Core modules
Global Carbonisation: Causes and Consequences of Climate Change (PGCert, PGDip, MSc)
The changes to global climate being brought about by human activity present one of the greatest challenges to confront humanity and are likely to have a profound effect over the working lives of today's humans. Understanding these climate changes requires a comprehensive understanding of the causes and consequences of global carbonisation, and responses require an approach spanning multiple disciplines. This module will equip students to understand and address climate change by providing a grounding in the central scientific, economic and political issues surrounding climate change in the past, present, and potential futures.
Nature-based Solutions and Carbon Capture (PGCert, PGDip, MSc)
Global environmental challenges have necessitated using different approaches to solving the climate crisis. Nature-based solutions and carbon capture are actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems. They address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits. Nature-based solutions and carbon capture approaches and technologies can contribute to delivering sustainable environmental management. Students will acquire the skills to identify, evaluate, and perform feasibility designs of different nature-based solutions and carbon capture approaches and technologies.
Circular (Eco) design and Life Cycle Management (PGCert, PGDip, MSc)
There are increasing pressures on engineers to maintain and conserve materials within society. Landfill and incineration are widely becoming disfavoured with governmental organisations and society pushing for products to be made in a more circular fashion. This pressure is only going to increase and be more prominent during the careers of today's students. This module examines the need for significant change in the design philosophy employed in product and process design through the application of circular eco-design principles. It also goes on to critically analyse the responses to those pressures including consumer behaviour, legislation and alternative design practices. All of this is performed in the context of being able to metricise the improvements that are being made to a given system through the application of life cycle engineering; understanding the environmental, economic and social impacts of circular eco-design and communicating them to wider stakeholders.
Interdisciplinary Research Skills (PGDip, MSc)
Successful completion of university level research requires student to have made a ‘substantial contribution to knowledge’ and that this is communicated to an appropriate research community. There are many aspects involved in undertaking original research, including the student’s own ability to think and to be creative. In addition, students need to have a range of skills that will enable them to use their intrinsic academic ability and scientific creativity to produce world-class research. Some of the skills are technical, e.g. how you use a particular piece of equipment or a method to collect data, but many of them transcend the details of a particular project.
Interdisciplinary Research Project (MSc)
Twenty-week individual project including approximately 4 weeks write up, carrying out research on a specialised topic under the direction of an academic or industrial supervisor and their team.
Optional Core Modules
Sustainable Energy Systems (PGCert, PGDip, MSc)
This module focuses on the core principles and concepts of energy generation, energy conversion and energy storage systems applied in electrical and electronic systems.
Plastics: the Good, the Bad and the Future (PGCert, PGDip, MSc)
In the 20th century polymer science gave us materials with remarkable and durable properties to the great benefit of humanity. Plastics were fantastic. Now, a green polymer (r)evolution is urgently needed so that plastics will be the material that rebalances the needs and prosperity of humanity with the environmental and sustainable needs of our planet. This module will discuss how different types of plastics are made, what they are used for and why they are the current material of choice. It will discuss the environmental sustainability challenges that we face and how we can find an environmental sustainable way forward to live in harmony with a healthier planet.
Food Systems (PGDip, MSc)
A stable and reliable supply of food is essential for human wellbeing and survival. Our global food systems are under immense pressure from population growth, climate change and socioeconomic factors such as war. We need to produce and distribute food in a system that is equitable and environmentally sustainable. Our global and regional food systems currently contribute to escalating carbon emissions. Therefore, it is vital that we strive to decarbonize our food system. However, the food system is complex and presents many challenges as well as opportunities for improvement.
Optional modules (MSc, PGDip)
Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:
- Public Engagement
- Design Thinking for Social Impact
-
Thinking Water
- Habitability in the Universe
