Automotive Engineering

In 2005, some of the most enterprising students enrolled in the first cycle of the course in Automotive Engineering decided to participate in the inter-university competition organised by the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) with the aim of designing and producing a race car capable of passing several tests, from design to engineering efficiency; thus, the first 46 was born. From then on, they have competed, every year, at some of the main European motor racing tracks in which the Formula SAE is held: Hockenheim (DE), Barcelona (S), Varano (I).

The goal of this training path is to provide basic knowledge in terms of the vehicle system, its main sub-systems, and its production: all skills that can be applied in the context of designing automotive components, contributing to improving your ability to work in interdisciplinary teams.

You will become a junior designer, a professional figure able to contribute to the development and management of integrated motor vehicle systems, with the constant application of up-to-date technology and methodologies, both for the Research & Development stages and for the management of production processes.

What will you learn?

The increasing restrictions on vehicle consumption and emissions has led companies in this sector to profoundly rethink the vehicle, with a clear trend towards electrification.

The availability of fast connectivity, permitted by the 5G networks, of on-board sensor systems, of ever more powerful computing capacities, will make the vehicle of the near future connected and autonomous.

The issues of additive manufacturing and industry 4.0 are, on the other hand, leading to a radical rethink of production processes.

In recent years, therefore, the car industry has given strong priority to these issues, asking universities for product and process engineers capable of engaging with systems distinguished by all these strongly interdisciplinary issues. The Automotive Engineering degree training offering aligns with these requirements.

In the first year you will receive the general training of all engineering courses (mathematics, physics, chemistry, and IT), concluding with the study of English.

In the second year, you will study the basic subjects (design, physics and advanced mathematical analysis), continuing into the second half with the study of subjects more specific to the sector, such as applied mechanics, materials science, electrotechnics, and electronics.

In the third year, you will further explore specific topics like the construction of cars, production technologies, thermal mechanics, and electrics, and automatic controls.

In addition, you will study the most current issues related to the motor vehicle, such as reducing consumption, emissions, and the environmental impact, as well as autonomous and connected vehicles.

At the end of the pathway, you must develop a thesis project that will enable you to independently put in practice the skills acquired over the years and that you will present during a public meeting.

How will you learn it?

The degree programme is in Italian and English for the first two years, wholly in English in the third year, since automotive engineering exists, physiologically, in an international context.

You will take part in lectures, classroom exercises, and digital and experimental laboratories, and you will take part in tours of plants and laboratories where you will immediately understand the complexity of the working world that you are passionate about.

But, most importantly, beginning from the third year, you will participate in the design and creation of prototypes within student design teams to compete in international university competitions.

The race team competes every year in Silverstone (UK), Hockenheim (Germany), Varano (Italy). The vehicles are designed with the most advanced software (Catia, Autocad, Hypermesh, and Matlab are some of the main ones) and are produced with innovative, high-performance materials.

The H2polito team builds road cars and other vehicles, by engaging with professionals in the sector at an international level.

What you can do next

The ideal is to continue your studies with the Master’s degree in Automotive Engineering that corresponds to the qualification required by the auto industry.