About the Course

Overview

Sustainability Engineering concerns responsible use of the world's finite natural resources in a way that does not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This requires Engineers to make the best use of energy, materials, and technologies, to mitigate any associated environmental impacts, and to fully embrace concepts such as life cycle analysis, disassembly and recycling within the design process.

The relevance of the subject has never been greater, as evidenced by media articles on the UN sustainability audit, unsustainable business practices, and other sustainability issues.

Course Structure

The MSc Sustainability Engineering course contains the following core modules:

• Semester 1
• Foundations of Energy
• Process Engineering 1
• Environmental Foundation Science
• Economics of Renewable Energy
• Semester 2
• Principles of Recycling
• Environmental Impact Assessment
• Sustainable Processing
• Critical Analysis and Research Preparation
• Summer
• Sustainability Dissertation

Duration

Normally 1 year, with part-time participation possible, typically over 2 years.

Entry Requirements

A First or Second Class Honours Degree in an engineering discipline or in the physical or chemical sciences. The degree can be from a British or overseas university. Different degrees, together with relevant industrial experience, will be considered.

Comments from Previous Students

• Very friendly and helpful academic staff ...easy to talk to, very approachable even when busy
• The course really helped me to fill the holes left from my Bachelors degree
• Really learnt a lot about teamwork and responsibility
• The modules were well structured with a very interesting content
• My industrial place was very enjoyable ...the taught modules gave me the necessary preparation
• The dissertation experience was excellent ...very good for my cv
• Great personal and professional experience
• I liked the discussions in class

Employment and Industrial Links

Graduate Destinations

This course is designed to produce well-balanced fully aware sustainability development practitioners. The graduate will be equipped to seek employment in the chemical process industry, in policy-making and business activities or pursue a range of research and development opportunities. The student's choice of dissertation project can be used to tailor the degree towards his/her chosen career path. The prospect for employment is excellent, based on metrics for UK expansion in this sector. Recent graduates have found employment in:

• Environmental/sustainable development consultancy
• Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)
• Process engineering
• Environmental management
• Regulatory agencies
• PhD research

Industrial Project Opportunities

In the MSc dissertation, students either conduct 'in-house' laboratory based projects or are placed in an industrial or commercial setting where they undertake environmental management system assessments or technical design analyses. Companies that have participated in student placements include:

• McFarlan-Smith
• Hinicio
• William Grant & Sons
• Scottish Whisky Research Institute

About the Course Director

Professor Mark A. Keane has twenty years research experience in sustainable chemical engineering, notably in developing catalysts for cleaner chemical processing, waste treatment and energy efficiency. Sustainable processing is a critical theme that underpins teaching and research activities in Chemical Engineering, covering process design, environmental impact assessment and the development of total environmental management systems that integrate health and safety, quality and environmental systems. His research has pursued a 'molecular to marketplace' approach where information gleaned down to sub-nano scales informs large scale production with a focus on sustainability and environmental pollution control.