Automotive Engineering

[Ali123]

evening people of sax-p

just a quick question which some of you may be able to help me with..
erm has anyone here done or is doing Automotive engineering at uni?
id just like to know abit about it, such as is a good understanding of maths essential to be able to cope with this course? seriously struggled with maths last year at college so i dropped it. and the same question with physics aswell?
like i mean physics isnt my strongest subject at college but doing this course at uni would the physics be more focused on one topic rather than learn about everything at college if you get what i mean?
also how do you find the course? is it enjoyable? is it what you expected it to be like?

really would like to get other peoples views as im sending off my ucas application soon and just want to be 100% sure

cheers

[sebring]

So you struggled with maths and physics. Your bang outta luck for engineering then mate.
Maybe get an apprenticeship as a mechanic or doing parts if you like cars?

[Lewis]

I do Automotive Design in Coventry, 2nd year. If your properly into cars then you should be ok. So much to cover really you need to do more research

[Ali123]

its mainly maths that i struggled with but so far i have the required grades i need
im just thinking that like the physics and maths will be more specific rather than just learning abit about everything in college?

[Ali123]

Originally Posted by Lewis

I do Automotive Design in Coventry, 2nd year. If your properly into cars then you should be ok. So much to cover really you need to do more research

ive done plenty of research mate, i just want to hear what people studying this course think about it

[Barry123]

Originally Posted by Ali123

evening people of sax-p

just a quick question which some of you may be able to help me with..
erm has anyone here done or is doing Automotive engineering at uni?
id just like to know abit about it, such as is a good understanding of maths essential to be able to cope with this course? seriously struggled with maths last year at college so i dropped it. and the same question with physics aswell?
like i mean physics isnt my strongest subject at college but doing this course at uni would the physics be more focused on one topic rather than learn about everything at college if you get what i mean?
also how do you find the course? is it enjoyable? is it what you expected it to be like?

really would like to get other peoples views as im sending off my ucas application soon and just want to be 100% sure

cheers

If it's a BEng/MEng qualification at the end of the course then I'm afraid it'll be 79% Maths, 20% physics, 1% actually doing anything hands on.

I would strongly suggest you brush up on your maths or try to get on an evening class to A level. Else you'll find it very difficult to keep up and score well. I'm not saying it's impossible, we had a couple of direct entry from BTEC (where it's 90% practical, 10% theory) and they struggled BADLY with the maths, but came out with 2.2s in the end.

[Barry123]

r.e. the 'physics' in an engineering syllabus, it's more about processes, solid dynamics, material science etc etc rather than the fundamental physics you get at A-level, so I'd say it's a bit more general.

[RyanSaxo]

Originally Posted by Barry123

If it's a BEng/MEng qualification at the end of the course then I'm afraid it'll be 79% Maths, 20% physics, 1% actually doing anything hands on.

I would strongly suggest you brush up on your maths or try to get on an evening class to A level. Else you'll find it very difficult to keep up and score well. I'm not saying it's impossible, we had a couple of direct entry from BTEC (where it's 90% practical, 10% theory) and they struggled BADLY with the maths, but came out with 2.2s in the end.

completely agree! - I'm doing BEng Mech Eng. Automotive is just a specialisation of that (or the masters) I believe?

If the course is ImechE accredited they will all be very similar in terms of difficulty and content.

I got a C at A-level maths and don't enjoy maths much and I've struggled with some of the modules.

Especially the first 2 years aren't very applied, you'll do maths modules that are just pure maths.

However if you can do it, get a 2:2 you'll be favoured highly over many of the other shit degrees people are wasting time and money doing.

MEng/BEng is favoured in many areas over people with degrees in that specific field. (banking, HR, management are ones off the top of my head)

[Ali123]

hmmm thanks for your help!
and yeah im trying to brush up on my maths, even though im not doing maths anymore at college i still go to a maths tutor once a week

[Barry123]

Great stuff if you're being proactive about it

[Tom5190]

I guess you in the same situation as i was to be honest. I decided i wanted to do it when i left school. I looked at what courses were about and set myself on doing a B/Meng degree in motorsport technology.

