Prerequisites for the admission.

Admission to the Master’s Degree Programme in Advanced Automotive Engineering is subject to the possession of a Bachelor’s degree, or other university three-year degree, or other suitable qualification obtained abroad and deemed suitable.
Students are also required to possess curricular requirements and pass a test to assess their personal background.
The eligibility requirements for the Master’s Degree Programme are as follows:
a. A university degree in one of the classes pursuant to D.M. 270/04, D.M. 509/99, or a university degree obtained under former Regulations, or also a study qualification deemed equivalent and obtained abroad.
b. A minimum of 85 credits in the scientific disciplinary sectors (SSDs) as shown in Table 1 below, also referring to the minimum requirements set in Table 2.
TABLE 1 - List of the SDSs for which a minimum of 85 credits are required
INF/01, ING-INF/04, ING-INF/05, ING-INF/07, MAT/02, MAT/03, MAT/05, MAT/06, MAT/07, MAT/08, MAT/09, SECS-S/02, CHIM/03, CHIM/07, FIS/01, FIS/03, ING-IND/02, ING-IND/03, ING-IND/04, ING-IND/05, ING-IND/06, ING-IND/07, ING-IND/08, ING-IND/09, ING-IND/10, ING-IND/11, ING-IND/12, ING-IND/13, ING-IND/14, ING-IND/15, ING-IND/16, ING-IND/17, ING-IND/21, ING-IND/22, ING-IND/23, ING-IND/27, ING-IND/31, ING-IND/32, ING-IND/33, L-LIN/12
TABLE 2 - Minimum number of credits (CFUs) required in the corresponding SSDs (Scientific Disciplinary Sectors)
INF/01, ING-INF/05, MAT/02, MAT/03, MAT/05, MAT/06, MAT/07, MAT/08, MAT/09, SECS-S/02, CHIM/03, CHIM/07, FIS/01, FIS/03: min 32 CFUs
ING-INF/04, ING-IND/02, ING-IND/03, ING-IND/04, ING-IND/05, ING-IND/06, ING-IND/07, ING-IND/08, ING-IND/09, ING-IND/10, ING-IND/11, ING-IND/12, ING-IND/13, ING-IND/14, ING-IND/15, ING-IND/16, ING-IND/17, ING-IND/19, ING-IND/21, ING-IND/22, ING-IND/23, ING-IND/27, ING-IND/31, ING-IND/32, ING-IND/33: min 48 CFUs
The curriculum requirements for the enrolment of applicants with a foreign qualification will be evaluated by a Board - appointed by the Degree Programme Board - who will analyse the study curriculum submitted.
The admission is subject to passing a test aimed at assessing their personal background, that will be defined in section “Admission procedure”.
Their possession of suitable linguistic skills in the English language will also be checked; level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference is the minimum requirement.

Skills associated with the function

Advanced Automotive Engineer
The functions associated with the profile of the Advanced Automotive Engineer, expert in the road vehicle architecture, require specialist skills in the main drawing and design aspects, vehicle constructions, vehicle dynamics and Noise Vibration Harshness, material behaviour, mechanic technology, aerodynamics, thermofluidodynamics, automated control, electronics and sensors.
The functions associated with the profile of the AAE expert in the racing vehicle architecture require specific skills in terms of: vehicle setting, vehicle mechanics, structural calculations with lightweight materials, composites and materials for additive manufacturing, aerodynamics and vehicle dynamics.
The functions associated with the profile of the Advanced Automotive Engineer, expert in powertrain systems, require skills in modelling, optimisation, controlling and solving environmental and energy issues relating to traditional and innovative powertrain systems. Specific skills range from the study of internal combustion engines, electric powertrain systems, solutions for the conversion and storage of electromechanical energy and the main powertrain design and production technologies, up to the study of the most advanced control and calibration techniques.
The functions associated with the motor vehicle expert profile of the Advanced Automotive Engineer require specific skills that are typical of electronic engineering and industrial design, relating to drawing, vibration mechanics, mechanic technology, motor vehicle dynamics, design of endothermal and BEV powertrains, development of DAS (Drive Assistance Systems).
The functions associated with the manufacturing expert profile of the Advanced Automotive Engineer require specialist skills in: process engineering, industrial system design, production management and optimisation, automation technologies and solutions, digital technologies of the factory 4.0 and quality control process management.

