Loughborough University
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Loughborough University

Programme Specifications

Programme Specification

Curriculum-Based Component of the Doctor of Engineering (EngD) Research Programme in Efficient Fossil Energy Technologies and the MSc Efficient Fossil Energy Technologies

Academic Year: 2015/16

This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are provided.

This specification applies to delivery of the programme in the Academic Year indicated above. Prospective students reviewing this information for a later year of study should be aware that these details are subject to change as outlined in our Terms and Conditions of Study.

This specification should be read in conjunction with:

  • Summary
  • Aims
  • Learning outcomes
  • Structure
  • Progression & weighting

Programme summary

Awarding body/institution Loughborough University
Teaching institution (if different) This is a collaborative programme led by Nottingham University in collaboration with Loughborough University and Birmingham University.
Owning school/department Department of Materials
Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body
Final award MSc/ PGDip / PGCert
Programme title Efficient Fossil Energy Technologies
Programme code MPRE12, MPPT20, MPTO20
Length of programme EngD: The curriculum-based component of the EngD programme should normally be completed within the first 2 years of registration.
MSc: The duration of the MSc programme is normally one year and is available on a full-time basis.
UCAS code
Admissions criteria

EngD:  This programme is open to graduates in any appropriate branch of engineering provided that they are articulate, well qualified and highly motivated. Graduates m us t demonstrate an appropriate background for their chosen research project. The usual EPSRC eligibility requirements apply.

The minimum entry qualification is a 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent. A lower qualification is acceptable if supplemented with an appropriate postgraduate (MSc) qualification and/or substantial industrial experience. 

MSc:  This programme at Loughborough has the following admissions criteria: Candidates will usually require a good (minimum 2.2) first degree (BEng or BSc) or equivalent in a science or engineering subject to register for an MSc course. All applicants must have a qualification acceptable to Loughborough University in English language before commencing the programme.

Date at which the programme specification was published Tue, 05 May 2015 17:17:01 BST

1. Programme Aims

To produce future research and industry leaders to tackle the major national and international challenges over the next 15 years in implementing new power plant to generate electricity more efficiently using fossil energy with near zero emissions.  This may involve the successful demonstration and deployment of CO2 capture, together with reducing CO2 emissions generally from fossil fuel utilisation in industries such as power generation and iron and steel making. 

To introduce candidates to key engineering topics relevant to fossil energy technologies. 

To prepare graduates who are capable of operating in multi-disciplinary teams and who have the skills to analyse the overall economic context of their projects and to be aware of the social and ethical implications. 

To develop candidates’ understanding in a particular specific area of interest by undertaking a research based project in association with appropriate University research groups and in conjunction with industry where appropriate.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

  • Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ);
  • Engineering subject benchmark statement;
  • EC (UK) Specification for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC)
  • Industrial Advisory Committee for the Engineering Doctorate Centre.

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, candidates should be able to demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of: 

  • The energy landscape;
  • Principles of engineering science as applied to efficient fossil energy technologies;
  • Implications of the deployment of technology in society;
  • Possible options for efficient fossil energy technologies;
  • Professional responsibility of an engineer and the associated ethical issues;
  • Appropriate research methodologies to solve specific scientific and engineering problems

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, candidates should be able to demonstrate:

  • Development of innovative thinking, while tackling real industrial problems;
  • Continual broadening, by gaining and applying new knowledge from a modular taught programme;
  • Expert knowledge of an engineering/applied science area;
  • The ability to apply his/her skills and knowledge to new and unusual situations;
  • The ability to seek optimal, viable solutions to multi-faceted engineering problems and to search out relevant information sources.
b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, candidates should be able to: 

  • Plan and execute experimental laboratory work safely;
  • Use computational tools and packages (including programming languages where appropriate);
  • Undertake testing of ideas/theories in the laboratory or by simulation, and analyse and critically evaluate the results;
  • Search for and retrieve information, ideas and data from a variety of sources;
  • Critically appraise appropriate scientific literature;
  • Manage a project and apply appropriate processes; Produce technical reports, papers, diagrams and drawings.
c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, candidates should be able to: 

  • Be creative and innovative in problem solving;
  • Communicate effectively orally, visually and in writing;
  • Manage time and resources effectively;
  • Work effectively as part of a team.

4. Programme structure

4.1 EngD Research Programme

4.1.1. Structure

.1 All Candidates who are registered on the Engineering Doctorate (EngD) programme are required to register for and satisfy the regulations for the curriculum-based component of the programme. The purpose of the taught modules is to develop knowledge and understanding of a number of technical, business and management subjects as a pre-requisite to the research element of the EngD award.