Found at that the three uni's i wanted to be at all wanted AAB the 2 A's being maths & physics. Started college after school, doing maths, P.E & Physics.

Dropped out after the first year with UUE. Decided college wasnt for me and that i basically got into my head i couldnt do the uni thing that it was to far beond me. I then spent 3 Years doing my Leve 1,2 &3 NVQ's in light vehicle maintainence (i was a mechanic basically) At the same time i also topped these up with an IMI National award, certificate & Diploma.

The national diploma was supposed to be the equivelent as 3 A levels. Although the physics and maths was absolute minimal and it was about 80% theory 20% practical on the IMI course it was ok and didnt bore me as i was working full time in a garage afterwards.

I applied for a few uni's and course's. I applied for a Bsc 3/4 year degree in motorsport engineering. Its a motorsport specific course which i really didnt think i would get accepted on. But i did. I also applied for a foundation degree at the same uni just incase.

So i moved to oxford, started my course. I can basically leave after 2 or 3 years (4 if i take placement). If i leave after 2 years i will only have a FnD However if i leave after the full three then i will have a full degree at Bsc.

The maths and physics are hard, but i have no A levels and hadnt done any challanging maths since the age of 16 really.

Worked out well for me to be honest, im at uni 2 days of the week then because of my nvq's i have a job at a french specialist for the rest of the week.

If your willing to put the effort in, like properlly put the effort in then you will do it. I dont tend to have a day off in the week but its worth it.

[Ali123]

Originally Posted by Barry123

Great stuff if you're being proactive about it

thanks
going to shitty help sessions twice a week at college too for physics aswell, but mehh its gotta be done...
and this may come across as a stupid question, but is it enjoyable?
im really into cars and all that but what you learn etc is it interesting and enjoyable if you get what im trying to ask?

[Tom5190]

Enjoyable isnt the word. one of my projects this year is based around a formula renault. we have already taken it to silverstone and ran a few tests etc and its running again just after christmas.

We started buliding a 205 Rally car last year as an extra side project.

Theres formula student for those who want to go into it ( i would love to but dont have time)

Then also theres the job oppertunities. Last year we had to do 150 hours placement. Lads went to: Redbul, Force india, Millbrook, Pro-drive & williams

[Barry123]

Originally Posted by Ali123

and this may come across as a stupid question, but is it enjoyable?
im really into cars and all that but what you learn etc is it interesting and enjoyable if you get what im trying to ask?

Originally Posted by Tom5190

Enjoyable isnt the word.

haha

I'd agree, there's going to be bits that you enjoy, going to uni alone is going to be the most enjoyable few years of your life. The course... intense, if you're a flaker, you'll sink. If you got a bit of determination about yourself and prepared to put in the odd allnighter you'll be fine.

[Ali123]

Originally Posted by Tom5190

I guess you in the same situation as i was to be honest. I decided i wanted to do it when i left school. I looked at what courses were about and set myself on doing a B/Meng degree in motorsport technology.

Found at that the three uni's i wanted to be at all wanted AAB the 2 A's being maths & physics. Started college after school, doing maths, P.E & Physics.

Dropped out after the first year with UUE. Decided college wasnt for me and that i basically got into my head i couldnt do the uni thing that it was to far beond me. I then spent 3 Years doing my Leve 1,2 &3 NVQ's in light vehicle maintainence (i was a mechanic basically) At the same time i also topped these up with an IMI National award, certificate & Diploma.

The national diploma was supposed to be the equivelent as 3 A levels. Although the physics and maths was absolute minimal and it was about 80% theory 20% practical on the IMI course it was ok and didnt bore me as i was working full time in a garage afterwards.

