Accelerated Design Training (Autumn & Spring)
30 credits
The aim of this module is to help our graduates gain the necessary skills-set required for process engineering design and project management skills for future career development; be it Chemical, Environmental or Food. Student-led under the guidance of an academics who are all industrial specialists with extensive experience working for chemical, environmental and food manufacturing companies. Workshops and lectures are held by department staff in key areas. AutoCAD instruction is also provided. Regular mentoring sessions by an appointed team tutor to support your group work.
Modern engineering is not just motivated by profit and productivity, we must make decisions considering the technical, safety, economic and sustainability aspects, and these four factors will form the basis of our design. The focus of your process project is multi-disciplinary and rooted in “cutting-edge” research taking place around the world.
Assessment: 100% coursework
Coursework 1 (30%) Conceptual group design task
Coursework 2 (70%) Detailed group design task
Viva and Team peer assessment to compute individual marks
Advanced Rheology and Materials (autumn)
10 credits
The module gives the student a detailed introduction to the fascinating world of non-Newtonian fluids. We will cover the different mathematical techniques used to understand and characterise these materials and cover the instruments required to measure them. Each week features a two hours of lectures and an hour-long problem class.
Food Processing (autumn)
10 credits
This module gives the students an introduction to industrial scale food processing. A $12 trillion industry that represents greater than 10% of global consumer spending and 40% of employment. Topics covered included: Food structure, food safety and hygiene, freezing, baking, frying, separation, drying and packaging. There is a large amount of industrial context with several guest lectures delivered by industrial engineers working within the fast-growing food and drink sector.
Assessment: 100% exam
Research Planning (spring)
10 credits
The module develops the skills required to design, plan, implement and manage a research project. Students will be given instruction and practice in problem definition; collection, synthesis and critical review of information from a range of traditional and electronic sources; definition of scope, aims and objectives; development of a project plan and schedule; management of project progress.
Particular emphasis of the module is towards quality control and quality assurance and how these underpin measurement activities. The use of statistics for the assessment of data quality in measurement is also emphasised. Students will also develop their writing and practical skills through exercises and coursework.
Assessment: 100% individual coursework
Coursework 1 (70%) 3,000-word laboratory report
Coursework 2 (30%) 1,000-word critical review
Multiphase Systems (spring)
10 credits
This module will identify the industrial occurrence of the simultaneous flow of more than one phase and highlight the implications for design. It will establish the principles of flow and heat transfer in gas/liquid systems.
Assessment: 30% individual coursework, 70% exam
Research and Design Project (summer)
60 credits
This module provides the student with an opportunity to undertake a substantial personal project appropriate to their interests.
It will normally take the form of a scientific investigation, whether it involves experimentation or an extensive review of work already completed by others.
Typically (but not exclusively) it will include the following:
- Project definition and aim (choice of subject is at the discretion of the convenor).
- Literature review
- Practical experimentation/investigation
- Critical analysis of findings
- Presentation of results
Method and Frequency of Class: Tutorial sessions as appropriate throughout the summer period. A typical average period of two weeks between tutorials is expected. Tutorials may be for individuals or small groups locally arranged with supervisor.
Method of Assessment: Dissertation, typically 10,000-20,000 words (100%).
The project area is flexible and will be supervised by an academic member of staff. MSc Students chose a theme from the following:
- Energy Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Sustainable Process Engineering
- Biochemical Engineering
Projects are then allocated within these themes.
Previous projects have included:
- Heavy metals removal from drinking water
- Microbial fuel cells
- Carbon dioxide capture technologies
- Removal of pharmaceuticals during wastewater treatment
- Nanobots for contaminated land remediation
- Advanced measurement techniques for bubble columns
Water Treatment (autumn)
10 credits
This module introduces students to a range of knowledge and skills applicable to water and wastewater treatment. Students will gain an understanding in water availability, sources of pollution and the legislative framework for water quality from an EU perspective. Municipal water and wastewater treatment processes will be covered, focusing on key unit processes including sedimentation, filtration and disinfection. The module will also be supported by 2 site visits.
Assessment: 100% exam
Biochemical Engineering (autumn)
10 credits
This module covers underpinning aspects for bio-processing technologies including: an overview of microbes, including structure, function, kinetics and components; metabolism and biomolecules; microbial technology including industrial biosafety and reactor systems; and industrial enzyme biocatalyst technologies with applications.
