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MSc in Sustainable Energy & Green Technologies  (X413)

MSc (NFQ Level 9) · Academic Year 2024/2025
School
School of Biosystems and Food Engineering
Attendance
Full Time
Level
Graduate Taught
NFQ Level
9
Award
Master of Science
Mode of Delivery
On Campus
Programme Director
Professor Kevin McDonnell
Overall Programme Credits:
90
Programme Credits:
Stage 1
Core/Option: 90 Electives: 0
Major/Minor Core & Option Credits:
Stage 1: 90

Curricular information is subject to change.

For more information on this programme, see: MSc Sustainable Energy & Green Technologies.

This programme is delivered by a highly research-intensive School comprised of a European Research Council Fellow and six Marie Curie Fellowships. The programme Director Prof. Kevin McDonnell won the inaugural SEAI Energy Innovation award, the Environcom award for energy innovation and is a Fulbright Scholar. This programme provides opportunities for site visits and industry internships where possible. The UCD School of Biosystems & Food Engineering consistently wins up to €3 million in annual research funding. 

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.

The programme in Sustainable Energy & Green Technologies is aimed at science and technology graduates who wish to develop a career or further studies in the sustainable use of energy and to understand the impact of energy choices on the environment. We enable our students to understand and address the resource and environmental challenges the world faces. The programme challenges students to engage with topics such as sustainable energy, life cycle assessment, environmental impacts, and to have a balanced and technical approach to understanding those topics. The programme is delivered by internationally recognised research active academic staff who bring their research experience to the classroom for the benefit of the students. 



In this programme, energy is considered in the wider context of consumption patterns, efficiency, economics, policy and regulation both nationally and internationally. While there is particular focus on the deployment of renewable energies in grid-connected systems, there are also opportunities to explore off-grid systems in dissertation projects. Students are challenged to take on a number of case studies in teams as well as individually, and present their findings to their peers in an open forum. The teaching and assessment techniques used include problem based learning, individual and team project work, presentations, as well as in-term and end of year assessments. Students are also actively encouraged and supported in obtaining a work placement that support and underpins their chosen thesis research topic. 


1 - Graduates will have acquired the knowledge to perform detailed feasibility studies, scientific analyses, and conduct research technical aspects of sustainable energy systems
2 - Graduates will use their knowledge to support industry and community organizations in development and utilisation of energy technologies.
3 - Graduates will be able to conduct environmental, social and economic analyses of the decisions associated with the deployment of sustainable energy technologies
4 - Graduates will have effective oral and written communication skills, including design of supporting materials, for communicating with scientific stakeholders and practitioners
5 - Graduates will be able to demonstrate a clear understanding of the process of identifying, capturing, developing and applying innovative technical solutions to problems in sustainable energy deployment arising from their research.
6 - On completion of the programme graduates should be able to work effectively as an individual and in multi-disciplinary groups to address sustainable energy issues with a commitment to lifelong learning to enhance their professional development
7 - Graduates will have developed an understanding of the need for high ethical standards and professionalism

Graduates of the MSc in Sustainable Energy and Green Technologies programme will have competences and skill sets for employment in companies and organisations geared to planning, deploying and utilising a wide range of green technologies systems including environmental impact mitigation. Typical opportunities will be in waste-to-energy facilities, biogas plants, ethanol production facilities, district-heating operations, renewable energy research laboratories, facilities utilising wind energy (including wind farms), solar energy, biomass and hydrogen energy, as well as leading energy utility companies, and research institutions. The knowledge and skill you gain from the Innovation and Technology Transfer module specifically will provide you with unique insights into the entrepreneurial process, from identification of the innovative idea through to the launch of a successful business.

Stage 1

X413 MSc Sustainable Energy & Green Technology FT is a one- year, 90-credit Full-time Masters Programme.

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.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
BSEN30310 The Bioeconomy; A strategy for sustainable fuel, material and chemical production Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
BSEN30360 Life Cycle Assessment Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
BSEN40320 Waste to Energy Processes & Technologies Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
BSEN40700 Energy System & Sustainable Environments Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
BSEN40110 Advanced Air Pollution Spring  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
BSEN40350 Renewable Energy Systems Analysis Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
BSEN40400 LCA Applications Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
BSEN40460 Research, Teaching & Career Skills Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
BSEN40560 Biorefinery Process & Tech Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
BSEN40090 Thesis Year-long (12 months)  30

See the UCD Assessment website for further details

Module Weighting Info
 
  Award GPA
Programme Module Weightings Rule Description Description >= <=
MTENA001 Stage 1 - 100.00%
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

MTLSC007 Stage 1 - 100.00%
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