Course description
This course addresses current global concerns about climate change, energy security, and sustainability. In particular: the supply of renewable energy, moving to a low carbon economy, and the sustainable management of water and solid resources. It will provide a close insight into hydrogen as a fuel vector for the future. This course will develop leading-edge knowledge and high-level practical skills relevant to many areas of postgraduate employment (i.e. in managerial, regulatory, scientific and technological roles, related to energy and the environment). The course is delivered on a modular basis primarily by members of the Sustainable Environment Research Centre (SERC), a UK-leading and internationally recognised centre for over 35 years.
The course will increase your knowledge and understanding of the generation and provision of renewable energy, hydrogen, water and wastewater treatment, and solid wastes management. You will become familiar with a variety of the environmental, social and economic impacts of policy and legislation, renewable energy technologies, waste management hierarchy and techniques, and water and wastewater treatment.
The course will also train you in relevant computing software and the analytical and monitoring equipment used by regulatory institutions, analytical laboratories, and consultancy and technology companies.
Course Content
You will study six taught modules:
* Hydrogen – Fuel Vector for the Future (20 credits)
* Renewable Energy 1 – Hydro, Tidal, Wave and Bio-energy (20 credits)
* Renewable Energy 2 – Wind, Solar and Geothermal (20 credits)
* Solids Resource Management (20 credits)
* Water and Wastewater Treatment Processes (20 credits)
* Energy and Environmental Policy and Legislation (20 credits)
You will also conduct a substantial project (60 credits), usually in conjunction with industries in the region, energy/environmental consultancy firms, governmental regulatory agencies, local authorities or within SERC.
How To Study
Full-time students will spend 12 hours per week (two days per week) in lectures, seminars, tutorials and computing and laboratory-based practical sessions. In addition, we have an exciting programme of regional and international site visits and field work trips (approximately 12 days in total). Coursework consists of individual and group mini-projects, field work and visit reports, and poster and oral presentations. You will also spend time on background research and reading. Part-time students will attend for one day per week plus visits and field trips. Two of the taught modules are assessed by coursework, the remainder being through coursework and examinations (on a 60/40 basis) at the end of each academic year. The project is assessed by a written dissertation and an oral viva of the dissertation.
Career prospects
The publication of the British Government’s new renewable energy strategy shows that in order for the UK renewables targets to be met by 2020 it is predicted that approximately 133,000 jobs will need to be generated across the renewable energy sector (Douglass-Westwood, 2008).
The picture is similar across the EU and the rest of the world. Currently the renewables industry in Europe has a turnover of €30 billion and provides 350,000 jobs (EUROPA, 2008). With global investment in sustainable energy up by 60% in the last year alone, most of that in Europe (UNEP, 2008) many more jobs will become available as legislation bites and emissions targets need to be met.
The UK and indeed the European job market within the waste management sector are also flourishing. This is again influenced by the numerous European and National legislative and financial drivers.
The course is designed to provide you with a wealth of knowledge and skills needed for employment in a range of public and fast-growing commercial sector roles. These include local authorities, government regulatory agencies, manufacturing industries, energy and environmental consultancy companies, water companies, research centres, and national and international non-governmental organisations.
