Apply now
CourseAerospace, UAM, Drones & Space Applications open

Course on supersonic aerothermodynamics

Online course of 300 hours in supersonic aerothermodynamics. 6 modules covering supersonic waves, aerofoil and wing aerodynamics, heating and boundary layers, intakes and nozzles and supersonic simulation and testing with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration3 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute certificate
Enrol now View syllabus Ask an advisor
Virtual lab · try it before you enrol

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.

SIM · LIVE ●
Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Understand the physics of shock and expansion waves in supersonic flow.

02

Calculate aerodynamic loads on supersonic aerofoils and wings.

03

Assess aerodynamic heating and shock-boundary layer interaction.

04

Design air intakes and nozzles for supersonic flight.

05

Apply CFD and experimental techniques to the supersonic regime.

06

Estimate the sonic boom of a configuration.

07

Develop a complete aerothermodynamic analysis of a supersonic configuration.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Aerodynamics engineers.
  • CFD engineers working on compressible flows.
  • High-speed propulsion engineers.
  • Compressible flow researchers.
  • Wind tunnel test engineers.
  • Conceptual design engineers.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to join aircraft manufacturers.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • 14 CFR 91.817 (civil aircraft sonic boom)
  • 14 CFR Part 36 (noise standards for aircraft)
  • ICAO Annex 16, Volume I (aircraft noise)
  • AIAA G-077-1998 (verification and validation of CFD simulations)
  • ASME V&V 20-2009 (verification and validation in CFD and heat transfer)
  • ISO 2533:1975 (standard atmosphere)
  • Ansys Fluent
  • SU2
  • OpenFOAM
  • NASA PANAIR
  • MATLAB
Syllabus

6 modules

  1. 1.1Mach regimes and their phenomena
  2. 1.2Propagation of disturbances and the Mach cone
  3. 1.3Euler equations for compressible flow
  4. 1.4Normal and oblique shock waves
  5. 1.5Relationship between deflection, shock angle and Mach number
  6. 1.6Prandtl-Meyer expansions
  7. 1.7Wave reflection and interaction
  8. 1.8Detached shocks on blunt bodies
  9. 1.9Civil and military supersonic aircraft
  10. 1.10Case study: wave pattern over a wedge
  1. 2.1Ackeret linearised theory
  2. 2.2Diamond and biconvex aerofoils
  3. 2.3Wave drag and its reduction
  4. 2.4Swept wings and subsonic leading edges
  5. 2.5Delta wings and leading-edge vortices
  6. 2.6Whitcomb area rule
  7. 2.7Slender body theory
  8. 2.8Wing-fuselage aerodynamic interference
  9. 2.9Supersonic stability and aerodynamic centre
  10. 2.10Workshop: coefficients of a diamond aerofoil
  1. 3.1Recovery temperature and adiabatic wall
  2. 3.2Laminar compressible boundary layer
  3. 3.3Transition in supersonic flow
  4. 3.4Shock-boundary layer interaction
  5. 3.5Shock-induced separation
  6. 3.6Convective heat flux
  7. 3.7Compressible Reynolds analogy
  8. 3.8Materials for moderate heating
  9. 3.9Effects on the aircraft structure
  10. 3.10Lab: estimating wall temperature in cruise
  1. 4.1External-compression air intakes
  2. 4.2Mixed- and internal-compression intakes
  3. 4.3Intake start and unstart
  4. 4.4Total pressure recovery
  5. 4.5Convergent-divergent thrust nozzles
  6. 4.6Variable-geometry nozzles
  7. 4.7Engine-airframe integration
  8. 4.8Inlet flow distortion
  9. 4.9Afterburning and performance
  10. 4.10Practical exercise: design of a two-ramp intake
  1. 5.1Method of characteristics
  2. 5.2Shock-capturing schemes in CFD
  3. 5.3Compressible turbulence models
  4. 5.4Adaptive meshing for waves
  5. 5.5Supersonic wind tunnels
  6. 5.6Schlieren and shadowgraph visualisation
  7. 5.7Pressure measurements and sensitivity
  8. 5.8Code validation with experimental data
  9. 5.9Sonic boom and its prediction
  10. 5.10Case study: CFD simulation of a cone at Mach 2
  1. 6.1Configuration and flight conditions
  2. 6.2Analytical estimation of waves and loads
  3. 6.3CFD model and meshing
  4. 6.4Boundary layer and heating analysis
  5. 6.5Air intake assessment
  6. 6.6Comparison with reference results
  7. 6.7Estimation of the boom signature
  8. 6.8Design conclusions
  9. 6.9Report and presentation
  10. 6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

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 the intake, so the programme fits around your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Ansys Fluent, SU2, OpenFOAM, NASA PANAIR and MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: CFD simulation of configurations at Mach 2, design of ramp air intakes and estimation of heating in supersonic cruise. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final capstone project.

Standards covered: 14 CFR 91.817, 14 CFR Part 36, ICAO Annex 16, Volume I, AIAA G-077-1998, ASME V&V 20-2009, ISO 2533:1975.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of 14 CFR 91.817, 14 CFR Part 36 and ICAO Annex 16, Volume I applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:Ansys Fluent, SU2, OpenFOAM, NASA PANAIR, MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:a complete aerothermodynamic analysis of a supersonic configuration, from analytical estimates to CFD and boom signature, reviewed by your tutor.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Configuration and conditions
Define the supersonic configuration and its flight conditions.
Analytical estimation
Estimate waves and loads analytically.
CFD model
Build the CFD model and mesh and analyse boundary layer and heating.
Intake and boom
Assess the air intake, compare with reference results and estimate the boom signature.
Final project
A documented aerothermodynamic analysis with design conclusions, reviewed with your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Aerodynamics EngineerCFD EngineerHigh-Speed Propulsion EngineerCompressible Flow ResearcherWind Tunnel Test EngineerConceptual Design Engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No prior qualification is required.
  • 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.

Apply now Scholarships
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 300 hours over 3 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, SU2, OpenFOAM, NASA PANAIR, MATLAB, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. 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 are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

No prior qualification is required; you need an internet connection, a computer able to run the programme software and enough English 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.

Keep exploring

Related programmes

See all in Aerospace, UAM, Drones & Space
Course500 $

Cybersecurity course on UAVs

Online course of 300 hours in UAV cybersecurity, structured in 6 modules covering the UAV attack surface, link and protocol security, firmware and hardware security, ground…

3 monthsOnlineAerospace, UAM, Drones & Space
Course830 $

Hybrid rocket-electric propulsion course

Online course of 300 hours in hybrid rocket-electric propulsion, structured in 6 modules covering dual chemical-electric systems, chemical and electric subsystems, dual-mode synergies and hybrid trajectory…

3 monthsOnlineAerospace, UAM, Drones & Space
Course610 $

Airworthiness documentation course

Online course of 300 hours in airworthiness documentation, structured in 6 modules covering aircraft technical records, design and manufacturer documentation, certificates and forms, documentary audits and…

3 monthsOnlineAerospace, UAM, Drones & Space
Course on supersonic aerothermodynamicsEnrol
Related programmes

More in Aerospace, UAM, Drones & Space

Aerospace Investment Funds CourseView programme →Propulsion-Structure Integration CourseView programme →Course on using GPU in aeronautical CFDView programme →Course on orbital perturbationsView programme →Optical payloads courseView programme →Part-21J Certification CourseView programme →

All Aerospace, UAM, Drones & Space programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships

Scroll to Top
SEIUM – Institute of Advanced Engineering
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.