Function in a work context

Advanced Automotive Engineer
The Advanced Automotive Engineer is a professional with an industrial, as well as an initial mechanic/mechatronic basic knowledge who, based on a complete overview of the vehicle system, is able to design, develop and make the main subsystems featured in road auto and motor vehicles, with specific reference to the premium segment of the market and of racing vehicles, and develop and manage the relevant manufacturing and technological processes.
The main functions of the Advanced Automotive Engineer in a working environment are the vehicle asset, the design and development of the main subsystems and components relating to: thermal, hybrid and electric powertrain, inclusive of energy storage and conversion solutions, and related modelling and controlling issues; cold architecture of road vehicles and motor vehicles, both in the industrial and racing fields; production systems featuring typical aspects of the new industry 4.0 scenario (industrial robotics, design and management of the supply chain, big data, etc.).
The greatest strength of this professional profile is that it involves multiple disciplines, although, given the increasing complexity of new generation road vehicles, along with the consequent and progressive specialisation of the functions and the tasks that Advanced Automotive Engineers must be responsible for in companies, five specific professional profiles have been defined in collaboration with the industrial partners, and are described below:
1. Advanced Automotive Engineer, expert in the road vehicle architecture: responsible for setting up and developing the vehicle system, starting from the understanding of the fundamental aspects, and designing all main cold units and subunits of high-performance road vehicles.
2. Advanced Automotive Engineer, expert in the racing vehicle architecture: responsible for setting up and developing the vehicle system, starting from the understanding of the fundamental aspects, and designing all main cold units and subunits of high-performance road vehicles. Compared to the previous one, this AAE is more specialised in terms of aerodynamics, use of lightweight materials (Carbon Fibre Reinforced Materials), and has a strong ability in carrying out experimental activities.
3. Advanced Automotive Engineer, expert in powertrain systems: responsible for designing and collaborating in traditional and innovative powertrain system engineering, focusing on their optimisation, as well as on controlling and solving environmental and energy issues.
4. Advanced Automotive Engineer, expert in motor vehicles: responsible for designing and developing high-tech motor vehicles, both standard and racing-specific. The AAE deals with and manages aspects that are typical of electronic engineering and industrial design, specific to motor vehicles.
5. Advanced Automotive Engineer, expert in production activities: responsible for training engineers and teach them how to plan, develop, control and manage production systems in the automotive sector. The main areas of knowledge covered by the teachings are as follows: process engineering, industrial system design, production management and optimisation, automation technologies and solutions, digital technologies of the factory 4.0 and quality control process management.
In addition to technical and engineering skills, interdisciplinary skills are required, aimed at specifically communicating the technical contents, at planning project works, even involving multiple subjects, and at continuously refining the theoretical and practical skills through a “learning by doing” approach.

