Apply now
CourseAutomotive & Motorsport Applications open

Course on cooling and thermal efficiency in racing cars

Online course of 300 hours in cooling and thermal efficiency in racing cars. 6 modules covering vehicle heat transfer, radiators and heat exchangers, aerodynamic cooling, race thermal management and package thermal efficiency, with FIA Appendix J, SAE J1393, GT-SUITE and an assigned technical tutor.

Duration3 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute certificate
Enrol now View syllabus Ask an advisor
Virtual lab · try it before you enrol

Take the controls.

Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.

SIM · LIVE ●
Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Analyse the heat sources of a competition vehicle.

02

Size radiators and heat exchangers.

03

Assess the trade-off between cooling and aerodynamics.

04

Manage temperatures during a race.

05

Improve the thermal efficiency of the package.

06

Simulate cooling ducts.

07

Define configurations by circuit.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Cooling engineers.
  • Thermal systems engineers.
  • Track engineers.
  • CFD technicians.
  • Motor sport mechanics.
  • Engine engineers who need to master heat rejection.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter motor sport.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • Appendix J to the FIA International Sporting Code (technical regulations for competition cars)
  • FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations (technical rules for Formula 1)
  • SAE J1393 (test standards for cooling modules)
  • ISO 1585 (engine testing, net power)
  • ASME PTC 12.5 (single-phase heat exchangers)
  • GT-SUITE
  • Ansys Fluent
  • STAR-CCM+
  • MATLAB
Syllabus

6 modules

  1. 1.1Heat generated by the engine and brakes
  2. 1.2Conduction, convection and radiation
  3. 1.3Heat transfer coefficient
  4. 1.4Engine heat balance
  5. 1.5Heat sources in electric vehicles
  6. 1.6Optimum operating temperature
  7. 1.7Cooling losses
  8. 1.8Impact of cooling on aerodynamics
  9. 1.9Heat exchanger equations
  10. 1.10Practical: engine heat balance
  1. 2.1Water and oil radiators
  2. 2.2Air-to-air and air-to-water intercoolers
  3. 2.3Effectiveness-NTU method
  4. 2.4Fin density and pressure drop
  5. 2.5Materials and manufacturing
  6. 2.6Location in the sidepods
  7. 2.7Inlet and outlet ducts
  8. 2.8Water pumps and flow rate
  9. 2.9Thermostats and valves
  10. 2.10Lab: sizing a radiator
  1. 3.1Aerodynamic penalty of cooling
  2. 3.2NACA ducts and internal diffusers
  3. 3.3Air outlets and louvres
  4. 3.4Configuration by circuit
  5. 3.5Brake cooling
  6. 3.6Loss of cooling when running in traffic
  7. 3.7CFD simulation of ducts
  8. 3.8Climatic wind tunnel testing
  9. 3.9Tape and blanking on the grid
  10. 3.10Case study: selecting air outlets
  1. 4.1Water, oil and brake temperature sensors
  2. 4.2Thermal telemetry and steering wheel alarms
  3. 4.3Heating up behind the safety car
  4. 4.4Lift and coast technique for cooling
  5. 4.5Strategy in hot-weather races
  6. 4.6Coolants, oils and additives
  7. 4.7Circuit pressurisation and boiling point
  8. 4.8Response to leaks or pump failures
  9. 4.9Electronic over-temperature protections
  10. 4.10Case study: thermal management in a hot race
  1. 5.1Thermal efficiency and rejected heat
  2. 5.2Recovering thermal energy from the exhaust
  3. 5.3Thermal insulation of exhausts and turbos
  4. 5.4Ceramic coatings on pistons and manifolds
  5. 5.5Heat radiated towards the chassis and electronics
  6. 5.6Operating temperature of electronics
  7. 5.7Cooling of batteries and inverters
  8. 5.8Compact radiator packaging
  9. 5.9Trade-off between weight, downforce and temperature
  10. 5.10Case study: thermal optimisation of a sidepod
  1. 6.1Definition of the vehicle and circuit
  2. 6.2Full system heat balance
  3. 6.3Sizing radiators and intercoolers
  4. 6.4Design of inlet and outlet ducts
  5. 6.5CFD simulation of the cooling flow
  6. 6.6On-track thermal validation plan
  7. 6.7Estimate of the aerodynamic penalty
  8. 6.8Configurations by ambient temperature
  9. 6.9Report and presentation
  10. 6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so it fits around your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is GT-SUITE, Ansys Fluent, STAR-CCM+ and MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for radiator sizing, cooling configuration by circuit and thermal management during a race. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final project.

Standards covered: Appendix J to the FIA International Sporting Code; FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations; SAE J1393; ISO 1585; ASME PTC 12.5.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of Appendix J to the FIA International Sporting Code, the FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations and SAE J1393 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:GT-SUITE, Ansys Fluent, STAR-CCM+ and MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:a competition cooling project covering the full heat balance, radiator sizing, duct design and CFD simulation, reviewed by your tutor.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Vehicle and circuit definition
Define the vehicle and circuit and draw up the full system heat balance.
Heat exchanger sizing
Size the radiators and intercoolers.
Duct design and CFD
Design inlet and outlet ducts and simulate the cooling flow in CFD.
Validation and penalty
Plan on-track thermal validation and estimate the aerodynamic penalty.
Final project
Deliver configurations by ambient temperature in a report reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Cooling engineerThermal systems engineerTrack engineerCFD technicianMotor sport mechanicEngine engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No prior qualification is required.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

Apply now Scholarships
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with GT-SUITE, Ansys Fluent, STAR-CCM+ and MATLAB, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

No prior qualification is required; you need a computer able to run the programme software, an internet connection and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

Keep exploring

Related programmes

See all in Automotive & Motorsport
Course890 $

Aerodynamics course for flat bottoms and Venturi tunnels

Online course of 300 hours in flat-floor and Venturi tunnel aerodynamics: 6 modules covering ground effect and the Venturi principle, tunnel geometry, porpoising and stability, simulation…

3 monthsOnlineAutomotive & Motorsport
Course500 $

Mechanics course applied to drag racing

Online course of 300 hours in drag racing mechanics. 6 modules covering straight-line acceleration physics, high-power engines, transmission and traction, chassis and safety, and data and…

3 monthsOnlineAutomotive & Motorsport
Course610 $

Turbocharger course: theory and practical calibration

Online course of 300 hours in turbochargers: theory and practical calibration. 6 modules covering forced induction principles, turbocharger selection, boost control, anti-lag and response, and practical…

3 monthsOnlineAutomotive & Motorsport
Course on cooling and thermal efficiency in racing carsEnrol
Related programmes

More in Automotive & Motorsport

High-voltage safety course in pitsView programme →Aluminum vs. carbon fiber racing chassis courseView programme →Rapid prototyping course with virtual realityView programme →Course on active aerodynamics and its regulationView programme →Thermal management course for batteries in electric single-seatersView programme →Basic Telemetry Graph Analysis CourseView programme →

All Automotive & Motorsport programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships

Scroll to Top
SEIUM – Institute of Advanced Engineering
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.