Master’s in CFD & Wind Tunnel for Motorcycles Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in CFD and wind tunnel engineering for motorcycles. 12 modules covering applied fluid mechanics, geometry preparation, external-flow meshing, numerical modelling, post-processing, CFD optimisation, wind tunnels and instrumentation, motorcycle tunnel testing and CFD-tunnel correlation, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in CFD & Wind Tunnel for Motorcycles Engineering — studying from Australia
Motorcycles and two-wheeled vehicles are a significant part of Australian transport and recreation, with strong demand for motorcycles, scooters and e-bikes in urban and regional areas. Engineers working in this field contribute to chassis and powertrain design, rider safety systems and emissions compliance. National vehicle standards and rider safety initiatives shape product development and testing. Employers include motorcycle importers and distributors, component suppliers, accessory makers and e-mobility start-ups.
Fees for Australia: A$11,000 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Australia
Typical roles
Questions from Australia
Will a SEIUM qualification be recognised for motorcycle engineering roles in Australia?
SEIUM qualifications are private and not accredited by any Australian national body. Recognition for engineering or vehicle compliance roles is decided by individual employers and relevant bodies. Vehicle safety and compliance in Australia are governed by national design rules, which apply regardless of your qualification, so check requirements with the employer.
Which Australian employers work in motorcycle and two-wheeler engineering?
Motorcycle and scooter importers, distributors, component suppliers, dealer service networks and performance workshops are examples of Australian employers in this field. Whether they value a private qualification depends on their policies. Practical experience and a strong final project portfolio are typically persuasive in this industry.
Is the course suitable for someone working full time in Australia?
The programmes are delivered 100% online in English with an assigned technical tutor, so you can study from home at times that suit you. Fees are payable in instalments, and employers may sponsor you. Check the hours required for your chosen programme and make sure your schedule allows steady progress.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Prepare motorcycle and rider geometries for simulation.
Generate meshes suited to complex external flows.
Select turbulence models and numerical schemes.
Run and validate CFD simulations of motorcycles.
Plan wind tunnel tests with balance and pressure measurements.
Correlate CFD and tunnel results with uncertainty quantification.
Develop a combined CFD-tunnel aerodynamic study of a motorcycle.
Who it's for
- CFD engineers.
- Wind tunnel engineers.
- Motorcycle aerodynamicists.
- Meshing and pre-processing engineers.
- Aerodynamic correlation engineers.
- Wind tunnel model technicians.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to join motorcycle manufacturers.
What you'll work with
- SAE J2071 (aerodynamic testing of road vehicles, open-throat wind tunnel adjustment)
- SAE J1594 (vehicle aerodynamics terminology)
- ISO 8855 (vehicle dynamics and road-holding ability vocabulary)
- ISO 5167-1 (measurement of fluid flow by pressure differential devices)
- ASME V&V 20-2009 (verification and validation in computational fluid dynamics and heat transfer)
- FIM Grand Prix Regulations (MotoGP technical regulations)
- SAE J2084 (aerodynamic testing of road vehicles, testing methods and procedures)
- ISO 3966 (measurement of fluid flow using Pitot static tubes)
- ANSYS Fluent
- Simcenter STAR-CCM+
- OpenFOAM
- ANSA
- ParaView
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Navier-Stokes equations1.2Boundary layer and separation1.3Flow around bluff bodies1.4Reynolds number in motorcycles1.5Turbulence and scales1.6Wakes and vortices1.7Aerodynamic interference between motorcycle and rider1.8Flow around rotating wheels1.9Internal cooling flows1.10Case study: flow analysis around a helmet
2.1CAD clean-up2.2Rider modelling2.3Rider postures2.4Acceptable geometric simplifications2.5Wheels and spokes2.6Radiators as porous media2.7Watertight surfaces for meshing2.8Variant management2.9Automation with scripts2.10Practical exercise: preparing a motorcycle in ANSA
