Fundamentals of Automotive Systems Course | IIT Madras Prof. C.S. Shankar Ram
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 1595 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Core |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 17 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Master the Building Blocks of Modern Vehicles
Have you ever wondered about the complex symphony of parts that work together when you start a car? The Fundamentals of Automotive Systems course, offered by the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Madras, demystifies this intricate world. Designed and taught by Prof. C. S. Shankar Ram, this 12-week journey provides a rigorous, foundational understanding of every major system in a typical automobile.
This course is ideal for engineering students and professionals looking to build or solidify their core knowledge in automotive design and mechanics. By bridging fundamental engineering principles with real-world applications, it equips participants with the ability to analyze, model, and understand the design choices behind modern vehicles.
Meet Your Instructor: Prof. C. S. Shankar Ram
The course is led by Prof. C. S. Shankar Ram, a distinguished professor in the Department of Engineering Design at IIT Madras. With a strong academic background—holding a B.E. from Motilal Nehru Regional Engineering College, Allahabad, and an M.S. and Ph.D. from Texas A&M University, USA—Prof. Shankar Ram brings deep expertise in dynamics and control systems, specifically applied to automotive and transportation fields.
His teaching portfolio includes Control Systems, Fundamentals of Automotive Systems, and Control of Automotive Systems at IIT Madras. His research-led teaching approach ensures the course content is both theoretically sound and practically relevant.
Who Should Take This Course?
This course is meticulously designed for:
- 3rd or 4th year undergraduate students in Mechanical, Automotive, or Design Engineering.
- 1st year M.Tech., M.S., or Ph.D. students seeking to strengthen their core automotive knowledge.
- Professionals in adjacent fields looking to transition into automotive systems roles.
Prerequisites: A solid understanding of core undergraduate engineering subjects is required, including Rigid Body Dynamics, Thermodynamics, and Fluid Mechanics.
What You Will Learn: Course Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Acquire fundamental knowledge of the various systems that constitute an automobile.
- Associate the functions of each system with its underlying design principles and layout.
- Depict various automotive systems using clear, simple schematics and diagrams.
- Apply core engineering concepts to synthesize mathematical models for analyzing system performance.
Detailed 12-Week Course Layout
The course is structured to take you from the heart of the vehicle—the engine—outward to every critical system that ensures motion, control, and safety.
| Week | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Course Overview, Classification of Internal Combustion Engines, Engine Components, Operation of Four Stroke Engines |
| Week 2 | Two Stroke Engines, Engine Cycles |
| Week 3 | Engine Performance, Supercharging, Combustion in Spark Ignition Engines |
| Week 4 | Combustion in Compression Ignition Engines, Carburetion, Fuel Introduction Systems |
| Week 5 | Engine Emissions, Emission Control Systems, Automotive Powertrain |
| Week 6 | Automotive Clutch, Transmission, Powertrain Analysis |
| Week 7 | Transmission Matching and Introduction to Brake System |
| Week 8 | Components of Brake System, Hydraulic Brake |
| Week 9 | Air Brake, Antilock Brake System (ABS) |
| Week 10 | Braking Analysis, Introduction to Steering System, Manual Steering System |
| Week 11 | Power Steering System, Wheel Alignment, Introduction to Suspension System |
| Week 12 | Components of Suspension System, Dependent & Independent Suspension, Introduction to Electric & Hybrid Powertrain, Tyres |
Essential Reference Books
To dive deeper, the course recommends several authoritative texts, including:
- Encyclopedia of Automotive Engineering by Crolla et al. (Wiley, 2015)
- Automotive Engineering Fundamentals by Stone and Ball (SAE International, 2004)
- The Motor Vehicle by Garrett, Newton, and Steeds (SAE International, 2001)
- Internal Combustion Engines by V. Ganesan (Tata McGraw Hill, 2007)
- Modern Electric, Hybrid Electric and Fuel Cell Vehicles by Ehsani, Gao, and Emadi (CRC Press, 2010)
Why This Course is Essential for Aspiring Automotive Engineers
In an era of rapid technological shift towards electrification and autonomy, a rock-solid understanding of fundamental automotive systems is more valuable than ever. This course provides that indispensable foundation. Whether you aim to work on next-generation EVs, optimize traditional powertrains, or design safety and control systems, the knowledge gained here will be your cornerstone.
By learning from an expert at IIT Madras, you gain not just textbook knowledge, but insights into engineering design thinking and problem-solving approaches used at the highest levels of academia and industry.
Enroll Now →