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Teaching, Learningand Assessment

A number of teaching and assessment methodsare used during the course.

LecturesA lecture at Durham is fifty minutes long and

typically you will attend about six lectures per

week (with many more during the

fundamentals course) in addition to your

design and project work. The style of lecturing

varies, depending on the member of staff and

the material to be covered. Some lectures

include lots of group participation and others

take a more traditional style, giving a coherent

and lucid explanation of a complex theory.

Problem Sheets and Office HoursFor the taught courses lecturers will produce

engineering problems for you to solve. Each

member of lecturing staff is available for two

hours a week for one to one discussions with

students. These sessions are ideal opportunities

for you to ask the questions that will help you in

your studies and to ask questions about the

problems if you find them challenging.

Design TeachingDesign is an integrating feature of the course

and you undertake a major design project in

the first term. As in any real world situation

design work in conducted in teams and part of

the learning experience is how you work with

other members of the group.

Computer Based ClassesEngineers use computers more often than they

use pens. There are some formal computer

based classes during the year, but some skills like

using 3D CAD packages are often based upon

self-teaching materials. The computer lab is

available for you to use Engineering software but

we recommend that students purchase their

own laptop.

Assessment Methods

A variety of assessment methods are usedincluding not only formal, timed written

examinations but also marked presentations,

laboratory and design reports and other

assignments associated with your lecture

courses. The research project is assessed

by means of a written report and an oral

examination in which you get to discuss your

work with two members of academic staff.

Every effort has been made to ensure that all information is accurate at the time of going

to press in September 2011. However, changes may occur and Durham University reserves

the right to amend or change any information contained in this brochure at any time.

Copyright Durham University 2011

Durham University and the Durham University Logo are registered trade marks of the

University of Durham trading as Durham University. All rights reserved.

Produced by ECS Admissions Team, Durham University with hpmgroup.

www.durham.ac.uk/ecs

During the fundamentals module you will undertake formal

Laboratory classes which make use of real engineering

devices such as pumps, motors and generators to give you

a much better appreciation of how well Engineering theory

does (and doesn't!) work in practical engineering

applications. Laboratory classes cover the major renewable

energy devices such as generators, control systems and

the basics of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics.

Students also make use our extensive research facilities

during their research projects.

The majority of our graduates go on to an Engineering career,

where the Durham degree is a respected qualification.

Management and finance are other popular options as a

numerate, rigorous and challenging degree prepares you for

more than just an Engineering career. Further postgraduate

qualifications are also a popular choice.

Student ProfileName: Quinn Ho

Graduated: 2009

Nationality: New Zealand

Employer: Senergy (Aberdeen)

I completed my undergraduate

engineering degree in New Zealand and

after working for the national power

company there for 2 years I decided to

study overseas. I applied successfully for

the MSc New and Renewable Energy

Engineering course here at Durham. This

course combined my concern for the

environment and the future of our planet

with my professional interest in

engineering.

Career Prospects

MSc NRE Calendar

Facilities

Start of Fundamentals module

Start of taught courses.

Start of MSc Design Project

Final Presentation and hand in

of MSc Design Report.

Start of Research Project.

Finish taught courses.

Examinations for taught courses.

Hand in of Research Project and

oral examination.

R&D Project Viva

September

October

November

December

January

Easter

May/June

August

September

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IntroductionThe school is one of a small number of general

engineering departments in the UK. We consider the

discipline as an integrated subject rather than sub-

dividing the discipline into narrow areas.

Our courses produce modern engineers who are

capable of solving problems across the traditional

engineering boundaries, which is an idealenvironment for engineers working in new and

renewable energy. For example, in a wind turbine

the choice of generator has a direct consequence

for the aerodynamic design of the turbine.

The top reasons for coming to Durham to study on

our new and renewable course are:

1. Outstanding course content equips engineers

for the challenges of the renewable energy sector.

A combination of taught modules and a major

research project provides the correct balance of

instruction and student led creativity.

2. Excellent research led teaching. The academic

staff at the School are all actively engaged in

research at the frontiers of modern Engineering

analysis, design and practice. This excitement

and knowledge is brought into the MSc

programme through design projects and the

research project.

3. An accredited course. Our MSc in New and

Renewable Energy is fully accredited by theIMechE and the IET. This means that your

Durham degree provides an important first step

to becoming a Chartered Engineer.

4. Enviable external reputation. In the Times Good

University Guide for 2010, Durham is ranked 3rd

behind Oxford and Cambridge. Our graduates are

also highly sought after by employers.

5. The unique College system at Durham University

provides an unbeatable environment in which to

study.

The MSc in New and Renewable Energy aims to

educate students in the key Engineering aspects of

New and Renewable Energy, enabling them to take

responsible, creative, challenging and stimulating

posts in industry or research in this exciting field

anywhere in the world

The programme consists of core modules to provide

a solid foundation in a broad range of New and

Renewable Energy technologies and optional

modules that allow students to choose study

programmes which are most suited to their interests.

The modules include lecture courses, a group

design project and an individual research and

development project.

FUNDAMENTALS MODULEAt Durham the course starts with a fundamentals

module which prepares students from different

backgrounds to take full advantage of all aspects of the

courses. This module consists of a month long

intensive study programme that combines lectures,

tutorials and labs. Topics studied include

thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, power system

plant, electrical circuits and power electronics and

converters. The module also introduces students to

best practice in research techniques.

RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT (CORE

MODULE) This module aims to introduce energy

policy with regards renewable energy, to discuss

energy resource issues and the impact of renewable

energy and to consider global and UK energy use and

its effect on the environment. The module introduces

renewable energy conversion technologies including

wind, solar power and hydro and gives students an

appreciation of the industrial aspects of new and

renewable energy systems and introduces project

management techniques.

LOW CARBON AND THERMAL TECHNOLOGIES

This module is designed to introduce and familiarisestudents with technologies for the thermal ultilisation

of renewable energy for heat and power production

and to provide an understanding of technologies for

low carbon transportation including alternative drive-

trains and fuels. The content includes Solar, thermal,

biomass, hydrogen and waste energy resources, low

carbon vehicle drive-trains, vehicle energy

consumption, emissions and alternative fuels.

TURBOMACHINERY AND NUCLEAR POWER

ENGINEERING The module explains the fluid

mechanics of wind turbines, hydro turbines and

thermal power plant through which 99% of the

worlds electricity is generated. It also covers the

principles of nuclear energy, reactor core, safety

and thermodynamic plant.

ENERGY DELIVERY AND NETWORK INTEGRATION

In this module you will investigate the problems and

benefits associated with embedded generation and

the integration of new and renewable energy into

electrical networks. The content includes network

integration, transmission and distribution systems,

power flow, embedded generation, offshore

networks, electrical network faults and flexible AC

transmission systems.

ENERY GENERATION AND CONVERSION

TECHNOLOGIES This module examines issues

relating to energy conversion and the control of a

wide variety of electrical machines and power

electronics. This includes devices used in the new

and renewable sector including unusual

configurations such as linear machines that are

used for wave power generation. You will also studyvariable speed control, power electronics and energy

storage

ENERGY, MARKETS AND RISK The module enables

students to understand why and how market-based

solutions have been applied in the electricity supply

industry and introduces elements of

microeconomics and theory of the firm. Students are

also introduced to the key principles of power

system risk assessment and how these may applied

in wind integration studies.

Course Content

Optional modules

Programme structure