[revvedup]

Hello fellow petrolheads ak.a bhpians

I am in 12th this year and next year I would be finally embarking on my journey into the world of automobile enginneering .Now I have like many of you have been deeply involved in the world of automobiles since an early age of 6 and have always taken a keen interest in understanding how the car's mechanicals work and how to tune them for max performance and then how to be self compotent enough to drive these machines and harness them on the the taramac. Inspiration has always been in the form of the great Mclaren F1 creator Gordon Murray and thus whatever course I do I want to be completely aware of the basics as well as the comparatively recent developments in the world of auto tech like chip tuning etc. so as to arm myself to get into the motorsport world where changes in tech are more oft and readily accepted.I also have always liked designing cars and bikes and have filled up three notebooks with scribblings about the same however I plan to do any of this later during my masters.

The problem is that after searching out a bit I have come to know that there is no graduation course in automobile engineering in the good colleges like the iit's or dces and one can only avail of this degree in some comparatively less reputed colleges(saboo sidik or something) which do not offer much in terms of hands on experience as poted head has said on one of the other threads.The big question now is should I opt for studying abroad and if yes what are the options available and how to get in there,how to apply and what would be the approximate expenditure per year and scholarships available if any.Currently the options in terms of countries the options I know are in terms of preferences
1.Germany-The land of the autobahn and nurburgring first choice but how to apply here since they don't accept sat scores I think nor the cbse board marks.
2.USA-arush did his degre in automotive tech fom here but are'nt the costs too much as compared to the above
3.England-One of my senoirs is pursuing an automotive degree from coventry and they open up aston v8's for practice.Sounds nice hmmm.

Your help and valuable advice in solving the above would be highly apprciated.

[tsk1979]

In India, most companies like Leyland/Tata hire mechanical engineers from colleges. You can go to the NITs, IITs or other colleges like DCE/PEC etc.,

Since most of the automobile industry starts from Maharashtra to down south, if you are in a south NIT or a COEP like college in pune, your chances of making it there increase.

This is your india option and is fairly cheap.
Coming for foreign options, there are 2 ways to do it.
1. The cheaper way
Do mech engineering from one of the south NITs or IITs and then study very very hard for GRE. You may make it into MS with an assitantship/schol etc., so you don't spend much
2. SAT route : Expeeeensive. Don't remember the numbers, but its some serious money. It all depends what you want to spend. Are you okay with spending 30 lakh+(INR) on your college fees?

This forum has a few people from companies like Ashok Leyland etc., who did MEchanical/Production engineering from RECs and got a campus placement.

[nitrous]

Originally Posted by tsk

This forum has a few people from companies like Ashok Leyland etc., who did MEchanical/Production engineering from RECs and got a campus placement.

Jomz is currently doing his MS in the US. Im sure his path can be a guideline.

[revvedup]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

This is your india option and is fairly cheap.
Coming for foreign options, there are 2 ways to do it.
1. The cheaper way
Do mech engineering from one of the south NITs or IITs and then study very very hard for GRE. You may make it into MS with an assitantship/schol etc., so you don't spend much
2. SAT route : Expeeeensive. Don't remember the numbers, but its some serious money. It all depends what you want to spend. Are you okay with spending 30 lakh+(INR) on your college fees?

This forum has a few people from companies like Ashok Leyland etc., who did MEchanical/Production engineering from RECs and got a campus placement.

I was quite in favor of the first option but after reading and hearing from various people both inside and outside the forum about the fact when you are doing mechanical ,automobile is just a part of the syllabi for only a little time and if you go on blabbering to much automobile you will be reminded that you are doing mechanical.Moreover I know of atleast two people both graduates from iit's who have left tata because they were given desk jobs and were not in any way involved in the research and development although tata is involved in reaseach and development but still it is not quite substential.moreover I don't think except dtsi and swirl technology the Indian industry hasn't contributed much to the international automotive tech sphere.So after considering all this I felt that I shouldn't compromise on the quality of automobile education just beacuse of prohibitive costs involved and thought of ways around this like scholarships and student loans and a thats why I approached you people for your advice on how to get there and
the scholarships available.Again now what I am looking for in the course
1.Excellent hands on expereience
2.The course should be complete from the basics to the latest developments like chip tuning etc.
3.It should be resonably affordable however good schloarships can offset this a little and however this is the last in my list of my priorities the topmost priority being quality automobile education.

[vivekiny2k]

Originally Posted by revvedup

1.Excellent hands on expereience
2.The course should be complete from the basics to the latest developments like chip tuning etc.
3.It should be resonably affordable however good schloarships can offset this a little and however this is the last in my list of my priorities the topmost priority being quality automobile education.

actually, you are demanding your dream experience from your engineering education which is not fair. The kind of experience you are looking for can be gained by working at an actual modifier's shop. Nobody in auto giants will let you do everything from basics to chip tuning. once you actually get into the industry, you will realize how much of non-glittery hard work goes into making these machines.

if you just want glitter, work with DC.

