This module considers a range of material in the wider business development area. Students are encouraged to think with creativity, entrepreneurial flair and innovation. Practical sessions allow students to demonstrate their progress on a weekly basis through idea generation, peer presentations, elevator pitches and formal presentations. The module is accompanied by a number of external industrial speakers who have been successful in their own business endeavours and are keen to pass on that knowledge.

Students will become familiar with a rich mixture of experiential learning opportunities, that develop a wide range of transferable skills in the context of engineering entrepreneurship. The module will focus on the development and use of business plans and marketing strategies. Students will prepare a business plan, discuss team dynamics and the requirements for entrepreneurial activity. Additionally, the appropriate terminology to use when developing business projects will be explored. Students will discuss relevant aspects of company finance, uncertainty in business ventures and techniques for analysing markets. They will also examine frameworks for marketing and structuring a business plan and will develop the ability to analyse potential markets and sources of funding.

Through this module students have the opportunity to learn about both the fundamental principles of chemical engineering and their application to a range of so called ‘unit operations’ which achieve specific process objectives, such as the separation of the components of a mixture. Students will learn about the safety, health and environmental activities required prior to commencing work in a laboratory or on semi-technical scale equipment. They will be able to learn about chemical engineering experimental design, data collection and error, and will practice safe working in laboratory and semi-technical facilities.

Students will develop their professional skills through team working, experimental design, safe equipment operation, data collection and keeping laboratory record books. They will also develop their reporting skills through the presentation of scientific reports, presentations to their peers and one to one discussions.

This module introduces students to numerate aspects of engineering. It is designed to provide students with a broad and flexible array of mathematical methods for the analysis of data and signals. It also intends to illustrate the essential role of computing in the application of these skills. Students will use calculus for the analysis of trigonometric, non-linear, polynomial and exponential functions, and will sketch multivariable functions with a relation to engineering on three-dimensional Cartesian axes.

Additionally, students will evaluate the significance of differential equations in the description of an engineering system and will apply methods such as Laplace, integration and substitution to find the solution of these equations. They will also develop the ability to analyse systems in both the time and frequency domain using Fourier and Laplace transformations. Students will learn to apply the spectrum of approximate methods that exist for finding the roots of equations, definite integrals and linear approximations.

The matrix representation of coefficients and their correspondence will be applied to arrays in software, including the use of manipulations such as the inverse matrix. Students will use the concept of least squares analysis in order to assess the consistency of data. Finally, they will develop the ability to use a software package such as Excel for multivariable analysis of a given function and to produce appropriate graphical outcomes.

Working in groups, students are responsible for the research, management and technical content of the project as well as, providing evidence for their use of engineering design skills where appropriate. The students will be assigned a project title and project supervisors who will advise them throughout.

Students will apply chemical engineering principles to industrial problems including sustainable development, safety and environmental issues. They will also develop and demonstrate creative and critical powers by making choices and decisions in areas of uncertainty and pick up transferable skills such as communication and team working. This module will allow students to take confidence in their ability to apply technical knowledge to real problems.

Students will understand that design is an open-ended process, lacking a predetermined solution. It requires synthesis, innovation and creativity, as well as judgemental choices on the basis of incomplete and contradictory information. Students will gain the ability to make decisions, work with constraints and multiple objectives whilst justifying the choices and decisions they have made. Additionally, students will apply their chemical engineering knowledge using rigorous calculation and results analysis to arrive at and verify the realism of the chosen design. Students will take a systems approach to design including complexity, interaction and integration. Ultimately, students will work in a team and will learn to manage the processes of peer challenging, planning, prioritising and organising.

In this module students will learn how forces arise in static fluids and will be introduced to the basics of fluid machinery. The behaviour of fluids in laminar and turbulent flow and in pipes will also be explored. Students will develop their ability to carry out calculations on fluids motion.

They will have the opportunity to develop their understanding of the first, second and third laws of thermodynamics and will be introduced to the concept of the equation of state (EoS). Students will learn about EoS models from the 'ideal' to the 'real' such as Van der Waals and virial models. Understanding of free energy, enthalpy, entropy and the relationships between the thermodynamic variables will be developed in the context of physico-chemical processes. The concepts of chemical potential, fugacity, activity and their role in both phase and chemical equilibria will also be examined. Binary interactions will be discussed as an underlying explanation for non-ideal behaviour of pure substances and mixtures.

