Calling automotive engineers

Right, in one of my brilliant moments of inspiration, and the lack of jobs available I'm verging on applying to another degree (told you this thread would crop up).

Now the degree in question would be either motor sport engineering or automotive engineering. Reason being, I've always been interested in the technical side of cars and from day one of owning a car/bike have tried to take it apart and mess around bla bla bla. So i defiantly have the interest, however they state that i need a good understanding of maths, which i have not touched since leaving school 4 years ago!

So instead of looking like an idiot and failing I want to brush up and see if it is beyond what i am capable of which is where you lovely people come in. If you could give me an idea of what area of maths are used and any info you can give really that would be great!

Cheers,
Ash.

[timwilky]

I was an automotive engineer years ago. I did a mechanical engineering degree and work in R&D for Leyland Trucks.

Early on in my time there the maths part got very heavy when I was getting involved in finite element stress analysis.

I would say that you need a thorough grounding in calculus and probably A level Maths, before you go near studying for the appropriate degree.

Also remember the components you have to get through. Mechanics, thermodynamics, materials etc.

I did not do chemistry at school, this did hamper me when it came to materials engineering.

If I can crawl into the corner of the loft where I left all my uni notes 25 years ago I will try and find the maths subjects we covered.

Sounds very difficult, I did only get a C at school for maths .

I did Mechanical Engineering at BTEC level and passed with flying colours so I thought I was quite good. I then went onto university to study Aeronautical Engineering and the level of Maths needed was seriously way over my head which lead me to loose interest in the subject. Like Tim says you'll also have to get though subject like thermodynamics and materials (the only 2 out of 8 that I passed in the first year ), but the maths subjects are seriously hard core.

However, if you are prepared to put the hours in, which TBH I wasn't really as it was an extra 4-5 hours after a full day of lessons and I wanted a social life (what uni is all about ) then go for it.

[fizzwheel]

Or you could just get a job in your local garage and work your way up through..

My brother left School at 16 got a job at the local garage, he went to college 1 day a weekend and did an NVQ or similar, then went from their to the local Peugeot Dealer, then onto the Honda Dealer and then onto the Toyota dealer.

A job came up a while ago at this place

http://www.arielmotor.co.uk/

He applied and got it and now builds them from the chassis up, Whenever you see The Green Atom 3 on top gear or 5th gear, my brother built that car.

Have a look out for a book called "The Mechanics Tale" by Steve Machett, he worked his way up through a number of car dealerships and ended up working at Benetton spannering on Schumachers F1 car...

I'm not so sure you need that degree you think you do...

[timwilky]

Arrrrggghhhh to fizz's comment


Come on mate, we have enough problems in this country with dish washer fixers calling themselves engineers for you to add further insult and devalue engineers.

Now if the OP wants to do the aerodynamics on an F1 car, or maybe engine development, chassis,suspension, running gear, controls. etc I am sure the constructors would be looking for a graduate engineer with motor sport experience. Sorry but I doubt very much that a mechanic no matter how experienced would cut the mustard.

[fizzwheel]

Oh the other thing to do is buy a copy of Autosport and have a look in the back of it. Theres a situations vacant section with jobs that the OP might be interested in, often they list what skills / qualifications are required. I'm sure I've seen jobs that offer on the job apprenticeships etc etc so that might get you in to the trade a different way.

Hmm, apprenticeships is something else i will look into but the wage is terrible! I get more now working 16 hours a week than the 50 they would require!

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by arcdef

Hmm, apprenticeships is something else i will look into but the wage is terrible

Everybody has to start somewhere...

Arcdef,

If it's the motorsport degree at farnborough college, the guy I sit next to at work is actually on the foundation year of that degree now on a part time basis. From conversations with him the maths side of the course is quite hard...and that's after he's done a civil engineering course which is heavily based on maths too. You'll use all sorts of maths, all the stuff which you thought was pointless at school like sine waves etc.

You could ask the college/uni to set you a practice exam to see if you'll make the grade. I know a few people who have done this.