[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by revvedup

I was quite in favor of the first option but after reading and hearing from various people both inside and outside the forum about the fact when you are doing mechanical ,automobile is just a part of the syllabi for only a little time and if you go on blabbering to much automobile you will be reminded that you are doing mechanical.Moreover I know of atleast two people both graduates from iit's who have left tata because they were given desk jobs and were not in any way involved in the research and development although tata is involved in reaseach and development but still it is not quite substential.moreover I don't think except dtsi and swirl technology the Indian industry hasn't contributed much to the international automotive tech sphere.So after considering all this I felt that I shouldn't compromise on the quality of automobile education just beacuse of prohibitive costs involved and thought of ways around this like scholarships and student loans and a thats why I approached you people for your advice on how to get there and
the scholarships available.Again now what I am looking for in the course
1.Excellent hands on expereience
2.The course should be complete from the basics to the latest developments like chip tuning etc.
3.It should be resonably affordable however good schloarships can offset this a little and however this is the last in my list of my priorities the topmost priority being quality automobile education.

For the better option, i.e. US all the way you have to spend a lot of money.
Scholarship for SAT is something "unheard off" for a foreign student. It all depends on how you are willing to spend.
Also keep in mind that if you are confident that you can work hard enough to get through a good college through SAT inspite of being a foreign student, you should be confident that even going the Mech route you can do well.
You don't have to join Tata etc., All you have to do is get a Mechanical engineering degree from a IIT or a NIT and then make sure you are popular with the profs. GRE score is half the story, the other half is Reco.
I would suggest that route over the direct SAT route.

[revvedup]

The only concern is that how different will be my course in mechanical enginnering in india as compared to somebody who does automobile engineering from the US.Will he have any substential advantage over me.

[vivekiny2k]

Originally Posted by revvedup

The only concern is that how different will be my course in mechanical enginnering in india as compared to somebody who does automobile engineering from the US.Will he have any substential advantage over me.

now that's a relevant question.

yes, unfortunately in india all education revolves around getting degree, getting marks, and getting a job. too focussed. not to mention lack of innovation and personal egos interfering in learning, and lack of exposure to expensive technologies.

in terms of learning, studying abroad will definitely have an advantage. if you can afford it, go for it. having high hopes of monetary returns may lead to disappointment though.

PS:

[revvedup]

Originally Posted by vivekiny2k

now that's a relevant question.

yes, unfortunately in india all education revolves around getting degree, getting marks, and getting a job. too focussed. not to mention lack of innovation and personal egos interfering in learning, and lack of exposure to expensive technologies.

in terms of learning, studying abroad will definitely have an advantage. if you can afford it, go for it. having high hopes of monetary returns may lead to disappointment though.

PS:

Thank you for your advice.I am seriously considering germany as a potential place for undergraduate studies.Any idea about what enterance exam do we have there.
P.S-I am still preparing for iit and that option is still the first choice untill I find some suitable info on how to go about applying abroad and the optons available there.

[sujaylahiri]

Originally Posted by revvedup

The only concern is that how different will be my course in mechanical enginnering in india as compared to somebody who does automobile engineering from the US.Will he have any substential advantage over me.

You will be at a disadvantage from North American engineers if you do your engineering from Indian colleges if you are looking at a job in North America. Barring certain very good colleges in India, Indian degrees won't be acceptable here for a job unless you do Masters and above form here as well. And post graduation is really expensive too.
Our University in Canada, University of Windsor offers a degree in Mechanical with Automotive Engineering. Check out the website at University of Windsor
It's the only University in Canada to have a degree in automotive engineering and one of the very few in North America.
You can also do your basic Mechanical Engineering degree and then do a diploma in Automotive Engineering in many of the colleges in North America, but it's directed more towards technicians/mechanics than engineers.

[Jomz]

Hi Revved up.. Sorry for the late post... Nowadays very little time on T Bhp. saw this thread only now.. Don't hesitate to pm me anytime..

I was working with R & D Of Ashok leyland... Engine Design... Well I've to admit it.. Indian companies are not doing much in R & D.

My projects were something like.. converting a pure mechanical engine into a Common rail one... We had to go to a Design firm in Austria called AVL to do that.

while working you'll know that everything is very vast... Chip tuning itself has Electronics , lot of Embedded and just a little bit mechanical. There are no people in the industry who have done all what you've been talking about. there are specialists in almost every aspect.. but not in every one.... Every design firms work in teams as you know... an elementary knowledge of the other team would suffice when you are in the industry..