Assessment: 100% exam
Advanced Computational Methods (spring)
10 credits
This module includes an introduction to Matlab Programming: writing code for modelling engineering systems; script files, arrays, loops, if statements, functions, plotting; application to Finite Difference and Monte Carlo modelling methods.
Advanced features of HYSYS:
- using the dynamics package to simulate (a) fluid flow in tanks in series (b) the control of a separator drum;
- students devising their own steady-state question.
Method and Frequency of Class:
| Activity |
Number of Weeks |
Number of sessions |
Duration of a session |
| Computing |
12 weeks |
1 week |
3 hours |
Method of Assessment:
| Assessment Type |
Weight |
Requirements |
| Coursework 2 |
60.00 |
Written report on student's Hysys simulations. c.10 pages including text and computer output. |
| Coursework 1 |
40.00 |
Written report on student's Matlab program. c.10 pages including text and computer output. |
Process Risk Benefit and Analysis (spring)
10 credits
In this module, you form a small start-up business based on the development of new technologies and work in teams to develop technological applications, assess market opportunities, explore competitor technologies, evaluate and consider risks—and then develop a full business case for specific technologies in specific market areas. Classes will revolve around group clinics/consultancy sessions, Q&A, lectures and guest lectures and two presentation sessions to a panel of ‘dragons’.
Assessment: 100% group coursework
Water Treatment Engineering (spring)
10 credits
This module will concentrate on water treatment technologies covering those applicable to both the treatment of wastewater and the treatment of water for potable (drinking water) use. The beginning of the module will review current practice and scientific principles in water treatment.
Case Studies across the water industry will be utilised to demonstrate problems and potential solutions and gain an understanding of design considerations and operation of water treatment processes. Emerging issues in water treatment and the developing technologies to address these issues will be presented. Guest speakers from industry and 2 site visits will support the module delivery.
Method and Frequency of Class:
| Activity |
Number of Weeks |
Number of sessions |
Duration of a session |
| Field |
2 weeks |
1 week |
6 hours |
| Lecture |
12 weeks |
1 week |
2 hours |
| Tutorial |
12 weeks |
1 week |
1 hour |
The 2 site visits (field trips) will replace 2 of the scheduled 2 hour lecture sessions.
Method of Assessment:
| Assessment Type |
Weight |
Requirements |
| Coursework 1 |
30.00 |
Individual report, Max 2,000 words |
| Exam 1 |
70.00 |
2 hour examination |
Water Treatment (autumn)
10 credits
This module introduces students to a range of knowledge and skills applicable to water and wastewater treatment. Students will gain an understanding in water availability, sources of pollution and the legislative framework for water quality from an EU perspective. Municipal water and wastewater treatment processes will be covered, focusing on key unit processes including sedimentation, filtration and disinfection. The module will also be supported by 2 site visits.
Assessment: 100% exam
Air Pollution 1 (autumn)
10 credits
This module will develop your knowledge and understanding of air pollution problems. It includes a categorisation of the types of natural and anthropogenic air pollution sources, sinks, and the effects that air pollutants may produce within natural and manmade environments. You’ll learn about the processes of selection and design of pollutant monitoring and control technologies that may be applied to control atmospheric emissions from industrial processes.
Assessment: 100% exam
Advanced Computational Methods (spring)
10 credits
This module includes an introduction to Matlab Programming: writing code for modelling engineering systems; script files, arrays, loops, if statements, functions, plotting; application to Finite Difference and Monte Carlo modelling methods.
Advanced features of HYSYS:
- using the dynamics package to simulate (a) fluid flow in tanks in series (b) the control of a separator drum;
- students devising their own steady-state question.
Method and Frequency of Class:
| Activity |
Number of Weeks |
Number of sessions |
Duration of a session |
| Computing |
12 weeks |
1 week |
3 hours |
Method of Assessment:
| Assessment Type |
Weight |
Requirements |
| Coursework 2 |
60.00 |
Written report on student's Hysys simulations. c.10 pages including text and computer output. |
| Coursework 1 |
40.00 |
Written report on student's Matlab program. c.10 pages including text and computer output. |
Process Risk Benefit and Analysis (spring)
10 credits
In this module, you form a small start-up business based on the development of new technologies and work in teams to develop technological applications, assess market opportunities, explore competitor technologies, evaluate and consider risks—and then develop a full business case for specific technologies in specific market areas. Classes will revolve around group clinics/consultancy sessions, Q&A, lectures and guest lectures and two presentation sessions to a panel of ‘dragons’.
