School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering

Education

MSc / Diploma Process Engineering

Application Procedure

Introduction

Our one year full time MSc/Diploma Process Engineering programme offers an outstanding opportunity for both science and engineering graduates to acquire advanced process engineering knowledge and skills for future career development. This programme also incorporates optional specialisation courses to enable a graduate to become an expert in a self selected professional area of either environmental, polymer, or food engineering

The course provides core postgraduate training in process engineering. This includes, for example, advanced catalysis and reaction engineering, project and energy management, waste minimisation, information and control engineering, and computer analysis and simulation of chemical processes. In addition, specialisation courses in three areas of (i) polymer engineering, (ii) food engineering, and (iii) environmental engineering are offered to students who wish to specialise in a self-selected professional area.

The specialisation course in Polymer Process Engineering is designed to enable graduates from a science or engineering discipline to become familiar with the processing technology of modern plastic and composite materials. A strong emphasis is placed on the practical aspects of polymer engineering, and as part of the course, students have full access to the facilities of the university's world class Polymer Processing Research Centre and the newly established Medical Polymer Research Institute.

The aim of the optional course in Food Engineering is to enable students to achieve a good understanding of the principles of Food Science and Food Process Engineering which complements and enhances their primary science or engineering degree qualifications. The specialisation course will be offered in collaboration with the reputed School of Agriculture and Food Science at Queen's University Belfast.

The optional course in Environmental Engineering is designed for graduates who wish to broaden their knowledge in the areas of environmental management, safety and loss prevention, treatment of wastewater and contaminated land, landfill and environmental legislations. The course provides a suitable background for careers in environmental engineering, environmental monitoring, management and consultancy. Academic staff at our school have a strong research interest in environmental issues with an international reputation. For learning and carrying out research projects, students will be able to use facilities in the world class Queen's University Environmental Science and Technology Research Centre (QUESTOR).

Aims & Objectives

The primary aim of the MSc Process Engineering programme is to enhance and supplement a student's primary qualification with advanced knowledge and skills which will enhance his or her prospects of a successful career in UK, Europe and across the world.

Aims

The aims of the MSc Process Engineering are to:

Develop core engineering and scientific skills in order to enable graduates to develop his/her career
Develop core engineering and scientific skills so that graduates can further develop problem solving capability demanded by modern industries.
Enable graduates to work in multidisciplinary teams and topics.
Give the opportunity for undertaking research.

Objectives

The objectives of the MSc Process Engineering are to:

Develop generic skills and provide training to a level sufficient for graduates to work in or manage multi-disciplinary teams searching for, developing or applying engineering solutions to specific problems.
Develop generic skills and provide training to a level sufficient for graduates to work in or manage multi-disciplinary teams in environmental, polymer, or food industries.
Underpin further training in more advanced aspects of process technology and engineering.
Pursue specific issues to a greater depth by means of problem solving, literature search, technical essays.
Provide opportunity for research.
Offer training in the methods of research.
Produce a dissertation of a quality and presentation to stand up to independent examination.

Who will benefit?

We would like to hear from you if you are thinking of expanding your career options by:

Meeting demands for expertise in environmental, food, and polymer processing industry
Undertaking research in an area which inspires you.
Gaining a prestigious qualification, well thought of throughout the world.

The one-year MSc/Diploma Process Engineering with an option to specialise in (i) Environmental Engineering, (ii)Polymer Engineering, or (iii) Food Engineering will enable you to engage in well structured and advanced learning, and to acquire new skills and knowledge to meet you expectations and the demand of modern process industries.

Undergraduates with a primary university degree in an engineering displine (e.g., chemical, civil, or mechanical engineering), or graduates with a primary science degree in chemistry, physics or material sciences will all be able to benefit from participating in learning and training in this postgraduate course. Supplementary courses are also available for those who need additional background knowledge in chemical engineering. These are offered at the discretion of the MSc/Diploma course co-ordinator.

Course Structure

The MSc programme consists of taught modules and a research dissertation. The course occupies 12 months for full-time students.

To gain the MSc degree, each student must complete 6 full taught modules (one full module is equivalent to 20 CAT points), of which four must be selected from the six core modules. Student may obtain another two full module credits by studying within one of three specialisation options (Polymer, Food and Environmental Engineering).

