KB6062 - Drive Cycles and Performance Modelling

What will I learn on this module?

You will build upon your knowledge of engineering science to develop an understanding of how the legislation relating to vehicle emissions and fuel economy are applied to the drive cycles and the technologies that contribute to the reduction of harmful emissions. Using this information, you will develop a computational model to predict the performance of a passenger car around a drive cycle that relates to an international standard. The specific engineering principles and technologies that provide the foundation for the design and analysis of a high-performance racing car and their application will be explored and advanced to develop computational models to predict lap times of a vehicle around a circuit.

How will I learn on this module?

Active learning sessions will be used to allow you to engage with elevated material and assist you in exploring key concepts and topics within the module. Sessions will involve a combination of content delivery and practical learning exercises to enable you to apply your learning to authentic, broadly defined engineering problems that may involve conflicting and/or incomplete information. A problem-solving focused curriculum will allow you to explore and understand how well-proven solutions can be applied to more open-ended problems and provide further opportunity for innovative discovery of alternatives. Learning activities will enable students to work collaboratively through the further development of teamwork and communication skills, and the encouragement of creative thinking to solve engineering problems.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

During your active learning sessions, academic support will be available to facilitate your exploration of the problem-solving activities. Formative feedback will be provided by the module team, including answering student queries and providing guidance concerning the module such as assessments and your academic progress. The electronic learning platform (eLP) provides a comprehensive resource for integrated learning incorporating learning materials and reading lists that will facilitate directed and self-directed learning. Contact with academic tutors and your peers outside formal teaching hours is encouraged through dedicated ‘office hours’, discussion boards and messaging systems within the eLP. Professional support staff, such as Ask4Help, provide the first point of contact for a range of queries, including, for example, those concerning assessment submission, late submission/extensions, and other administrative issues.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:
MLO1. Apply knowledge of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles to the solution of complex drive cycle and performance modelling problems. Some of the knowledge will be at the forefront of the subject of study.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
MLO2. Select and apply appropriate computational and analytical techniques to model complex drive cycle and performance problems, recognising the limitations of the methods employed.
MLO3. Apply an integrated or systems approach to the solution of drive cycle and performance related complex problems.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
MLO4. Apply creativity and curiosity to analyse complex problems in the field of drive cycle and performance modelling to reach substantiated conclusions based upon first principles of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles.
MLO5. Evaluate the environmental and societal impact of solutions to complex problems and minimise adverse impacts through modelling of drive cycles and performance issues.

How will I be assessed?

Formative Assessment
Academic staff on the module will assess you in a formative manner to help build your confidence and highlight any misunderstandings you may have of the theoretical and professional concepts presented in the module. Your formative feedback will be given to you either verbally by academic staff on the module during formally scheduled teaching sessions or using the eLP. Your formative feedback aims to help you learn and prepare for the submission of your summative assessment.

Summative Assessment
Academic staff on the module will assess you in a summative manner by two pieces of assessment:
Component 1 to assess your knowledge and understanding, practical and theoretical, of drive cycles and vehicle performance including computational and analytical techniques, applied to model complex drive cycles (MLOs 1-3) through completing an industry compatible written submission. Component 2, will evaluate your ability to apply creativity and curiosity to solve complex problems in drive cycle and performance modelling reaching substantiated conclusions which recognise their environmental and societal impacts (MLOs 4 & 5) in an industry compatible written submission.

Feedback will be provided electronically through the eLP or student email within 20 working days of the date of submission.

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

This module will develop your knowledge, understanding, and skills that enable you to model the performance of different vehicle types from passenger cars to high performance racing cars. Module activities such as the development of computational models to accurately simulate the performance of different types of vehicle when driven through an international standard drive cycle will allow you to apply these skills to realistic scenarios. You will use your model to investigate the impact of parameters such as mass and fuel type on environmental impact. Active learning sessions will be used to allow you to engage with advanced material and assist you in exploring key concepts and topics within the module. Sessions will involve practical learning exercises to enable you to apply your learning to authentic, broadly defined engineering problems that may involve conflicting and/or incomplete information. The module utilises the electronic learning platform to provide a comprehensive resource for integrated learning incorporating learning materials and reading lists that will facilitate directed and self-directed learning.

Course info

UCAS Code H3P6

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 4 years Full Time or 5 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

Department Mechanical and Construction Engineering

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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