Biofuels Process Engineering

Start: October

Duration: 1 year full-time, 2-3 years part-time

Course overview

The UK, along with many other countries, has entered into legally binding targets for renewable energy usage by 2020 with biofuels and biomass contributing on a growing global scale. However, early biofuel technologies exerted pressure on land, food and water supplies which prohibited the sustainability of large scale deployment. The future of biofuels will be in the delivery of biofuels from waste and sustainable feedstocks that will not compete with food production.

In order to meet these targets and continue the development of scalable biofuel solutions a significant number of highly trained engineers are required both in the UK and across the world.
The MSc in Biofuels Process Engineering is delivered via a combination of structured lectures, tutorial sessions, computer based workshops and private study. Knowledge and understanding are further enhanced by seminars that are delivered by invited industrial or academic experts along with industrial site visits.

The course is made up of eight compulsory modules that are assessed via a combination of written exams and individual coursework assignments, a group project and an individual research thesis.

The taught programme of compulsory modules is generally delivered from October to March in one-to-two week blocks of intensive delivery followed by a period free from structured teaching to allow time for more independent learning and reflection.
Students on the part-time programme will complete all of the compulsory modules based on a flexible schedule that will be agreed with the course director.

Group project

The group project is designed to give students invaluable experience of delivering a project within an industry structured team. The project allows students to develop a range of skills including learning how to establish team member roles and responsibilities, project management, delivering technical presentations and gaining experience of working in teams that include members with a variety of expertise and often with members who are based remotely.
Part-time students are encouraged to participate in a group project as it provides a wealth of learning opportunities. However, an option of an individual dissertation is available if agreed with the course director.

Individual project

The individual project allows students to delve deeper into an area of specific interest. It is very common for industrial partners to put forward a real world problem or areas of development as potential research thesis topics.

For part-time students it is common that their research thesis is undertaken in collaboration with their place of work.

Modules:

• Biochemical Engineering Fundamentals
• Biofuels Process and Technology
• Energy from Biomass
• Management for Technology
• Environmental Management
• Process Plant Operations
• Advanced Control Systems
• Process Simulation and Design

Entry Requirements:

Applicants are required to have a minimum of a UK second class honours degree or its equivalent, in engineering or related applied science degree. Applications from candidates with lesser qualifications but with considerable relevant work experience will be considered.

Funding:

Bursaries are available, please contact the course director: Dr Sai Gu E: s.gu@cranfield.ac.uk

Want to know more?

Contact our Enquiries Office for further details, E: enquiries@cranfield.ac.uk, T: +44 (0)1234 758008

Additional content

• Specialist Energy MSc opportunities