University of Sunderland

Renewable Energy Engineering

* Exceptions may apply.  Please see Fees and Finance for further information.

Introduction

Please note: This programme will run from September 2013.

Renewable energy is a major growth area but, so far, relatively few engineers have in-depth skills and knowledge in wind, wave, tidal, solar and geothermal sources of energy. So this course can offer you a gateway to a rewarding and fulfilling career.

The demand for well-qualified engineers will inevitably expand in line with the renewable energy industry.

In your first year you will gain a solid foundation through studying a core of modules that are common to all engineering disciplines. In your second year you will explore renewable energy sources and consider the environmental impact of different energy recovery technologies. Engineering design is a central core running throughout the course.

In your third year we encourage you to complete a year-long work placement in the Renewable Energy sector. This allows you to gain practical experience, put your new skills into practice, and enhance your appeal to future employers. Your final year includes an individual project with a sustainable energy theme.

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Course Content

Level 1
An introduction to electrical and mechanical engineering science and mathematics. Design, materials, IT for engineers and manufacturing processes are also covered.

Level 2
At Level 2 the disciplines of mechanical and electrical engineering are further developed, but there are specifically targeted modules which consider the various sources of renewable energy and the generation of electrical power from them.

You can opt to take a control engineering or manufacturing route, while design is a central core theme running throughout the course.

Level 3
At Level 3 most of the modules are concerned with the generation and distribution of electrical power from renewable sources. Included within these is a single large individual project which will take a sustainable energy theme.

Supporting modules include project management and materials selection.

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Entry Requirements

A typical offer will be 260 points from a minimum of 2 A levels/AVCE or equivalent (e.g. 1 x AVCE double award). which must include Mathematics or Physics.

Please note we do not accept AS/A Level General Studies.

We accept a maximum of 20 points from Level 3 Key Skills.

We also require three passes at GCSE grade C or above which must include Mathematics and English Language or a minimum of Level 2 Key Skills in Communication and Application of Number (or equivalent).

Scottish Highers: 260 points which must include Mathematics or Physics.

Irish Leaving Certificate: 260 points which must include Mathematics or Physics.

Direct Entry to Level 2/3: Candidates wishing to be considered for direct entry to Level 2/3 of a programme should contact the Helpline, Tel: (0191) 515 3000.

International Applicants: Tel: +44 191 515 3000.

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Fees and Finance

The fees for this course are as specified in the table at the top of the page.

Please note that different fees apply to students studying for "Equivalent or Lower Qualifications" (ELQs). For more information about ELQs, please see the page Information for applicants who already have an HE Qualification.

For information about University scholarships and bursaries please see the page Fees and Finance.

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Teaching and Assessment

You can expect an interesting mixture of lectures and sessions in workshops and laboratories. We invite industry specialists to deliver guest lectures and we also arrange field trips to renewable energy installations.

At Level 1 all engineering students are exposed to practical engineering workshop sessions teaching the safe use of hand and machine tools, and that particular module ends with a competitive design-and-make exercise.

Assessment is largely by a mix of coursework and phase tests at Level 1, intended to provide smooth transition from school or college to University, to progressively more formal examinations at Levels 2 and 3. The engineering institutions demand that a proportion of accredited engineering courses be assessed by unseen examination and this course is designed to meet their requirements.

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Work Experience

You can only learn so much from textbooks and lectures. You need to refine your skills by working alongside industry professionals.

The Department of Computing, Engineering and Technology offers a wide range of opportunities for you to develop work-based skills via work placements and industrial projects.

These placements are typically:

• one year in length
• paid (you can earn an average salary of £14,000 a year)
• supervised by the University as well as managers at the placement organisation.

By the end of a placement, you will invariably possess a greater self-confidence and technical expertise, as well as a general level of employability that will help you launch your career. It is not uncommon for students to be offered a position as a result of a work placement. Placements also help you to produce a good quality final year project.

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Career Opportunities

There is a shortage of engineering graduates in the UK and there is a particular shortfall in those who have expertise in renewable energy.

Engineers who can design, develop, organise the manufacture of, and operate renewable energy facilities are currently in strong demand.

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Facilities

You will have access to excellent facilities. These include mechanical laboratories, an engineering library, workshop facilities, and state-of-the-art Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) software - including solid modelling (2D and 3D) software such as Pro-Engineer

*World Class Web/Design Tools*
The University of Sunderland has made a significant investment in providing students with access to the latest releases of Adobe products.

Selected PCs within the St Peter's and Murray Libraries have been pre-loaded with the Creative Suite 4 (CS4) Adobe Design Premium Suite for your exclusive use.

CS4 Creative includes key products such as Indesign, Illustrator, Dreamweaver as well as Photoshop and a range of many others.

Further information is available from:

http://www.adobe.com/uk/products/creativesuite/design/
For information regarding locations of PC or Macs within your own faculty that have access to Adobe products please contact your Faculty IT Support.

If you are interested in purchasing Adobe products for your own PC/Mac Adobe offer significant savings for student purchases via any of its approved re-sellers.

Please visit:

http://www.student-software.co.uk/

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