MSc Sustainable Energy and Environment

The programme is presented as a two-year part-time Master's level programme and is also available in full-time mode over one year.

The programme is presented in two stages: In Stage 1 students follow taught modules to the value of 120 credits, with a limited amount of choice between optional modules. Stage 2 consists of a Dissertation module worth 60 credits.

Core Modules for Year One

• Energy Management
• Energy Studies
• Fuels and Energy Systems
• Sustainable Energy and Environment Case Study
• Dissertation: Sustainable Energy and Environment

Optional Modules for Year One

• Earth and Society
• Low Carbon Footprint
• Environmental Fluid Mechanics
• Theory and Applications of the Finite Element Method
• Advanced Power Systems and High Voltage Technology
• Risk and Hazard Management in the Energy Sector
• Condition Monitoring, Systems Modelling and Forecasting
• Alternative Energy Systems
• Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer 1
• Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer 2
• Waste Management and Recycling

How Will I Be Assessed?

Achievement of learning outcomes in the majority of modules is assessed by a combination of coursework assignments, plus University examinations set in January or May. Examinations count for a third to a half of assessment in Stage 1 of the programme, depending on the options chosen, the remainder being largely project work and pieces of coursework.

Award of an MSc requires successful completion of Stage 2, the Dissertation, with a mark of 50% or higher. Candidates achieving 60% may be awarded a Merit and for those achieving a 70% average a Distinction may be awarded. Candidates failing to qualify for an MSc may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma of Higher Education for 120 credits in Stage 1. Candidates failing to complete the 120 credits required for Stage 1 may still be eligible for the award of a Postgraduate Certificate of Higher Education for the achievement of at least 60 credits.

What Skills Will I Practise and Develop?

As a student in this MSc programme, you will practise and develop the following skills:

Knowledge and Understanding

• Understand the multidisciplinary nature of sustainable energy and environment studies and the need for integration of knowledge from a range of engineering disciplines in the management of sustainable energy challenges
• Use in an appropriate manner the fundamental scientific laws underlying the operation of a wide range of important renewable and non-renewable energy systems
• Recognise and be capable of utilising basic relationships and techniques of energy management for a range of given situations
• Explain and present information associated with the appraisal and assessment of energy projects
• Explain the role of the agencies that police the various sectors of the environment
• Compare and contrast the different challenges presented by local and global pollution
• Outline the structure of the UK regulatory framework for the management of risk and hazards pertinent to sustainable energy systems, and be capable of explaining its evolution, strengths and weaknesses
• Explain methods utilised in industry for identifying, quantifying and mitigating risks and hazards
• Demonstrate knowledge which is at the forefront of a range of sustainable energy and environment disciplines, selected from thermodynamics, heat transfer, hydro-environmental modelling, sustainability, alternative energy systems, low carbon footprint, condition monitoring, modelling and forecasting

Intellectual Skills

• Use knowledge and scientific, evidence-based methods in the assessment and solution of sustainable energy and environment challenges, often on the basis of limited and possibly contradictory information
• Deal with complex sustainable energy and environmental issues both systematically and creatively
• Show originality in tackling both familiar and unfamiliar problems
• Critically review the background to a sustainable energy systems problem and formulate a programme of works to address the issue
• Systematically undertake a significant research project in sustainable energy and environment which includes originality in the application of knowledge and the exercise of critical engineering judgement
• Collect, evaluate, synthesise and interpret qualitative and quantitative data in a variety of ways, and identify means to gain new data where needed
• Conceive, plan, execute and communicate the results of an extended in-depth piece of individual project work
• Sustain a critical argument, both in writing and through presentations

Practical Skills

• Use appropriate mathematical and experimental methods for the modelling and analysis of sustainable energy and environmental problems

Transferable Skills

• Manipulate, present and report data in a variety of ways
• Manage resources and time
• Communicate ideas, principles and theories effectively by oral, written, and physical or practical means
• Generate a concise literature review
• Make effective use of information technology and communications (ITC) tools, including spreadsheets, word processors, database systems, and the Internet
• Work effectively in a group context towards achieving specific goals and targets

Graduates typically gain employment in large energy-focussed companies, the public sector, consultancies, research and development, or set up their own companies. A number also go on to undertake PhD studies.

How Will I Be Taught?

A wide range of teaching styles are used to deliver the diverse material forming the curriculum of the programme. You will be required to attend lecture-, lab- and tutorial-based study during the semesters, and later undertake an individual research project.

While a 10-credit module represents 100 hours of study in total, typically this will involve 24–36 hours of contact time with teaching staff. The remaining hours are intended to be for private study, coursework, revision and assessment. Therefore all students are expected to spend a significant amount of time (typically 20 hours each week) studying independently.

At the beginning of Stage 2, you will be allocated a project supervisor. Dissertation topics are normally chosen from a range of project titles proposed by academic staff in consultation with industrial partners, usually in areas of current research or industrial interest. You are also encouraged to put forward your own project ideas.

Learning Central, the Cardiff University virtual learning environment (VLE), will be used extensively to communicate with students, support lectures and provide general programme materials such as reading lists and module descriptions. It may also be used to provide self-testing assessments and give feedback.