilities and if you want to see for yourself exactly where and how the course takes place.

Frédéric Dupé - Institut Automobile du Mans
f.dupe@institut-automobile-du-mans.fr
+33 2 43 78 32 77 or +33 6 37 84 29 02

 

Sylvaine Pormenté - ISMANS
spormente@ismans.fr
+33 2 43 21 40 20