This module is designed to enhance students’ understanding of system dynamics and feedback at the block diagram level, by providing tools for the analysis of linear single degree freedom systems. Students will gain the ability to use appropriate instrumentation for feedback and data-logging purposes. The module will enable students to interface devices such as memory, digital IO and analogue IO to a microprocessor or microcontroller. They will also discover how to access such devices from within a program using C and/or Assembler.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to develop single degree freedom models for simple mechanical, electric and electromechanical systems. They will also be able to discuss the assumptions necessary to develop such linear models and have an awareness of nonlinear and chaotic systems. Additionally, students will develop the ability to analyse 1st and 2nd order models in both the time and frequency domain, including vibrations and asymptotic stability. They will write down the transfer function of a system from its differential equation and understand the significance of the poles/zeros.

Further skills available on the module include the ability to manipulate block diagrams of open and closed-loop systems and the design of proportional, integral, derivative, velocity and multi-term controllers. Finally, students will construct and use Bode diagrams, and will develop the knowledge required to analyse the function and physical operation of a range of common types of transducer, e.g. for the measurement of strain, force, temperature and acceleration.

This module considers mass and heat transfer and their importance in chemical engineering. It describes the underlying principles and provides an understanding of the technological implications of mass and heat transfer. It aims to develop knowledge of heat transfer calculations and show where these are the essence of, or are essential to, engineering design. The module will also provide an understanding of health, safety and environmental considerations when working with particulates.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to understand mass and heat transfer principles, estimate steady state heat transfer rates and size simple parallel and contra flow heat exchangers. They will gain the necessary skill set to estimate temperature distributions within 1-D or rotationally symmetric systems in which there is steady heat flow, and correctly sized cooling fins. They will also set up appropriate boundary conditions for 3-D heat conduction problems that are to be solved numerically using a software package. Finally, students will be able to evaluate and determine film and overall mass transfer coefficients, as well as be able to correctly size fluid to fluid mass transfer equipment.

This module introduces advanced mass transfer, particulate technology and separation processes, and their importance. It will describe the underlying principles behind these and aims to provide a sound basis for confidently designing and selecting processes involving reactants and products of any physical form. It also aims to provide a good understanding of health, safety and environmental considerations when working with particulates. Students will learn to describe advanced mass transfer processes and will develop an understanding of the interdependence of elements of a complex system. They will also gain the ability to integrate processing steps into a sequence.

Students will apply analysis techniques, understand powder characterisation techniques, and specify appropriate data required for further processing and to ensure quality of the final product. Additionally, students will select methods for preparing desired products and understand the governing principles behind their operation. They will demonstrate an understanding of particulate interactions with fluids and the how these govern the operation of solid/liquid and solid/gas processes, with particular application to those studied in the module. Students will also be able to select the appropriate processes for the objectives given a critical understanding of a range of options available, and will have an appreciation of the compromises which may have to be made.

Finally, students will demonstrate knowledge of some common industrial processes, and will be able to explain that operation from fundamental principles and apply this knowledge to unfamiliar examples. They will gain an appreciation for health, safety and environmental considerations of working with particulates and relevant process equipment.

This module addresses the sizing and analysis of ideal reactors and looks at homogeneous reaction in batch and continuous reactors, along with systems of continuous reactors such as series and parallel. Students will also become familiar with multiple reactions, as well as conversion, selectivity and yield. They will also explore the classification of reactions. Students will be introduced to the concept of reactor design and its relationship to system kinetics, and will learn the differences between various types of reactors. They will gain the ability to select appropriate reactors to carry out specific reactions.

Additionally, students will develop the knowledge necessary to describe batch and continuous operation and the criteria selection of each. They will understand and apply principles associated with reactor design. Students will also gain an understanding of the interdependence of elements in a complex system, and will learn to integrate processing steps into a sequence. Finally, students will learn to apply analysis techniques to the design of reactors.

You will spend this year working in a graduate-level placement role. This is an opportunity to gain experience in an industry or sector that you might be considering working in once you graduate.

Our Careers and Placements Team will support you during your placement with online contact and learning resources.

You will undertake a work-based learning module during your placement year which will enable you to reflect on the value of the placement experience and to consider what impact it has on your future career plans.

An advanced exploration of chemical engineering fundamentals is provided and applied to the concept of simultaneous momentum, heat and mass transfer in the design process. Students will develop skills used in the chemical engineering design of evaporators, humidifiers, dryers and complex separations.

Students will gain an understanding of the fundamental processes involved in integrating momentum of heat, mass and momentum transfers including the humidification process, cooling towers and multi-component distillation.

The module will also enhance students’ ability to define a problem and identify the constraints of such processes. They will learn to adapt designs to meet new purposes, and apply innovative design solutions whilst simultaneously solving momentum, heat and material balance problems.

In addition, students will develop an awareness of the principles of mass and energy balance and how that, and other process parameters, are interrelated and combined in the design of processes and equipment to create a complete plant. Finally, students will gain knowledge about the principles of effective management of health and safety including appropriate legislation. They will be able to refer to a range of relevant design standards when generating designs.

