(rats, my bold title didnt work)

Hi,

I am in the process of deciding what 4 year school I want to attend. I have found no information yet that makes me want to go to any school in particular, but I do like the look of the FSAE program that many schools offer.

I have already taken an autobody program and will soon finish my associates degree at a junior college.

I know that a lot of you guys that float around welding/fab have or are taking FSAE.

What can you guys tell someone that is considering the program about FSAE that I cannot find on FSAE.com or SAE.org?

Thanks in advance.

Boltz

 

First and foremost, find a school that you think you will enjoy in terms of: the campus, the people, the setting, extracurriculars, and your degree program. Part of that (but not all of that) should include their FSAE program. Its just one aspect of choosing a university.


As far as FSAE is concerned... I would focus on schools that offer underclass an oppourtunity to become invovled in the engineering work. Its easy to focus on how well the school places in the competition, but there are many schools that place well and but you're lucky to have designed the pedals as a senior. In short, focus on schools that will give you an oppourtunity to get invovled in the design... those schools offer the most "real life" experience, and in many cases also happen to do well in the competition.

 

Iowa State University has a fun program, but it is a club, not a class, so you get no credit.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by krustindumm &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Iowa State University has a fun program, but it is a club, not a class, so you get no credit. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Does this apply to all FSAE programs? No credit?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Boltz &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Does this apply to all FSAE programs? No credit?</TD></TR></TABLE>

No, this doesn't apply to all programs. If you are a mechanical engineering student, in the last year of school you normally will take a series of design classes. You can often use a specific part of the car as a project for one of these classes - and get full credit for it. You might want to discuss this with other members of the college's FSAE team beforehand to see how they did it. Many FSAE teams have websites where you can find out plenty of information before you decide to even attend that particular school. Good luck.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Boltz &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Does this apply to all FSAE programs? No credit?</TD></TR></TABLE>

It totally depends on the project.

All of the design work on our team is run strictly through our Senior Project. Everyone on our '05 team is invovled through senior project. Underclass are invovled through working on our older cars, and assisting on research projects for our 2005 car.

Other teams are run purely on a volunteer basis. You sign up, and recieve no academic credit for helping, regardless of your level of design work.

Other teams are volunteer to join, but you are able to also use it as a senior project, and kill two birds with one stone.

 

Thanks for all the helpful responses.

 

I got to Western Washington University and participate in the VRI program. What is unique about the VRI is the shop is student run so we can keep it open late and get stuff done. We also have a pretty sick shop 4-cnc machines 2 are 4th axis capable vf-4 hl-2 mori seki and a partner, we have cnc mandrel bender, 1000hp chassis dyno, 1000hp engine dyno, autoclave, wind tunnel, 2 mills 4 lathes, Miller syncro 351, foundry etc... the list goes on. check it out

http://www.etec.wwu.edu/

Good luck in your search if you have a questions speak up

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by coupequattro &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I got to Western Washington University and participate in the VRI program. What is unique about the VRI is the shop is student run so we can keep it open late and get stuff done. We also have a pretty sick shop 4-cnc machines 2 are 4th axis capable vf-4 hl-2 mori seki and a partner, we have cnc mandrel bender, 1000hp chassis dyno, 1000hp engine dyno, autoclave, wind tunnel, 2 mills 4 lathes, Miller syncro 351, foundry etc... the list goes on. check it out

http://www.etec.wwu.edu/

Good luck in your search if you have a questions speak up </TD></TR></TABLE>

That VRI program seems pretty interesting!

If anyone has any other information about advanced classes in a 4+yr institution involving cars through design, engineering, physics, etc I would be more than happy to hear about it.

Basically I love cars, and would like to pursue a career/education involving them, but not at a blue collar level. (i.e. basic mechanic, autobody, etc.)

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Boltz &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Basically I love cars, and would like to pursue a career/education involving them, but not at a blue collar level. (i.e. basic mechanic, autobody, etc.)</TD></TR></TABLE>

Unless you are REALLY smart or REALLY dedicated, you'd be better off both financially and mentally to have a normal engineering day job and use your mad design skilz on the side. You can get burnt out on cars really fast if its all you do, and your daywork sucks.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Paul_VR6 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Unless you are REALLY smart or REALLY dedicated, you'd be better off both financially and mentally to have a normal engineering day job and use your mad design skilz on the side. You can get burnt out on cars really fast if its all you do, and your daywork sucks.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Paul, I have to ask, are you a ME or AME? I ask because I work with MAE all day long, and let me tell you, the simple stuff I do in the shop is more exciting than the tough stuff they do all day long. Besides, why settle for something you don't want?

Auburn University has an excellent Mechanical Engineering program, with the ability to earn your Automotive Engineering certificate as a mini-minor (only 3 extra classes).

The AUFormula team is consistantly one of the Top 10 in the country, placing 3rd in Detroit last year.

As well, the Mini-Baja team, which I am a designer for, is also consistantly in the Top 10 in the World, placing 3rd last year in the Dayton Cup, which is considered to be the National Championship. We lost first place by 7.7 points, out of 2100.

This year, we are serious contenders for both the Dayton Cup (National Championship status, comprised of best 2 out of 3 races) and the Mark Schmitt Award, which is a prize given out to the champion of the exclusive teams who compete in all 3 American races.

We have a very good faculty and school support system, and a very wide alumnist base, which allows for sponsorship opportunities from many different areas. Our faculty advisor, Dr. Peter Jones, is one of the best teachers I've met, and a damn good man to boot.

As far as credit is concerned, Both Formula and Baja are eligable as programs to use as your Senior Design, 5 (6? I forget, I'm a sophmore anyways) credits that must be completed for graduation. Also, independant study credits are available for projects concerning design work done on the car.

If you have any more questions about our programs, feel free to ask away, and I'll help with whatever I can.

-Jeremy
AUMB Ergonomic/Body Designer, Welder, and Lead Driver.

P.S. - Our football team was also the 2004 National Champions.


Modified by Goullish at 1:26 PM 2/21/2005

 

I'm personally EE, but I did happen to be very close with the FSAE guys that went off into auto industry. I don't think a single one is still there.

I was just mentioning that unless you have a very special drive and are a very gifted person, don't expect to be working at your dream job fabbing and designing parts for Penske right out of school.

That's really all I was getting at. Oh, and don't forget to learn calculus while you're in school.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Paul_VR6 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm personally EE, but I did happen to be very close with the FSAE guys that went off into auto industry. I don't think a single one is still there.

I was just mentioning that unless you have a very special drive and are a very gifted person, don't expect to be working at your dream job fabbing and designing parts for Penske right out of school.

That's really all I was getting at. Oh, and don't forget to learn calculus while you're in school. </TD></TR></TABLE>


Wow, Interesting. So what are your FSAE friends doing now that used to work in the auto industry?



Thanks again for the great responses

 

Hey man... I am at Penn State. The FSAE team here is huge and the car is excellent, I believe they came in 6th place overall last year. This is my first year on the team, so I am on the lowly impact attenuator team and working with carbon fiber. The engineering here at PSU is top notch, the parties are awesome, and the football team is getting better. It's worth a look, its a wonderful school.

-Mike