TFMASA Master Program Courses

Semester 1 (University of Bordeaux – France) – all courses are compulsory

Simulation and design of structures - 6 ECTS

Lectures: 8h - Practical works: 10h – Labs: 36h

From the functional requirements and technical specifications of a product (geometrical configuration, materials and load cases), the students should be able to (i) write and justify assumptions from a physical point of view and to propose a Finite Element model, and to (ii) implement the model and analyse the product’s response in order to validate or optimise its structure. Industrial lectures, related to structural analysis in industrial product development and innovation, are proposed.

Continuum mechanics and Finite Element method applied to Solid Mechanics - 6 ECTS

Lectures: 20h - Tutorials: 16h - Lab: 15h

An “Introduction to Mechanics of Continuous Medium” part deals with the notions of continuity, deformations, and external forces acting on a solid media or fluids, the constitutive relation and associated modelling through some examples whereas another part entitled “Finite element theory and application” explains how to construct a stiffness matrix, to assemble elementary matrices, etc.

Fatigue and Fracture - 3 ECTS

Lectures: 24h

The objectives are the introduction of the concepts of (i) rupture and fatigue used for structures’ damage tolerance design, and those for (ii) modelling and designing structures against fatigue crack initiation. The course is divided in 2 parts: “Linear elastic fracture mechanics” and “crack initiation under multiaxial fatigue in metallic materials”.

Mechanics of composite materials and structures for aerospace applications - 6 ECTS

Lectures: 17.5h - Labs: 20h

The first part is dedicated to criteria definition for material and composite materials selection and technical specifications (composition, properties). The second part relates to the analysis and design of aeronautical structures through practical applications.

Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) - 3 ECTS

Lectures: 6h remote classes + 2h face-to-face - Tutorials: 8.5h - Lab: 15h

This course introduces definitions, objectives, application areas, and certifications, with principles of various NDT techniques such as visual inspection, penetrant testing, magnetoscopy, ultrasonic, Foucault current, x-ray, and thermography. Special cases for composite materials and microelectronics are also covered.

System Engineering based on Renewable Energy and Structures - 6 ECTS

Lectures: 24h - Tutorials: 16h - Labs: 36h

This course covers renewable energy sources (solar, wind, biomass, etc.), technical and environmental aspects of related systems and technologies, and compares energy conversion technologies. It also involves system engineering through industrial case studies.

Semester 2 (Catholic University of Louvain – Belgium) – 30 ECTS credits

6 of the 7 courses are compulsory

Internal combustion engines - 5 ECTS

Lectures: 12 x 2h, Labs: 12 x 2h (including tutorials, practical works, exercises)

Students learn to integrate mechanics branches to describe internal combustion engines, master their concepts, and model their behaviours.

Aerodynamics of external flows - 5 ECTS

Lectures: 12x2h, Labs: 12x2h (including tutorials, practical works, exercises)

The course covers advanced fluid mechanics of external flows, modelling phenomena through mathematics, and developing report-writing skills.

Introduction to turbomachinery - 5 ECTS

Lectures: 12 x 2h, Labs: 12 x 2h (including tutorials, practical works, exercises)

This course focuses on the principles of design and operation of axial and radial turbomachines, including thermodynamics and kinematics.

Advanced numerical methods - 5 ECTS

Lectures: 12 x 2h, Labs: 12 x 2h (including tutorials, practical works, exercises, code projects)

The course introduces innovative numerical methods, focusing on collaborative projects with an emphasis on problem-solving.

Energy and systems lab. - 5 ECTS

Lectures: 12 x 2h, Labs: 12 x 2h (including tutorials, practical works, exercises, seminars)

This lab covers energy systems and technologies, with seminars led by experts, and explores the societal impact of energy and sustainability.

Semester 3 (Brandenburg University of Technology – Germany) - 30 ECTS credits

3 of the 5 courses are compulsory

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for Engineers - 6 ECTS

Lectures: 30h - Tutorials: 30h - Self-organised studies: 120h

This course covers industry-related CFD topics from both analytical and practical perspectives. Students learn to use industry-relevant software to independently create and evaluate CFD simulations, drawing conclusions for their applicability in industry.

Engineering Acoustics – Sound Fields - 6 ECTS

Lectures: 30h - Tutorials: 30h - Self-organised studies: 120h

Students gain insight into the theoretical aspects of sound propagation and acquire knowledge of noise control techniques for vehicles, aircraft, and machinery, including sound insulation, attenuation, and damping.

Turbulence Modelling - 6 ECTS

Lectures: 30h - Tutorials: 30h - Self-organised studies: 120h

This course introduces various approaches to modelling turbulent flows, enabling students to choose appropriate turbulence models for different applications.

Thermodynamics, Heat and Mass Transfers - 6 ECTS

Lectures: 30h - Tutorials: 30h - Self-organised studies: 120h

Students learn to solve tasks independently, applying theoretical frameworks in thermodynamics, heat, and mass transfers to derive new insights.

Flow Measurements - 6 ECTS

Lectures: 30h - Tutorials: 30h - Self-organised studies: 120h

This course covers optical flow measurements for fluid mechanics and aerodynamics, with a focus on basic methods and measurement techniques used to solve experimental problems in these fields.

2 of the 9 additional courses are compulsory

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) 1 - 6 ECTS

Lectures: 30h - Tutorials: 30h - Self-organised studies: 120h

This course provides an introduction to numerical flow simulation. Students apply these methods in practical work, solving sample CFD problems.

CFD Project - 6 ECTS

Lectures: 30h - Tutorials: 30h - Self-organised studies: 120h

This project-based course focuses on scientific computing with CFD software, where students work independently on projects to deepen their CFD knowledge and develop programming skills.

Decarbonisation of Industrial Processes - 6 ECTS

Lecture: 30h - Study project: 30h - Self-organised studies: 120h

This course addresses CO2 reduction in the industrial sector, evaluating the readiness of technologies and discussing options for achieving climate goals.

Dimensional Analysis and Experimentation - 6 ECTS

Lecture: 30h - Study project: 30h - Self-organised studies: 120h

Students use dimensional analysis to concisely combine experimental and theoretical results, applicable to phenomena in nature, engineering, and society.

Electrified Aero Engines - 6 ECTS

Lecture: 30h - Tutorials: 30h - Self-organised studies: 120h

This course provides an in-depth look at the technology behind novel propulsion systems for aviation, with a focus on reducing the climate impact of civil aviation.

Experiments in Aerodynamics and Fluid Mechanics - 6 ECTS

Lecture: 30h - Tutorials: 45h - Self-organised studies: 120h

Students learn basic aerodynamic and fluid mechanics phenomena, along with state-of-the-art measurement techniques from both an analytical and practical perspective.

Image Based Measurement Techniques for Aerodynamics - 6 ECTS

Lecture: 30h - Tutorials: 30h - Self-organised studies: 120h

This course teaches optical and electronic basics, along with digital image processing methods, for 2D and 3D measurements in aerodynamics.

Stochastic Methods for Flow Simulations - 6 ECTS

Seminar: 30h - Self-organised studies: 150h

This module covers stochastic methods for fluid mechanics, including models for turbulent flow simulations.

Waves and Instabilities in Fluids - 6 ECTS

Lecture: 30h - Tutorials: 30h - Self-organised studies: 120h

This course provides foundational knowledge in hydrodynamics, focusing on theoretical and phenomenological aspects.

Semester 4 – 30 ECTS credits

Master’s thesis in companies or research laboratories

Defense: end of September