I applied for a few uni's and course's. I applied for a Bsc 3/4 year degree in motorsport engineering. Its a motorsport specific course which i really didnt think i would get accepted on. But i did. I also applied for a foundation degree at the same uni just incase.

So i moved to oxford, started my course. I can basically leave after 2 or 3 years (4 if i take placement). If i leave after 2 years i will only have a FnD However if i leave after the full three then i will have a full degree at Bsc.

The maths and physics are hard, but i have no A levels and hadnt done any challanging maths since the age of 16 really.

Worked out well for me to be honest, im at uni 2 days of the week then because of my nvq's i have a job at a french specialist for the rest of the week.

If your willing to put the effort in, like properlly put the effort in then you will do it. I dont tend to have a day off in the week but its worth it.

cheers for that mate!
and yeah as for the grades, i just cant get the grades they want such as AAB/ABB for some uni's but what i can do is im able to get the the required ucas points that manchester met/birmingham city etc want
cant remember at the top of my head right now but i think its somewhere in the region of 260 ucas points or something which a B and 2 C's would make up 260 points which is a realistic estimate of what i'll be able to acheive, not 2 A's and a B

[Tom5190]

Originally Posted by Ali123

cheers for that mate!
and yeah as for the grades, i just cant get the grades they want such as AAB/ABB for some uni's but what i can do is im able to get the the required ucas points that manchester met/birmingham city etc want
cant remember at the top of my head right now but i think its somewhere in the region of 260 ucas points or something which a B and 2 C's would make up 260 points which is a realistic estimate of what i'll be able to acheive, not 2 A's and a B

One thing i found out is that the UCAS points ment absolutly nothing at all. Im pretty sure i didnt have the amount i needed. Im at Oxford Brookes. I needed ABC in a levels to get on the course i got. which obviously i font have but i manage to do a good interview and pass a few small tests they wanted me to do.

Originally Posted by Barry123

haha

I'd agree, there's going to be bits that you enjoy, going to uni alone is going to be the most enjoyable few years of your life. The course... intense, if you're a flaker, you'll sink. If you got a bit of determination about yourself and prepared to put in the odd allnighter you'll be fine.

This is true, if your not a maths/physics whizz kid then you really cant afford to just slack at it. It is hard and it is a pain in the arse for me but im in my second year now and i passed everything last year and this year so far so it proves it can be done!

[Ali123]

doing something like this has interested me for a very long time so I'll be sure to put in the effort needed!
cheers for the help lads

[Morgzc]

Im doing automotive engineering at coventry uni. I didn't do great in my maths a level but still did well enough to get on the course. If you struggled with maths and physics at a level you will get seriously confused with it at university.
First year is pretty similar to what you learnt at college, but, this year I have no clue what's going on.

You should know too that the course is 100% theoretical. The only chance you will get to actually touch/make anything substantial is for your final year project.

[Ali123]

Originally Posted by Morgzc

Im doing automotive engineering at coventry uni. I didn't do great in my maths a level but still did well enough to get on the course. If you struggled with maths and physics at a level you will get seriously confused with it at university.
First year is pretty similar to what you learnt at college, but, this year I have no clue what's going on.

You should know too that the course is 100% theoretical. The only chance you will get to actually touch/make anything substantial is for your final year project.

the maths i can always work on, but as for the physics i mean now at college we're learning about satellites and gravity i mean that isnt really anything to do with this said course is it? where as when we did the mechanics side, momentum etc that kinda stuff was all good

[Morgzc]

Originally Posted by Ali123

the maths i can always work on, but as for the physics i mean now at college we're learning about satellites and gravity i mean that isnt really anything to do with this said course is it? where as when we did the mechanics side, momentum etc that kinda stuff was all good

First year will be mostly of forces, bending in beams ect. The physics first year was mostly about transfer of heat and energy . We did a lot on material properties, fracturing, heat treatment and composites ect.