Aerodynamics (Option of Aerospace Dynamics MSc) – (M.Sc.)

Contents

Course description

The Aerodynamics option is designed for students seeking a career in aerodynamic design, flow control, flow measurement or any sector in which an understanding of fluid flows plays a major role.

The continuing search for aerodynamic refinement and performance optimisation for the next generation of aircraft and surface vehicle creates the need for specialist knowledge of fluid flow behaviour.

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 unmanned air vehicles (UAVs). This has drawn heavily on aerodynamic modelling, using both wind tunnels and computational fluid dynamics (CFD), as well as flight dynamics.

Increasingly, skills in these areas are also in demand in sectors such as automotive, environmental, energy and medicine.

Research thesis

Recent aerodynamics research thesis topics have included:

* the use of micro vortex generators to prevent or delay separation of a turbulent boundary layer
* vortex trajectory mapping for slender bodies
* optimisation of a hypersonic intake
* aerostable carbon car, aerodynamic drag reduction
* active flow control for high lift systems
* transonic nonrectangular surface cavities
* trailing edge geometry effects on aerofoil drag.

Option of

Modules:

* Aircraft Navigation and Sensors
* Air-Vehicle Modelling and Simulation
* CFD for Aerospace Applications
* Compressible Flow
* Control Systems
* Experimental Aerodynamics
* Flight Dynamics Principles
* Flying Qualities and Flight Control
* Fundamentals of Rotorcraft Performance, Stability and Control
* Fundamentals of Supersonic Aircraft Design
* Launch and Re-Entry Aerodynamics
* Supercritical Aerofoil Design
* Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics
* Introduction to Transonic Flow
* Launch and Re-Entry Aerodynamics
* Modelling of Dynamic Systems
* Multivariable Control Systems for Aerospace Applications
* Technology for Sustainable Aviation
* Viscous Flow
* Group Flight Test Report