List of MSc modules available
Advanced Computer Methods for Modelling & Analysis of Chemical Engineering Systems
Course Leader: Dr ZK Nagy
The aim of the module is to develop practical and theoretical skills required to understand the dynamic behaviour of complex chemical processes. Students will apply a combination of mathematical methods, IT tools and advanced chemical engineering concepts to develop skills which will allow them to design and optimise complex chemical processes, taking into account their dynamic behaviour to significantly augment profitability and safety in operation.
Applied Engineering Practice
Course Leader: Dr G Vladisavljevic
This module aims to develop practical skills using engineering devices and operating engineering processes, at the same time strengthening the relationship between experimental techniques and theory. It is designed to impart the importance of safety issues related to practical work, such as chemical hazards and risk associated with different unit operations in the laboratory.
Students will learn how to carry out safe experimental work and it will enhance his/her capability of carrying out unattended research and development (R&D) project. Emphasis will be given on planning of the projects and experiments, preparing safety and risk assessment reports, hands-on experience in the laboratory, handling and analysis of experimental data, report writing, poster presentation, oral presentation and working with others in a research environment.
Applied Heterogeneous Catalysis
Course Leader: Prof G Li Puma
90 % of all industrial chemical processes are catalytic. You will learn the physical and chemical factors that influence the performance of catalytic materials in industrially important systems. Emphasis will be placed on the design, preparation, characteri¬sation, deactivation and regeneration of catalysts, as well as the role of chemical kinetics and transport effects in the optimal design of catalytic reactors.
Cell Based Therapies
Course Leader: Professor CJ Hewitt
Recent advances in the development of biological therapies and regenerative medicine means that increasing numbers of personnel requiring highly specialised training are needed to realise the enormous potential benefits in healthcare that such technologies have to offer. However, because the products arising from these technologies differ significantly from those made by mainstream pharmaceutical companies specific training is required at multiple interfaces between engineering and the medical/biosciences.
By the end of this course students will have had an overview of the most recent advances in the field of cell based therapies that should prepare them to interact with scientists, medics and engineers working at the engineering/life science interface. They will have knowledge of how the biology influences engineering process design and vice-versa. Therefore the aim of this module is to give students an in depth knowledge of the engineering and biological principles of the industrial production of a range of bioactive molecules and therapies by fermentation and cell culture.
Chemical Product Design
Course Leader: Prof CD Rielly
In recent years, in the UK chemical industry, there has been an increasing emphasis on the production of small tonnage, high-value products with specific functional properties. This module introduces you to some generic methods of designing such products. You will learn about identifying the customers and their needs, writing product specifications and generating ideas for new products. Methods will be discussed for sorting, screening and selecting these ideas, based on chemistry, engineering, economics and risk. Non- technical aspects, such as the protection of your intellectual property, the economics of product design and the route to market, will also be considered.
Colloid Engineering and Nano-Science
Course Leader: Prof VM Starov
Colloidal or surface forces determine the interaction between colloidal particles which in turn determines the basic properties of colloidal suspensions and emulsions, their stability and rheology. This module aims to provide a basic understanding of the underlying principles of concentrated dispersions, stability, sedimentation, coagulation as well as of kinetics of wetting and spreading in the case of both complete, partial wetting. Students will gain an understanding of the fundamental principles of colloid and interface science as applied to a range of industrial processes, how these principles are used and learn how to model the behaviour of colloidal emulsions and suspensions in aqueous medium, kinetics of wetting and spreading.
Drug Delivery & Targeting
Course Leader: Dr DB Das
The aim of this module is to give an understanding of the principles of drug delivery and targeting. The students will be taught the basic principles of drug delivery and targeting, routes of drug delivery including kinetics of drug transport/absorption, principles of colloidal drug delivery which includes delivery by particulates and suspensions/emulsions. They will also be expected to grow an understanding of the theories of mass and momentum transport phenomena which can be applied to design drug delivery devices along with the issues involved in modelling drug delivery systems and non-invasive monitoring of various physiological parameters governing drug delivery.
On completion of the module the student are expected to be able to have adequate knowledge of the parameters and forces which govern drug delivery and targeting, build conceptual models of drug delivery devices based on appropriate theories, and, wherever necessary, apply the conservation laws and perform mathematical analysis of drug delivery systems, either existing or new. A combination of formal lectures by experts in the area, problems classes and, group activities, discussions and presentations will be utilised.
