Master of High Performance Car Design (AAE)

The Curriculum in High-Performance Car Design (HPCD) is part of the Master’s Degree Course in Advanced Automotive Engineering (AAE) and it aims to train professionals able to design high-performance road vehicles, with strong skills in vehicle design, dynamics, and NVH, aerodynamics, and electronics.

This Course lasts two academic years and covers the main aspects of vehicle design and manufacturing, dynamics and NVH (Noise Vibration Harshness), materials behavior, mechanic technology, aerodynamics, thermofluid dynamics, automatic controls, and electronic sensors.

The first semester of the first academic year is common with the other 4 curricula of the AAE Master’s Degree (Advanced Powertrain, Racing Car Design, Advanced Motorcycle Engineering, Advanced Sportscar Manufacturing).

The number of places is limited to a maximum of 20 students. Admissions are based on merit and interviews evaluating motivations and skills. All teachings are delivered entirely in the English language.

The international teaching staff of the Muner includes highly experienced lecturers and professionals. The contents have been defined together with the partner companies' contribution to ensure that training is in line with the current requirements of the labor market. The aim is to provide knowledge and skills related to the design of motor vehicles that are high-performance and suitable for competitions. From hybrid and electric motor propellers to production systems with typical features of the new manufacturing 4.0 environment.

The Program requires student participation in numerous laboratory activities either on campus or on the premises of industrial partners, in line with a “learning by doing” approach. It also includes mandatory internships in private companies and lab-based thesis preparation activities carried out following a “project work” approach.

The High-Performance Car Design Course is held entirely in the Modena Campus.

Course Year 1

First Half-Year Cycle

• Manufacturing and Assembly Technologies/Science and Technology of Metallic and Composite Materials
• Mechanical vibrations
• Vehicle Conceptual Design

Second Half-Year Cycle

• Automatic Controls
• Automotive Computer-Aided Design
• CFD Fundamentals and Aerodynamics
• FEM Fundamentals and Chassis Design C
• Vehicle Dynamics

Course Year 2

First Half-Year Cycle

• Automotive Electronics Systems
• Automotive Fluid Power Systems
• Design Guidelines for Chassis Components
• Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in Electric Transportation
• Product Safety, Product Liability, and Automotive
• Racing Car Tyres
• Vehicle NVH Testing

Second Half-Year Cycle

• Additive Manufacturing of Automotive Components
• Final Examination
• Legal Issues for Engineers
• Traineeship
• Vehicle NVH Simulation

The educational path has been designed in strong cooperation with Companies operating in the automotive sector to allow a seamless insertion of graduates in high-profile roles in the research, development, and manufacturing environments focused on vehicles and their technologies.

Since companies require engineers who are highly qualified and possess specialized skills, to complete the Master’s Degree Program, students have to attend mandatory internships in private companies, as well as, lab-based thesis preparation activities carried out following a “project work” approach. Moreover, students also attend seminars with industrial and international speakers, factory visits, and alumni talks throughout the year.

The High-Performance Car Design engineer will be in charge of the set-up and development of vehicles, ranging from fundamental design aspects up to the design of the main groups and “cold” sub-groups of high-performance vehicles