This module develops students’ understanding of reactors and reaction engineering from the homogenous through catalytic and enzymatic to heterogenous and bio-reactions.

Students will learn about the kinetics of ‘idealised’ catalysis and enzymes in homogeneous systems before being introduced to heterogeneous reactions and the additional concepts required to describe them and interpret their behaviours.

They will also learn to interpret complex kinetic models in terms of the underlying process steps such as: mass transfer, pore-diffusion surface adsorption and desorption and the reaction itself.

Analysis of reaction data will be taught using a range of mathematical and empirical tools to quantify the characteristic kinetic parameters, and students will select and design a range of catalytic and bio-reactors based on the characteristics of the reacting system.

The module provides a sound framework of principles for calculating mass and energy balances for various operations and processes for design purposes. Students will develop skills in the common tool set used in chemical engineering design, and will be introduced to hazard identification techniques and quantification as applicable to process plants.

Students will develop a design for a set of requirements based on customer needs and identify any constraints. They will be expected to ensure it would be fit for purpose including maintenance, reliability and safety, and will adapt designs to meet new purposes and apply innovative design solutions. Additionally, students will learn how to solve material balance problems for multiple stage process operations, and will gain the necessary knowledge to identify principle successive steps required in the start of a process design.

Students will also gain an understanding of how the principles of mass and energy balance and other process parameters are interrelated and combined in the design of processes and equipment to create a complete plant. The principles of effective management of health and safety, including appropriate legislation, will also be described. The students will be able to categorise hazards and refer to appropriate legislation, and will apply hazard identification techniques and analysis techniques in designs to support safety cases. Ultimately, they will develop an understanding of the concept of a safety case, and will gain the ability to refer to a range of relevant design standards when generating designs.

This module offers students an immersive experience of the chemical process design activity, from the later stages of conceptual design through equipment sizing and mechanical configuration to the early stages of detailed process design. Students will gain the opportunity to apply their chemical engineering knowledge and skills previously developed to the real problems associated with the design of a coherent process.

During this module students will demonstrate understanding and competent application, of the tools of synthesis and integration to a complex chemical process. They will also gain a deep understanding of the principles of process evaluation with regard to sustainability as represented by safety, health and environmental and economic impact. An enhanced awareness of the sensitivity of operational variables in their design proposals will also be provided.

Additionally, students will choose a route and synthesise a flowsheet for the manufacture of a specified quantity of a defined chemical product, and will select and deploy appropriate design methods for one or more items of process equipment. Students will evaluate the consequences of uncertainty in data, as well as the route and flowsheet options with regard to sustainability, as represented by safety, health and environmental and economic impact.

Students are introduced to the use of computational data analysis, modelling and simulation in the field of chemical engineering. The module uses a mixture of visual basic and spreadsheet programming and one of the most widely employed professional chemical engineering software packages: ASPEN engineering suite. Students will develop competence in using computer modelling and simulation in chemical engineering analysis and design, and will gain an understanding of numerical methods relevant to this field.

Additionally, students will gain confidence in the application of numerical methods to the interpretation of chemical engineering data and to the creation of bespoke designs. They will develop problem solving skills using a specialist chemical engineering software package, and will enhance their skills of analysis and synthesis of solution algorithms for practical chemical engineering problems.

Completing this module will enable students to recognise the limitations of numerical modelling and simulations.

Students are provided with an insight into the physics, chemistry and engineering of common energy conversion processes, including conventional thermal power generation: coal, oil, open-cycle and combined cycle gas turbines. They will develop the ability to analyse systems efficiency and the CO2 emissions of different schemes, and will also study direct conversion, including solar photovoltaic devices and fuel cells.

This module will enable students to discuss and deduce numerically the efficiency of a variety of energy conversion processes. There will be an opportunity for students to gain a range of transferable skills such as, the ability to describe and analyse energy conversion processes. They will also gain a consideration of where current research trends are taking the field.

This module examines the role of management and its relevance to engineering today. In this context, specific knowledge about manufacturing systems and project financial appraisal will be introduced, together with relevant aspects of law and human resource management, industrial organisation and project costing. Students will receive an outline of company finance and reporting, along with an overview of environmental reporting, quality and safety management.

The module will reinforce students’ understanding of the role of management in industry, as well as how modern manufacturing operations are organised financially. Students will financially evaluate both large and small projects as the basis for major decisions, and will develop knowledge of what quality is and its importance to all organisations. Additionally, students will apply suitable tools for the improvement of quality, and will come to understand the importance of environmental reporting. The module will also enable students to carry out a basic level of safety management.