MSc NRE Brochure
Transcript of MSc NRE Brochure
-
8/3/2019 MSc NRE Brochure
1/2
Teaching, Learningand Assessment
A number of teaching and assessment methodsare used during the course.
LecturesA lecture at Durham is fifty minutes long and
typically you will attend about six lectures per
week (with many more during the
fundamentals course) in addition to your
design and project work. The style of lecturing
varies, depending on the member of staff and
the material to be covered. Some lectures
include lots of group participation and others
take a more traditional style, giving a coherent
and lucid explanation of a complex theory.
Problem Sheets and Office HoursFor the taught courses lecturers will produce
engineering problems for you to solve. Each
member of lecturing staff is available for two
hours a week for one to one discussions with
students. These sessions are ideal opportunities
for you to ask the questions that will help you in
your studies and to ask questions about the
problems if you find them challenging.
Design TeachingDesign is an integrating feature of the course
and you undertake a major design project in
the first term. As in any real world situation
design work in conducted in teams and part of
the learning experience is how you work with
other members of the group.
Computer Based ClassesEngineers use computers more often than they
use pens. There are some formal computer
based classes during the year, but some skills like
using 3D CAD packages are often based upon
self-teaching materials. The computer lab is
available for you to use Engineering software but
we recommend that students purchase their
own laptop.
Assessment Methods
A variety of assessment methods are usedincluding not only formal, timed written
examinations but also marked presentations,
laboratory and design reports and other
assignments associated with your lecture
courses. The research project is assessed
by means of a written report and an oral
examination in which you get to discuss your
work with two members of academic staff.
Every effort has been made to ensure that all information is accurate at the time of going
to press in September 2011. However, changes may occur and Durham University reserves
the right to amend or change any information contained in this brochure at any time.
Copyright Durham University 2011
Durham University and the Durham University Logo are registered trade marks of the
University of Durham trading as Durham University. All rights reserved.
Produced by ECS Admissions Team, Durham University with hpmgroup.
www.durham.ac.uk/ecs
During the fundamentals module you will undertake formal
Laboratory classes which make use of real engineering
devices such as pumps, motors and generators to give you
a much better appreciation of how well Engineering theory
does (and doesn't!) work in practical engineering
applications. Laboratory classes cover the major renewable
energy devices such as generators, control systems and
the basics of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics.
Students also make use our extensive research facilities
during their research projects.
The majority of our graduates go on to an Engineering career,
where the Durham degree is a respected qualification.
Management and finance are other popular options as a
numerate, rigorous and challenging degree prepares you for
more than just an Engineering career. Further postgraduate
qualifications are also a popular choice.
Student ProfileName: Quinn Ho
Graduated: 2009
Nationality: New Zealand
Employer: Senergy (Aberdeen)
I completed my undergraduate
engineering degree in New Zealand and
after working for the national power
company there for 2 years I decided to
study overseas. I applied successfully for
the MSc New and Renewable Energy
Engineering course here at Durham. This
course combined my concern for the
environment and the future of our planet
with my professional interest in
engineering.
Career Prospects
MSc NRE Calendar
Facilities
Start of Fundamentals module
Start of taught courses.
Start of MSc Design Project
Final Presentation and hand in
of MSc Design Report.
Start of Research Project.
Finish taught courses.
Examinations for taught courses.
Hand in of Research Project and
oral examination.
R&D Project Viva
September
October
November
December
January
Easter
May/June
August
September
-
8/3/2019 MSc NRE Brochure
2/2
IntroductionThe school is one of a small number of general
engineering departments in the UK. We consider the
discipline as an integrated subject rather than sub-
dividing the discipline into narrow areas.
Our courses produce modern engineers who are
capable of solving problems across the traditional
engineering boundaries, which is an idealenvironment for engineers working in new and
renewable energy. For example, in a wind turbine
the choice of generator has a direct consequence
for the aerodynamic design of the turbine.
The top reasons for coming to Durham to study on
our new and renewable course are:
1. Outstanding course content equips engineers
for the challenges of the renewable energy sector.
A combination of taught modules and a major
research project provides the correct balance of
instruction and student led creativity.
2. Excellent research led teaching. The academic
staff at the School are all actively engaged in
research at the frontiers of modern Engineering
analysis, design and practice. This excitement
and knowledge is brought into the MSc
programme through design projects and the
research project.
3. An accredited course. Our MSc in New and
Renewable Energy is fully accredited by theIMechE and the IET. This means that your
Durham degree provides an important first step
to becoming a Chartered Engineer.
4. Enviable external reputation. In the Times Good
University Guide for 2010, Durham is ranked 3rd
behind Oxford and Cambridge. Our graduates are
also highly sought after by employers.
5. The unique College system at Durham University
provides an unbeatable environment in which to
study.
The MSc in New and Renewable Energy aims to
educate students in the key Engineering aspects of
New and Renewable Energy, enabling them to take
responsible, creative, challenging and stimulating
posts in industry or research in this exciting field
anywhere in the world
The programme consists of core modules to provide
a solid foundation in a broad range of New and
Renewable Energy technologies and optional
modules that allow students to choose study
programmes which are most suited to their interests.
The modules include lecture courses, a group
design project and an individual research and
development project.
FUNDAMENTALS MODULEAt Durham the course starts with a fundamentals
module which prepares students from different
backgrounds to take full advantage of all aspects of the
courses. This module consists of a month long
intensive study programme that combines lectures,
tutorials and labs. Topics studied include
thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, power system
plant, electrical circuits and power electronics and
converters. The module also introduces students to
best practice in research techniques.
RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT (CORE
MODULE) This module aims to introduce energy
policy with regards renewable energy, to discuss
energy resource issues and the impact of renewable
energy and to consider global and UK energy use and
its effect on the environment. The module introduces
renewable energy conversion technologies including
wind, solar power and hydro and gives students an
appreciation of the industrial aspects of new and
renewable energy systems and introduces project
management techniques.
LOW CARBON AND THERMAL TECHNOLOGIES
This module is designed to introduce and familiarisestudents with technologies for the thermal ultilisation
of renewable energy for heat and power production
and to provide an understanding of technologies for
low carbon transportation including alternative drive-
trains and fuels. The content includes Solar, thermal,
biomass, hydrogen and waste energy resources, low
carbon vehicle drive-trains, vehicle energy
consumption, emissions and alternative fuels.
TURBOMACHINERY AND NUCLEAR POWER
ENGINEERING The module explains the fluid
mechanics of wind turbines, hydro turbines and
thermal power plant through which 99% of the
worlds electricity is generated. It also covers the
principles of nuclear energy, reactor core, safety
and thermodynamic plant.
ENERGY DELIVERY AND NETWORK INTEGRATION
In this module you will investigate the problems and
benefits associated with embedded generation and
the integration of new and renewable energy into
electrical networks. The content includes network
integration, transmission and distribution systems,
power flow, embedded generation, offshore
networks, electrical network faults and flexible AC
transmission systems.
ENERY GENERATION AND CONVERSION
TECHNOLOGIES This module examines issues
relating to energy conversion and the control of a
wide variety of electrical machines and power
electronics. This includes devices used in the new
and renewable sector including unusual
configurations such as linear machines that are
used for wave power generation. You will also studyvariable speed control, power electronics and energy
storage
ENERGY, MARKETS AND RISK The module enables
students to understand why and how market-based
solutions have been applied in the electricity supply
industry and introduces elements of
microeconomics and theory of the firm. Students are
also introduced to the key principles of power
system risk assessment and how these may applied
in wind integration studies.
Course Content
Optional modules
Programme structure