2016/17 Taught Postgraduate Programme Catalogue

MSc Sustainable Energy Systems

Total credits: 180

Entry requirements:

Upper second class honours degree in engineering, science or a related subject. Exceptionally, applicants with non science/engineering degrees but with relevant experience and demonstrable numeracy may be accepted.

School/Unit responsible for the parenting of students and programme:

School of Chemical and Process Engineering

Examination board through which the programme will be considered:

School of Chemical and Process Engineering

Relevant QAA Subject Benchmark Groups:

Engineering

Programme specification:

In this programme we aim to produce graduates who are technically skilled, politically savvy, entrepreneurial and ready for leading roles in engineering, business, finance, policy making and consultancy in the context of energy. Reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the energy issue, the course will be taught by staff from the four engineering schools and the Business School. The programme represents a new offering and a new direction in the energy arena, strengthening the universities position in this field.

The programme is intended for engineering and physical science graduates from a number of disciplines and as such their backgrounds, although all technical, will be varied. As a result we will create six core modules designed to give each student a common level of understanding and unified skill set. This will be achieved via new modules in Energy Systems and Renewable Energy (via new laboratory facilities). In addition, we will develop skills and convey knowledge not normally core in engineering and science through Energy Economics and Policy and Entrepreneurship modules. Finally, we will consider cutting edge energy issues through a range of research seminars and promote critical analysis amongst the cohort through student lead debates.

In addition to the core modules students will be able to follow one of four themes by selecting 30 credits from existing energy related modules offered by the Schools of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Chemical and Process Engineering (SCAPE). These modules will convey specialist skills and knowledge in the areas of nuclear engineering, transport, the built environment and smart grid systems.

In addition to the taught course modules, each student will undertake a thesis project supervised by staff from one of the schools contributing to the programme. The project will be completed during the notional third, summer semester.

The programme will embrace modern blended learning techniques and students will learn and be assessed in a wide range of ways. Traditional exams will be part of the mix but supplemented with individual and group coursework projects assessed by written reports and oral presentations. Laboratory activities will be assessed via on-line tests, laboratory notebook keeping and by formal technical report writing. Contemporary issues in energy will be assessed via student lead debates with the assessment based on debate notes outlining the issues and how they might be argued. Finally students will be assessed on a project thesis and presentation of their project findings via conference poster.

At the end of the programme students should:
- Retrieve and critically analyse basic data in respect of energy sources, production, transformation and demand.
- Formulate complex energy problems involving aspects of efficiency, risk, environmental impact, policy and
economics in a quantitative and multidisciplinary way using professional judgement to make relevant assumptions.
- Understand and be able to explain the technical, environmental and economic characteristics of a range of
conventional and renewable energy technologies.
- Know and be able to discuss current thinking and research activities and goals relating to a range of current and future energy systems including for example fossil fuels with CCS, nuclear fuels and renewables.
- Be able to demonstrate awareness of a wide range of research methodologies and analysis techniques and a sound
basis for choosing between them.
- Be able to use selected software tools/analysis methodologies to evaluate and solve a range of system level energy
problems.
- Be able to analyse data/results to make recommendations and/or prepare technical reports in a timely fashion
recognising and assessing uncertainty based on the quality of the data and/or assumptions.
- Have an appreciation of the entrepreneurial process and innovation in the context of energy.

The programme will:
- Train a generation of technically skilled, politically savvy and entrepreneurial graduates for leading roles in
engineering, business, finance, policy making and consultancy in the context of energy.
- Deliver a multi-disciplinary research lead treatment of energy using student centred blended learning techniques.
- Be aligned with the philosophy and objectives of the Energy Hub at Leeds, helping to integrate and coordinate
activity in education and research within energy.
- Provide access to a unique renewable energy laboratory facility.
- Allow students to interact with energy researchers and thereby inspire future generations of post-graduate research
students.
- Enable students to visit a variety of energy providers including coal, gas and hydro power stations.
- Allow students to gain industrial experience through industry lead research projects or even internships.

Year1 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

Optional modules:

Candidates will be required to study 30 credits from the following optional modules:

Other modules approved by Director of Student Education.

Last updated: 12/05/2016

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