Environmental engineering is concerned with the design, manufacture, installation and operation of the engineering systems that sustain and control the environments required by people and processes. It impacts on all aspects of everyday life. Environmental engineers achieve their aims by the utilisation and conversion of the many energy resources that surround us - the fossil fuels and the renewable energies. There is a growing awareness that the quality of life must be balanced by the conservation of these resources and the protection of the environment. Environmental engineers understand this balance and seek to harness energy resources in an environmentally friendly manner.
On the environmental engineering course, students learn about the different energy resources and about the technologies that can be used to harness these resources - such as passive solar architecture, combined heat and power plant, wind and wave power systems, photovoltaics, fuel cells and biofuels (to cite just a few). They also learn about the impact energy production has on the environment and the ways in which this impact can be reduced. The aim is to help students to understand the technical relationships between energy systems and environmental problems and so feel confident about addressing the underlying complexities. The achievement of this objective requires highly motivated engineers trained in the specific skills associated with the many and varied aspects of energy systems design and environmental control.
Three mainstream courses are offered: the four-year BEng (Honours) course and the five-year MEng and BEngDiplEng (Honours) courses in which the additional year involves specialisation, perhaps undertaken at a university elsewhere in Europe. These courses are a blend of fundamental studies, to provide an understanding of the phenomena comprising the world around us, laboratory/design projects, to impart skills in the design of energy/environmental systems, and computer skills training, to enable the evaluation of alternative solutions.
Lectures and laboratories emphasise the fundamental principles which govern all energy and environmental systems. Subjects include: Engineering Mathematics, Energy Sources, Energy Conversion Systems, Environmental Engineering Science, Thermodynamics, Heat and Mass Transfer, Control Theory and Computational Modelling.
Undertaken individually and as part of a multidisciplinary team, these projects enable students to understand the issues to be faced and solved after graduation. Typically, design projects focus on energy efficiency, improved power and thermal energy delivery and the integration of renewable energy at the local level or through grid integration. In this way, students learn about best practice in energy systems design and management.
At each stage of the course, students undergo training in the latest techniques in IT and the computer simulation of energy/environmental systems. These are the essential technologies used by designers to appraise alternative options at the design stage. Applications include the simulation of heat, light, electrical power, air and moisture flow within the built environment and database/geographical information systems for energy management at the local, regional and national scales.
The Environmental Engineering course is accredited by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers; this will be of importance to those wishing to become Chartered Engineers.
SQA Higher Grade Four passes at AAAB or five at ABBBB, in each case including Mathematics and Technological Studies (or Physics).
Sixth Year: Applicants who are well-qualified after fifth year must demonstrate continued high achievement at CSYS level. Satisfactory CSYS grades are acceptable alternatives to Higher passes at B.
GCE Advanced Level
First Year Entry: Three passes at BBC, including Mathematics and Physics.
Second Year Entry: Three passes at ABB, including Mathematics and Physics.
Note: Applicants for the MEng and BEngDiplEng (Honours) courses who do not meet (or who are unlikely to meet) the above standard may be considered for entry to the mainstream BEng (Honours) course with a view to transferring to the MEng or BEngDiplEng (Honours) courses at a later stage.
SQA Higher Grade Four passes at ABBB or five at BBBBC, in each case including Mathematics and Technological Studies (or Physics).
Sixth Year: Applicants who are well-qualified after fifth year must demonstrate continued high achievement at CSYS level. Satisfactory CSYS grades are acceptable alternatives to Higher passes at B.
GCE Advanced Level
First Year Entry: Three passes at CCC including Mathematics and Physics.
Second Year Entry: Three passes at BBC including Mathematics and Physics.
The course is credit-based. Students accumulate at least 12 credits per year by taking compulsory classes and electives which can be selected on a University-wide basis. Students also have the opportunity of spending a semester at a European university under the SOCRATES exchange programme.
While the course covers the different energy supply and demand sectors, the emphasis is on the built environment and renewable energy technologies because:
Graduates are likely to find employment in one of the following sectors: consulting engineering; energy management; industry and manufacturing; pollution control; property and facilities management; higher education; research and development; legislation; health and safety; transportation; sales and marketing. Typically, their job will entail using energy wisely, safeguarding peoples’ wellbeing and helping to reduce the environmental impacts of modern lifestyles.
For further information please contact the academic selector or consult the University's instructions for applicants.