Overview of the Programme
Climate change and environmental sustainability are global grand challenges that need urgent attention from all parts of society, so we can combat global warming and mitigate the impacts of pollution. Many sectors have a significant skills gap in energy systems, sustainability and decarbonisation matters. Hence the aim of the course is to provide a foundation in energy systems, economic and the environment to support the global societal shift to net zero.
This is a part-time two semester postgraduate certificate course designed to provide suitably qualified professionals (e.g., engineers, economists, accountants, architects, lawyers, scientists and policy makers) with a good understanding of energy systems and policy, energy economics and management, the environment and energy efficiency, as well as renewable and sustainable generation needed for the decarbonisation revolution over the next thirty years. The course will include theory and practice along with techno-economics, current legal requirements and standards and future policy. Those completing the programme will acquire the key technical and economic skills to actively contribute to the design, implementation and management of the net zero transition.
This course will be of particular interest to those already in employment and working in the field of sustainable energy and engineering in general, as part of ongoing professional training as well as leading to the widening of new job opportunities for graduates in other professions who need to upskill and diversify into environmental sustainability. The course is also suitable for professionals who have considerable professional experience in business, industry, or enterprise, and policy making and wish to become leaders in energy systems, environmental sustainability and decarbonisation.
MODULES
The online format and blended-learning delivery of this Level 7 Postgraduate Certificate course is specifically designed to enable students to access learning materials in a highly flexible manner. The course consists of three modules, each worth 20 credits. The three modules are 1) Renewable Energy Technology, Networks and Systems, 2) Energy Economics and 3) Advanced Environmental Engineering for Energy Systems.
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Module 1: Sustainable Energy Systems
Sustainable Energy Systems will focus on renewable energy generation technologies (e.g., wind, wave, tidal, biomass, biofuels, geothermal, hydro, solar, waste to energy), low carbon technologies (e.g., anaerobic digestion, combined heat and power, nuclear energy, hydrogen, ammonia, fuel cells, and metals), as well as energy storage, smart technology, energy in buildings, energy efficiency and management, and power and gas grids.
- Module 2: Energy Economics
Energy Economics will focus on energy markets and society, energy supply and demand, energy dynamics, levelised cost of energy, funding mechanisms, wholesale and retail energy markets, energy legislation and regulation, energy security and sustainable business practises. Energy economics will be examined across sectors e.g., transport, buildings, industry and agriculture.
- Module 3: Advanced Environmental Engineering for Energy Systems
Advanced Environmental Engineering for Energy Systems will focus on the impacts of the energy technologies, networks and systems on the environment, climate change, environmental legislation and regulation, carbon budgets and markets, social and corporate responsibility, as well as carbon capture and storage, carbon capture utilisation and storage. Other topics covered include hydrology, ecological pollution, water quality, water pollution and treatment, waste water and sludge treatment, air and noise pollution, sludge treatment, waste recycling, solid and hazardous waste treatment, environmental impact assessment, circular economy, waste recovery and environmental modelling.
Course Delivery
The course will run from the 19 September 2022 to the 20 December 2022 over 13 weeks and 9 January to the 24 March 2023 over 12 weeks. The course material will be delivered two evenings in the week (i.e., Monday evenings face to face and Tuesday evenings online).
Opportunities for Progression
Careers and Further Study
Students graduating from the programme will have achieved the following key learning outcomes:
- Apply the necessary skills, tools and techniques in in energy systems, environmental sustainability and decarbonisation needed for careers roles in the transition to net zero by 2050.
- Apply knowledge and understanding of fundamental topics in the Engineering of Energy, Economics and the Environment.
- Demonstrate the values, attitudes and competencies needed to undertake self-directed learning and professional development throughout a career.
This PG Cert will support and inform an individuals career development
opportunities.
Applying
Admissions and Requirements
The admission criteria for entry onto the programme are as follows:
Academic requirements:
Applicants must have a primary degree (Level 8) with Second-Class Honours Grade 2, or equivalent, in any of the following: Science, Engineering, Medicine and Health, Business, Management, Law, Sociology, Geography, or a related discipline. Students will be expected to have good analytical/numerical skills. Applicants with entry qualifications other than a Second-Class Honours Grade 2 degree will be considered on an individual basis based on a Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) assessment.
Places on this course are limited to 25, and applicants from non-engineering and science backgrounds will be interviewed for suitability. If eligible for this course, interview will be held on Monday 5 and Tuesday 6 September 2022 and you will be required to attend on one of these dates. You should ensure that you are available on both of these dates to attend an interview as it will not be possible to offer an alternative date.
STUDY COMMITMENTS/EXPECTATIONS
Students must pass each module to be awarded the Certificate, a minimum of 50% is required to pass a module. The certificate grade banding is 50% for a pass, 60% merit/commendation, 70% distinction.
Note that all students are expected to have access to their own computer and internet connection for the duration of the course.