Overview of the Programme
Achieving the Net Zero Carbon Emissions targets set by governments around the globe will not be simple. It requires engagement across a range of disciplines that are underpinned by a strong understanding of the fundamental science and engineering behind sustainability and renewable energy. This course will target that challenge by equipping students with an enhanced skill set which will provide them with the tools to not only evaluate and assess sustainability but deliver low-carbon engineering solutions to a range of international industries. As a result, our graduates will be well placed to contribute and play a crucial role across multiple sectors as we transition towards a Net Zero society.
Online delivery and blended-learning activities within the programme will enable students to access learning materials in a highly flexible manner.
Modules
The programme comprises the following 3 modules:
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Sustainability and Net-Zero-Carbon Criteria – 20 credits
On completion of this module, the successful student will be able to:
- Describe the concepts of sustainability and how it can be assessed and/or quantified
- Discuss the latest sustainability developments and net-zero carbon initiatives as applied to a range of commercial and industrial sectors
- Evaluate the potential impacts and opportunities of these sectors
- Understand regional and global trade-offs and time scales associated with resource use strategies
- Tools for Assessing Energy and Carbon – 20 credits
On completion of this module, the successful student will be able to:
- Describe and use tools used for quantifying/estimating the availability of resources including energy, water, and carbon
- Apply knowledge and understanding of Life Cycle Analysis, Carbon-Foot Printing, Inventory and Model development
- Predict and understand uncertainty associated with the potential environmental, social, and economic impacts of an action or decision.
- Apply tools to selected case studies
- Applied renewable energy and low carbon technologies – 20 credits
On completion of this module, the successful student will be able to:
- Describe the various forms of renewable energy including wind, marine, solar geothermal and biomass
- Describe the integration of renewable energy systems with other current and emerging low-carbon technologies and evaluate their deployment challenges
- Apply knowledge of low-carbon systems to either retrofit existing, or design new buildings, factories and infrastructure
- Advise managers and decision makers in evaluating potential low-carbon systems
Course Delivery
Starts September 2022 over 2 semesters.
Opportunities for Progression
Careers and Further Study
Those graduating with a PGCert in Zero Carbon Engineering will enhance their prospects of securing one of the growing number of sustainably-focussed careers, including positions such as a low-carbon technology engineer, carbon consultants, low-carbon solutions managers and so on.
Those who wish to continue their studies may wish to undertake the related PGCert in Hydrogen, which offers the opportunity to progress, via a Research Project in Net Zero Engineering, to the new MSc in Net Zero Engineering.
Applying
Admissions and Requirements
Academic requirements:
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Normally at least a 2:2 UK honours-equivalent degree in any STEM subject.
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Candidates that can demonstrate appropriate work experience in a process, manufacturing or related role may also be eligible to join the course, subject to successfully completing a brief skills assessment/interview.
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Places available on this programme are limited. Where there are more eligible applications received than places available, the academic selectors for this programme will make offers in rank order based on academic merit and potential as evidenced in the totality of the information provided in each application. We will operate a waiting list as required to allow us to fill all available places.
Other requirements
- Computer and internet connection.
- Depending on pertinent lockdown and/or social distancing guidelines, we aim to give the opportunity to students to conduct an energy audit in a local processing or manufacturing company. This will require that the student can travel to the site as appropriate.
STUDY COMMITMENTS/EXPECTATIONS
For each of the three modules on the course, 2 hrs of lectures and 1-2 hrs of tutorials and workshops will be scheduled per week. In addition to this, students will be expected to spend a further 7-8 hrs per week (per module) on directed study and self-learning which includes background reading, the preparation of reports and assignments and private study and revision.