CAREER GUIDE
Options in automobile engineering and design
Photo: V. Sudershan
Innovative lot: Students of Delhi College of Engineering who had designed a vehicle in connection with an international competition.
To be an automobile engineer, one should opt for B.E. or B.Tech. courses in automobile engineering or mechanical engineering and further specialise in transportation and automobile design courses at the postgraduate or postgraduate diploma level.
Aspirants must also have an aptitude for mathematics and design. Students should have passed Plus Two with at least 50 per cent marks in mathematics and 50 per cent marks in aggregate mathematics, physics and chemistry.
A few engineering colleges offer B.Tech. or B.E. courses in automobile engineering. In certain engineering colleges, mechanical engineering students can opt for automobile engineering as an optional subject.
Automobile engineering involves understanding the mechanics of vehicle chassis, internal combustion engine, electrical systems, motor transport affairs, workshop technology, research and design. It also deals with the design, development and maintenance of automobile and retail spare parts.
Automobile engineering is one of the options available for graduate level study in engineering. It is a four-year eight-semester professional programme.
In Kerala, the selection is based on the rank obtained in the entrance examination. Next year onwards, marks obtained in the qualifying examination may also be considered for the final selection.
Study facilities
In Kerala, Sree Chitra Tirunal College of Engineering, Pappanamcode, Thiruvananthapuram (affiliated to Kerala University), offers B.Tech. course in mechanical engineering. The college has 60 seats in this branch and is run by the Kerala State Transport Corporation. Fifty per cent of the seats fall under the government merit quota.
KMCT college of Engineering, Mukkom, Kozhikode; Nehru College of Engineering and Research Centre, Thrissur (both affiliated to Calicut University); Matha College of Technology, North Paravur, Ernakulam and SCMS School of Engineering and Technology, Karukutty, Ernakulam (both affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam) offer B.Tech. course in automobile engineering. Total number of seats in each of these private self-financing colleges is 60.
Apart from the students who have passed Plus Two, three-year engineering diploma holders with at least 50 per cent marks are eligible for admission. Students belonging to socially and economically backward categories (SEBC) whose annual family income is below Rs.4.5 lakh will get a relaxation of five per cent marks. Applicants should have completed 17 years of age as on December 31 of the year of admission.
Outside Kerala
The following colleges/ institutes/ universities offer degree in automobile engineering. This list is only indicative.
Noorual Islam University, Kumaracoil, Thuckalay, Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu; website: www.niceindia.com.
Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science (Hindustan University), Chennai; website www.hindustanuniv.ac.in.
School of Engineering and Technology, Tiruchi, Tamil Nadu.
Rajalakshmi Engineering College, Thandalam, Chennai.
Madras Institute of Technology, Chromepet, Chennai -600044.
Vel Tech Technical University, Avadi, Chennai.
SRM University, Kattamkulathur; website: www.srmuniv.ac.in
Bharath University, Selaiyur, Tambaram, Chennai; website: www.bharathuniv.ac.in
Vinayaka Mission Kirupananda Variyar Engineering College, Salem; website: www.vmkvec.ac.in
Aaru Padiveedu Institute of Technology, Chennai; website: www.avit.ac.in
Karpagam College of Engineering, Coimbatore; website: www.karpagameducation.com
Sri Vankateswara College of Engineering, Pennalur, Sriperumbaudur, Tamil Nadu; website: www.svce.ac.in
Shanmuganathan Engineering College, Arasampat, Tamil Nadu
PES College of Engineering, Mandya, Karnataka
SJM Institute of Technology, Chitradurga, Karnataka
SJB Institute of Technology, Kangeri, Bangalore
BLDE Association's Dr. PG Hallakatti College of Engineering, Bijapur, Karnataka.
Gurunanak Dev Engineering College, Bidar, Karnataka.
Basaveshwar Engineering College, Nigalingappa, Vidya Nagar, Bagalkot, Karnataka
Malanad College of Engineering, Hassan, Karnataka
Before seeking admission to private engineering colleges or institutes, students should ascertain whether the institutions have the approval of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) andare affiliated to a university. They should check whether there are adequate infrastructure facilities, expert faculty, placement services and so on.
M.Tech.
The M.Tech. degree in automobile engineering mainly deals with the study of designing, manufacture and working of automobiles. Those who have obtained bachelor's degree in mechanical or automobile engineering or production or manufacturing engineering are eligible to apply. The selection to the M.Tech. degree course is based on GATE score/ admission test and interview. Automotive engineering is similar to automobile engineering course, and is offered at M.Tech. level. M.E. degree in automated manufacturing system, computer-aided analysis and design is also offered by a few institutions.
PG diploma
The National Institute of Design (NID), Paldi, Ahmedabad, is a prominent institute that provides an opportunity for meritorious B.Tech. degree holders in automobile and mechanical engineering to pursue a postgraduate diploma in transportation and automobile design (10 seats). The course is of two-and-a-half- year duration.
The selection is based on an all-India entrance test and an interview. This programme is a good option for those who desire to become a professional designer in the automobile industry. The institute also conducts a graduate diploma programme in design (GDPD) for students who have passed Plus Two examination.
The Indian Institutes of Technology also offer Bachelor of Design (B.Des.)/ M.Des. programmes for those who desire to become designers.
Job prospects
Automobile engineers test the performance and efficiency of the engine chassis and transmission systems apart from other components. Those who specialise in design can design models of vehicles by joining the research and development wing of companies. Automobile maintenance engineers are also entrusted with the general supervision of mechanics in a workshop, factory or garage. Automobile industry giants provide job opportunities to qualified engineers in their production plants. B.Tech. degree holders in automobile engineering with an MBA degree can make it to the top of marketing / sales management. Those who secure M.Tech. or Ph.D. can take up teaching professions.
GOPAKUMAR KARAKONAM
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