MSc Subsurface Energy Engineering

Develop the student’s understanding of the methods and ethics of research in a scientific engineering discipline (including, where applicable, the methods and practice of advanced engineering design) and/or the methods and ethics of industrial engineering practice through the execution of an appropriate ‘research’ project in a chosen subject area. (The term ‘research’ is interpreted loosely and may be taken to include an advanced engineering design project and/or an industrial based engineering project, in addition to traditional university-based, fundamental scientific research).

This will include:

The use of the literature to support and set into context the findings of the research, design and/or industrial engineering project

 The ethical presentation of science and engineering in the written format

 The handling of uncertainty arising from the laboratory or engineering design practices employed and data sources

 The practice of experimental techniques or engineering design method and investigative techniques.

The unit is designed to allow the students to practice and develop their research technique and/or engineering skills on chosen projects.

The unit comprises a period of self-directed research investigation or engineering practice in a chosen field agreed by the student, and the dissertation supervisory group which may include one or more of: an academic supervisor or tutor, an industrial supervisor, an experimental officer, contract research staff. The work is conducted and reported under the guidance of the dissertation supervisor(s).

Students will have the opportunity to develop existing and new more specialised research and/or practical engineering (e.g. design and/or industrial) skills

On the successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

ILO 1: Knowledge and understanding

• Understand the state of the science and technology or engineering practice in the chosen subject
• Describe clearly how the core work has been carried out

ILO 2: Intellectual skills

• Critically analyse a scientific, engineering or technological problem and synthesise appropriate methods to investigate it
• Discuss the purpose of the research, design and/or industrial engineering project and its significance in relation to relevant previous work reported in the literature using suitable citation and referencing formats
• Draw appropriate conclusions and synthesise recommendations from the results of a scientific/engineering investigation
• Record, critically analyse and discuss the results of scientific research and/or engineering design and/or an industrial engineering project

ILO 3: Practical skills

• Carry out research, design or engineering practice in a subject in a relevant field, using a logical, systematic and scientific approach
• Work effectively on a project acquiring and applying multidisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary skills and research, design and/or industrial engineering tools

ILO 4: Transferable skills and personal qualities

• Structure and present a satisfactory technical report on a research and/or engineering project
• Abstract and summarise relevant information
• Demonstrate time and project management experience
• Formulate objectives for the research, design and/or industrial engineering project
• Appreciate and record appropriate, relevant health, safety, environmental and ethical issues
• Problem solving

Lectures provide fundamental aspects supporting the critical learning of the module and will be delivered as pre-recorded asynchronous short videos via our virtual learning environment.

Synchronous sessions will support the lecture material with Q&A and problem-solving sessions where you can apply the new concepts. Surgery hours are also available for drop-in support.

Students are expected to expand the concepts presented in the session and online by additional reading (suggested in the Online Reading List) in order to consolidate their learning process and further stimulate their interest to the module.

Feedback on problems and examples, feedback on coursework and exams, and model answers will also be provided through the virtual learning environment. A discussion board provides a opportunity to discuss topics related to the material presented in the module.

Reading lists are accessible through the Blackboard system linked to the library catalogue.