Formulation Engineering EngD

Program Overview

The Formulation Engineering EngD is a four-year postgraduate program that combines study and industry-based research. The program focuses on developing understanding and skills in product structure, performance, and design. It adopts a multidisciplinary approach, integrating Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, and other fields. Graduates are equipped with leadership abilities and expertise for careers in Formulation Engineering, with a high employability rate and retention within sponsoring companies.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Formulation Engineering EngD is a four-year postgraduate program that combines study and research, primarily based in industry. Students are placed within their sponsoring company and conduct industry-focused research. The program is sponsored by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and recognized by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) as counting towards Chartered Engineer status. The program focuses on research into the physical, chemical, and biological processes that create product structure and its maintenance or breakdown during use. It emphasizes achieving desired product performance and the means to achieve it, rather than characterizing existing processes. This approach differs from traditional chemical engineering and demands interdisciplinarity and innovation. Students develop personal, scientific, and business skills to facilitate their joint industry-academia research program. The program aims to produce graduates capable of leading development teams in highly competitive markets.

Outline:

The program comprises 120 credits of taught material spread over two to three years. Modules are chosen from a range of topics, including:

Basic Training and Introductory Modules (Years 1 and 2):

• Bioscience for Graduates from Other Scientific Disciplines (10 credits): This module provides a foundation in bioscience for students with backgrounds in other scientific disciplines.
• Measurement, Sensors and Design of Experiments (20 credits): This module focuses on measurement techniques, sensors, and experimental design.
• Industry 4.0 and Big Data (20 credits): This module explores the concepts of Industry 4.0 and the use of big data in engineering.
• Innovation Toolkit (20 credits): This module provides tools and techniques for innovation.
• Project Management (Business Strategy Delivery) (10 credits): This module covers project management principles and business strategy delivery.

Specialism, Business and Research Skills Modules (Years 2 and 3):

Students select modules in consultation with their supervisor to reach a total of 120 credits. Examples of optional modules include:

Specialism Modules:

• Bioseparations (20 credits): This module focuses on bioseparation techniques.
• Cell Factories (20 credits): This module explores the use of cell factories in biotechnology.
• Chemical NanoEngineering (10 credits): This module covers the principles of chemical nanoengineering.
• Design and Development of Drug Delivery Systems (10 credits): This module focuses on the design and development of drug delivery systems.
• Explosion Science, Prevention and Protection (10 credits): This module covers the science of explosions, prevention, and protection.
• Additive manufacturing and 3D printing for healthcare applications (10 credits): This module explores the use of additive manufacturing and 3D printing in healthcare.
• Advanced Therapeutic Medicine Products (10 credits): This module covers advanced therapeutic medicine products.
• Applied Food Microbiology (10 credits): This module focuses on applied food microbiology.
• Applied Synthetic Biology (10 credits): This module explores the applications of synthetic biology.
• Energy Storage (10 credits): This module covers energy storage technologies.
• Energy Systems and Policy (10 credits): This module explores energy systems and policy.
• Energy Systems Design (10 credits): This module focuses on the design of energy systems.
• Energy Systems Modelling (10 credits): This module covers energy systems modeling.
• Frontiers in Tissue Engineering (10 credits): This module explores the frontiers of tissue engineering.
• Medical Devices (10 credits): This module covers medical devices.
• Introduction to Healthcare Technologies (10 credits): This module provides an introduction to healthcare technologies.
• Non Ideal Materials (20 credits): This module focuses on non-ideal materials.
• Principles of Hydrogen Safety (20 credits): This module covers the principles of hydrogen safety.
• Renewable Energy Systems (10 credits): This module explores renewable energy systems.
• Sensor systems in medicine (10 credits): This module focuses on sensor systems in medicine.
• Thermal Energy - conversion, storage and applications (10 credits): This module covers thermal energy conversion, storage, and applications.

Business Skills:

• Business and Strategy Development (10 credits): This module covers business and strategy development.
• Project Management (Business Strategy Delivery) (10 credits): This module covers project management principles and business strategy delivery.
• Transferable Skills for Postgraduate Students (10 credits): This module focuses on transferable skills for postgraduate students.

Research Skills:

• Innovation Toolkit (20 credits): This module provides tools and techniques for innovation.
• Independent Study A semester 1 (20 credits): This module provides an opportunity for independent study in semester 1.
• Independent Study A semester 2 (20 credits): This module provides an opportunity for independent study in semester 2.
• Independent Study B semester 1 (10 credits): This module provides an opportunity for independent study in semester 1.

Teaching:

The taught modules are typically intensive one-week courses at the University, with the majority offered at the Masters level with a pass mark of 50%. The modules are delivered through a combination of academic-led teaching activities, such as lectures, seminars, and lab work, and student-led independent learning.

Careers:

The program boasts a 100% graduate employability rate, with 70% of graduates employed specifically in the field of Formulation Engineering. Approximately one-third of graduates are retained by their sponsoring companies upon completion of the program.

Other:

The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Formulation Engineering has received £1.3 million in industry funding from sectors including foods, pharmaceuticals, and specialty products such as paints, catalysts, detergents, and agrochemicals. The program is expanding into Europe with projects based in Unilever in the Netherlands and BASF in Germany. The University of Birmingham's Careers Network provides career guidance, work experience opportunities, mentoring, global internships, placements, and support with CVs and job applications.

Annual Tuition Fees 2024/25 academic year £4,786 - all students, full-time.