And you shouldn't be so partial about mechanical Engineering. Automobile is just a machine.. and in Mech you find out how all the machines work.. A good mechanical engg degree from any university (like IIT'sd, NIT's ) would be better than an degree in automobile.. in which you are sort of constrained with only the functions of automobile....

THere were 50 guys in our dept and I know a lot of guys in Telco too... Most of them are mechies... don't have bad feeling towards mechanical engineering..

My suggested course of action is... Get your basics right.. So that Do an undergrad in Mechanical Engineering.. Trust me you'll be not lacking naything than a automobile Engineer.. make sure the college has a good reputation..

Then specialize, A classmate of mine after his mech he thought his field was designing cars (new shapes and all) did his CEED and , is now in Enfield Sketching new bikes. Well all of them doesn't make into production.. but still the protos itself give the satisfaction.. And enfield has a good design studio.

Then there is Chips and automotive electronics.. Or engine management systems.. You can go to masters in mechatronics and the go that way..

Then there is IC engine combustion
THen again IC engine Design.. the dynamics and alll


Phewww... So Do mech in a good college and decide where in automobile R & D you wanna go..

And I've seen undegrads over here... It'll be better if you do your Undergrad in India.. Lots odf Drugs and sex among undergrads.. :-).. I personally beileve that our Mech is more tougher than the american mechanical engineering... Mech is always uptodate.. you know.. :-) Except Mechatronics and MEMS

[ishotmydog]

hi ...

i will be answering my board exams in march this year and am really not so worried about them as i am about concluding what to opt for in my graduation. i absolutely love cars and this passion is the determining my foray into the automotive world. being an automotive enthusiast my first option was to do auto engg. and mech engg as my second option. however as i love driving and being an engg will for quite a long time restrict me into developing engines and parts only, i don't want to do it, no offense to people who do it - i respect them and have an incredible high opinion of them.

i don't want to do engg. I have an attention span of a house fly; but any data concerning cars stays etched in my grey cells irrespective of whether i am being graded on what i have memorized or not. I usually do not forget .I thought I would do my bcom and then do a course learning about cars and also do a course in cad.please suggest.

i really want a job where i get to drive cars - from padminis to porsches. job like a auto journalist or a test driver seem the best option however since these jobs are quite unconventional i dont know how to go about them.i am absolutely confused as to what to do and am in a mess.

i m from pune and my family has a real estate business and its doing really well and as a result everyone in my family wants me to do civil engg and ramp up the team. and what i have in mind is totally different. so all the more reason for me to show that i am not making a wrong decision.

i think you all will be be able to guide me correctly as against a career counselor as all of you share my passion and the feeling is unadulterated.

mayank

[Rehaan]

Some other related threads :

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/collec...ve-career.html

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor-...-industry.html

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/shifti...ve-career.html

cya
R

[vivekiny2k]

Originally Posted by ishotmydog

hi ...

i will be answering my board exams in march this year and am really not so worried about them as i am about concluding what to opt for in my graduation.
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.
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i really want a job where i get to drive cars - from padminis to porsches. job like a auto journalist or a test driver seem the best option however since these jobs are quite unconventional i dont know how to go about them.i am absolutely confused as to what to do and am in a mess.

everybody goes thru both the phases you have mentioned. Just make sure what your teenaged mind is thinking at this time will be approved by your middle aged mind when you become a father of one or two. Making a career choice is a big decision and you should be very careful.

not trying to discourage you but thinking in terms of what value you will be adding to business/economy/society will help you decide your career better. Most of us do productive jobs and at the end of the day burn it in rubber and fuel (ok, not me, but most of us). We still love to be driving cars all the time, but there are things that need to be done to run the house. If you want, you can probably get into a business where you work with cars and good cars will automatically come to you for drives.

but if you aspire just to drive cars....well, either you can be with an auto mag if you are real good, or you can just be a driver. a big gamble I say.

[akshat]

Good to see so many youngsters at least giving their passions a chance to be their profession. Well coming to the automobile engineering one thing I would like to clarify is that no matter how good a college you are into you cant master all the aspects of automobiles. I did my grad and masters from IIT bombay in aeronautics and for my one and half years of project I did nothing but wing and rudder aerodynamics (still cant call myself learned in that field).

I have had batch mates who have done mechanical engineering and then did their masters in automobile related fields from US ( they are now working for investment banks is a different story altogether )

So as a personal advice doing BE or Btech from reputed college in India and then following a good MS and even a Phd from abroad will give you better knowledge (Undergrad studies in India though not very practical but provide excellent enviournment to those interested in learning)

All the best