.2 The curriculum-based component of the programme will normally require a total modular weight of 180 (including the Research Portfolios 1 and 2 and the Research Summer Schools, jointly weighted at 60 credits) taken from the range of postgraduate modules offered by the three Universities within the Doctoral Centre in Efficient Fossil Energy Technologies (Nottingham (N), Loughborough (L) and Birmingham (B)).

.3 Candidates who have previously studied appropriate Level 7 (MSc) material, already possess an appropriate MSc or have appropriate industrial experience may be allowed in exceptional circumstances to reduce the curriculum-based component of the programme. Eligibility for a reduced curriculum-based component will be decided on an individual basis by the Efficient Fossil Energy Technologies DTC Management Group.

.4 All candidates shall register at the beginning of their programme and subsequently at the beginning of each academic year for the modules which they are taking in that year, subject to their satisfactory progress in research and the extension of their registration for the Degree of EngD in accordance with the Regulations for Higher Degrees by Research. Candidates are not eligible to register for modules whilst they remain in debt to the University.

.5 Candidates who have completed part or all of the curriculum based element of their programme but who subsequently do not complete the requirements for the award of EngD may be eligible for the award of Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert), Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) or Master of Science (MSc). The credit for these awards must have been accumulated as part of the curriculum-based component of the programme. Candidates who have, because of their previous study or experience, been allowed to reduce the curriculum-based component of the programme may not qualify for an award.  

4.1.2 Content

The programme has a number of special features as a consequence of the multi-university nature of the Efficient Fossil Energy Technologies Doctorate Training Centre (EFET DTC). The Candidates will register in full at one of the three universities, and will be registered as Visiting Students at the other two Universities, but in order to maintain the integrity of the Centre all REs in each cohort will attend an initial full-time core training period of one semester duration. The core training semester will also include compulsory but non-assessed activities within the induction period. 

The modular credits taken in the core training period will comprise 60 credits of compulsory modules offered by the three universities. The total taught element credits will be made up to 120 by specialist training modules which can be taken at any of the partner universities as described below. There are three themes within the specialist modules, and candidates are normally expected to take a minimum of 10 credits from each of these three themes.  

Specialist modules can be undertaken at any preferred time in the first two years of the programme subject to local prerequisite requirements. 

The selection of elective modules should be discussed and agreed with the Candidate’s supervisor(s) and the appropriate Programme Director.

4.2. MSc Programme

4.2.1.   Structure

  1. The programme will normally require a total modular weight of 180 (including the final research project weighted at 60 credits) taken from the range of postgraduate taught  modules offered by the three Universities (Nottingham (N), Loughborough (L) and Birmingham (B)).

  2. All candidates shall register at the beginning of their programme for the modules which they are taking in that year. 

4.2.2.   Content

The programme has a number of special features as a consequence of the multi-university nature of the Programme. 

The core modular credits will comprise 60 credits of compulsory taught modules offered by the three universities and 60 credits from a research project at Loughborough. The total credits will be made up to 180 by specialist training modules which can be taken from the partner universities. At least 30 credits of specialist optional taught modules and the final research project must be completed at Loughborough (MPP010) in the case of the MSc programme. 

The specialist modules are contained within three themes and candidates must choose their options from both Theme 1 and Themes 2 & 3 combined.

 

4.3.   Modules for EngD and MSc

Compulsory Taught Modules: Semester 1- (total modular weight 60)

Module Title

Credits

University

Module reference

Semester

Power Generation and Carbon Capture

10

Nottingham

H84PGC

1

Energy, Technology and Society

10

Nottingham

L34110

1

Innovation and Technology Transfer

10

Nottingham

N14T15

1

The Energy System

10

Birmingham

08 2281

1

Industrial Case Studies

10

Loughborough

MPP163

1

Research & Professional Skills

10

Nottingham

G54RPS  

1

 

 

 

 

 

Specialist Optional Taught Modules: Semester 2- (total modular weight 60)

Optional modules may be chosen from the module catalogues of the Universities of Nottingham, Loughborough and Birmingham. All module choice is subject to the approval of the Programme Director and the delivering institution(s) and/or department(s). Choice should normally be restricted to postgraduate modules (level 7) and should normally be chosen from the selection listed below. 

The Candidate is responsible for ensuring that all aspects of optional module choice can be incorporated into their individual timetable. The choice of optional modules is significantly affected by timetabling constraints and is also subject to availability, prerequisite, preclusive and student number restrictions. Any difficulties arising from optional module choice will not normally be considered as the basis of a claim for impaired performance. 

