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Master'sAutomotive & Motorsport Applications open

Master’s in Wind Tunnel, Scale Models and Instrumentation Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in wind tunnel, scale model and instrumentation engineering: 12 modules covering automotive wind tunnels, similarity theory, scale models, support and motion systems, force, pressure and flow-field measurement, data management, test planning, tunnel–CFD–track correlation and facility quality management, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
Enrol now View syllabus Ask an advisor
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Take the controls.

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

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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Understand how automotive wind tunnels work.

02

Apply similarity theory and tunnel corrections.

03

Design and manufacture scale models.

04

Measure forces, pressures and velocity fields.

05

Manage data and test programmes.

06

Correlate wind tunnel, CFD and track results.

07

Manage test facilities to quality criteria.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Wind tunnel engineers in motorsport, automotive or aerospace.
  • Scale model technicians designing and building tunnel models.
  • Instrumentation engineers working with balances, scanners and PIV.
  • Aerodynamic correlation engineers linking tunnel, CFD and track.
  • Test facility managers responsible for operations and calibration.
  • Aerodynamic data engineers automating test processing.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to break into motorsport.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • SAE J1594 (vehicle aerodynamics terminology)
  • SAE J2084 (aerodynamic testing of vehicles)
  • ISO/IEC 17025 (competence of testing and calibration laboratories)
  • JCGM 100:2008 (GUM, guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement)
  • Formula 1 Financial Regulations (ATR, aerodynamic testing restrictions)
  • FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations (technical rules for F1 cars)
  • ISO 5167 (flow measurement with differential pressure devices)
  • MATLAB
  • Python
  • PIVlab
  • LabVIEW
  • Simcenter Star-CCM+
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1. Tunnel types: open and closed circuit
  2. 1.2. Scale and full-size tunnels
  3. 1.3. Moving ground and belt systems
  4. 1.4. Fans and speed control
  5. 1.5. Flow quality: turbulence and uniformity
  6. 1.6. Benchmark tunnels in motorsport
  7. 1.7. Regulatory restrictions on use
  8. 1.8. Operating costs
  9. 1.9. Organisation of a tunnel
  10. 1.10. Case study: comparison of wind tunnel facilities
  1. 2.1. Dimensional analysis
  2. 2.2. Reynolds number and scale
  3. 2.3. Scale effect on the boundary layer
  4. 2.4. Forced transition
  5. 2.5. Test speed and limits
  6. 2.6. Blockage and its effects
  7. 2.7. Blockage corrections
  8. 2.8. Buoyancy corrections
  9. 2.9. Extrapolation to full scale
  10. 2.10. Lab: calculation of blockage corrections
  1. 3.1. Common scales: 50% and 60%
  2. 3.2. Model design
  3. 3.3. Materials: composites, aluminium and resins
  4. 3.4. Additive manufacturing of parts
  5. 3.5. Dimensional accuracy
  6. 3.6. Model stiffness and deformation
  7. 3.7. Model wheels and tyres
  8. 3.8. Quick-change systems
  9. 3.9. Model maintenance
  10. 3.10. Practical: design of a model part for additive manufacturing
  1. 4.1. Overhead strut support
  2. 4.2. Lateral wheel support
  3. 4.3. Ride height, pitch and roll control
  4. 4.4. Yaw and cornering tests
  5. 4.5. Support interference
  6. 4.6. Automatic positioning systems
  7. 4.7. Model safety
  8. 4.8. Position calibration
  9. 4.9. Design of experiments for positions
  10. 4.10. Lab: ride-height sweep programme
  1. 5.1. Six-component internal balances
  2. 5.2. Strain gauges
  3. 5.3. Balance calibration
  4. 5.4. Interactions between components
  5. 5.5. Wheel load measurement
  6. 5.6. Measurement uncertainty
  7. 5.7. Thermal drift
  8. 5.8. Force signal processing
  9. 5.9. Repeatability
  10. 5.10. Practical: calibration matrix of a balance
  1. 6.1. Surface pressure tappings
  2. 6.2. Electronic pressure scanners
  3. 6.3. Rakes and multi-hole probes
  4. 6.4. Unsteady dynamic pressure
  5. 6.5. Pressure-sensitive paint
  6. 6.6. Pressure maps
  7. 6.7. Calibration
  8. 6.8. Pressure integration
  9. 6.9. Results analysis
  10. 6.10. Lab: integration of surface pressures
  1. 7.1. Visualisation with tufts and oil
  2. 7.2. Smoke and laser
  3. 7.3. Stereoscopic PIV
  4. 7.4. Tomographic PIV
  5. 7.5. Hot-wire anemometry
  6. 7.6. Laser Doppler velocimetry
  7. 7.7. Wake measurement
  8. 7.8. Comparison with CFD
  9. 7.9. Image processing
  10. 7.10. Practical: PIV processing with PIVlab
  1. 8.1. Acquisition systems
  2. 8.2. Measurement synchronisation
  3. 8.3. Test databases
  4. 8.4. Programme automation
  5. 8.5. Data quality control
  6. 8.6. Real-time visualisation
  7. 8.7. Automatic reporting
  8. 8.8. Configuration traceability
  9. 8.9. Information security
  10. 8.10. Lab: automatic processing script in Python
  1. 9.1. Test objectives
  2. 9.2. Design of experiments
  3. 9.3. Daily test programmes
  4. 9.4. Managing regulatory hours
  5. 9.5. Coordination with CFD
  6. 9.6. Configuration changes
  7. 9.7. Repeatability and baselines
  8. 9.8. Rapid results analysis
  9. 9.9. Decision-making
  10. 9.10. Case study: programme for a test day
  1. 10.1. Simulating the tunnel in CFD
  2. 10.2. Differences due to walls and supports
  3. 10.3. Scale effect in correlation
  4. 10.4. Map correlation
  5. 10.5. On-track instrumentation
  6. 10.6. Discrepancies and their causes
  7. 10.7. Managing correction factors
  8. 10.8. Correlation metrics
  9. 10.9. Continuous improvement
  10. 10.10. Practical: correlation analysis of a map
  1. 11.1. Tunnel maintenance
  2. 11.2. Periodic calibration
  3. 11.3. ISO/IEC 17025 quality
  4. 11.4. Facility safety
  5. 11.5. Energy efficiency of the tunnel
  6. 11.6. Investment planning
  7. 11.7. Wind tunnel hire
  8. 11.8. Technician training
  9. 11.9. Trends
  10. 11.10. Workshop: annual calibration plan
  1. 12.1. Definition of the test objective
  2. 12.2. Model design
  3. 12.3. Instrumentation plan
  4. 12.4. Test programme
  5. 12.5. Data processing
  6. 12.6. Correlation with CFD
  7. 12.7. Uncertainty analysis
  8. 12.8. Conclusions
  9. 12.9. Master's Thesis report
  10. 12.10. Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

