Course syllabus for Chalmers formula student

Course syllabus adopted 2021-02-26 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameChalmers formula student
  • CodeTME047
  • Credits15 Credits
  • OwnerMPMOB
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyAutomation and Mechatronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Design Engineering
  • DepartmentMECHANICS AND MARITIME SCIENCES
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 89115
  • Open for exchange studentsNo

Credit distribution

0114 Written and oral assignments 3 c
Grading: UG		0 c3 c
0214 Project 12 c
Grading: TH		 12 c

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

Admission after agreement with the examiner.

Aim

The aim of this course is to provide possibilities for the students to gain knowledge and experiences of applied practical engineering work as well as prototype manufacturing. The course concerns a total car concept where the entire process from conceive and design to implement and operate is regarded. Important topics are system based thinking, communication and teamwork.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

  • Apply functional and solution models in the concept phase of an engineering project to analyse and create concepts for vehicle parts and systems.
  • Apply Computer Aided Engineering (CAD and simulation tools) to design and analyse vehicle parts and systems.
  • Produce drawings or other basis for manufacturing that can be understood by a third party.
  • Lead structured meetings. The requirements for a structured meeting are that there is an objective and agenda for the meeting and that notes are taken where conclusions and actions from the meeting are recorded.
  • Create a project planning that includes tasks and deliverables with due dates and responsibilities.
  • Apply a goal hierarchy method in order to derive engineering requirements for a technical system or part.
  • Show understanding for how an individual part or subsystem contributes to the system as a whole and that the added value to the system and its cost efficiency can vary greatly between different part or subsystem options.
  • Manufacture or assemble parts within one of the manufacturing areas metals, plastics (e.g. carbon fibre reinforced plastics) or electronics.
  • Perform physical tests of a vehicle or vehicle subsystem and evaluate their performance against design targets
  • Analyse and explain discrepancies in theoretical and measured performance for a component or system.
  • Communicate work status and issues to team members throughout the project.

Content

The course is a design-build-test course with the intent to build a complete ground vehicle in the form of a small competition car. The student will participate in a project team where each participant contributes with a particular part, subsystem or function. The objectives of the course are to use previously acquired knowledge to develop a sub-system or function, participate in manufacturing and competition preparations. Lectures on specific topics essential to the project are given in the concept and design phases. See the learning outcomes for a more detailed description of course contents.

Organisation

  • Lectures
  • Weekly team meetings
  • Weekly subgroup meetings
  • Written project report that cover Design, Manufacturing, Testing and Competition(s)
  • Oral Presentations
  • Project work to design, manufacture and test a Formula Student car
  • Participation in Formula Student competition(s)

Literature

Current Formula SAE rules and competition specific rules.

Lecture slides and handouts.

Examination including compulsory elements

The examination is based on work performed in the project, written reports, oral presentations and peer reviews. 

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.