MS in Engineering- Motorsports Major

MS in Engineering - Motorsports Major

The M.S. Degree in Engineering (MSE) – Motorsports Engineering Major is applicable for either students seeking additional motorsport industry training immediately after completion of their bachelor's degree in an engineering program or for industry professionals wishing to resume their studies to complete a master's degree. The Motorsports Major provides an integrated experience in motorsports with emphasis on race engineering. Students pursuing the Motorsports Major may choose from a course only (non-thesis) option or thesis option requiring a research thesis in an area related to the motorsports industry. Both options require 30 credit hours. The non-thesis program requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of course work, and the thesis program requires a minimum of 21 credit hours of course work in addition to an acceptable research thesis (9 credit).

Our motorsports faculty members and instructors are current or recent practicing engineers from the motorsports industry who bring a wealth of experience and knowledge of the latest technology and advancement in the field. Recent instructors have worked for such recognized motorsports teams as Andretti Autosport, Penske Racing, and the Toyota Formula One team.

The program provides students with a combination of theoretical, technical, as well as hands-on learning experiences. With training and support from our faculty members and instructors students learn classroom engineering fundamentals supporting motorsports designs, skills in computer modeling and analysis, designing actual components for a racing vehicle, and hands-on opportunities working on actual racing cars and karts.

Plan of Study

The MS in Engineering Motorsports major requires 30 credit hours (non-thesis) or 21 credit hours plus 9 credit hours of thesis research.

Expectations

Students enrolled in the program are expected to complete 30 credit hours of motorsports related coursework in the areas of vehicle dynamics, aerodynamics, composites, materials, performance engines, data acquisition, design and analysis, program management, and simulation. In addition, students in thesis track are expected to work with a motorsports faculty in experiential learning opportunities working on real racecars culminating in the completion of a 9-credit hour MS Thesis Project. For more details please consult the Motorsports Graduate Handbook here:

Graduates are conferred the Purdue University Master of Science degree on successful completion of the program requirement. Those who excel and demonstrate a willingness to learn and the desire and commitment to develop the skills necessary to be successful engineers or professionals will be well-equipped to find jobs working on a race team or for a business within the motorsports industry supporting race teams.

Research & Facilities

The IUPUI Motorsports program has three laboratories dedicated to race car fabrication, assembly, and development. The Motorsports Program has been involved in the design and fabrication of successful racecars using the talents and skills of both graduate and undergraduate students.

The Purdue School of Engineering and Technology was recently awarded $1.15 million to aid Dallara, the manufacturer of all cars competing in the IndyCar series in developing the world’s most advanced vehicle simulator. The IUPUI-Dallara D3 driving simulator project represents the expansion of research and development efforts in motorsports.

Unique Qualities and Strengths

There are no other university programs in the nation which train graduate and undergraduate students specifically for careers in the motorsports industry through design, fabrication, assembly, and competition of actual racing vehicles. IUPUI is uniquely placed to offer both graduate and undergraduate studies in motorsports. Our Motorsports Program has access privileges to the Indycar Factory, a world-class Speedway, real racing cars, and the annual world-reknowned Indy 500 race event in the city – all for the training, education, and professional development of our students.

Highlights

Our Motorsports program designed a successful new Top Fuel racecar chassis for Don Schumacher Racing which set a world speed record.

Our Motorsports students have developed and campaigned successful racing cars that have won multiple championships in Sports Car Club of American competition.

Admission Requirements

  • Successful completion of a 4-year baccalaureate degree program from an accredited institution.
  • Minimum 3.00 GPA (or equivalent to overall “B” grade).
  • GRE.