The Institute for Automotive Engineering (ika) and the Institute for Combustion Engines (VKA) 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 combustion engines.
Academic Content & Certificates
Course Outline
Academic Staff
Learning Objective | Program Goal
Automotive Engineering 1 (AE1)
Knowledge and Understanding
- Power and energy requirements for overcoming driving resistances
- Functional description and evaluation of different longitudinal dynamic components
- Driving performance and limits of motor vehicles
Skills
- Calculation of longitudinal dynamic driving resistances
- Detailed understanding of the individual components of the automobile powertrain
- Design and calculation of powertrains for motor vehicles
Alternative and Electrified Vehicle Propulsion Systems (AVPS)
Knowledge and Understanding
- Potentials and challenges of electrification
- Energy conversion and storage systems
- Electrified powertrains
Skills
- Detailed understanding of alternative propulsion systems for road vehicles
- Detailed understanding of energy conversion and storage systems in mobile applications
- Design and calculation of electrified powertrains
Automated Driving
Knowledge and Understanding
- Introduction into automated driving
- Evaluation of challenges and potentials for automated driving
- Introduction into required hard- and software for automated driving
Skills
- Basic understanding of different levels of automation in vehicle applications
- Basic understanding of requirements within the development process of automated driving
- Development of semi-automated driving functions
Mobile Propulsion Fundamentals
Knowledge and Understanding
- Characteristics of combustion engines, fuel cells and electric machines
- Classification and characteristic values
- Basic functional principles and layout
Skills
- Detailed understanding of the basic energy conversion principles of combustion engines, fuel cells and electric machines
- Detailed understanding of main characteristics and control variables towards operating behavior and efficiency of the aforementioned mobile propulsion systems
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 1 (AE1)
The fundamental module Automotive Engineering 1 deals with the motor vehicle and its significance for today's passenger and freight traffic in comparison to other transport systems. The vehicle, its history and its impact on the environment are considered as a whole.
The focus of this course is on vehicle longitudinal dynamics. The individual driving resistances are presented as well as their calculation. The course covers the components and parameters that influence the driving and braking of a vehicle. This includes the conventional powertrain consisting of combustion engine, transmission, differential and tires. In addition, brake systems will be presented which are used in today's passenger cars. The examination of energy consumption in the automotive sector rounds off the topic of longitudinal dynamics.
Alternative and Electrified Vehicle Propulsion Systems (AVPS)
The advanced module Alternative Vehicle Propulsion Systems covers alternative concepts for the propulsion of road vehicles. The importance of alternative drive concepts for the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions as well as the potentials and challenges are discussed. During the course the different alternative drive concepts will be presented. On the engine side, these include unconventional designs of internal combustion engines with the consideration of alternative fuels (alcohol, natural gas, hydrogen) as well as gas turbines, Stirling engines, fuel cells and electric drives. Furthermore, the different types of continuously variable transmissions and power split drive structures will be discussed. Regenerative drives such as electric drives, pressure accumulator drives, flywheel drives and hybrid drives are another focus of the lecture. The different structures of hybrid drives will be taught as well as fuel cell and battery electric vehicles.
Automated Driving
The advanced module Automated Driving aims to teach the technical basics of (full-)automated driving. The topic "automated driving" is structured and a general overview is given. This includes the history of automated driving, a current evaluation of its social aspects, the social framework in which automated vehicles are developed and used, the legal framework as well as the economic challenges and potential benefits. The different levels of automation and connectivity of automated vehicles are explained according to different classification schemes. A functional architecture of automated vehicles will be introduced. An insight into the current state of developments is given. In addition, the various components of the sensors required for automated driving will be presented, and the computer-aided processing of the data collected by the vehicle will be explained. Within the framework of a case study, the acquired knowledge is applied to independently develop automated driving functions in a test environment and to test their functionality.
Mobile Propulsion Fundamentals
The lecture deals with the different principles of the energy conversion as well as the main requirements on combustion engines, fuel cells and electric machines. On the basis of standard cycles, the thermodynamic coherences of the combustion engine process are shown. It also deals with the definition of the different efficiencies. The application of these coherences is carried out by dealing with important characteristic values for the layout of combustion engines. Under consideration of a classification of the combustion engines selected aspects of the engine technology are observed. Furthermore the basic principles of electrochemical energy conversion in a fuel cell are introduced and influences on the operational behavior as well as important characteristic values are discussed. Conclusive the physical principles of electrical machines are approached and different machine types and their characteristic maps are introduced. The content introduced in the lectures is intensified in exercises based on practical examples.
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!