You will learn through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops and directed and independent learning. Lectures will be used to deliver the underlying science, to direct you towards the latest developments in the subject and to provide the opportunity to learn from leading researchers. You will have the opportunity to enhance your understanding of the subject through seminars which promote both independent learning and problem solving within your peer group with the support of academic staff. A computer-based, individual project will provide you with the challenging opportunity to apply your knowledge to create a detailed drive cycle model which will be used to evaluate the impact of design parameters such as vehicle mass and aerodynamic drag on emissions, fuel consumption, state of charge (EVs and Hybrids) and other performance indicators. You will further expand your knowledge and understanding of engineering science to enable you to predict the performance of a Formula One car around a racing circuit. This formative, group-based exercise and the individual project will be supported by lecture material, seminars and workshops. The planning and critical thinking associated with this module will develop your ability to tackle engineering problems and to communicate the results in the form of a technical report thus further developing your transferable skills and enhancing your employability.

Assessment will consist of coursework and a written examination. The drive cycle simulation coursework will assessed through the submission of an excel calculation together with a journal-style report. Individual written feedback will be provided. Examination feedback will be provided individually and also generically to indicate where the cohort has a strong or a weaker answer to examination questions. Formative feedback will be provided on the racing car performance modelling and on problem solving tasks throughout the seminars and workshops.

You will have direct contact with the module team during lectures, seminars and during the workshop programme. You are encouraged to develop your curiosity by making direct contact with the module team through the open door policy that will be operated throughout the programme. You will also be supported with the use of the eLearning Portal where the module content is provided along with links to the reading list support, seminar questions, case studies, software downloads, appropriate web sites and the latest research and legislative information. Students will be encouraged to update and add to that supporting database as new technical, environmental and legislative information and data become available.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Identify, apply and critically discuss relevant theory, concepts, legislation and literature in the context of road and race vehicle performance.

2. Identify the impact of changing design parameters on the physical and environmental performance of different vehicle types.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. Identify and apply different computational modelling approaches that are appropriate for a specific task.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
4. Increase awareness of the impact of vehicle design parameters and their control on the environment.

Summative
1. Examination (50%) MLO-1
Feedback will be given on your exam script within 20 working days of the examination.

2. Individual Project report (50%) MLO-2, MLO-3, MLO-4
Generic feedback will be given to the class as a group and individual written feedback will be provided within 20 working days.

Formative
3. Seminars (problem solving) MLO-1, MLO2, MLO3.
Formative feedback will be provided on seminar and workshop project work which will include problems designed to aid your understanding.

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This module is intended to relate and develop your knowledge and understanding of fundamental engineering principles and theory to enable you to model the performance of different vehicle types from passenger cars to F1 racing cars. This is achieved primarily through two projects. The first is an individual project to develop a computer model to accurately simulate the performance of a passenger car when driven through an international standard drive cycle. You will use your model to investigate the impact of parameters such as mass and fuel type on environmental impact (CO2 emissions etc). The second is a group workshop-based project to develop a model to predict the performance of a Formula One car around a racing circuit. Using your model you will evaluate the impact of parameters such as tyre behaviour and aerodynamic forces on the car’s performance. You will be expected to make use of the latest research data to inform your calculations.