MSc in Sustainable Energy Engineering

Course details

This post-graduate programme has been designed to facilitate professionals practicing in the areas of building design, management and technology. Its’ purpose is to provide expertise in terms of; energy use, environmental performance and sustainability in the design and operation of buildings and their associated facilities and services systems.

The programme will focus on Sustainable and Low energy building design; Building energy performance and analysis; Dynamic thermal simulation; Low and zero carbon heat and power generation technologies; Energy policy and legislation; Energy auditing; Facilities management and Building pathology and investigation.

The knowledge, skills and competencies that participants will gain are relevant to their career development. This programme is developed to meet the Level 9 criteria as set out by the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI). The treatment of all programme subjects will encourage the development of powers of analysis, of synthesis and of communication. This will be achieved by building upon both the undergraduate studies and postgraduate experience of participants to develop a broader understanding of low energy building design and management. In addition the selection of a research topic for a dissertation will allow the student to concentrate on one or more of these directions.

The Masters degree requires successful completion of twelve mandatory modules. The student must also complete an applied programme consisting of a Research Dissertation and an Industrial Research seminar series.

Modules

Research Methods

The aim of this module is to prepare participants in the programme for postgraduate research to aid the Dissertation module.

Personal Effectiveness

The aim of this module is to prepare the student for successful professional practice and management roles including critical appraisal of their own performance

Statistical Analysis

Aim of this module is to provide the methods collection, presentation, analysis and interpretation of statistical data.

Dynamic Thermal Simulation – Building Fabric

The aim of this module is to provide the knowledge and skill to use dynamic thermal simulation software in the analysis energy consumption of buildings by modification of the building envelope.

Building Services Systems

There aim of this module is to provide the student with detailed information on services systems in buildings. The module will provide the knowledge required to analyse and evaluate services systems, their operation and implications in terms of energy use in buildings.

Passive and low energy building design

There aim of this module is to provide an advanced knowledge of passive and active low energy design strategies applicable to buildings.

Sustainability & the Environment

There aim of this module is to provide a specialised knowledge of the issues pertaining to sustainability and the environment.

Advanced Dynamic Thermal Simulation - Services Systems

The aim of this module is to provide the knowledge and skill to use dynamic thermal simulation software for the generation of building energy ratings of commercial buildings and analysis of building energy consumption by modification of the building envelope, plant and systems.

Energy Auditing

The aim of this module is to provide detailed specialised information to enable the student to undertake the measurements of energy flows in buildings and carry out an energy audit process.

Building Pathology & Investigation

The aim of this module is to provide specialised knowledge of the investigation and diagnosis of defects in buildings and their remedies.

Facilities Management

The aim of this module is to provide information on the management of facilities and services systems in buildings.

Sustainable Energy Technology

There aim of this module is to provide a specialised knowledge of the issues pertaining to sustainability and the environment.

Entry

The normal minimum expected entry requirement for the MSc in Sustainable Energy Engineering will be a cognate accredited NFQ Level 8 Honours 2.2. Engineering or Science Degree.

Entry to the programmes may also be allowed via the Institute’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process on an individual case-by-case basis. This robust RPL process demonstrates that the candidate’s prior learning (education and experiential) has achieved outcomes commensurate with accredited Level 8 programme outcomes. Each RPL applicant must submit of a portfolio of evidence that maps the prior learning against the required Level 8 outcomes. This portfolio is reviewed by the Programme Leader and Head of Department and is supplemented by an interview.