The ME Biosystems and Food Engineering programme is aimed at Engineering (BE) and Engineering Science (BSc) graduates who wish to pursue a career as a professional engineer in agricultural, food, environmental or related industries. The programme focuses on the engineering, scientific and technological aspects of the agrifood industry through advanced numeracy, design, critical thinking and leadership skills developed in a dynamic learning environment where all students can work individually and in teams. The programme combines a range of modules delivered by internationally recognised research-active academic staff through lectures, practicals, technical site visits and problem-based learning. A broad range of assessments including examinations, reports, projects, group work, case studies and peer evaluation are used. A period of professional work experience is integrated into the programme to provide the student with an opportunity to practice as an engineer. The programme can lead to research or professional engineering career opportunities.
- School
- School of Biosystems and Food Engineering
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Level
- Graduate Taught
- NFQ Level
- 9
- Award
- Master of Engineering
- Mode of Delivery
- On Campus
- Programme Director
- Dr Ronald Halim
- Overall Programme Credits:
- 120
- Programme Credits:
- Stage 1
Core/Option: 60 Electives: 0
Stage 2
Core/Option: 60 Electives: 0 - Major/Minor Core & Option Credits:
- Stage 1: 60
Stage 2: 60
Curricular information is subject to change.
This programme is delivered by a highly research-intensive School with state-of-the-art infrastructure in
- thermal and non-thermal food processing system and analysis,
- microalgae biotechnology and biorefinery,
- spectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging.
This programme also provides 6-8 months’ professional work experience as an embedded element of the programme.
This programme is accredited with Engineers Ireland, allowing graduates to gain Chartership status.
Module Information:
Under the "What modules can I take?" section below you will see general module information, for a more detailed description including module selection rules click here.
2 - PO2. Problem Analysis The ability to identify, formulate and analyse complex biosystems and food engineering problems.
3 - PO3. Design The ability to design innovative solutions to complex biosystems and food engineering problems.
4 - PO4. Investigation The ability to investigate, experiment and apply standard and specialised research methods in biosystems and food engineering
5 - PO5. Professional and Ethical Responsibilities Understanding of and commitment to professional and ethical responsibilities towards people and the environment in the practice of biosystems and food engineering.
6 - PO6. Teamwork and Lifelong Learning The ability to work effectively independently and in diverse and inclusive teams, and to prepare for lifelong learning.
7 - PO7. Communication The ability to communicate effectively on complex biosystems and food engineering activities to diverse audiences.
8 - PO8. Engineering Management Knowledge and understanding of engineering management principles and financial decision-making relevant to biosystems and food engineering and an ability to apply these to one’s own work and to the management of projects.
9 - knowledge and understanding of the mathematics, sciences, engineering sciences and technologies underpinning Biosystems and Food Engineering.
10 - the ability to interpret, apply and use scientific, mathematical, and engineering principles, data and models to evaluate and solve problems.
11 - the ability to design components, systems or processes for applications in Biosystems and Food Engineering.
12 - the ability to design and conduct an experiment and to apply a range of standard and specialised research tools and techniques.
13 - an understanding of their profession responsibilities and the importance of high ethical standards.
14 - the ability to work effectively as an individual, in teams and in multi-disciplinary settings, together with the capacity to undertake self-directed lifelong learning.
15 - the ability to communicate effectively with their professional community.
Our graduates can find employment in:
- Bioprocess, food and beverage companies
- Environmental protection and waste recycling companies
- Sustainable energy and green technology companies
- Consultancy firms operating in the above areas
Some of these include Glanbia, Sanofi, Royal Oak Distillery, Diageo/Guinness, Abbott, PM Group, Rowan Engineering Consultants, Green Generation, Maria Lucia Bakes, and Takeda Ireland.
There are also opportunities to pursue PhD research at UCD and internationally in relevant areas in circular bioeconomy.
Stage 1
The ME (Biosystems & Food Engineering) is a 2-year, 2-Stage 120-credit programme. The normal workload for Stage 1 is 30 credits per Trimester or 60 credits per year (Stage). **** Students should consult the Programme Director about module prerequisites and other requirements. A taught masters programme in UCD must have at least 70 credits at Level 4.****Across the two Stages of the programme, students are permitted to select modules that are not on the list of Option Modules as a negotiated option, but the selected module must be approved by the Programme Director in advance, and will require formal approval by the Engineering Programme Board.
Stage 2
The ME (Biosystems & Food Engineering) is a 2-year, 2-Stage 120-credit programme. The normal workload for Stage 2 is 30 credits per Trimester or 60 credits per year (Stage). **** Students should consult the Programme Director about module prerequisites and other requirements. A taught masters programme in UCD must have at least 70 credits at Level 4.****Across the two Stages of the programme, students are permitted to select modules that are not on the list of Option Modules as a negotiated option, but the selected module must be approved by the Programme Director in advance, and will require formal approval by the Engineering Programme Board.
Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.
Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.
