Postgraduate Diploma in Dirty Air and Side-Draft Aerodynamics
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Dirty Air and Side-Draft Aerodynamics. 8 modules covering the NASCAR Rule Book, NASCAR Cup Series Technical Regulations and Simcenter STAR-CCM+. Assigned tutor and enrolment open.
Postgraduate Diploma in Dirty Air and Side-Draft Aerodynamics — studying from the United States
Automotive engineering in the United States is concentrated in Michigan's Detroit region, with major hubs in Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee and California. Large manufacturers and suppliers, including General Motors, Ford, Stellantis and Tesla, employ engineers across powertrain, chassis, body and vehicle integration. Motorsport, centered in North Carolina and the Indianapolis area, offers specialized opportunities in performance engineering and race vehicle development. Strong regulatory frameworks shape design requirements, making compliance knowledge a valuable asset for engineers in the sector.
Fees for the United States: US$1,220 (US Dollars), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United States
Typical roles
Questions from the United States
Which US bodies relate to automotive engineering, and how is it regulated?
Automotive engineering in the US is supported by SAE International, which publishes widely used standards, and the Society of Automotive Engineers’ professional community. Vehicle safety is regulated federally by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and emissions by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Engineering licensure, where it applies, is handled by state boards. SEIUM's private qualifications are not official degrees, so their recognition depends on employers or the relevant body.
How do US automotive and motorsport employers view private online engineering courses?
US automakers, suppliers and motorsport teams generally hire on the basis of accredited degrees, verified experience and demonstrable技术 skills. A private online qualification may support a career move or a specialist skill set, but its weight is decided by each hiring manager. Practical projects and a strong portfolio often matter as much as the credential itself, so treat it as one input among several.
Is a US-based student able to manage a programme's workload alongside a job?
Yes, the programmes are 100% online and taught in English, so there is no travel or visa requirement. The workload is substantial: 1,900 hours for a master's, 800 hours for a postgraduate diploma, and 300 hours for a specialist course. Each student has an assigned technical tutor for support. Fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be possible, so check with your employer about training support.
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
Understand the aerodynamics of oval-track vehicles.
Analyse the physics of the wake and its effect on the following car.
Quantify the benefit of slipstreaming and drafting.
Diagnose dirty air from telemetry.
Explain the side-draft phenomenon and its risks.
Apply CFD and wind tunnel testing to aerodynamic analysis.
Define aerodynamic adjustments for racing in traffic.
Who it's for
- Aerodynamics engineer who wants to specialise in Dirty Air and Side-Draft Aerodynamics.
- CFD engineer who wants to specialise in Dirty Air and Side-Draft Aerodynamics.
- Oval track race engineer who wants to specialise in Dirty Air and Side-Draft Aerodynamics.
- Aerodynamic data analyst who wants to specialise in Dirty Air and Side-Draft Aerodynamics.
- Wind tunnel engineer who wants to specialise in Dirty Air and Side-Draft Aerodynamics.
- Technical spotter who wants to specialise in Dirty Air and Side-Draft Aerodynamics.
- Graduates in engineering or science looking to enter oval racing.
What you'll work with
- NASCAR Rule Book
- NASCAR Cup Series Technical Regulations
- FIA International Sporting Code
- FIA 8856-2018 fire-resistant clothing standard
- SFI Spec 3.2A fire-resistant suits
- SFI Spec 16.1 harnesses
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Lift and drag coefficients1.2Aerodynamic downforce in stock cars1.3Rear spoiler and its effect1.4Front splitter and floor1.5Aerodynamic asymmetry on ovals1.6Effect of body height1.7Aerodynamic balance in banked corners1.8Series aerodynamic regulations1.9Evolution of the aero package1.10Case study: aero package analysis of a Next Gen car
2.1Wake formation behind a vehicle2.2Speed deficit and turbulence2.3Downforce loss on the following car2.4Critical following distance2.5Effect on the front axle2.6Wake in corners and on straights2.7Interaction between multiple vehicles2.8Wind tunnel measurements with two cars2.9CFD simulation of car trains2.10Laboratory: CFD simulation of a car in a wake
3.1Drag reduction through slipstreaming3.2Bump drafting and push3.3Speeds in a train3.4Drafting on superspeedways3.5Racing line strategy on track3.6Group formation and alliances3.7Effect of reduced power package3.8Restrictor plates and top speed3.9Safety in pack racing3.10Practice: calculating speed gain from slipstreaming
4.1Symptoms of dirty air on the car4.2Aero push and induced understeer4.3Engine temperature in traffic4.4Front tyre management4.5Alternative lines for clean air4.6Set-up adjustments for traffic4.7Spotter communication4.8Overtaking in dirty air4.9Lap time loss data in traffic4.10Case study: telemetry analysis in traffic
5.1Principle of side-draft5.2Pressure reduction between cars5.3Effect on the adjacent rival5.4Lateral aerodynamic blocking5.5Optimal relative position5.6Side-draft in the run to the finish5.7Risks of loss of control5.8Interaction with the wall5.9Rules of conduct on track5.10Workshop: simplified side-draft modelling
6.1Scale wind tunnel6.2Moving-belt wind tunnel6.3RANS and LES CFD6.4Meshing complete vehicles6.5On-track coastdown tests6.6Body pressure sensors6.7Correlation between CFD, wind tunnel and track6.8Aero maps by ride height6.9Regulatory limitations on testing6.10Laboratory: post-processing an aero map
7.1Spoiler angle adjustment7.2Body height in corners7.3Rake and front-rear balance7.4Tape and grille openings7.5Sensitivity to the wake7.6Set-up for short and long races7.7Trade-off between clean and dirty air7.8Adjustments during pit stops7.9Simulation of aero effects7.10Practice: aero adjustment sheet for a superspeedway
8.1Selection of oval and package8.2Characterisation of the isolated car8.3Simulation in wake and lateral8.4Race data analysis8.5Adjustment proposal8.6Results evaluation8.7Writing the technical report8.8Presentation to the technical team8.9Dissertation and presentation8.10Final 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. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Simcenter STAR-CCM+, ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM, MoTeC i2 Pro, iRacing, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for CFD simulation of vehicles in a wake, telemetry analysis in dense traffic and aero adjustment for superspeedways. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Understand the aerodynamics of oval-track vehicles.
Analyse the physics of the wake and its effect on the following car.
Quantify the benefit of slipstreaming and drafting.
Diagnose dirty air from telemetry.
Explain the side-draft phenomenon and its risks.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.
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 800 hours spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
You will work with Simcenter STAR-CCM+, ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM, MoTeC i2 Pro, iRacing. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM own diploma upon passing continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is in-house training, not an official title from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are credited towards the higher programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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