The programme is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so it can be combined with your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB, Python, PIVlab, LabVIEW and Simcenter Star-CCM+, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for force measurement with six-component balances, measurement of pressures and velocity fields, and correlation between wind tunnel, CFD and track. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: SAE J1594, SAE J2084, ISO/IEC 17025, JCGM 100:2008 (GUM), Formula 1 Financial Regulations (ATR), FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations, ISO 5167.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of SAE J1594, SAE J2084 and ISO/IEC 17025 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:MATLAB, Python, PIVlab, LabVIEW and Simcenter Star-CCM+, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:A complete wind tunnel test campaign, from model design and instrumentation plan to data processing, CFD correlation and uncertainty analysis, defended before a panel.
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.

Model and corrections
Design a model part for additive manufacturing and calculate blockage corrections.
Force measurement
Build the calibration matrix of a six-component balance and assess uncertainty.
Pressure and flow-field data
Integrate surface pressures and process PIV data with PIVlab.
Test programme and correlation
Plan a test day, automate processing in Python and correlate a map with CFD.
Master's Thesis
Design, instrument and analyse a complete wind tunnel test campaign, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Wind tunnel engineerScale model technicianInstrumentation engineerAerodynamic correlation engineerTest facility managerAerodynamic data engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
  • An 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.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with MATLAB, Python, PIVlab, LabVIEW and Simcenter Star-CCM+, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. 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 in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the software 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.

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