Electrical Engineering with Renewable Energy Systems MEng

About the Course

Renewable energy and the reduction of carbon emissions are at the top of the global agenda. This programme addresses the fundamentals of renewable energy and how solar, wind, wave and other such energy sources can be efficiently integrated into practical power systems.

The course is in the area of electrical engineering, applied to renewable energy systems. It is distinctive in that it provides a strong core of teaching in power electronic converters, machines and control backed up with modules on power generation and electronic conversion with renewable energy sources.

About the Electronic and Computer Engineering Department at Brunel

At Brunel, our degree programmes will teach you about state-of-the-art technology, which means our graduates can work at the forefront of all the major areas of electronic engineering. We adopt a teaching style that is research-led, so the latest cutting-edge technologies will be taught as part of the course. Our courses combine theory with practical and project work – an approach which can help you to turn ideas into real systems – and our students are regularly awarded national and international prizes.

Our degrees have a common first year during which you will study all of the main specialisms. Based on your own personal learning experiences of these subjects, you will be able to re-evaluate your original degree choice at this level and switch to a related course if you want.

Is this course for me?

You must have engineering potential and be someone who is analytical, creative, logical, a problem solver, a realist, versatile and forward thinking. You should be interested in understanding about the big picture as well as becoming a specialist in your chosen area. Intellectual challenge is important to you, as is hands-on experience, and you want to work alongside other high achievers.

Maybe you know what engineering area you want to specialise in already and realise that a broad degree can provide you with an invaluable springboard to any number of careers. You don’t want to limit your options. Maybe you are seeking a broad-based engineering degree to explore your interests and strengths in a variety of exciting fields, all of which are of crucial importance in today’s world.

Aims

This programme will educate the electrical engineers of the future who will be able to tackle issues associated with the operation, planning and management of sustainable electrical systems. Graduates will be able to effectively apply their knowledge and skills to solving the problems associated with the design, integration and development of technological solutions for modern electric power and power electronic systems.

The course will develop leadership, innovation and creativity as well as design, analytical and transferable skills, to enable graduates to follow successful engineering careers, and to aspire to senior managerial roles at the forefront of the dynamic and rapidly expanding technological industries.

Enquiries

Dr David Smith
Admissions Tutor
School of Engineering and Design
Brunel University
Uxbridge
Middlesex
UB8 3PH

Tel: +44 (0)1895 265814
Email: sed.ug.admissions@brunel.ac.uk

Related Courses

• Electronic and Electrical Engineering BEng
• Electronic and Electrical Engineering with Professional Development BEng
• Electronic and Electrical Engineering MEng
• Electronic and Electrical Engineering with Professional Development MEng
• Civil Engineering with Sustainability BEng
• Civil Engineering with Sustainability with Professional Development BEng
• Civil Engineering with Sustainability MEng
• Civil Engineering with Sustainability with Professional Development MEng
• Electronic and Computer Engineering MEng
• Electronic and Computer Engineering with Professional Development MEng

Special Features

• Our expertise in data communications and networks is almost unparalleled in the UK.
  
  
• You may have the opportunity to work abroad as part of your study or as a professional work placement – we have well-established links with France, Germany and Italy. We also offer free foreign language classes.
  
  
• We have good links with business. For our students this means courses designed to meet the needs of industry and the market place, and greater choice and quality of work placements.
  
  
• Labs are very well-equipped, with extensive gifts of software and hardware from prestigious industrial collaborators.
  
  
• We benefit from being located near much of the country’s information engineering industry.
  
  
• Our courses and research are aimed squarely at developing the expertise, knowledge and new ideas needed for the information age, and cover the full breadth of electronic, computer and multimedia engineering.

Accreditation

This is a new MEng programme and accreditation is presently in the review stage.

All of our relevant MSc programmes are accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

Facts and Figures

Engineering and Design is one of the largest Schools in the University with over 60 members of staff involved in teaching and research, an undergraduate population of over 800 and a postgraduate population of over 200.

Course Content

Typical Modules

Level 1 Core (Year 1)

• Digital Systems and Microprocessors
• Devices and Circuits
• Level 1 Electrical Engineering Workshop
• Systems and Programming
• Electronic Engineering Mathematics
• Engineering Science, Systems and Society

Level 2 Core (Year 2)

• Communication
• Digital Systems Design and Reliability Engineering
• Electrical Engineering and Sustainability
• Electronic Systems
• Signals and Systems
• Engineering Group Project
• Management

Level 3 Core (Year 3 or 4)

• Individual Project and Project Management
  
• Advanced Devices and Electronic Systems Design
• Control Systems
• Power Electronics and Systems
• Renewable Energy in Power Systems
  

Level 4 Core (Year 4 or 5)

• Major Group Project
  
• Innovation, Business and Enterprise for Engineers

Level 4 Options (Year 4 or 5)

Any four from:

• Energy Economics and Power
• Power Electronics and FACTS 
  
• Power System Stability and Control
• Sustainable Power Generation
  
• Power System Analysis and Security
• Power System Operation and Management

Teaching and Learning

Staff Expertise

We take pains to maintain our high level of teaching. Lecturers are at the leading edge of their fields and many are internationally and nationally recognised for their work. They act as consultants for major companies, are often widely published and have good links with industry, so they know exactly what is going on in the commercial world.