Educational goals

The Advanced Automotive Engineering Master’s Degree Programme is aimed at providing the knowledge and the skills relating to the design of high-performance and racing motor vehicles and motor cycles, focusing on the development, integration and production of their main systems such as the powertrain and the chassis.
Graduates in Advanced Automotive Engineering shall possess the following skills:
- interpret and model the main design aspects relative to components, machines, complex mechanic and electric systems that are typical of modern vehicles, starting from a deep knowledge of the theoretical and scientific aspects of mathematics and the other basic sciences, and by means of an interdisciplinary approach;
- identify, formulate and resolve complex engineering issues requiring high-level theoretical and experimental knowledge and skills, by using the most modern computer-based tools;
- work in a collaborative way in multidisciplinary groups to conceive, plan, design and manage complex and/or innovative systems, processes and services relating to vehicle engineering, by applying knowledge and skills that are typical of mechanic, electronic, electric and material engineering;
DEGREE PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
Students attending the Master’s Degree Programme in Advanced Automotive Engineering already have proper basic knowledge that are typical of Mechanic Engineering and have the opportunity, in the initial phase of the study programme, to gain further skills in the field of Materials and Innovation Technologies, Engines, Electric and Hybrid Powertrain systems, Aerodynamics, Vehicle Mechanics and Dynamics, Structural Design of engines and chassis, Production Systems in the automotive field.
After the first phase, students complete their preparation by vertically delve into the disciplines relating to Electric Machines, Electronics and Controls, with the purpose of providing a state-of-the-art training on electric/hybrid powertrain and on checks of high-performance modern vehicles. Such knowledge is enriched by learning and applying computer assisted design tools and virtual prototyping tools in the structural (FEM), fluid-dynamic (CFD) and design (CAD) fields, as well as by using highly specialised research and experimentation laboratories already shared with the companies, and industrial laboratories made available by the same companies that are involved in the educational project. Given the obligation for students to participate in training internships in companies or industrial research laboratories, the programme is structured as to allow for the application of an educational approach based on a learning by doing approach, further enhanced by the opportunity to choose curriculum activities within the Formula SAE teams, which have been available for a long time at the partner universities.
The training programme provided by the Study Programme is conceived as the development of hierarchical learning areas starting from a common one, and on their subsequent declination in specialist areas that are progressively covered more deeply thanks to a half-year term offered in multiple specialised universities, as described below. At the end of the training programme, the skills acquired are summarised in a semester that entirely focuses on carrying out professional design activities needed to progressively enter the job market.
CHANGES IN THE STUDY PROGRAMMES BASED ON THE CURRICULA AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS
The training programme provides for a period of time shared among all students, organised in order to provide them the basic skills required to understand the principles of high-performance vehicle design, during an initial learning stage. The programme offers training on skills relating to the design setting of the vehicle lay-out, with the production processes required for the manufacturing and assembly of the single components, by choosing and using the materials of greatest interest for the sector of high-performance vehicles, along with the main aspects connected with the mechanical effects taking place on systems and components.
Later, the study programme is divided into different curricula, in order to make the study programmes that students choose more specialised, based on the instructions provided by the parties involved, at the same time maintaining a global overview on the vehicle system. Curricula are connected with the development of the following specialist learning areas.
A second learning area deals with the powertrain. The programme is aimed at providing the skills, methods and tools for studying, designing and controlling powertrain systems, both endothermal and electric and hybrid, focusing on how to maximise their performance, as well as control ad solve environmental and energy issues. The programme is then structured as to enhance the aspects that are directly linked to both powertrain design and optimisation, and propulsion system control.
A further learning area is aimed at providing skills, methods and tools for studying, designing and testing the chassis system and the architecture of high-performance and racing vehicles. Such area is organised as to cover the aspects related to the design and production of standard vehicle systems on one side, and to develop topics that are mainly connected with the use of special materials and solutions for the racing sector on the other, also taking into account the highly experimental nature of the development activities and the focus on aerodynamic and performance aspects in such field.
A specific learning area is connected with the motor vehicle sector. It is aimed at providing skills, methods and tools for designing, developing and testing the engine and structure/chassis of high-tech standard and racing motor vehicles. Therefore it combines some of the training activities described in the previous sections, by offering a view that applies to the specific features of the motor vehicle.
The last specialist learning area relates to the specific topic of high-performance vehicle manufacturing. Here is were skills, methods and tools for planning, developing, controlling and managing automotive production systems are provided. The main areas of knowledge covered by the teachings are as follows: process engineering, industrial system design, production management and optimisation, automation technologies and solutions, digital technologies of the factory 4.0 and quality control process management.
All specialist learning areas that are organised in curricula end into a summary learning area that is aimed at providing methods, techniques and strategies useful to apply the skills and the tools acquired during the study programme, also through important practical experience to be carried out in the companies of the vehicle chain, as well as in the most advanced university and industrial research laboratories. More specifically, practical experience is offered in connection with the realisation on an important design or experimental project that will be presented in the final thesis. Such learning area is also aimed at offering students the opportunity to assess their own self-management and planning skills in scientific or industrial projects.

