BEng honours Chemical Engineering By distance learning Accredited by the Course Brochure 2016/17 1
The contents of this prospectus are, as far as possible, up to date and accurate at the date of publication. Changes and restrictions are made from time to time and the University reserves the right to add to, amend or withdraw courses and facilities, to restrict student numbers and to make any other alterations as it may deem desirable and necessary. Changes are published by incorporation in the next edition of the University Calendar. The University of Strathclyde is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, number SC015263 Contents Introduction please read this first... 3 Key features of the course... 4 Course outline and Entry requirements... 5 Course Objectives... 5 Fees and payment options... 5 Course Curriculum... 6 Teaching methods... 7 Examination procedures... 7 Progression to MEng or MSc... 7 Module Descriptors... 8 Chartered Engineer (CEng)... 8 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)... 9 Key dates... 10 Appendix... 11 John Anderson Campus map... 12 Map showing location of James Weir building... 13 2
Introduction please read this first Dear Prospective student, The Bachelor of Engineering (BEng honours) in Chemical Engineering by distance learning was created at the request of local industry in 1992. Since then the course has been developed into a full distance learning course and we have had numerous graduates both locally in Scotland, the UK and throughout the world. The BEng course by distance learning mirrors the full time Chemical Engineering BEng offered by the University and is accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers. This prospectus has been produced electronically to allow you to find information quickly to aid your decision on whether this is the right course for you. It is possible to search the document using the CTRL-F search function or use the hyperlinked contents page to take you to the relevant section. Please also find the FAQ page in which I have given the answers to the most commonly asked questions about the course. Due to the high number of enquires that I receive I would appreciate it if you would attempt to find the answers to your questions within this brochure in the first instance, but if you have any further questions or wish to discuss or apply for the course, please feel free to contact us at chemeng-dladmissions@strath.ac.uk or telephone the office at +44 (0)141 548 2148. Yours Sincerely, Kenneth Moffat CEng MIET, MEng, BSc, Dip IT, PMP, FHEA Distance learning manager Chemical and Process Engineering Associate Dean for Distance and Flexible Learning Faculty of Engineering Jame Weir Building, 75 Montrose Street, Glasgow G1 1XJ University of Strathclyde the place of useful learning The University of Strathclyde is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, number SC015263. 3
Key features of the course Unique status: the only degree course of its kind in the world. Fully accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) Part-time distance learning, supported by online tutorials spread throughout the year, ensures minimum time off the job Course can be followed entirely by distance learning - on campus tutorials may also be provided if sufficient demand. Modular, credit-based course, specifically designed for part-time study and student-centred learning Assessment by a mix of assignments, projects and examinations Course material includes self-assessment questions and tutor-marked assignments Final year Group Design project Option to study stand-alone individual modules for CPD purposes Fees payable in instalments allowing cost to be spread over the duration of the course Normal Entry requirements, HNC/HND in Chemical Engineering, or a degree in a related discipline, plus relevant work experience; other qualifications may also be considered Course duration: 3 years Successful applicants are granted 240 credits exemption towards the 480 required for a BEng honours degree. This means that distance learning students join at the equivalent to 3 rd year of the full time course 4
Course outline and Entry requirements The normal minimum entry requirement to the course is a UK Higher National Certificate or Diploma or international equivalent + industrial experience. Successful applicants to the course will receive 240 credits exemption for previous study and relevant experience. This means that distance learning students join at the equivalent to 3 rd year of the full time course and will complete 240 mandatory credits of study over 3 years. Course Objectives By the end of the programme, students will have acquired A good understanding of chemical engineering principles, including balances and equilibria, thermodynamics, reactors, transfer processes, separation processes, control, economics. Experience in a range of analytical and problem-solving skills. An awareness of the responsibilities of professional engineers for safety and the environment. A good understanding of the technologies and methods which underpin the design, operation and management of processes which are safe and have minimum impact on the environment. Experience in a range of types and levels of process and plant design, including the design of complete processes involving technical, economic, safety and environmental issues. Generic IT skills such as word processing and spreadsheets, and subject-specific IT skills such as computational, design and simulation packages. Transferable skills in communication, project work and teamwork. Fees and payment options This distance learning course is full fee which means no subsidy is received by the University, so the same fee is applicable to all students, regardless of where they are domiciled. Course fees are given on the course page under the fees and funding tab. Annual fees are due prior to registration and a number of payment options are available including online payment, banks transfer, an instalment plan and for students with a UK bank account a direct debit can be set up. If your company is paying your fees all that is normally required for registration is a letter stating the company s intent to pay and they will be billed directly. More information on payment options can be found at http://www.strath.ac.uk/finance/student/tuitionfees/ 5
