

MASTER-OF-TECHNOLOGY in Automotive Structures at JSS Science and Technology University


Mysuru, Karnataka
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About the Specialization
What is Automotive Structures at JSS Science and Technology University Mysuru?
This Automotive Structures program at JSS Science and Technology University (formerly SJCE) focuses on the advanced design, analysis, and manufacturing of vehicle structural components. It integrates solid mechanics, materials science, and computational tools like FEA. The curriculum addresses critical aspects like lightweighting, crashworthiness, and sustainable vehicle development, aligning with the dynamic demands of the Indian automotive industry.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for mechanical, automobile, or production engineering graduates aspiring to specialize in vehicle design and safety. Working professionals in the automotive sector seeking to enhance their knowledge in structural analysis, crashworthiness, and advanced materials would also greatly benefit. It targets individuals passionate about innovation in vehicle technology and sustainable mobility solutions.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect diverse career paths in India''''s leading automotive OEMs (e.g., Tata Motors, Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki) and Tier-1 suppliers. Roles include structural design engineer, CAE analyst, crash safety engineer, and materials specialist. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 6-10 LPA, with significant growth potential as expertise develops, reflecting strong industry demand.

Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Master Core Engineering Fundamentals- (Semester 1)
Dedicate extensive time to thoroughly grasp advanced engineering mathematics, theory of vibrations, and mechanics of solids. Actively participate in problem-solving sessions, utilize NPTEL resources for deeper understanding, and form study groups for collaborative learning. A strong conceptual base is paramount for all advanced courses.
Tools & Resources
NPTEL courses, Standard textbooks (e.g., Rao for Vibrations, Timoshenko for Mechanics), College library resources, Peer study groups
Career Connection
This foundational knowledge is critical for understanding complex structural behaviors and forms the analytical backbone for advanced design and simulation roles in automotive R&D.
Develop Early Proficiency in Simulation Tools- (Semester 1)
Begin hands-on practice with FEA and CAD software (e.g., ANSYS, CATIA, SolidWorks) introduced in the Advanced Simulation Lab. Work on mini-projects to model and analyze simple automotive components, understanding pre-processing, solving, and post-processing stages. Seek extra practice beyond prescribed lab hours.
Tools & Resources
Departmental computer labs, Software tutorials (YouTube, official guides), Online courses on CAD/CAE basics, Student version software
Career Connection
Proficiency in these tools is a direct and highly sought-after skill for roles like CAE Analyst, Design Engineer, and Product Development Engineer in the automotive industry.
Explore Research & IPR Early- (Semester 1)
Familiarize yourself with research methodology and intellectual property rights. Attend workshops, read research papers in your areas of interest, and start identifying potential M.Tech project topics. Discuss initial ideas with faculty mentors to align with current industry challenges.
Tools & Resources
JSS STU research journals database, WIPO resources for IPR, Academic conference proceedings, Faculty mentors
Career Connection
This practice fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and prepares you for innovative contributions in R&D roles or pursuing higher studies, ensuring a strong foundation in knowledge creation and protection.
Intermediate Stage
Master FEA and Automotive Safety Applications- (Semester 2)
Deepen your expertise in Finite Element Analysis by tackling more complex problems involving non-linear analysis, explicit dynamics, and crash simulations. Simultaneously, gain a comprehensive understanding of automotive safety standards, crashworthiness design principles, and occupant protection systems through case studies and simulations.
Tools & Resources
Advanced FEA software (e.g., LS-DYNA, ABAQUS), SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) publications on safety, Crash test reports (e.g., NCAP), Online forums for FEA users
Career Connection
This specialization makes you highly valuable for critical roles such as CAE Engineer, Crash Safety Analyst, and Product Validation Engineer within major automotive OEMs and suppliers.
Strategic Elective Selection and DOE Application- (Semester 2)
Carefully choose your Automotive Structures Electives (e.g., Vehicle Dynamics, Composite Materials) based on your career aspirations and emerging industry trends. Simultaneously, apply Design of Experiments principles using statistical software to optimize experimental procedures and structural designs, ensuring robust and efficient development.
Tools & Resources
Minitab/JMP software for DOE, Industry white papers on chosen electives, Expert lectures and guest speakers, Faculty advisors
Career Connection
Strategic specialization broadens your employability in niche areas of automotive engineering, allowing you to contribute effectively to specific domains like chassis design, material development, or quality control.