Communication skills

The Master’s Degree in Advanced Automotive Engineering provides students with the communication skills used to describe engineering issues, perform team work, and report to third parties the results of research and working activities in general. Learning such communication skills is an integral part of the study programme: useful tools for this purpose are reporting to peer students and professors the results achieved during practical exercises and laboratory activities, carried out individually or in team, the preparation of thesis projects and the drawing up of technical reports on the activities carried out, the oral assessments during examinations, the team work according to a “learning by doing” approach and the development of multidisciplinary engineering projects.
Any internship in companies of the automotive supply chain, along with any activity carried out in both industrial and university international research laboratories is a further testing ground that is useful to check and encourage communication and speaking skills in students. Ultimately, presenting the results achieved during the thesis is the perfect opportunity for students to test their communication skills acquired, which are an integral part of the assessment upon assignment of the final degree score.
Graduates must prove that they master the English language.

Making Judgements

Master graduates in Advanced Automotive Engineering are able to critically deal with issues that are typical of Mechanical Engineering but are specifically applied to vehicles. Such issues are made extremely complex by the temporary presence of topics relating to other engineering sectors, such as controls and electronics, electric drives, material science.
At the end of the training programme, graduates are able to:
- identify and collect the data required to deal with the issues by means of bibliographic researches, use of data banks and other sources of information;
- ideate and directly carry out analytical surveys by using theoretical models, computer virtual prototypes and experimental measures;
- make a critical analysis of the data available and the results achieved, and draw the appropriate conclusions;
- assess the applicability of innovative technologies in real time by inserting them into the specific context being analysed;
- carry out activities (measures, tests, computer simulations, etc.) and promote evaluations also by working in team.
- think and make independent evaluations on social and ethical themes, specifically referring to environmental sustainability and the diffusion of a technical and scientific culture.
The modes and educational tools used to achieve the expected results provide for the production and evaluation of project works and technical and/or scientific reports aimed at developing unique ideas, starting from the analysis of state-of-the-art scenarios, to be developed in a team or independently.
In addition, some laboratories included in the Degree Programme courses offer and evaluate independent testing activities (learning by doing) aimed at validating projects, manufacturing unique prototypes or understanding physical phenomena of engineering interest.
Ultimately, the active participation in meetings with leading representatives of the world of research and industry, even organised within seminars, conferences, and business visits, is encouraged in order to ensure the direct and independent exchange with the working environment.

Learning skills

The training programme of the Master’s degree in Advanced Automotive Engineering, highly multidisciplinary and specialist at the same time, allows students to develop and enhance the learning skills they have acquired during their previous study programme.
In the working environments after graduating, students will be able to independently deal with analysing highly specialised engineering issues in the vehicle sector and its supply chain.
The training activities of the study programme are aimed not only at providing detailed information and state-of-the-art tools for solving technical issues that are peculiar or Vehicle Engineering, but also and mainly a state of mind focused on innovation, on the acquisition of new methodologies, and on the ability to strictly deal with engineering problems that are not necessarily the same or similar to those dealt with during the study period. Such skill offers graduates an adequate base for technical and technological challenges that they will have to deal with during their working career, including any post-degree training programmes (PhD, Master).
The learning skill is encouraged during the study programme through project and laboratory activities, in which students are encouraged to search for complementary information on technical magazines, texts, databases; preparing the thesis is ultimately the summary and evaluation of such skills, as students are required to deal with highly innovative applied research themes.