3.1Polyhedral and hexahedral meshes3.2Prism layers near the wall3.3Wake refinement3.4Mesh quality3.5Mesh independence studies3.6Meshes for rotating wheels3.7Moving meshes for wheels and rider3.8Required computational resources3.9Automated meshing with scripts3.10Lab: mesh of a motorcycle with rider
4.1RANS and k-omega SST models4.2Large eddy simulation (LES)4.3Hybrid DES methods4.4Boundary conditions4.5Moving ground and wheels4.6Discretisation schemes4.7Numerical convergence criteria4.8Transient flow simulations4.9High-performance computing4.10Practical exercise: comparison of turbulence models
5.1Force and moment coefficients5.2Pressure distribution5.3Wake visualisation5.4Streamlines5.5Q-criterion for vortices5.6Delta analysis between variants5.7Aerodynamic reports on variants5.8Automated post-processing of results5.9Visualisation in ParaView5.10Workshop: report on a fairing variant
6.1Parametric design studies6.2Mesh morphing6.3Adjoint-method optimisation6.4Response-surface optimisation6.5Design constraints6.6Air intake optimisation6.7Winglet optimisation6.8Management of large case sets6.9Machine learning in CFD6.10Lab: adjoint optimisation of a screen
7.1Types of tunnel7.2Open and closed test sections7.3Flow quality7.4Blockage and corrections7.5Moving ground and belts7.6Climatic wind tunnels7.7Tunnels for motorcycles7.8Operating costs7.9Safety of testing with a rider7.10Case study: tunnel selection
8.1Six-component balances8.2Surface pressure measurement8.3Pitot probes and rakes8.4Particle image velocimetry8.5Smoke and oil-flow visualisation8.6Measurement with a real rider8.7Balance calibration8.8Data acquisition8.9Associated measurement uncertainty8.10Lab: calibrating a balance
9.1Test protocol9.2Rider positions9.3Yaw sweeps9.4Lean-angle tests9.5Component tests9.6Helmet tests9.7Cooling tests9.8Configuration management9.9Tunnel productivity9.10Practical exercise: wind tunnel test plan
10.1Sources of discrepancy10.2Blockage corrections10.3Real geometry versus CAD10.4Pressure correlation10.5Force correlation10.6Validation according to ASME V&V 2010.7Correction factors10.8Improving the CFD model10.9Communication of results10.10Case study: correlation of a racing fairing
11.1Combining tools11.2Planning tunnel hours11.3CPU budget11.4Workflow with design11.5Aerodynamic databases11.6Championship regulatory constraints11.7Supplier management11.8Process quality11.9Continuous improvement cycle11.10Workshop: development plan for a season
12.1Definition of the case study12.2Geometry preparation12.3Meshing and set-up12.4Baseline simulation12.5Variant study12.6Wind tunnel test plan12.7Correlation between CFD and testing12.8Design conclusions12.9Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so you can combine the programme with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is ANSYS Fluent, Simcenter STAR-CCM+, OpenFOAM, ANSA and ParaView, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: CFD simulation of a motorcycle with its rider in different positions, a wind tunnel test with a six-component balance, and CFD-tunnel correlation of a fairing. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: SAE J2071, SAE J1594, ISO 8855, ISO 5167-1, ASME V&V 20-2009, FIM Grand Prix Regulations, SAE J2084, ISO 3966.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with ANSYS Fluent, Simcenter STAR-CCM+, OpenFOAM, ANSA and ParaView, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
Related programmes
Master’s in Two-Wheeler Platform Cybersecurity Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in cybersecurity engineering for two-wheeler platforms. 12 modules covering threats to two-wheelers, ISO/SAE 21434 and UN ECE R155/R156, TARA, applied…
Master’s in Brakes, ABS/MSC and Stability Engineering (Cornering ABS, Lift-Off Control)
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in brakes, ABS/MSC and stability engineering (cornering ABS, lift-off control). 12 modules covering braking dynamics, components, hydraulics, ABS algorithms, cornering…
Master’s in E-Motorcycle Energy Management and Charging Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in energy management and charging engineering for electric motorcycles. 12 modules covering consumption modelling, range estimation, on-board energy management and…
More in Motorcycles & 2-Wheelers
All Motorcycles & 2-Wheelers programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships