Masters Degrees (Anaerobic Digestion)

The course is based in the Sustainable Environment Research Centre (SERC) a leading and internationally recognised centre for over 30 years. SERC is home to The Wales Centre of Excellence for Anaerobic Digestion and the University of South Wales Centre for Renewable Hydrogen Research and Demonstration,

The UK Governments Low Carbon Transition Plan details how the Government plans to meet its 2020 GHG emissions targets. It predicts that as a result of its actions that 1.2 million green jobs will be created and 40% of electricity production will be from low carbon resources. It is predicted that £110bn of investment will be necessary to meet the targets as currently set out. The picture is similar across the EU and the rest of the world. There is a significant need for individuals with the expertise necessary to help meet those targets.

This MSc in Renewable Energy and Resource Management will provide the wealth of knowledge and skills needed for employment in a range of public and fast-growing commercial green sector roles. Your studies will increase your knowledge and understanding of the generation and provision of renewable energy, hydrogen, water, wastewater treatment and solid wastes management. You will become familiar with the impact of policy and legislation, renewable energy technologies, waste management hierarchy and techniques, and water and wastewater treatment. You will also train in relevant computing software, and analytical and monitoring equipment used by industry.

See the website http://courses.southwales.ac.uk/courses/374-msc-renewable-energy-and-resource-management

What you will study

Students will study the following taught modules:
- Renewable Energy I & Hydro, Tidal, Wave, and Bio-energy
- Renewable Energy II & Wind, Solar, and Geothermal
- Solids Resource Management
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Processes

Plus 2 from the following optional modules:
- Hydrogen& Fuel Vector for the Future
- Energy and Environmental Legislation and Policy
- Advanced Materials for Energy Applications
- Anaerobic Treatment Processes
- Analytical Science and the Environment

You will also complete a substantial project, usually in conjunction with industry, energy/environmental consultancy firms, governmental regulatory agencies, local authorities or within our Sustainable Environment Research Centre.

The subjects taught within the MSc are underpinned by high quality research which was rated as being mainly internationally excellent or world leading in RAE 2008. This included research in hydrogen energy, bio-energy, anaerobic digestion, process monitoring and control, combustion processes, and waste and wastewater treatment systems.

Learning and teaching methods

Full-time students spend about 12 hours in lectures, seminars, tutorials, and computing and laboratory-based practical sessions each week, plus research and background reading. We have an exciting programme of site visits and fieldwork trips.

Work Experience and Employment Prospects

This MSc is designed to develop cutting-edge knowledge and high-level practical skills relevant to many areas of postgraduate employment, particularly managerial, regulatory, scientific and technological roles related to energy and the environment. These include local authorities, government regulatory agencies, manufacturing industries, energy and environmental consultancy companies, waste management companies, water companies, environmental and energy advice centres, research centres, academia, and national and international non-governmental organisations.

Assessment methods

The taught modules are assessed by a mixture of coursework and examinations. The project is assessed by a written dissertation and an oral examination (viva voce).

Coursework involves individual and group mini-projects, fieldwork and visit reports, and poster and oral presentations. Part-time students attend generally one day per week, plus visits and fieldwork.

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Students can choose to start in September, May or January

About the course

This Sustainable and Efficient Food Production postgraduate course centres on increasing efficiency and reducing environmental impact within the extensive pasture-based production sector. The programme provides flexible, accessible, postgraduate level training for people employed in the agri-food sector. Training comprises distance learning modules and work-based research projects. These are accessible as CPD or as credit-bearing units, which can be built towards a range of postgraduate qualifications.

Taught by experts at both Aberystwyth University (AU) and Bangor University (BU), the Sustainable and Efficient Food Production course offers you a highly vocational option. In the most recent joint submission to the Research Excellence Framework assessment (2014), the department was placed in the top 10 universities in the UK for research intensity and 78% of our research was world-leading or internationally excellent.

To achieve an MSc students must complete five optional modules (including up to three from BU) plus Research Methods and a Dissertation.

Course structure and content

Two to five years to complete a full MSc. 14 weeks for one module by distance learning Three intakes per year (January, May, September). Students will be eligible for a UK Student Loan if the course is completed in 3 years.

Core modules:

Dissertation
Research Methods

Optional modules:

Farm Business Management
Genetics and Genomics in Agriculture
Global Ruminant Production
Organic and Low Input Ruminant Production
Plant Breeding
Ruminant Gut Microbiology
Ruminant Health and Welfare
Ruminant Nutrition
Silage Science
Sustainable Grassland Systems
Sustainable Home Grown Feed

Options from Bangor University:

Upland Farming Systems
Soil Management
Carbon Footprinting and Lifecycle Analysis
Resource Efficient Farming
Anaerobic Digestion
Ecosystem Services

Contact Time

We have designed our training to be as accessible as possible, particularly for those in full time employment. Each topic comprises a 12-14 week distance learning module worth 20 credits which can be taken for your own continuing professional development or interest; or built towards a postgraduate qualification. The research elements of our qualifications are carried out in your work place with regular academic supervision. The training is web-based which means that as long as you have access to a reasonable broadband connection (i.e. are able to stream videos such as on YouTube), you can study where and when best suits you. Learning material includes podcast lectures, e-group projects, guided reading, interactive workbooks and discussion forums, as well as assignments and e-tutorials. By signing a re-registration form each year you will have access to e-journals and library resources for the full five years.

Assessment

There are no exams within this programme. Taught modules are assessed via course work and forum discussion.

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Students can choose to start in September, May or January

About the course

Equip yourself with the knowledge and skills to be part of the new bio-economy.

The focus of this MSc is on substituting plant material for mineral oil and you can choose from a range of modules which incorporate the latest thinking around this.

This distance learning MSc is delivered by ‌IBERS, with some optional modules being drawn from Bangor University. Both universities have strong, industry focused biotech research portfolios.

Our uniquely structured-yet-flexible format allows you to:

· Study where (provided you have internet access) and when is convenient for you

· Stay focussed and motivated as you work through each module with a cohort of fellow students

· ‘Pick-n-Mix’ the modules which are most relevant to you

· Start in January, May or September

· Take as many or as few modules as you wish over your 5-year registration period

· Supplement your choices with optional modules from Bangor University

· Update your knowledge and develop your critical skills

· Embed your research project into your work

In most cases the research elements of our qualifications are carried out in your work place with regular academic supervision. However, there are also opportunities for research projects to be based at IBERS; ask us if that option would be of interest to you.

Who should take this course?

If you are working in the biotech industry or are developing policy for this sector; or if these are areas you would like to move into, this course is an ideal way to update your knowledge and gain postgraduate qualifications by studying part-time while you are working.

If you are a new graduate interested in pursuing a career in the biotech industry, you can study full or part-time to gain the qualifications and knowledge that you need to start your new career.

How is IBERS Distance Learning Delivered?

This MSc has been designed to be as accessible and flexible as possible, particularly for those in full time employment or living outside the UK. Each 20 credit, 14 week module includes recorded lectures from academics and industry experts, along with guided readings, discussion forums and two assignments. We work very closely with Bangor University, which means that you can also take relevant Bangor modules as part of your studies.

How much work will I need to do?

A typical master’s student is expected to study for 200 hours when taking a 20 credit module. Our students report spending 10 to 15 hours a week per module studying; obviously the more time and effort you can put in, the more you'll benefit from studying the module and the better your grades are likely to be.

How long will it take?

Part-time: From the initial start date you have a maximum of five years to fit in as many or as few modules as you wish. A part-time MSc cannot be completed in less than two years.

Full-time: You should choose your start time to ensure that you will cover the modules that interest you. You will be expected to take two or three modules at a time and complete within two years.

Students will be eligible for a UK Student Loan if the course is completed in 3 years.

Course Content

Students must complete six taught modules - including at least 3 subject specific modules and Research Methods PLUS a 60 credit dissertation (180 credits).

Subject Specific Modules:

Biorenewable Feedstocks
Biorefining Technologies
Biobased product development
Waste Stream Valorisation
Drivers of the Bioeconomy

Core Modules:
Research Methodologies
Work-Based Dissertation

Complementary Modules:

Genetics and Genomics
Carbon Footprinting and LCA
Anaerobic Digestion
Climate Change

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Environmental engineering uses science and engineering principles to assess and mitigate pollution for the benefit of human health and the environment. This research programme requires an understanding of biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, socio-economics and legislation to develop solutions for the sustainable provision of clean air, land and water for humankind.

By pursuing research in the School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences you will join an extremely successful research group focussing on environmental civil engineering. Our mission is to foster, promote and conduct research of international quality. This means that we attract high quality graduates and researchers and train them to international standards.

This research programme is ideal if you are enthusiastic about environmental engineering research. Our main research themes in environmental engineering are:
-Engineered biological systems
-Mining and metals in the environment
-Biochemical processes in contaminated water, soils and sediments
-Safe water and sanitation in developing countries

We offer MPhil and PhD supervision in the following research areas:
-Anaerobic digestion
-Manipulation of the fate of micro-pollutants
-Pollutant sequestration
-Bioremediation
-Risk assessment
-Sanitation and low-cost water supplies for developing countries
-Waste stabilisation ponds
-Constructed wetlands
-Minewater treatment
-Carbon neutral initiatives
-Geothermal energy

Our microbiological research has a strong emphasis on understanding and engineering biological processes using ecological theory, underpinned by exploration of molecular techniques, eg fluorescent in situ hybridisation, quantitative PCR, and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis.

Delivery

We have extensive contacts in the UK and overseas to enable research to be carried out in collaboration with industry and government agencies. Research projects are supervised by staff with a wide range of industrial and academic experience. Professor Thomas Curtis and Professor David Graham, both Professors of Environmental Engineering, are a couple of our notable academic staff.

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Our Energy programmes allow you to specialise in areas such as bio-energy, novel geo-energy, sustainable power, fuel cell and hydrogen technologies, power electronics, drives and machines, and the sustainable development and use of key resources.

We can supervise MPhil projects in topics that relate to our main areas of research, which are:

Bio-energy

Our research spans the whole supply chain:
-Growing novel feedstocks (various biomass crops, algae etc)
-Processing feedstocks in novel ways
-Converting feedstocks into fuels and chemical feedstocks
-Developing new engines to use the products

Cockle Park Farm has an innovative anaerobic digestion facility. Work at the farm will develop, integrate and exploit technologies associated with the generation and efficient utilisation of renewable energy from land-based resources, including biomass, biofuel and agricultural residues.

We also develop novel technologies for gasification and pyrolysis. This large multidisciplinary project brings together expertise in agronomy, land use and social science with process technologists and engineers and is complemented by molecular studies on the biology of non-edible oilseeds as sources for production of biodiesel.

Novel geo-energy

New ways of obtaining clean energy from the geosphere is a vital area of research, particularly given current concerns over the limited remaining resources of fossil fuels.

Newcastle University has been awarded a Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher Education for its world-renowned Hydrogeochemical Engineering Research and Outreach (HERO) programme. Building on this record of excellence, the Sir Joseph Swan Centre for Energy Research seeks to place the North East at the forefront of research in ground-source heat pump systems, and other larger-scale sources of essentially carbon-free geothermal energy, and developing more responsible modes of fossil fuel use.

Our fossil fuel research encompasses both the use of a novel microbial process, recently patented by Newcastle University, to convert heavy oil (and, by extension, coal) to methane, and the coupling of carbon capture and storage (CCS) to underground coal gasification (UCG) using directionally drilled boreholes. This hybrid technology (UCG-CCS) is exceptionally well suited to early development in the North East, which still has 75% of its total coal resources in place.

Sustainable power

We undertake fundamental and applied research into various aspects of power generation and energy systems, including:
-The application of alternative fuels such as hydrogen and biofuels to engines and dual fuel engines
-Domestic combined heat and power (CHP) and combined cooling, heating and power (trigeneration) systems using waste vegetable oil and/or raw inedible oils
-Biowaste methanisation
-Biomass and biowaste combustion, gasification
-Biomass co-combustion with coal in thermal power plants
-CO2 capture and storage for thermal power systems
-Trigeneration with novel energy storage systems (including the storage of electrical energy, heat and cooling energy)
-Engine and power plant emissions monitoring and reduction technology
-Novel engine configurations such as free-piston engines and the reciprocating Joule cycle engine

Fuel cell and hydrogen technologies

We are recognised as world leaders in hydrogen storage research. Our work covers the entire range of fuel cell technologies, from high-temperature hydrogen cells to low-temperature microbial fuel cells, and addresses some of the complex challenges which are slowing the uptake and impact of fuel cell technology.

Key areas of research include:
-Biomineralisation
-Liquid organic hydrides
-Adsorption onto solid phase, nano-porous metallo-carbon complexes

Sustainable development and use of key resources

Our research in this area has resulted in the development and commercialisation of novel gasifier technology for hydrogen production and subsequent energy generation.

We have developed ways to produce alternative fuels, in particular a novel biodiesel pilot plant that has attracted an Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) AspenTech Innovative Business Practice Award.

Major funding has been awarded for the development of fuel cells for commercial application and this has led to both patent activity and highly-cited research. Newcastle is a key member of the SUPERGEN Fuel Cell Consortium. Significant developments have been made in fuel cell modelling, membrane technology, anode development and catalyst and fuel cell performance improvements.

Facilities

As a postgraduate student you will be based in the Sir Joseph Swan Centre for Energy Research. Depending on your chosen area of study, you may also work with one or more of our partner schools, providing you with a unique and personally designed training and supervision programme.

You have access to:
-A modern open-plan office environment
-A full range of chemical engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and marine engineering laboratories
-Dedicated desk and PC facilities for each student within the research centre or partner schools

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