Aerospace Propulsion (Option of Thermal Power) – (M.Sc.)

Contents

Structure

A thorough grounding is provided in the design and operation of different types of propulsion systems for aerospace application in a course structured to meet the different needs of individual students. The teaching programme comprises a series of lecture courses and an extensive Research or Design Project.

Modules

The lecture programme consists of twelve or more courses; eight of these are compulsory and the remainder are selected from a list of eleven options. Typical lecture courses are:

* Turbomachinery
* Rockets and Ramjets
* Piston Engines
* Spacecraft Systems
* Engine Systems
* Fuels and Combustion

An intensive two-week industrial management course is offered to all MSc students; this course assists in achieving exemptions from some engineering council requirements. The students also benefit from invited lectures from senior engineers and managers in the propulsion and power industries.

Research Project

In addition to the lecture programme, the candidate is required to submit a written thesis describing a research project carried out during the course. This thesis is examined orally in September in the presence of an external examiner. Typical titles of project undertaken recently are:

* Optimum design of a cooled turbine stage
* Design of a Propfan Engine
* Procurement Criteria for Civil Aero-Engines
* Airbreathing Propulsion for Space Launchers
* Advanced Air-breathing Propulsion Systems
* Influence of Layout on High Bypass Turbofan Performance
* Diagnostics of Jet Engines in Test Beds
* Gas Path Analysis of a Low Bypass Jet Engine Assessment

Assessment

The final MSc assessment is weighted equally between the assessed lecture courses and the project thesis.

Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma

A post-graduate certificate in the Aerospace Propulsion option is available for candidates who are only able to devote a limited part of the year to their studies. The postgraduate certificate in Aerospace Propulsion will entail attendance at the courses which are run between October and December and which are examined in late January. Obtaining the post-graduate diploma will entail attendance at the courses, which are run from October through to April the following year which are examined in late January and April.

Part-time options

The department offers a part-time MSc by research in Aerospace Propulsion. The MSc by research is assessed entirely on the basis of a research project/thesis which will normally take between 2 and 3 years to complete, depending on work commitments. Candidates will be required to attend 5 continuing professional development short courses (generally lasting one to two weeks each) at Cranfield in the first 2 years of the programme to provide specific academic background to the project.

Cranfield is very well located for visiting part-time students from across the UK and Europe and offers a range of library and support facilities to support your studies.