Hands-on Practical Skill Development in Labs- (Semester 2)
Actively engage in all experiments in the Automotive Structures Lab, focusing on experimental stress analysis, material characterization, and non-destructive testing techniques. Emphasize precise data acquisition, rigorous analysis, and clear, concise technical report writing to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical skills.
Tools & Resources
Lab equipment manuals, Data acquisition systems, Technical writing guides, Peer collaboration for lab reports
Career Connection
These practical skills are essential for R&D, testing, and quality assurance roles, enabling you to validate designs, troubleshoot issues, and ensure product reliability in the automotive manufacturing sector.
Advanced Stage
Excel in Specialized Vehicle Body Engineering- (Semester 3)
Develop advanced expertise in vehicle body engineering, including Body-in-White (BIW) design, automotive aerodynamics, and ergonomic considerations. Leverage advanced CAD software for detailed design and simulation of vehicle structures, integrating knowledge from previous courses to address complex engineering challenges.
Tools & Resources
CATIA/Siemens NX for advanced body design, Aerodynamic simulation software, Industry standards for vehicle packaging, SAE technical papers on vehicle design
Career Connection
This deep specialization positions you for lead design and engineering roles in vehicle styling, BIW development, and advanced engineering teams at automotive companies, shaping future vehicle models.
Conduct High-Impact Master''''s Project- (Semester 3-4)
Dedicate significant effort to your M.Tech project (Phase 1 & 2), aiming for an innovative solution to an industry-relevant problem or a contribution to academic research. Ensure thorough literature review, rigorous methodology, meticulous data analysis, and high-quality thesis writing. Prepare for a compelling project defense.
Tools & Resources
Project supervisor guidance and feedback, Research databases (e.g., Scopus, Web of Science), LaTeX for thesis formatting, Mock presentations
Career Connection
A well-executed project demonstrates independent research capability, problem-solving skills, and deep domain expertise, which are highly valued for R&D positions, academic careers, and immediate impact in the industry.
Strategize for Industry Readiness & Placement- (Semester 3-4)
Actively seek internships in leading automotive R&D centers or manufacturing units to gain real-world experience. Refine your resume, develop strong interview skills, and network extensively with alumni and industry professionals. Participate in college placement drives and mock interview sessions tailored for automotive roles.
Tools & Resources
JSS STU Placement Cell, LinkedIn for networking, Resume building workshops, Industry-specific interview preparation guides
Career Connection
This comprehensive approach maximizes your chances of securing a desirable placement in top automotive companies, ensuring a smooth transition from academia to a successful professional career, ready to contribute effectively.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- B.E./B.Tech. in Mechanical, Industrial Production, Manufacturing, Automobile, Mechatronics, Aeronautical, Aerospace, Marine Engineering or equivalent degree with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate (45% for SC/ST/Cat-I) from any recognized university.
Duration: 4 semesters / 2 years
Credits: 84 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 50%, External: 50%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17MAS11 | Advanced Engineering Mathematics | Core | 4 | Linear Algebra, Probability and Statistics, Numerical Methods, Calculus of Variations, Transforms |
| 17MAS12 | Theory of Vibrations | Core | 4 | Single Degree of Freedom Systems, Multi-Degree of Freedom Systems, Continuous Systems, Vibration Measurement and Control, Random Vibrations |
| 17MAS13 | Mechanics of Solids and Structures | Core | 4 | Stress and Strain Analysis, Theories of Failure, Elasticity and Plasticity, Plates and Shells, Buckling of Columns |
| 17MAS14 | Advanced Materials | Core | 4 | Engineering Materials Fundamentals, Composite Materials, Smart Materials, Material Characterization Techniques, Advanced Metallic Alloys |
| 17MAS15 | Research Methodology and IPR | Core | 2 | Introduction to Research Methodology, Research Design and Methods, Data Collection and Analysis, Technical Report Writing, Intellectual Property Rights |
| 17MAS16L | Advanced Simulation Lab | Lab | 1 | FEA Software Introduction (ANSYS), CAD Modeling Techniques, Static and Dynamic Analysis Simulation, Pre-processing and Post-processing, Simulation Project Work |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17MAS21 | Finite Element Analysis | Core | 4 | FEM Fundamentals and Formulations, One Dimensional Elements, Two Dimensional Elements, Isoparametric Elements, Dynamic Analysis using FEM |
