Euan McTurk

Euan McTurk, graduated with a MSci Renewable Energy in 2011.

Why did you choose to study at Dundee?

I was browsing the UCAS degree book, considering a number of different subjects and universities, when one degree stood out to me - Renewable Energy.  This was a pioneering degree only offered by the University of Dundee, but after attending the open day it was clear that this would not be the only factor in my decision to choose Dundee. 

The University is so centralised, yet right in the heart of the city, with the comfortable living and culture of the West End to the left and a bustling night life to the right.  There is a very social atmosphere, and you are almost guaranteed to bump into familiar faces on campus and the surrounding area at any time of the day.  Plus, the union is the best I've ever been in. 

Then there's the small matter of teaching standards.  The Division of Electronic Engineering, Physics and Renewable Energy boasts some fantastic lecturing staff, who teach to the highest standards, know you on first name terms and are always on hand to answer any questions you may have.  Whereas some universities can be quite faceless in their education, with Dundee, it's personal. 

What is the best thing about your course and why?

This course is still young, but has already established itself as an influential force on campus and beyond.  It provides core knowledge from several discliplies, such as Mathematics, Physics, Electronic Engineering and Civil Engineering, as well as a specialist understanding of industry-specific disciplines, from solar photovoltaics to fuel cells, giving its students a competitive edge in the real world. 

Renewable Energy students who apply themselves have very little difficulty in being offered good jobs and highly coveted PhDs.

What information do applicants need to know before starting this course?

This is a technical course, and as such focuses more on the scientific and engineering principles of the field, rather than the social and economical implications.  Do not fear though - the latter aspects are of interest to many people across campus, and frequently discussed by the Renewable Energy society, so by coming to Dundee and studying towards this degree you won't miss out on these issues entirely. 

An understanding of Physics and Mathematics at Higher level is a prerequisite, and taking these subjects at Advanced Higher level makes your first year of this degree considerably easier.  Upon graduation, you will likely become the key thinkers and doers in the radical and necessary overhaul of the world's infrastructure, working in areas such as smart grids, offshore renewables and electric/fuel cell transportation. 

What has been your best learning experience to date and why?

In terms of the taught element of the undergraduate degree, Power Station Engineering and the Grid was a crucial module.  The information on turbine efficiency and how to extract the most energy from a given power source really got my mental gears turning, opening my mind to a number of possibilities and assisting my coursework from other modules that year. 

Aside from this, my project has been my best learning experience to date.  If you are lucky enough to land a topic that is of great interest to you, it will push you that extra mile, encourage you to contact the authors of the journals and make those field trips.  The end result for me was the most interesting and exciting year of education of my life, meeting some enthusiastic and engaging people and driving some pretty nifty electric cars along the way!

What has been your best university experience to date and why?

Winning the Enterprise Gym Discovery Challenge with my green business idea.  This prestigious award was the culmination of four years' hard work, bringing together elements of my modules, my project and my own investigations to achieve something truly special against stiff opposition.  The Enterprise Gym brings students into contact with business gurus from many different backgrounds, and to see their intrigue and hear their advice was a hugely satisfying experience, and one that has put me in touch with many crucial contacts for the near future, both in business and in academia.

What sports activities or clubs/societies are you involved with?

As mentioned previously, I have been through the Enterprise Gym, and I would recommend it to anyone.  You will find in Dundee that some degrees have become closely affiliated with certain societies, and Renewable Energy students are forming an ever-increasing, evermore-successful portion of the Enterprise Gym's members. 

I am also a trumpetist in the Dundee University Big Band, which holds a number of jazz and swing gigs at the union throughout the year and provides a refreshing change to the usual dance and R&B - definitely worth checking it out. 

For anyone who is interested in the green automotive sector, I would recommend going to the Formula Student meetings.  The team has an impressive track record despite their small budget, and so any extra innovation from a green perspective will no doubt be warmly welcomed. 

Finally, of course, we have our very own Renewable Energy society, which has a number of presentations, guest lectures and projects in the pipeline for this year, and DEEPR (Dundee Electronic Engineering, Physics and Renewables), which again hosts a number of interesting talks and divisional get-togethers.

Have you taken part in any student exchanges/work placements?

Not yet.  However, being a Renewable Energy student gets you far in your part time job.  I joined my part-time work on an 8-hour Saturday contract, as a humble customer advisor.  My green ideas were noticed quite quickly, and within a year I was awarded the position of Regional Environmental Champion.  I have since been invited to their HQ to discuss my eco visions with the powers-that-be, and am currently establishing trade links with a cutting-edge LED lighting company and a local community group that turns just about any waste into high quality products.

What was your experience of settling into life in Dundee when you first arrived?

As for many Cumnockians, straying as far as Dundee was a bit of a revolution for me, and was easily the furthest that I'd been from home, on my own. However, everyone else in halls was in the same boat as me, and Dundee was a clean sheet for us all. I instantly settled in with my new flatmates, and ended up going to the union, which as you'd expect for Freshers' Week was packed to the rafters! Needless to say that there was booze and banter aplenty and I didn't look back. Despite being an only child who had lived with his parents in the same house for seventeen years, I very rarely felt homesick that semester. In Dundee you'll quickly carve out an active lifestyle and sprawling social network, and as such I now consider this city my home.

Do you have any advice for potential new students?

Top tips:

1. Don't concentrate on missing home, just enjoy getting to know those around you and embrace the many flat parties and nights out that you will have with the people that will become sound friends over the next four or five years.
2. Despite the constant lure of the union, the more you understand your core subjects, the less they will hinder you in later years of your degree.  Attend the lectures, do the homework, but still fit in those well-earned nights of drunken frivolity!
3. It is rare that you will ever need a car in Dundee.  However, for those without a car, Tesco Riverside (the big one) may seem ages away, but don't be tempted by a taxi - get a second hand bike from Cycle Stop and it'll save you in the long term.
4. Think about what you would like to do when you graduate.  This will possibly change over the course of your time in Dundee, but having an idea of your future career will allow you to focus on the most relevant module/project choices and background reading.
5. Join at least one of the university's plethora of societies, even if you think you'll be rubbish at it.  At least once a week, if uni work starts to grind you down, you'll have some escape from it all and a fantastic group of people around you.
6. Don't be afraid to ask any of the senior undergraduate students for any more advice.  I'm always happy to answer queries from my fellow Renewable Energy students, whether it be the best textbooks to read for a particular module or what student deals Pizza Hut has on at the moment (go on, test me).