Course description
Programme
The MSc programme is very flexible with attended or distance learning study available and a range of possible awards from a full MSc to a single module.
Attended study
Students attend lectures in the Queens Building, an award-winning low energy building. Full-time students (one year course) attend lectures on two days per week, whilst part-time students (two-year course) attend one day per week. A dedicated study area with fully equipped personal computers is provided for our Masters students.
Distance learning
Under the guidance of teaching staff, distance learning students make use of our web-based Virtual Learning Environment and thus must have access to a personal computer, email and a web browser.
The Virtual Learning Environment provides structured lessons with exercises to complete, discussion forums to share your ideas with other students, plus an electronic library of additional information. Password-protected access is provided to over 80 other electronic resources, and a library photocopying service and postal book loan service are available.
International distance students can complete all eight taught modules without visiting the UK. Contact with tutors is generally by email or telephone. To complete the MSc, a single visit to Leicester is required for oral examination of the dissertation.
Modules studied
-Energy in Buildings
-Sustainable Development
-Renewable Energy
-Integrated Environmental Strategies
-People, Society and Climate Change
-Resource Use and Pollution
-Energy Analysis Techniques
-Research Methods
-Plus a research project on a topic of the students own choice, supervised by an experienced member of research staff.
Teaching/assessment
Attending students receive formal lectures from experienced researchers and teaching staff. This is complemented by informal seminars and group discussions. All teaching material is fully documented and available on the web-based Virtual Learning Environment before timetabled events take place.
Distance learning students follow a structured study plan provided on the web-based Virtual Learning Environment, supported by discussion forums with other students and email and telephone conversations with the module leader. Our course has been commended in an academic quality review for its "innovative and sophisticated forms of e-based learning and teaching".
All assessment is by coursework. Each taught module has two items of coursework. The first is a smaller assignment on which prompt feedback is given while the module is being studied. A second major assignment is due at a later date after the material has been assimilated.
Induction:
For attending students, a full day of induction activities is provided prior to the start of teaching. We introduce key staff and researchers, explain the course structure and rationale and introduce the available resources. A pre-sessional English language course is also available if required.
For distance learning students, no attendance in the UK is necessary to begin the course or to pursue the taught modules.
Additional Professional Qualification:
MSc Climate Change and Sustainable Development is approved by the Energy Institute for completing the educational requirements for Chartered Engineer registration.
The Energy Institute is the leading professional body for the energy industries, supporting almost 12,000 professionals both nationally and internationally.