EngD: Candidates must choose a minimum of 10 credits from modules typical of each of Themes 1-3. 

MSc: Candidates must choose a minimum of 10 credits from modules in Theme 1 and 2&3 combined.  Modules available to MSc candidates are indicated by #. MSc candidates cannot normally study the distance learning (DL) version of a Loughborough module when a taught version is available.

Theme 1 – Advanced Technical Skills 

Module Title

Credits

University

Module reference

Semester

Combined Heat and Power#

10

Nottingham

K14CHP

2

Advanced Thermal Power Systems#

10

Nottingham

MM4TPS

2

Petroleum Production Engineering#

10

Nottingham

J14PPE

2

Advanced Characterisation Techniques

15

Loughborough

MPP551

1

Design with Engineering Materials

15

Loughborough

MPP552

1

Surface Engineering

15

Loughborough

MP3551

1

Ceramics: Properties and Processes

15

Loughborough

MPP554

1

Metals: Properties and Processes #

15

Loughborough

MPP555

2

Materials Modelling #

15

Loughborough

MPP556

2

Sustainable Use of Materials #

15

Loughborough

MPP558

2

Advanced reaction systems A*

10

Birmingham

04 17136

1

Advanced reaction systems B*

10

Birmingham

04 17137

1

System modelling*

10

Birmingham

04 20544

1

* some pre-requisite learning applies or there is a limited number of module participants; students must check with module leader. 

Theme 2 – Contextual and Skills 

Module Title

Credits

University

Module reference

Semester

Environmental Management in Practice #

10

Nottingham

F84154

2

Environmental Project Management #

10

Nottingham

J14EPM

2

From the Bench to the Bank #

10

Nottingham

F14FBB

2

Energy Policy and Case Studies #

20

Birmingham

0421172

2

Research Planning #

 

10

Loughborough

MPP801

2

 Theme 3 – Advanced Management Skills 

Module Title

Credits

University

Module reference

Semester

Marketing (DL) #

15

Loughborough

MPP660

2

Introduction to Project Management #

10

Birmingham

04 23104

2

Controls and Implementation #

10

Birmingham

23106

2

Project Skills #

10

Birmingham

23107

2

DL = Distance Learning only 

4.4   Project and Research Training - (total modular weight 60)

EngD Programme

Module Title

Credits

University

Module reference

Research Project Portfolio: Part 1

20

Loughborough

MPP801

Research Project Portfolio: Part 2

30

Loughborough

MPP802

Research Summer School

10

Nottingham

N14T15

Research Project Portfolio Part 1 should normally be completed in year 1 and Part 2 in year 2.

MSc Programme 

Module Title

Credits

University

Module reference

Research Project

60

Loughborough

MPP010

The research project commences after the Semester 2 exam period and is normally completed in September of the same year and assessment includes an oral presentation, literature review and final report carried out at Loughborough.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

Only Loughborough University Module Marks will be used in determining the Programme Mark. 

5.1. EngD Research Programme

  1. The Loughborough-based curriculum-based component of the EngD programme, including the Project and Research Training components, shall be assessed in accordance with the procedures set out in Regulation XXI.
  2. In order to be eligible for an award, candidates must satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI.
  3. Reassessment of modules eligible under Regulation XXI may take place in the Universities Special Assessment Period where suitable modules are available.
  4. Candidates will be eligible to progress on the EngD programme when they have accumulated 180 credits from the curriculum-based component within the period of time specified below *, except where exemption has been granted in accordance with below paragraph ** of these Regulations. 

*The curriculum-based component of the EngD programme should normally be completed within the first 2 years of registration. 

**Candidates who have previously studied appropriate Level 7 (MSc) material, already possess an appropriate MSc or have appropriate industrial experience may be allowed in exceptional circumstances to reduce the curriculum-based component of the programme. Eligibility for a reduced curriculum-based component will be decided on an individual basis by the Efficient Fossil Energy Technologies DTC Management Group. 

Three copies of the Research Project Portfolio (Parts 1 and 2) must be lodged with the Programme Director on or before the second anniversary of registration. 

5.2. MSc Programme

  1. In order to be eligible for an award, candidates must satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI.
  2. Students will be permitted to transfer up to 80 credits of the 180 credits required for the award from the Partner institutions.
  3. Reassessment of modules eligible under Regulation XXI may take place in the Universities Special Assessment Period where suitable modules are available.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

n/a

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