Hours

At Level 1 you will have about 18 taught hours a week. This will fall to around eight hours of lectures and seminars at Level 3, with one whole day of project work.

In addition to this, staff are normally happy to answer queries outside this time. We operate an open door policy so you can drop in and chat or email lecturers with your questions.

Students are expected to carry out a total of 40 hours study a week, including contact hours.

How will I be taught?

Lectures – These provide a broad overview of key concepts and ideas relating to your course and give you a framework from which to carry out in-depth study.

Laboratories – These are normally stand alone three hour sessions where students can develop, understand and practice using industry standard equipment. They provide an informal environment in which to explore new ideas and apply what you have learnt in lectures, with the help of a tutor. The staff/student ratio is 1:10 (one supervisor and a demonstrator).

Workshops – In a workshop you will work on more complex problems with guidance from a member of staff. This might involve producing an artefact or a design solution. Workshops allow you to develop new intellectual and practical skills and also serve to reinforce material learnt in lectures.

Tutorials – These involve up to six students. At Level 1 they will provide an opportunity to look at your academic knowledge and to develop personal skills, such as communication ability and study skills.

One-to-one – You will have one-to-one supervision for all project work, throughout all levels. If you go on a placement you will also be allocated an industrial tutor who will help you to set objectives, monitor your progress and provide further support if you need it. You will also have a personal tutor who is available to discuss both academic and personal problems.

Other – This may include guest speakers from prominent organisations, research seminars and external site visits.

Assessment

Level 1 does not count towards your final degree mark but you have to pass this year to continue with the course.

Several methods of assessment are employed on the course. There are written examinations at the end of each term, but work is also continuously assessed throughout. You will undertake projects, assignments, essays, laboratory work and short tests.

Project work is commonplace and is usually completed in groups to imitate the everyday experience in an engineering firm where specialists must pool their talents to design a solution to a problem.

In this situation you can develop your management and leadership skills and ensure that all members of the group deliver their best. Group members share the mark gained, so it is up to each individual to get the most out of everyone else.

Employability

There is a relaxed and friendly relationship between students and staff and we take a genuine interest and pride in the success of our students and graduates. This, together with acknowledged high quality teaching and resources, results in an excellent record of employment amongst our graduates.

Careers

The course provides students with the design, analytical and transferable skills required to exploit and lead the dynamic and rapidly expanding technological industries.

Our students have excellent employment prospects. Recent graduates have gone on to work for prestigious companies including the BBC, Virgin Airways, Opodo, Philips, Siemens and a variety of design companies.

Placements

You have the opportunity to undertake high quality work placements within prestigious organisations.

Fees for 2013/14 entry

UK/EU students: £9,000 full-time

International students: £15,000 full-time

We are introducing over 700 scholarships for 2013, meaning that one in five applicants who join Brunel next year will receive financial support from the University. See our fees and funding page for full details

Fees quoted are per annum and are subject to an annual increase.

Entry Requirements for 2013 Entry

• GCE A-level ABB, including Grade A in Maths and Grade B in a Science or Engineering subject (General Studies not accepted; Critical Thinking accepted as 4th subject only).
• Irish Leaving Certificate AAABB, including Grade A in Maths and Grade B in a Science or Engineering subject.
• Scottish Advanced Highers AAB, including Grade A in Maths and Grade B in a Science or Engineering subject.
• Advanced Diploma Progression Diploma Grade A in Engineering, plus the Specialist Unit in Maths for Engineers at grade B along with 1 AS-level at Grade B for Additional and Specialist Learning.
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma D*D*D, including Distinction in a Maths module and Distinction in either Electrical or Electronic Principles.
• IBDP 35 points, including 6 in Higher Level Maths and 5 in a Higher Level Science or Engineering subject.
• Foundations of Engineering courses For Brunel Foundations of Engineering progression requirements, see the course page. For external foundation courses, please contact the Admissions Tutor.
• Access Access courses are not accepted for the MEng entry. Access students are encouraged to apply for the BEng degree in this subject and if they achieve sufficient grades on year one of the course they can discuss transferring to the MEng.

All applicants are required to attend an interview before a formal offer is made.

For all of the above, 5 GCSEs or equivalent at Grade C or above are also required, to include English and Maths (please note that these must have been gained by the time you submit your UCAS application).

English Language Requirements

Brunel also offers our own BrunELT English Test and accept a range of other language courses. We also have a range of Pre-sessional English language courses, for students who do not meet these requirements, or who wish to improve their English.