Trimester | Credits | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Stage 1 Core Modules |
BSEN30010 | Bioprocess Engineering Principles | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
BSEN30280 | Water and Wastewater Engineering | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
BSEN40410 | Food Chain Integrity | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
BSEN40590 | Unit Ops for Bioprocess Eng | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
MEEN30100 | Engineering Thermodynamics II | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of: PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE: Students MUST take ONE of the following CORE MODULES relating to Professional Work Experience. The long placement @30-credits (BSEN40230) is recommended. However, you may need to take the short placement (BSEN40580) if you have gaps in your learning or other special requirements. |
BSEN40230 | ME Professional Work Experience | 2 Trimester duration (Spr-Sum) | 30 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of: PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE: Students MUST take ONE of the following CORE MODULES relating to Professional Work Experience. The long placement @30-credits (BSEN40230) is recommended. However, you may need to take the short placement (BSEN40580) if you have gaps in your learning or other special requirements. |
BSEN40580 | ME Professional Work Experienc | Summer | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 1 of: AUTUMN OPTIONS: Students must select 5 credits of Option Modules. Students who have completed MEEN30100 in their previous studies MUST select an additional 5 credits of Option modules. |
BSEN30190 | Agricultural Mechanisation: Hydraulics and components | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 1 of: AUTUMN OPTIONS: Students must select 5 credits of Option Modules. Students who have completed MEEN30100 in their previous studies MUST select an additional 5 credits of Option modules. |
BSEN30310 | The Bioeconomy; A strategy for sustainable fuel, material and chemical production | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 1 of: AUTUMN OPTIONS: Students must select 5 credits of Option Modules. Students who have completed MEEN30100 in their previous studies MUST select an additional 5 credits of Option modules. |
BSEN30360 | Life Cycle Assessment | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of: SPRING OPTIONS WITH SHORT PWE: Spring Trimester Option modules are ONLY relevant to students taking the Short PWE Module BSEN40580 (10 credit). Students must select and complete 4 OPTION MODULES. |
BSEN30030 | Air Pollution | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of: SPRING OPTIONS WITH SHORT PWE: Spring Trimester Option modules are ONLY relevant to students taking the Short PWE Module BSEN40580 (10 credit). Students must select and complete 4 OPTION MODULES. |
BSEN30060 | Quantitative Risk Assessment for Human and Animal Health | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of: SPRING OPTIONS WITH SHORT PWE: Spring Trimester Option modules are ONLY relevant to students taking the Short PWE Module BSEN40580 (10 credit). Students must select and complete 4 OPTION MODULES. |
BSEN40250 | Global Cold Chain Safety | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of: SPRING OPTIONS WITH SHORT PWE: Spring Trimester Option modules are ONLY relevant to students taking the Short PWE Module BSEN40580 (10 credit). Students must select and complete 4 OPTION MODULES. |
BSEN40350 | Renewable Energy Systems Analysis | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of: SPRING OPTIONS WITH SHORT PWE: Spring Trimester Option modules are ONLY relevant to students taking the Short PWE Module BSEN40580 (10 credit). Students must select and complete 4 OPTION MODULES. |
BSEN40400 | LCA Applications | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of: SPRING OPTIONS WITH SHORT PWE: Spring Trimester Option modules are ONLY relevant to students taking the Short PWE Module BSEN40580 (10 credit). Students must select and complete 4 OPTION MODULES. |
BSEN40560 | Biorefinery Process & Tech | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of: SPRING OPTIONS WITH SHORT PWE: Spring Trimester Option modules are ONLY relevant to students taking the Short PWE Module BSEN40580 (10 credit). Students must select and complete 4 OPTION MODULES. |
MEEN30040 | Measurement & Instrumentation | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
BSEN40710 | ME Biosystems Engineering Thesis | 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) | 25 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
BSEN40320 | Waste to Energy Processes & Technologies | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
MEEN40560 | Research Skills and Techniques | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
BSEN30320 | Food Process Engineering | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
BSEN40440 | Food Refrigeration Engineering | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
MEEN30140 | Professional Engineering (Finance) | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
MEEN40430 | Professional Engineering (Management) | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of: ME OPTION MODULES: Students who have completed MEEN30140 in their previous studies MUST select 5 credits of Option modules. |
BSEN30030 | Air Pollution | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of: ME OPTION MODULES: Students who have completed MEEN30140 in their previous studies MUST select 5 credits of Option modules. |
BSEN30060 | Quantitative Risk Assessment for Human and Animal Health | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of: ME OPTION MODULES: Students who have completed MEEN30140 in their previous studies MUST select 5 credits of Option modules. |
BSEN40250 | Global Cold Chain Safety | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of: ME OPTION MODULES: Students who have completed MEEN30140 in their previous studies MUST select 5 credits of Option modules. |
BSEN40350 | Renewable Energy Systems Analysis | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of: ME OPTION MODULES: Students who have completed MEEN30140 in their previous studies MUST select 5 credits of Option modules. |
BSEN40400 | LCA Applications | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of: ME OPTION MODULES: Students who have completed MEEN30140 in their previous studies MUST select 5 credits of Option modules. |
BSEN40560 | Biorefinery Process & Tech | Spring | 5 |
Module Weighting Info
Award | GPA | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Programme | Module Weightings | Rule Description | Description | ||
MTEMP006 | Stage 2 - 50.00% Stage 1 - 50.00% |
Standard Honours Award | First Class Honours | 3.68 |
4.20 |
Second Class Honours, Grade 1 | 3.08 |
3.67 |
|||
Second Class Honours, Grade 2 | 2.48 |
3.07 |
|||
Pass | 2.00 |
2.47 |