Computer Simulation in Science

Computational Fluid Mechanics (CFM)

Are you ready to simulate the power of fluids, heat, fire, and even crowd movement using cutting-edge computational tools? In the Computational Fluid Mechanics specialization, you’ll dive deep into modules such as Radiative Heat Transfer, Pedestrian Dynamics, Fire Simulation, and advanced CFD modelling with OpenFOAM—while mastering turbulence modelling, Navier–Stokes solvers, and high-performance computing. If you want to critically analyse complex flow and transport phenomena and apply your skills to real-world research and engineering challenges, this specialization is exactly for you!

Description of the Specialization

Computational Fluid Mechanics specialization has 1 obligatory module and several elective modules. The first, obligatory, module consists of Computational Fluid Dynamics and Radiative Heat Transfer parts. Among the elective modules there are such topics as Pedestrian Dynamics, Fire Simulation, Machine Learning for Fire Simulation, as well as OpenFOAM. Students master the basics of fluid dynamics, apply different models to simulate flows (turbulence models etc.) for the purposes of research and development, enabling the critical evaluation of CFD results. Students study the basics of radiative heat transfer, apply different models to simulate radiative heat transfer, implement selected methods relevant for radiative heat transfer methods. In Pedestrian Dynamics students learn basic concepts for simulation of pedestrians (movement, routing, interactions), acquire practical experience by the accompanying modelling and simulation project. In Fire Simulation modules, students develop the mathematical, physical and chemical understanding needed for the description of smoke and fire propagation and to conduct further literature research. The practical exercises enable them to assess the plausibility and validity of numerical fire solutions. They acquire the ability to use the software FDS (Fire Dynamics Simulator) practically and to analyse the simulation data in the context of scientific questions. Students can run computationally intensive simulations on the provided HPC system (High Performance Computing).

Module 1. Computational Fluid Mechanics 1.1 (CFM1.1) – mandatory
Workload: 4 ECTS (120 hours, 1 semester)
Final assessment: oral or written exam, restricted to 3 attempts

Components: 

• Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFM1-a)

Introduction in CFD, Spatial and temporal discretization in CFD, solution of the Navier-Stokes equations (algorithms, pressure-correction methods), modelling of turbulent flows, modelling of non-isothermal flows, process of modelling in CFD, analysis and quality of CFD simulations, lab grid generation and CFD simulation

 

Module 2. Computational Fluid Mechanics 1.2 (CFM1.2) – mandatory
Workload: 4 ECTS (120 hours, 1 semester)
Final assessment: oral, written, or electronic exam, restricted to 3 attempts

Components: 

• Radiative Heat Transfer (CFM1.2-a)

Introduction to Heat Transfer, Radiative Heat Transfer and Radiative Transfer Equation (RTE), RTE-Solvers, Applications to Grey and Non-Grey Media, Gas Radiative Property Models, Radiative Properties of Particles, Turbulence-Radiation Interaction (TRI), In-Depth Solid Radiation.

 

2 other elective modules should be chosen from the list:

Module 3. Computational Fluid Mechanics 2 (CFM2) – elective with the alternatives of CFM5, CFM6, or CFM7
Workload: 4 ECTS (120 hours, 1 semester)
Final assessment: oral or written exam, not restricted in attempts

Components: 

• Pedestrian Dynamics (CFM2-a)

Application of Pedestrian Dynamics: Empirical Data, Fundamental Diagram, Bottleneck Flow, Bi- and Multidirectional Streams. Modelling: Cellular Automata, Force Models, Steering Models From Robotics, Routing.

 

Module 4. Computational Fluid Mechanics 5 (CFM5) – elective with the alternatives of CFM2, CFM6, or CFM7
Workload: 4 ECTS (120 hours, 1 semester)
Final assessment: oral or written exam, not restricted in attempts

Components: 

• Fire Simulation (CFM5-a)

Introduction to Physical-Chemical Topics and Fire Related Modelling: Verification and Validation of Fire Simulations; Turbulent Flows; Weakly Compressible Flows; Thermodynamics and Heat Transport; Combustion and Pyrolysis. Application Software and Methods: Fire Dynamics Simulator; Basic Data Analysis with Python; Multivariate Analysis; HPC Systems.

 

Module 5. Computational Fluid Mechanics 6 (CFM6) – elective with the alternatives of CFM2, CFM5, or CFM7
Workload: 4 ECTS (120 hours, 1 semester)
Final assessment: 30-minutes oral exam, not restricted in attempts

Components: 

• Machine Learning for Fire Simulation with CFD (CFM6-a)

Introduction to Scientific Machine Learning Methods Applied to Fire Simulations With CFD. Methods focus on data analysis and surrogate models for prediction, optimization, global sensitivity and uncertainty analysis based on neural networks and other tools.

 

Module 6. Computational Fluid Mechanics 7 (CFM7) – elective with the alternatives of CFM2, CFM5, or CFM6
Workload: 4 ECTS (120 hours, 1 semester)
Final assessment: 30-minutes oral exam, not restricted in attempts

Components: 

• Modelling and Meshing of Complex Applications with OpenFOAM (CFM7-a)

Introduction to complex simulation setups with OpenFOAM. The lecture focuses on modelling of aerodynamics and heat transfer where students work on selected cases.

At least 24 ECTS credits (or 13% of completed Bachelor´s degree) in Fluid Mechanics or Numerical Methods (or similar fields). 

The registration to the CFM1.1. final module exam is possible only when the module CSim1 has been successfully passed. 

The registration to the CFM1.2. final module exam is possible only when the modules CSim1 and CFM1.1. has been successfully passed.

You can check yourself, if you can study on this specialization by completing the Self-Assessment Test:

For Computational Fluid Dynamics

For Pedestrian Dynamics

Graduates of the Computational Fluid Mechanics specialization are prepared for careers in industries where advanced fluid flow, heat transfer, and fire simulations are essential. They find employment in engineering companies, energy and process industries, environmental engineering, building and safety engineering, transportation, and research institutions.

Typical positions include CFD Engineer, Simulation Engineer, Fire Safety Engineer, Thermal Engineer, R&D Engineer, HPC Simulation Specialist, and Scientific Software Developer. Alumni work on turbulence modelling, radiative heat transfer analysis, fire and smoke propagation studies, pedestrian dynamics simulations, and the development and application of CFD tools such as OpenFOAM and FDS.

They are also well qualified for research-oriented roles and doctoral studies in computational fluid dynamics, heat transfer, fire safety engineering, and multi-physics simulation.

Please, see the Master Theses examples by the following link: 

https://lsm.uni-wuppertal.de/de/bachelor/masterthesis/whk/shk/ 

Gallery

Contacts

Person responsible for the specialization:

       Prof. Dr. Fabian Brännström, +49 202 439 2071, braennstroem[at]uni-wuppertal.de 

Lecturers: 

Links:

Computational Fluid Dynamics on the website of Chair of Fluid Mechanics

Multiphase Flows on the website of Chair of Fluid Mechanics

Last modified: 25.03.2026