Core Modules	CAT Credit
Project and Energy Management	20 points
Analysis and Computer Simulation of Chemical Processes	20 points
Advanced Catalysis and Reaction Engineering	20 points
Management & Economics	20 points
Research Project	60 points
Option 1. Environmental Engineering
Environmental Management and Loss Prevention	20 points
Option 2. Polymer Engineering
Polymer Process Engineering	20 points
Option 3. Food Engineering
Biological & Food Process Engineering	20 points

Taught modules take place during the first 12 weeks of the first semester or second semester and examinations are held during the last 3 weeks of each semester. Modules lasting through two semesters will be taught during the first 7 months (e.g., Advanced Engineering Materials) of the academic year and be examined after Easter.

On enrolment, students may sample the range of module options during the first 2 weeks before making their final choice.

An important part of the MSc course is a major project of research nature which is equivalent to 3 modules (60 CAT points). A dissertation is required on completion of the project. Work on the research project commences in the second semester and students are expected to submit dissertation by the end of September, which will be assessed by independent external examiners.

Students studying the Diploma Programme select among the same modules as those on the MSc Programme but do not undertake a research project. The course is therefore complete following the examinations.

Diploma students who achieve a high standard, with an average examination result above 60%, may be permitted to transfer to the MSc Programme.

For part-time MSc students, the course of study may extend for no more than three consecutive academic years. Candidates must take and be examined in at least two lecture topics in each year, until the required six topics have been taken. Project work must commence no later than the final term of the first year, and the project dissertation must normally be submitted within the four years of first enrolment.

Assessment

Assessment is based on (1) examination and (2) continual assessment which could be in the form of course work, essay, written project report, dissertation, and practicals such as experimental and computer work and industrial based projects.

The table below lists assessment method associated with each individual modules.

Core Modules	Assessment
Project and Energy Management	50% exam, 50% continual
Analysis and Computer Simulation of Chemical Processes	100% continual
Advanced Catalysis and Reaction Engineering	50% exam, 50% continual
Management & Economics	50% exam, 50% continual
Research Project	100% continual
Option 1. Environmental Engineering
Environmental Management & Engineering	50% exam, 50% continual
Option 2. Polymer Engineering
Polymer Process Engineering	50% exam, 50% continual
Option 3. Food Engineering
Biological & Food Process Engineering	50% exam, 50% continual

Students who achieve a high standard in their examinations with an average mark above 70 may be awarded an "MSc with Distinction".

Diploma students who achieve a high standard, with an average examination result above 60%, may be permitted to transfer to the MSc Programme.

Entry Requirements

Normally, applicants should possess at least a second class honours degree in an engineering discipline, most typically chemical engineering, civil engineering or mechanical engineering. Applicants with a degree in physical sciences (e.g., chemistry, physics, or material science) should also be able to enrol and benefit from the advanced course. The MSc/Diploma programme coordinator will review the background of all applicants and will assess and advise on individual's merit for entrance into the programme. The coordinator may also recommend additional supplementary modules based on the academic background of individual applicants. A good command of the English Language is also essential. The university has a language centre which may provide additional English language training if required.

Tuition Fees

For further information about tuition fees, see Postgraduate Fees.

Application Procedure

Applications for admission must be made on line at :
http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/admissions/PostgraduateAdmissions/

Enquiries regarding admissions should be addressed to:

Admissions Office
Queen's University Belfast
Belfast
Northern Ireland
BT7 1NN
Tel: +44 (0) 28 9097 5081
Fax: +44 (0) 28 9097 5137
E-mail: admissions@qub.ac.uk

Applications should normally be returned to the Admissions Office no later than 1 April for entry in the following September. Later applications will be accepted but will only be considered if places are available.

For further information on the MSc/Diploma Process Engineering course, contact Programme Advisor

Dr. Q. Gan
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Queen's University Belfast
David Keir Building
Stranmillis Road
Belfast
Northern Ireland
BT9 5AG
Tel: +44 (0) 28 9097 4463
Fax: +44 (0) 28 9097 6524
E-mail: q.gan@qub.ac.uk