Renewable Energy

Snapshot

Why Study at Dundee?

At Dundee we offer Renewable Energy degrees which cover virtually every aspect of the wide range of technologies that you will encounter in a professional career in this field. The emphasis is on a solid scientific and engineering base, with real understanding of the subject. The degree programmes are flexible, making it possible for you to make changes to your original degree choice as new interests develop and it becomes clearer to you what sort of professional career you intend to follow.

Our teaching unit is of medium size and as a result the study environment is friendly and informal. While you are at Dundee you will get to know all of our staff as individuals and we, in turn, will be taking a genuine interest in your progress and successes, guiding your studies and encouraging your enthusiasms.

The staff who will teach you at Dundee are themselves professional engineers and scientists, each actively engaged in research work as well as teaching. They have contributed much to the advancement of science and engineering on the international stage. Our staff were amongst the first to receive satellite data for environmental monitoring. New materials have been developed, such as thin film semiconductors that are transforming photovoltaics (the study of solar cells). The solar cell in your calculator was invented here.

The degrees are offered at both Honours BSc and Honours MSci level. The MSci takes one year longer than the BSc because it provides more experience of the world of industry and research and thus provides a preferred route to professional registration and higher academic studies.

Employability

The Renewable Energy industry is simply exploding in size throughout the world and offers a wide variety of employment opportunities. It is a major high technology industry in the UK with a significant demand for graduates with specialist skills. Furthermore, our students can work confidently in any career in which a sound ability in mathematics, computing, or administrative organisation is required, on top of their skills in the science and technology of energy.

So apart from the mainstream commercial activities such as wind turbines and solar cells, biomass and energy conservation, we also see students taking up careers in financial management, in broadcasting, with the civil service, and with the police and armed services. When your undergraduate studies come to an end you will find that your Dundee degree opens the door to a surprisingly wide range of career opportunities and you will be joining the ranks of the large number of our graduates who have embarked upon a successful future worldwide.

Teaching and Assessment

Our teaching uses enhanced resources in the form of state-of-the-art laboratories and expertise in areas such as solar cells, nanotechnology, and thermal energy.

Nevertheless, you will find that teaching takes place in small groups with easy access to staff and a personal approach to lectures, tutorials, and practical work. Guidance is available to you throughout your programme of study to ensure that you make good progress. Aspects of both pastoral and academic support are provided in the Renewable Energy degrees by your Adviser of Study and your assigned Personal Tutor.

The assessment of your progress will be by means of the most appropriate method - so in some cases we shall ask you to submit coursework and laboratory reports, in others you will take examinations, and sometimes we shall simply ask you to discuss what you have been achieving. Your final degree award will depend mainly on your achievements during the later levels of study. For the BSc Honours degrees the final award includes a 50% carry-forward from Level 3. For the MSci Honours degrees, there is a 30% carry-forward from Level 3 and a 30% carry-forward from Level 4.

Special Features

• One hundred and twenty years' experience of scientific and engineering education, with graduates employed throughout the world.
• Degrees emphasise real-life engineering practice and research methodology through extensive practical projects chosen to match your career objectives.
• Staff have a strong research presence in key technology fields such as nano-technology, renewable energy and advanced materials.
• Opportunity to get involved with research from Level 1 through an Undergraduate Research Club.
• Excellent opportunities to proceed from BSc or MSci to postgraduate MSc or PhD level.

Programme Content

Notes on Programme Progression

Level 1

The BSc and MSci degrees in Renewable Energy offer a common set of six modules which are studied at Level 1. These establish a good understanding of the foundation subjects upon which the later years of the degrees depend.

Level 2

Six modules are again taken in Level 2. The subjects are now more focused with an emphasis on general energy and engineering principles and underlying mathematics.

Level 3

The range of subjects studied in the eight modules taken at Level 3 is broadened to include civil engineering materials and their interaction with the environment, fluid mechanics and thermodynamics. Practical classes give exposure to modern equipment.

Level 4

At Honours level you will again take eight modules. Six of these are taught modules covering the in-depth topics required by a practising renewables specialist. Two of the modules correspond to a major individual project you will undertake in association with a research group or industrial partner.

Level 5

This year is only followed by the MSci Honours students. Amongst the four modules that you will choose to study there will be a significant emphasis on professional engineering topics such as energy law, the hydrogen economy and environmental modelling and industrial economics. Professional engineering principles are further developed through a group project which may be undertaken with a local energy company.

Entry Requirements

Advanced Entry Honours Degree

It is possible to study for our BSc Renewable Energy Honours degree programmes in 3 years (4 years for the MSci) if you have the required grades and subjects as listed in the Entry Requirements section. There are definite advantages to considering this route as the time needed to study is reduced by one year which enables you to start working and earning earlier.

Contact

Diana Davidson
Admissions & Student Recruitment
University of Dundee
Nethergate
Dundee
DD1 4HN
Scotland

Telephone: 01382 384 029 (from the UK)
Telephone: +44 1382 384 029 (from outside the UK)

Email: ContactUs@dundee.ac.uk