Engineering Management and Business Studies
Course Leader: Dr SC Morton
The aim of the module is to introduce the basic concepts of management techniques that are applicable to running an engineering company. On completion of this module students will have knowledge and understanding of (i) management and business practices, including finance, design management and quality, (ii) basic company accounts and (iii) basic management skills and techniques. They will be able to evaluate commercial risk, make decisions based on available information using judgement and reasoning, plan and organise engineering activities for improved company effectiveness, communicate more effectively and make presentations of technical and business information to ensure maximum impact.
Filtration
Course Leader: Dr ES Tarleton
Solid/liquid separations and membrane filtration are used widely throughout industrial processes. In this module you will gain a detailed understanding of how these batch separations are applied. The different types of solid/liquid separation equipment and approaches to their selection, design, sizing and scale-up will be emphasised. You will gain an understanding of the fundamental principles as applied to a range of industrial equipment, how these principles are used in the identification of appropriate equipment for a process and the use of available computer software.
Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment
Course Leader: Prof G Hankinson
The aim of this module is to provide an understanding of major hazards in the chemical process industry, and techniques used for their identification and assessment. The module will include methods of determining the probability and calculating the consequences of loss of containment of toxic and flammable material (risk assessment). In addition, means of reducing the risk by decreasing the probability and mitigating the consequences of incidents will be addressed. The module will also include identification, evaluation and control of conditions in the workplace that can give rise to sickness and injury (industrial hygiene). Finally, techniques used to investigate accidents will be introduced.
Industrial Design and Human Factors
Course Leader: Mr AJ Taylor
The aim of the module is to provide an understanding of the roles, methods and skills of industrial designers and ergonomists. This will facilitate to work in interdisciplinary design teams and to provide a basis for the further development of students' own skills in product design. On completion of this module students will have knowledge and understanding of the importance, difficulties and methods of user-centred design and the approach, methods and skills of industrial designers and ergonomists. They should be able to identify and address the major qualitative and human factors considerations for a new product, understand how these relate to the commercial success of products, adopt appropriate strategies for addressing non-quantifiable design issues, and make effective use of graphical and modelling techniques for design development and communication.
Lean and Agile Manufacture
Course Leader: Dr RS Bhamra
The aim of the module is for students to gain an understanding of lean and agile concepts in the manufacturing business, including its distribution chains. On completion of this module students will have knowledge and understanding of: the lean and agile operations philosophies; the distinction between lean and agile operations; the strategic implication of lean and agile operations; controlled work in process systems (CONWIP). Polco production system. Theory of constraints; lean – six sigma systems; mass customisation; the design of the modern distribution system; the correct use of postponement techniques and demand management.
Mixing of Fluids and Particles
Course Leader: Prof CD Rielly
This module aims to provide a basic understanding of the theories and design methods relevant to fluid and particle mixing and particle enlargement / communition processes. The emphasis will be on practical applications of fluid mixing and particulate processing technology to the manufacture of innovative chemical products, using small scale, batch-operated processes. In particular, the module will demonstrate how mixing affects the formation of structure in fluid and solid products.
Modern Methods of Water Pollution Monitoring
Course Leader: Prof V Nassehi
Environmental legislation places ever more stringent constraints upon companies' emissions performance. Fines imposed for non-performance and the ensuing bad publicity can seriously damage your company's health. You will learn how to model mixing and dispersion of pollutants in water systems, so that you can formulate effluent discharge monitoring and control strategies that will aid compliance with regulations.
Process Systems Engineering & Applied IT Practice
Course Leader: Prof ZK Nagy
This module is designed to develop practical skills using engineering devices, data acquisition equipment and modern scientific computing for operating engineering processes. The importance of safety issues related to practical work, such as chemical hazards and risk associated with different unit operations in the laboratory will be considered. The module aims to develop data acquisition and analysis skills, and provide familiarity with the use of industry-standard software tools for the development of virtual instruments and operator interfaces. Students will be introduced to the use of modern computer based techniques for the mass and energy balance aspects of process design using steady state process simulators.
Separations and Downstream Processing
Course Leader: Dr E Theodosiou
This course has the objective of developing the understanding and selection of appropriate chemical separations for products from batch processes. These products often have special applications that justify their high value. Purity and recovery are very important for commercial success. We will be presenting procedures for process choice, and an introduction to the principles of the separation techniques, so that participants should be able to prepare preliminary separation schemes and outline process designs at the end of the course.
The Innovation Process and Project Management
Course Leader: Mr AJ Taylor
The aim of this module is to provide an overview of the design process and the various models used to represent it. Innovation. Project core phases. Quality. Project planning and management. The human side of innovation; creativity, teamworking, design skills and techniques. New product development; principles of concurrency; product design strategies; case studies in different industries; Intellectual Property.