| 17MAS22 | Automotive Safety | Core | 4 | Vehicle Safety Systems (Active/Passive), Crashworthiness and Energy Absorption, Occupant Protection Systems, Automotive Safety Regulations, Crash Testing and Simulation |
| 17MAS23 | Design of Experiments and Robust Design | Core | 4 | Principles of Experimental Design, Factorial Experiments, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Taguchi Methods for Robust Design, Optimization Techniques |
| 17MAE241 | Automotive Structures Elective-1: Vehicle Dynamics | Elective | 4 | Tyre Mechanics and Properties, Suspension Systems Design, Steering Systems and Geometry, Braking Systems and Performance, Vehicle Stability and Control |
| 17MAE242 | Automotive Structures Elective-1: Computational Fluid Dynamics | Elective | 4 | Navier-Stokes Equations, Finite Volume Method, Gridding Techniques, Turbulence Modeling, CFD Applications in Automotive |
| 17MAE243 | Automotive Structures Elective-1: Optimization Techniques | Elective | 4 | Classical Optimization Techniques, Linear and Non-Linear Programming, Geometric Programming, Dynamic Programming, Metaheuristic Algorithms |
| 17MAE244 | Automotive Structures Elective-1: Industrial Robotics | Elective | 4 | Robot Kinematics and Dynamics, Robot Control Systems, Robot Programming, Sensors and Actuators, Industrial Applications of Robotics |
| 17MAE251 | Automotive Structures Elective-2: Composite Materials for Automotive Applications | Elective | 4 | Introduction to Composite Materials, Manufacturing Processes of Composites, Mechanical Behavior of Composites, Design of Composite Structures, Testing and Characterization of Composites |
| 17MAE252 | Automotive Structures Elective-2: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning | Elective | 4 | Introduction to AI and ML, Supervised Learning, Unsupervised Learning, Neural Networks and Deep Learning, AI/ML Applications in Automotive |
| 17MAE253 | Automotive Structures Elective-2: Quality Engineering | Elective | 4 | Total Quality Management, Statistical Process Control, Six Sigma Methodology, Quality Function Deployment, Reliability Engineering |
| 17MAE254 | Automotive Structures Elective-2: Additive Manufacturing | Elective | 4 | Additive Manufacturing Principles, Material Extrusion (FDM), Powder Bed Fusion (SLS/SLM), Vat Photopolymerization (SLA/DLP), Design for Additive Manufacturing |
| 17MAS26L | Automotive Structures Lab | Lab | 1 | Experimental Stress Analysis, Strain Gauge Application, Non-destructive Testing (NDT), Material Testing and Characterization, Data Acquisition and Analysis |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17MAS31 | Vehicle Body Engineering | Core | 4 | Automotive Body Structures, Body-in-White (BIW) Design, Aerodynamics of Automotive Bodies, Vehicle Ergonomics and Packaging, Manufacturing Processes for Body Panels |
| 17MAE321 | Automotive Structures Elective-3: Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) | Elective | 4 | NVH Sources and Propagation, Sound and Vibration Measurement, NVH Analysis Techniques, Damping and Isolation Strategies, Acoustic Materials and Design |
| 17MAE322 | Automotive Structures Elective-3: Sustainable Mobility | Elective | 4 | Concepts of Sustainable Transportation, Electric and Hybrid Vehicles, Alternative Fuels and Powertrains, Life Cycle Assessment of Vehicles, Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) |
| 17MAE323 | Automotive Structures Elective-3: Advanced Internal Combustion Engines | Elective | 4 | Engine Operating Parameters, Combustion in SI and CI Engines, Engine Emission Control, Engine Performance Analysis, Advanced Engine Technologies |
| 17MAE324 | Automotive Structures Elective-3: Mechatronics in Automotive Systems | Elective | 4 | Introduction to Mechatronics, Sensors and Actuators in Automotive, Control Systems for Vehicles, Embedded Systems in Automotive, Mechatronic System Design |
| 17MAS33 | Seminar | Core | 2 | Literature Survey and Topic Selection, Technical Presentation Skills, Report Writing for Research, Critical Analysis of Research Papers, Audience Engagement and Q&A |
| 17MASP34 | Project Work Phase-1 | Project | 12 | Problem Definition and Scope, Extensive Literature Review, Methodology Development, Preliminary Design and Simulation, Mid-term Progress Report |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17MASP41 | Project Work Phase-2 | Project | 22 | Detailed Implementation/Experimentation, Data Analysis and Interpretation, Results and Discussion, Thesis Writing and Documentation, Project Defense and Viva Voce |




