Syracuse Sun

A new course in the College of Engineering and Computer Science is preparing students for careers in the automotive industry. The class, titled Automotive Engineering (MAE 457), aims to spark interest in vehicle engine design and development. It will be led by Professor Andrea Shen, who specializes in mechanical and aerospace engineering.

The curriculum covers a wide range of topics including internal combustion engines, biofuels, vehicle dynamics, and factors affecting engine performance. Students will engage in practical learning experiences with diesel and gasoline engines housed at Link Hall. Each participant will also undertake a research project on a vehicle of their choice.

Guest speakers from prominent companies such as Space X, Ford, Harley Davidson, Sierra Space, Roush Yates, Cummins, and Caterpillar are scheduled to speak to the class. These sessions offer students a chance to interact with professionals from various sectors within the industry.

Professor Shen expressed her hopes for the course: “I’m hoping students will gain an appreciation for cars,” she said. “They will gain an understanding of all the things that go on in the car and how they interact with each other. I also want to bring awareness on biofuels and the importance of research on combustion engines and automotives in the face of electric vehicles.”

Shen holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Virginia Tech along with a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Engine Research Center. Her expertise includes gasoline engines, biofuels, engine performance, and creating models of various base fuels—all areas that she plans to incorporate into her teaching.