Assessment: 100% group coursework
Water Treatment Engineering (spring)
10 credits
This module will concentrate on water treatment technologies covering those applicable to both the treatment of wastewater and the treatment of water for potable (drinking water) use. The beginning of the module will review current practice and scientific principles in water treatment.
Case Studies across the water industry will be utilised to demonstrate problems and potential solutions and gain an understanding of design considerations and operation of water treatment processes. Emerging issues in water treatment and the developing technologies to address these issues will be presented. Guest speakers from industry and 2 site visits will support the module delivery.
Method and Frequency of Class:
| Activity |
Number of Weeks |
Number of sessions |
Duration of a session |
| Field |
2 weeks |
1 week |
6 hours |
| Lecture |
12 weeks |
1 week |
2 hours |
| Tutorial |
12 weeks |
1 week |
1 hour |
The 2 site visits (field trips) will replace 2 of the scheduled 2 hour lecture sessions.
Method of Assessment:
| Assessment Type |
Weight |
Requirements |
| Coursework 1 |
30.00 |
Individual report, Max 2,000 words |
| Exam 1 |
70.00 |
2 hour examination |
Biochemical Engineering (autumn)
10 credits
This module covers underpinning aspects for bio-processing technologies including: an overview of microbes, including structure, function, kinetics and components; metabolism and biomolecules; microbial technology including industrial biosafety and reactor systems; and industrial enzyme biocatalyst technologies with applications.
Assessment: 100% exam
Industrial Process Analysis (autumn)
10 credits
This module aims to provide you with a thorough understanding of how process, hygiene and material characteristics influence the total transformation design of chemical process plants via analysis of exemplar plant designs.
You'll learn how to assess the basis for safe process design and selection of construction materials. Demonstrate what influence whole system thinking, total life-cycle and critical analysis have upon the basis of process designs and influence process economics. Explain control choices, evaluate interactive risk and understand the potential influence of that environmental impact and societal opinion has upon process design.
Assessment: 100% exam
Advanced Computational Methods (spring)
10 credits
The module is designed to give you experience of advanced software applications in chemical engineering, and their potential application to research projects. You will learn how to use advanced features of HYSYS, including the optimiser for (a) a two-stage compressor (b) an economic assessment of a refrigeration process; and the dynamics package to simulate (a) fluid flow in tanks in series (b) the control of a separator drum.
Assessment: 100% individual coursework
Process Risk Benefit and Analysis (spring)
10 credits
In this module, you form a small start-up business based on the development of new technologies and work in teams to develop technological applications, assess market opportunities, explore competitor technologies, evaluate and consider risks—and then develop a full business case for specific technologies in specific market areas. Classes will revolve around group clinics/consultancy sessions, Q&A, lectures and guest lectures and two presentation sessions to a panel of ‘dragons’.
Assessment: 100% group coursework
Water Treatment Engineering (spring)
10 credits
This module will concentrate on water treatment technologies covering those applicable to both the treatment of wastewater and the treatment of water for potable (drinking water) use. The beginning of the module will review current practice and scientific principles in water treatment.
Case Studies across the water industry will be utilised to demonstrate problems and potential solutions and gain an understanding of design considerations and operation of water treatment processes. Emerging issues in water treatment and the developing technologies to address these issues will be presented. Guest speakers from industry and 2 site visits will support the module delivery.
Method and Frequency of Class:
| Activity |
Number of Weeks |
Number of sessions |
Duration of a session |
| Field |
2 weeks |
1 week |
6 hours |
| Lecture |
12 weeks |
1 week |
2 hours |
| Tutorial |
12 weeks |
1 week |
1 hour |
The 2 site visits (field trips) will replace 2 of the scheduled 2 hour lecture sessions.
Method of Assessment:
| Assessment Type |
Weight |
Requirements |
| Coursework 1 |
30.00 |
Individual report, Max 2,000 words |
| Exam 1 |
70.00 |
2 hour examination |