Implementing a vehicle dynamics curriculum with significant active learning components

A primary concern in the study of the effectiveness of active learning strategies in automotive engineering is to deliver students with skills based on the emerging needs of automotive industries in research-and-development and production. The key aspects of the required expertise can be listed in vibration analysis and control, modeling and simulation of dynamic systems, assessment of ride and safety of a road vehicle, and vehicle performance analysis. A much more systematic approach in curriculum development would identify how modern active learning strategies can deliver a new generation of automotive engineers with the esteemed competence. This paper provides a new insight into the vehicle dynamics curriculum that can be discussed under three headings which are: courses contents, context sequences, and active learning implementation. Moreover, the extensive discussion on the learning outcomes provides a framework for vehicle dynamic curriculum that will serve as a base for future studies and developments.