The Institute for Automotive Engineering (ika) and the Institute for Power Electronics and Electrical Drives (ISEA) conduct the academic content. Research areas include innovative concepts for components and systems, vehicle prototypes, the development of innovative components, controls and system concepts in traction and automotive technologies, and energy supply (ISEA).
Academic Content & Certificates
Course Outline
Academic Staff
Full Description of Modules
The Summer School explores modern automotive technologies and concepts of mobility. Key areas of study cover the following topics:
Automotive Engineering
In the Automotive Engineering (AE1) lectures and exercises, you will learn the fundamentals of vehicle physics. The lecture starts with a brief look at the most successful vehicle models of automotive history. Next, driving resistances are explained. These cover rolling-, climbing-, aerodynamic- and acceleration-resistance. At the end of this course segment, you will be able to determine the energy demand for a vehicle in a given driving situation. This enables you to select and design the appropriate powertrain as shown in the consecutive course “Alternative and Electrified Vehicle Propulsion Systems”.
Alternative and Electrified Vehicle Propulsion Systems
Subjects of this block of lecture are alternative concepts for the powertrain of vehicles. This lecture deals with the different alternative drive systems, as unconventional types of combustion engines with the consideration of alternative fuels (alcohol, natural gas, hydrogen), gas turbines, Stirling engines and fuel cells as well as electric drives. Furthermore this lectures discusses the different types of variable transmissions and power split drive trains.
Regenerative drives e.g. electric -, flywheel- and hybrid-drives are a main topic of this lecture. Beside the discussion of the different components (hydraulic machines, electric motors, hydraulic pressure accumulators, batteries, flywheels), possible control strategies (integrated engine-transmission management) are deducted, according to the various drive concepts.
At the end of this course, the student will have a broad understanding of the various design possibilities of electric-, hybrid- and alternative drivetrains, including its benefits and limits. The most important characteristics of electric- and hybrid-drivetrains as well as battery systems can be determined and evaluated.
Energy Storage Systems in Vehicles
The lectures cover the subjects CO2, cell chemistry and design, formats of lithium ion, pack design, personal and public applications, and public perception as well as market barriers.
Grid Integration of Electric Vehicles
Three important areas regarding the grid integration of electric vehicles are introduced and discussed: Charging process, charging concepts and charging management.
Case Study: Autonomous Vehicles
Students will build a car with a specific set of sensors which are able to screen the surrounding area. These sensor system will be improved stepwise to achieve an almost "autonomous" vehicle.
Final Exam
At the end of the program, students will take part in a written final exam or final presentation over the course. Upon successful completion, you will receive an Executive Certificate from RWTH Aachen University stating your final grade of the course.
Certificate and Workload
Certificate of Participation
At the end of the Summer School program, you will receive a Certificate of Participation together with a Certificate Supplement from RWTH Aachen University, stating the workload and the academic content of the Summer School.
Executive Certificate
Upon successful completion of the Summer School, you will furthermore receive an Executive Certificate and a Certificate of Performance from RWTH Aachen University, stating the final grade.
Credits & Workload
Have a look here at the workload of our Summer Schools:
|
2-week programs |
about 60 hours | 2 ECTS credits can be awarded |
|
3-week programs: |
about 90 hours | 3 ECTS credits can be awarded |
|
4-week programs: |
about 120 hours | 4 ECTS credits can be awarded |
Please note:
Ultimately it is up to your home institution as to how many credits may be awarded. For details, please speak to your home institution’s Study Abroad Adviser!