MSc Mechanical Engineering
Computational Mechanics (M-ENG CM)

NB This specialism is no longer on offer after the 2023/24 academic year.

Programme Objectives

This specialism in Mechanical Engineering develops skills in advanced techniques in scientific computing at the interface between scientific disciplines for the modelling of mechanical engineering problems.

The courses cover the modelling and numerical simulation of complex mechanical systems (both fluid and solid) involving a possible coupling of different physics at different scales. The training is based on a global approach towards the issues associated with numerical modelling, from the construction of models and their discretization to the numerical resolution of discrete models, and to the mathematical analysis of models and approximation methods.

The programme of study lasts two academic years - denoted by M1 and M2 and is taught in English. It comprises three study semesters followed by a paid Master's thesis / internship in the final semester.

Our Master's programmes in Mechanical Engineering are fully accredited by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research.

► See our other Master's programmes in Mechanical Engineering

Contribution to sustainable development goals

 

► Learn more about Centrale Nantes' commitment to the 17 sustainable development goals
 

Course Content

30 ECTS Credits per semester.
Language of instruction: English
 

M1 Year - 2023/24

 

Autumn Semester Courses	ECTS	Spring Semester Courses	ECTS
Continuum Mechanics	5	Probability and Statistics	5
Fluid Mechanics	5	Numerical Analysis	5
Algorithmics for Engineering Modelling	4	Structural Mechanics	5
Numerical Methods	5	Fluid Mechanics 2	5
Vibrations and Differential Equations	5	Programming and Algorithmics	5
Business Environment	4	Conferences and Initiation to Research	3
Modern Languages *	2	Modern Languages *	2
Conferences	0

* 'French as Foreign Language' except for French native speakers who will study 'Cultural and Communicational English' or Spanish (depending on sufficient demand).

NB Course content may be subject to minor changes

M2 Year - 2024/25

Autumn Semester Courses	ECTS
Computational methods for incompressible flows	4
Domain decomposition and iterative solvers	4
Extended Finite Element Method and level set techniques	4
Model Reduction	4
Numerical methods for simulation of coupled problems	4
Numerical methods for uncertainty quantification	4
Physical modelling of fluids	4
Modern Languages *	2

* 'French as Foreign Language' except for French native speakers who will study 'Cultural and Communicational English' or Spanish (depending on sufficient demand).

NB Course content may be subject to minor changes
 

Spring Semester	ECTS
Master thesis / internship	30

 

Examples of previous internships

• Superelement reduction for sequential analysis of offshore wind turbines INNOSEA, Nantes
• Multiphysics optimisation of fibre reinforced composite material, FAURECIA, St Malo
• CFD simulation of gas-droplets flow in a spray scrubber, IMT Atlantique Bretagne Pays de la Loire                
• High-performance computing of fluids with discontinuous Galerkin method, Observatoire de la Cote d'Azur
• Validation of a lubrication code for rotating machines: Case of tilting pads journal bearing with scratched pads, EDF LAB Paris Saclay

NB Internships undertaken in France are strictly regulated and are only open to current full-time students of an accredited educational institution. Interns are entitled to all the rights guaranteed to regular employees (such as social protection and redress mechanisms). For internships that exceed two months in duration a minimum level of remuneration is set by the government, at approximately €600 per month. In some professional branches, this amount may be higher.

Skills developed

• Model solids and fluid flow problems
• Use advanced numerical and scientific techniques to discretize and solve mechanical problems
• Master the mathematical analysis of models and approximation methods.

 

In addition to the above specialism-specific skills, students will also develop more general skills:

 

• Identify models, perform simulation and analyse results
• Communicate comprehensive results in a meaningful way
• Undertake bibliographic surveys of international research and professional literature
• Manage or be part of a project

Download syllabus | Mechanical Engineering - Computational Mechanics

• Year M1
• Year M2

Facilities and Partnerships

Faculty and Research Facilities

This Master in Mechanical Engineering relies on the Centrale Nantes’ faculty, staff and research facilities of the GeM Institute, the Jean Leray laboratory, the LHEEA Laboratory and the LS2N Institute.

In Computational Mechanics, you need large computing facilities in order to tackle hard and large problems (millions of degrees of freedom). Centrale Nantes hosts a supercomputing facility which is accessible to students of this programme.

Since the end of 2015, Centrale Nantes has been responsible for one of France's most powerful regional computing centers in its category (Tier2 class), which houses the new Nautilus supercomputer installed in 2023. Giving access to unprecedented levels of precision, this state-of-the-art equipment is a real game changer which will release new potential for innovation.
Intensive numerical calculation is an indispensable tool for both research and industry: it reduces the cost of testing, facilitates optimization and promotes creativity and the search for new solutions. The means of calculation are also an indicator of the research and development of a region, or a nation.

High Performance Computing (HPC) consists of using software for acquisition, modeling or analysis on supercomputers of several thousand processors capable of executing several billion operations per second to model complex phenomena, process or characterise large volumes of data. It is also a set of servers designed to run long-term processes to massively and intensively calculate programs. These supercomputers can be seen as a large number of machines (computing servers) linked together by very high-speed networks.


Centrale Nantes is the only higher education establishment in France to have such a powerful supercomputer which is open to different users.

Learn more: Supercomputer

Partnerships

Airbus, Renault, Faurecia, Solvay, IFREMER, CETIM
 

After the MSc

Close to 50% of graduates of this MSc programme go on to successfully complete a PhD in this field.

Career Prospects

• Sectors: Aeronautics, Automotive, Transportation, Wind and Marine Energy, Energy, Software, Consulting
• Fields: Mechanical Engineering, Design, Research and Innovation
• Positions: Computational Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Research and Innovation Engineer (post PhD)

Where are they now?

► Find out what our recent MSc graduates are doing now

Meet the Programme Supervisors

Patrick Rozycki, M2 Programme Supervisor CM

Patrick Rozycki is a professor in Rigid Bodies Dynamics, Crash and Impact and Composite Materials at Centrale Nantes. His research mainly involves identifying and modelling composite behaviour from quasi-static to dynamic loading, including environmental effects (temperature and air conditions).

What our students / graduates say

• 
  Rajasekar, PhD student | MSc Mechanical Engineering, Class of 2020

  September 25, 2023

  "My experience during my master's studies far exceeded my initial expectations, largely owing to the exceptional expertise and guidance provided by our esteemed professors."