Materials for Energy and Environment

The global challenges of climate and energy require new technologies for renewable energy sources, methods of energy storage, efficient energy use, new lightweight vehicular structures, techniques for carbon capture and storage and climate engineering. This is a broad-based MSc, designed for graduates who wish to acquire skills in energy and materials science in order to participate in the emerging challenges to meet climate change targets.

Students gain an advanced knowledge of materials science as it applies to energy and environmental technologies and research skills including information and literature retrieval, critical interpretation and analysis, and effective communication. They can benefit from modules in chemistry, physics, chemical engineering or mechanical engineering, thus offering future employers a wide-ranging skills base. Graduates will be well qualified to deal with the problems of energy decision-making and the implications for the environment.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of five core modules (90 credits), two optional modules (15 credits each) and a research project (60 credits).

An exit-level only Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) is available.

An exit-level only Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits) is available.

Core modules

Students take all of the following, totalling 90 credits, and a 60 credit research dissertation.

• Advanced Topics in Energy Science and Materials
• Microstructural Control in Materials Science
• Energy Systems and Sustainability
• Transferable Skills for Scientists
• Research Project Literature Review

Optional modules

Students take 30 credits drawn from the following:

• Climate and Energy
• Materials and Nanomaterials
• Electrical Power Systems and Alternative Power Systems
• Atom and Photon Physics
• Solid State Physics
• Mastering Entrepreneurship

Dissertation/report

All MSc students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of approximately 10,000 words, an oral presentation and a viva voce examination (60 credits).

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, laboratory classes and research supervision. Assessment is through unseen written examination and coursework. The literature project is assessed by written dissertation and oral presentation, and the research project is assessed by a written report, an oral presentation and a viva voce examination.

A minimum of a second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.