FSAE in graduate school

[bosun120]

Hello,

First, yes, I did a Google and forum search but couldn't come up exactly what I was looking for, which may be a good or bad thing.

Anyways, the jist of my question is, is it possible to fit in Formula SAE in graduate school (Masters), timewise? One of my regrets is that I didn't get myself involved in FSAE as much as I wanted to in undergrad, and it's definitely something to rectify when it comes time for graduate school. However, with regards to the responsibilities that grad school entails (research, TA, and oh yea, classes), is it a realistic notion to fit in FSAE within grad school (even with regards to the usual 2 or + year schedule for Masters instead of the 1-year Masters-lite you increasingly see these days), without disrupting to a large extent the other aspects (which I presume is common occurence in undergrad, but then the consequences/responsibilities are not as large as in grad school).

Do many grad students who choose to be involved with FSAE also choose to base/connect their research areas/focus towards something to do with FSAE as well, ie. killing two birds with one stone (and if so, are there any publications/papers available that go more into detail)? Do they choose to take extra semesters/years to complete their degrees?

Thanks.

[BMH]

Hello,

I am the team captain of our team. I am also a first year Graduate student. The way my school schedule and also my research requirements are set up allows me to put in time towards my duties as Team Captain. I am on a 2 year Masters program though, which spreads my coursework requirements over a 2-year span rather than a 1 year. I am currently enrolled in 3 classes, 2 of which are in class, and the other being a Directed Study/Independent Study.

My research is not related to FSAE (It's in the field of Materials Science, particularly dealing with High Temp coatings). I have heard of grad students doing their thesis/research on a topic relevant to FSAE.

So to answer your question, yes it is possible to be involved with FSAE at your university, more so if you are on a 2-year track.

[ed_pratt]

Hi Backdraft,

In short, yes.

It is entirely possible, I and many other people on these forums have made FSAE a part of our learning during graduate education.

I personally think it is extremely important to do as much work on FSAE as possible during graduate education as it is the transferable skills that are developed by working with a team on a long term project which engineering employers seem to be most interested in.

With regards to hours spent, it really depends on how motivated you are. Friends of mine spent five or six hours a day on FSAE during our masters and still got great grades because they were learning from the project as well as the course.

I hope this helps in some way,

Ed

[js10coastr]

Where in CA are you and where is the grad program at?

[Demon Of Speed]

Yes. I am on my schools FSAE team, and doing classes, and doing research.

I am doing a Masters in Automotive engineering (I believe there is only 4 schools in the USA with that type of degree) and so my classes overlap some with Formula and ready helps connect theory with practice. However, I recommended taking a light class load.

I am also doing reassure on with systems dealing with different ethanol content. This isn't related to anything I personally do with Formula (I am a vehicle dynamics kind of guy), but is or at least could be. I am however allays working the the SAE garage so I can easily give someone a hand if needed. Additionally my graduate adviser is the FSAE adviser as well.

The more everything overlaps the better, for time and knowledge reasons.

[Adambomb]

I was heavily involved with FSAE as an undergrad, and stuck with it into grad school (working on a PhD), where I spent two years as chief engineer.

I didn't have as much time to spend with FSAE as I did when I was an undergrad, and in all honesty I don't think I had enough time to give to it to do the best job at it, and don't think it's right or fair (to myself or the team) to attempt it again (once I get back from Afghanistan, that is).

That being said, with good time management and a major professor that's not too much of a slave driver, you should be able to make enough time to be a subsystem team leader for one of the simpler subsystems (if you don't put much value in sleep or girlfriends). A good major professor will also see the value in FSAE experience.

Beyond that, we have several grad students who don't play a pivotal role and just stop in when they have time to, and they're often some of the most productive and "low maintenance" team members.

As for working it into your grad program, it really depends on where you go. You could probably get away with it at a school that actually has an automotive engineering or motorsports program, or an IC engine focus if you're looking at the engine (although from what I gather most IC engine research these days focuses on things like emissions and alternative fuels). Beyond that, you'll just have to get creative. Only advice I have with that is choose a research focus that interests you, and you may get lucky and find a way to successfully integrate it into the car (emphasis on "successfully;" there's no room for "innovation for the sake of innovation" IMO).

As for me, for the most part my grad research has almost nothing to do with anything on the car, although I have used some things I learned in the process of my research. Actually quite a bit of what I have learned in FSAE have helped me in grad school, and quite a bit of what I have learned in grad school has helped me in FSAE. If I had to do it over again, I would definitely do it.

[bosun120]

Yeah most schools don't have many programs geared specifically for automotive engineering, my school (UCSD) included. In which cases you have to get creative and, like said, be interested and invested in your research. Definitely looking for as much overlap as possible, and with proper time management you can probably learn from and relate together most topics, even if they seem unrelated initially.

Thanks for all the info.

[Composites Guy]

I did FSAE in grad school in the evenings... and late into the night. Now that I'm out in the "real world" working as a mechanical engineer/designer in the aerospace industry I feel that I learned more important skills from FSAE than I did from my assigned research.

[DanGrey]

Hey Fellas Can I join your conversation? I posted a thread about scholarship.. You know one? Please please? thank you.. I wanted to go for masters.. I had my undergrad in Applied Mathematics.. Thanks http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[Steeeeeeeeeeve]

Just bring your ass down to the Project Room. I feel lonely being the only grad student there.

-Steve

Tire Monkey & Shop Foreman
UCSD