Master's Degree in Computational Fluid Dynamics

In certain industry areas, such as the automotive, aerospace, energy, chemistry and civil engineering sectors, detailed knowledge of complex phenomena related to mass transfer (fluid mechanics) and energy transfer (thermal management, heat transfer) is essential for the design, development and optimization of systems that can be implemented in products related to these industries. Some examples of applications are listed below:

• Aerospace. More efficient and less polluting aircraft. Optimization of the propulsion system, auxiliary systems and components (APU, ECS, flight control systems...), and external aerodynamics.
• Automotive. Adaptation of the vehicle fleet to future anti-pollution regulations. Development of new combustion systems in reciprocating engines, hybridization, batteries and thermal management, and post-treatment of exhaust gases.
• Energy. Optimization of wind turbines, solar farms, and new power generation systems (hydrogen).
• Civil engineering. Structure optimization.

Knowledge and research in all these areas make a contribution to the fulfilment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), which are primarily aimed at the eradication of poverty and the protection of the planet.

The techniques for analysing these phenomena can be experimental or theoretical. The experimental techniques allow us to know the phenomena directly by determining the different variables with the corresponding measurement techniques in physical models or scale systems that represent the real system. However, the amount of information available may be limited and insufficient and, furthermore, the economic cost of certain experimental techniques is very high.

On the other hand, the theoretical models use the fundamental conservation equations (transport, mass, energy, turbulence...) to determine the thermo-fluid-dynamic processes that occur in a given system, by means of numerical methods and algorithms, which make it possible to reproduce the system's behaviour. In recent years, computational progress has been made, enabling the implementation of increasingly complex models that can faithfully reproduce the behaviour of those systems by means of computational techniques (Computational Fluid Dynamics, CFD).

This has sparked in the industry a growing interest in these computational techniques, and a very significant part of the research and development carried out both at universities and in the corresponding departments of the different industries is currently focused on these computational techniques. This fact explains the growing demand in the specified industry areas for graduates with specific training in this area of knowledge.

While certain degrees, such as the Degree in Aerospace Engineering (ETSID - UPV), cover a part of the basic knowledge in this field (numerical methods, fluid mechanics, compressible flow, mass and energy transport phenomena, basic CFD, aerodynamics...), specific complementary training is required to be able to confidently address the above-mentioned issues.

The different itineraries are presented below, as well as the subjects included in each of them:

The Degree in Aerospace Engineering by the UPV is the official university degree certificate that has been used as reference for the design of the curriculum of the Master's Degree in Computational Fluid Mechanics. Hence, this is considered as the benchmark degree, and its graduates may be admitted to the aforementioned master's degree. Graduates of other degrees with related competences, such as the Degree in Mechanical Engineering and the Degree in Industrial Technologies Engineering, may also be admitted.

Likewise, graduates with degrees equivalent to those indicated in the previous paragraph from any Spanish university will be admitted, without complementary training.

Graduates in technical engineering of the previous university regulation must obtain, through the itinerary established for adaptation purposes, the corresponding degree.

In addition, the accreditation of B2 English level and the university admission mark will be considered a requirement for admission, in the terms regulated by the UPV.

School of Design Engineering (ETSID)

The following departments participate in the teaching activities of this master's degree: