Master’s in Rally-Raid (Dakar) Engineering: Propulsion, Energy and Thermal Management
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in rally-raid (Dakar) propulsion, energy and thermal engineering. 12 modules covering engines in extreme conditions, turbocharging, fuel systems, hybridisation, stage energy management, cooling, powertrain reliability and bench validation, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Rally-Raid (Dakar) Engineering: Propulsion, Energy and Thermal Management — studying from Canada
Canada's automotive industry is concentrated in Ontario, particularly around Windsor, Oshawa, Brampton and St. Catharines, with assembly plants and a dense supplier network. Companies such as General Motors Canada, Stellantis Canada and Toyota Canada operate production facilities, supported by a strong parts sector. Motorsport activity is present through national series and circuits such as Canadian Tire Motorsport Park and Mosport. Engineers work on vehicle design, powertrain development, manufacturing engineering and supplier quality.
Fees for Canada: C$10,800 (Canadian dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Canada
Typical roles
Questions from Canada
Which Canadian bodies recognise automotive engineering qualifications?
Automotive engineers in Canada often hold Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) licences from provincial associations such as Professional Engineers Ontario, which regulate the title 'engineer'. SEIUM is a private institute, and its qualifications are not official state degrees and are not accredited by any national body, so they do not confer P.Eng. status. Whether an employer or other body recognises the training is their decision, so confirm this before you enrol.
Where in Canada would automotive or motorsport training be useful to employers?
Canada has automotive manufacturing centred in Ontario, with suppliers across the country, and a range of motorsport and performance engineering businesses. Employers in these areas typically assess candidates on skills, portfolios and practical experience. A SEIUM final project can document your work, but how much weight a private qualification carries is up to each employer, so ask them directly.
How does the workload and funding work for someone employed in Canada?
Programmes are fully online, so you can study from anywhere, including outside Canadian time zones if needed, but schedules should be planned around your work. Hours range from 300 for specialist courses to 1,900 for master's programmes. Fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Teaching is in English, and an assigned technical tutor supports you throughout.
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
Analyse the propulsion demands of rally-raid.
Adapt the combustion engine to altitude, heat and dust.
Design reliable turbocharging, intake and fuel systems.
Evaluate hybridisation architectures for raid.
Manage energy and cooling throughout a stage.
Plan bench validation of the powertrain.
Integrate the propulsion system into the vehicle with sustainability criteria.
Who it's for
- Propulsion engineers looking to apply their expertise to off-road competition.
- Engine engineers.
- Thermal management engineers.
- Hybrid systems engineers.
- Reliability engineers.
- Test bench engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to join rally-raid teams.
What you'll work with
- FIA Cross-Country Rally Technical Regulations (Appendix J)
- ISO 1585 (engine net power)
- EN 590 (automotive diesel fuel)
- EN 228 (automotive petrol)
- ISO 6469-3 (electrical safety)
- SAE J1349 (engine net power rating)
- GT-SUITE
- AVL CRUISE M
- MATLAB/Simulink
- ANSYS Fluent
- Python (pandas)
12 modules
1.1Naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines1.2Restrictor and power regulations1.3Diesel versus petrol in raid1.4Hybrid and electric prototypes1.5Permitted alternative fuels1.6Trade-off between power, consumption and reliability1.7Range required per stage1.8Weight of the propulsion system1.9Trends in the category1.10Workshop: comparing architectures
2.1Loss of air density due to altitude and temperature2.2Calibration for dust and heat2.3Air filtration in harsh environments2.4Lubrication and oil degradation2.5Cooling during prolonged low-speed running2.6Knock and ignition timing control2.7Materials and treatments2.8Accelerated wear and its causes2.9Engine health diagnostics2.10Lab: calibration for altitude
3.1Turbochargers and compressor maps3.2The regulatory restrictor and its effect3.3Intercooler and intake temperature3.4Boost pressure management3.5Lag and response on broken terrain3.6Protection against sand ingestion3.7Ducting and sealing3.8Typical turbo failures in raid3.9Parameter monitoring3.10Lab: adjusting intake pressure
4.1High-capacity tanks and safety4.2Anti-surge baffles4.3Pumps, filters and redundancy4.4Fast and safe refuelling4.5Fuel contamination and filtration4.6Estimating consumption per stage4.7Managing weight when refuelling4.8Fuel tank regulations4.9Maintenance of the fuel circuit4.10Case study: sizing the fuel tank
5.1Applicable hybrid architectures5.2Energy recovery in raid5.3Batteries in harsh environments5.4Cooling the electrical system5.5High-voltage safety in the field5.6Charging and maintenance at the bivouac5.7Weight versus real benefit5.8Reliability of power electronics5.9Applicable regulations5.10Lab: hybrid energy balance
6.1Consumption model by terrain type6.2Pace and consumption strategy6.3Reserves and safety margin6.4Effect of drag in sand6.5Decisions in the face of the unexpected6.6Coordination with navigation6.7On-board calculation tools6.8Logging and subsequent analysis6.9Adjustment between stages6.10Workshop: energy strategy for a stage
7.1Thermal loads at low speed and in dunes7.2Radiators, protection and cleaning7.3Blockage by dust and vegetation7.4Fans and their control7.5Oil and transmission cooling7.6Thermal sensing7.7Overheating procedures7.8Design of air inlets and outlets7.9Daily maintenance of the system7.10Lab: thermal balance
8.1Failure analysis from real campaigns8.2Prior durability testing8.3Preventive replacement intervals8.4Critical spare parts and their availability8.5Repairs possible at the bivouac8.6Early detection through data8.7Managing engine versions8.8Component traceability8.9Risk decisions during the race8.10Case study: reliability plan
9.1Environmental regulations applicable to the event9.2Sustainable fuels and their logistics9.3Carbon footprint of an entry9.4Management of waste and fluids9.5Noise and coexistence with the surroundings9.6Offsetting and communication9.7Pressure from sponsors and the public9.8Regulatory trends9.9Associated costs9.10Workshop: sustainability plan
10.1Engine dynamometer testing10.2Representative raid cycles10.3Climatic chamber testing10.4Dust ingestion tests10.5Control software validation10.6Bench-to-terrain correlation10.7Development instrumentation10.8Acceptance criteria10.9Validation documentation10.10Lab: test cycle
11.1Powertrain mounts and supports11.2Vibration and isolation11.3Accessibility for maintenance11.4Exhaust routing and thermal protection11.5Wiring and connectors in harsh environments11.6Centre of gravity and mass distribution11.7Compatibility with the structure11.8Integration tests11.9Final weight and verification11.10Case study: complete integration
12.1Defining the category and objectives12.2Selecting the propulsion architecture12.3Sizing fuel and energy12.4Thermal and intake design12.5Reliability and spare parts plan12.6Bench validation programme12.7Energy strategy per stage12.8Risk analysis12.9Technical report and defence12.10Master's Thesis: final review with the tutor
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, which makes the programme compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is GT-SUITE, AVL CRUISE M, MATLAB/Simulink, ANSYS Fluent and Python (pandas), in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for engine bench testing with altitude and temperature simulation, stage endurance testing and emissions measurement. Assessment is continuous for each module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: FIA Cross-Country Rally Technical Regulations (Appendix J), ISO 1585, EN 590, EN 228, ISO 6469-3 and SAE J1349.
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's 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 will work with GT-SUITE, AVL CRUISE M, MATLAB/Simulink, ANSYS Fluent and Python (pandas). Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and your tutor indicates the free alternative where 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 university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent professional experience; an internet connection and a computer capable of running the 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.
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