Renewable & Sustainable Energy BEng Foundation Year

Program Overview

The University of Central Lancashire's Renewable & Sustainable Energy Engineering (Foundation Entry) program equips students with the skills and knowledge to thrive in the growing renewable energy sector. The four-year degree explores the generation, transmission, storage, and uses of renewable energy, preparing graduates for careers in energy consultancy, technology development, and sustainable energy production. Taught by industry experts, the program offers practical experience, industry partnerships, and an emphasis on environmental sustainability.

Program Outline

It is a four-year, full-time program delivered in-person at the Preston Campus. The program aims to prepare students to tackle the pressing issue of future energy supply security by exploring the generation, transmission, storage, and uses of renewable energy. It equips students with the skills to thrive in the rapidly advancing sector of green energy.

Objectives:

• To develop essential skills for the fast-paced renewable and sustainable energy industry.
• To prepare students for a rewarding and sustainable career in engineering.
• To provide students with a broad understanding of current technology and practice in the energy sector.
• To equip graduates with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to thrive in the rapidly evolving field of energy engineering.

Outline:

Year 0:

• Practical Skills (ERC004): This module provides practical skills and experience for engineering studies.
• Design Studies (ERC005): This module focuses on developing skills and experience required for success in engineering.
• Analytical Studies (ERC006): This module enhances analytical skills, knowledge, and experience for engineering studies.
• Computer Aided Design (ERC008): This module introduces two-dimensional and three-dimensional computer-aided design tools, system analysis, and MATLAB.

Year 1:

• Design and Sustainability (ER1003): This module develops knowledge and skills in engineering design, including design methodology, computer-aided design, technical drawing, and sustainable design.
• Engineering Practice (ER1005): This module imparts knowledge of computer-aided design, programming, digital electronics, and manufacturing techniques.

Year 2:

• Power Systems and Energy Conversion (ER2001): This module enhances knowledge of fundamental topics in power systems, electrical machines, and power electronics.
• Sustainable Energy in the Built Environment (ER2902): This module focuses on the design and analysis of low-carbon and low-energy use within buildings and the built environment.
• Operations Management A (MP2721): This module develops skills and knowledge for participation in operations management teams.

Year 3:

• Sustainable Energy and Power Generation Systems (ER3803): This module applies fundamental laws of thermodynamics to modern energy systems, exploring sustainable energy technologies, renewable options, and their economic and environmental effects.
• Renewable Energy Systems Design and Analysis (ER3804): This module develops knowledge and practical skills for the design, performance, and economic analysis of renewable energy systems.

Optional Modules:

• Power Systems Operation and Control (EL3800): This module builds on knowledge and skills of electrical power operation and power systems control.
• Life Cycle Thinking and Sustainable Waste Management Solutions (ER3040): This module develops a critical approach to theories, techniques, and methods in Life Cycle Analysis (LCA).
• Energy & Carbon Management (ER3608): This module provides critical insight into energy and carbon management theory, policy, and practice.
• Geotechnology for Sustainable Energy Futures (ER3901): This module builds on geoenergy skills and knowledge gained earlier in the course, enhancing employability by developing skills such as critical thinking, independent research, numerical simulation, and commercial awareness.

Assessment:

Assessment methods include formal examinations and coursework. The balance of assessment varies from module to module, with a typical breakdown of 60%-70% examination and 30%-40% coursework, exclusive of major individual project work.

Teaching:

Teaching methods include traditional lectures, laboratory-based sessions using specialist facilities, computer sessions and simulations, tutorials, design exercises, and directed study.

Faculty:

The program is taught by a dedicated academic team with up-to-date engineering and industry knowledge. The faculty includes:

• Dr. Parthiv Kavi: Senior Lecturer in Energy and Sustainability.
• Professor Karl Williams: Director of the Centre for Waste Management.
• Dr. Liben Jiang: Senior Lecturer.
• Tony Broad: Senior Lecturer.
• Dr. Ali Ghanbari: Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering.
• Dr. Ruchira Yapa: Lecturer in Electronic and Robotics Engineering.

Careers:

Graduates of this program are in high demand and can pursue a variety of career paths in the renewable and sustainable energy sector, including:

• Renewable and sustainable electricity and heat production
• Energy consultancy
• Energy efficiency consultancy
• Technology development
• Marine energy deployment and development
• Biomass utilization
• Deriving energy from waste

Other:

• The program is based in the School of Engineering and Computing at UCLan.
• Students have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including the Engineering Innovation Centre.
• The program benefits from industry partnerships, with guest lectures and research projects featuring companies like BRE Group, Carbon Trust, Energy Institute, Fire and Rescue Services, Shell, GexCon, Tyco, and others.
• Students can participate in Sustainable Engineering programs like the Eco-Car Challenge and the Wind project.
• The program is recognized by professional bodies and UCLan is ranked as a Gold Tier University in the Green Universities Report 2022.
• UCLan has been awarded Bronze Carbon Literate Organisation status by the Carbon Literacy Project.
• The program provides graduates with transferable skills that are applicable to a diverse set of industrial and commercial sectors.

Tuition Fees:

• UK:
• First year: £9,250
• Full-time: £9,250 per year

International:

• First year: £16,400
• Full-time: £16,500 per year