Course Curriculum Below is the current course curriculum and all subjects must be passed for the award of BEng honours chemical engineering. All students join the course on the 3 year programme but may choose to change to the 4 year programme at any time before progressing to 2 nd year. The 3 year programme curriculum is shown below but classes on the 4 year programme are identical but simply spread over a longer period of time. Note: Semester 1 runs from September to January and Semester 2 from January to May First Year (3 and 4 year programmes) CP 318 Professional Engineering and Project Management CP 208 Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer CP 211 Chemical Principles and Thermodynamics CP 319 Chemical Engineering Safety Second Year (3 year programme) CP 209 Process Analysis and Statistics CP 314 Mass Transfer and Separation Processes CP 310 Process Design and Simulation CP 321 Reactors CP 320 Biochemical Engineering Third Year (3 year programme) CP 411 Process Control and Environmental Technology CP 412 Advanced Separations and Problem Solving CP 423 Chemical Engineering Design Part 1 CP 424 Chemical Engineering Design Part 2 6
Teaching methods The course is based on printed lecture notes and material delivered from the Universities Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), myplace and lecturers provide support through online tutorials, forums, email, telephone and if demand is sufficient, face to face on campus tutorials. Assessment is normally by written assignment and exam although some modules will require a project report or practical piece of work to be completed in place of an exam. For students who choose to continue after completing the BEng honours, the final year of the MEng includes a major project which is intended to be completed in the students own workplace. Examination procedures Exams are held at the university campus in Glasgow on dates and times specified for each semester. Students within the UK and Ireland are expected to attend exams at the University campus. In more distant parts of Europe and outside of the continent students may apply to sit the exam at an external centre. This would normally be a British Council office, although other venues may be considered. Any additional costs incurred by the student when sitting exams outside of the University are payable by the student. Progression to MEng or MSc Students with an appropriate standard of performance may be eligible to progress to the Master of Engineering (MEng) Chemical Engineering or the Master of Science (MSc) Process Technology and Management. Students who wish to progress to MEng must first complete the BEng, as the MEng is considered to be an integrated first degree comprising the BEng curriculum + an additional year of full time study (2 years by part time distance learning). The MEng portion can be completed in one of two ways. Route 1 requires 12 weeks of attendance in which the student would attend full time classes for semester 1 then return to their workplace to complete the final project. An alternative part time distance learning route is also available where the load is spread across 2 years. The MSc Process Technology and Management is a separate Postgraduate qualification so students may graduate with the BEng honours before progressing to this qualification. This MSc is a 3 year programme mixing MBA style business and management modules, with advanced engineering and technology, and is intended for students who are in, or aspire to be in a senior engineering, management or technology role. Please enquire to chemeng-dl-admissions@strath.ac.uk if you require any further details on the MEng or MSc programmes. 7
Module Descriptors Example module descriptors are available on the course web page at; http://www.strath.ac.uk/chemeng/distancelearning/beng-meng/ Chartered Engineer (CEng) All of our degrees offered by distance learning are accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) as part of the requirements for professional registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng) and may also be accepted by other institutions in related engineering fields. Normally CEng requires learning to Masters Level and this may be achieved either by completing the MEng, or the BEng + MSc, as described in the section above. In the UK, professional registration as CEng is governed by the Engineering Council but you must be a member of an Engineering Institution such as the IChemE in order to apply, and it is that institution who will administer your application. Any questions about CEng should be addressed to the institution that you are either a member of or wish to join, the University are not in a position to say what will or will not be accepted by a particular institution. My advice to all students who are studying with a view to achieving CEng is to make contact with and/or join your chosen institution early so that you can be fully appraised of the requirements in the early stages of study. 8
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) What qualifications do I need to join the course? See the section on entry requirements, an HNC or equivalent is the normal minimum requirement, but we also normally expect students to have some practical or industrial experience. If we cannot offer you a place on the course, we may give you a conditional offer outlining some study that you may complete to make you eligible for entry to the course, such as bridging courses or an HNC in Chemical Engineering. I already hold a Bachelors degree or BEng, can I join the MEng directly? Unfortunately our MEng is designed to follow on from the Strathclyde BEng so students must complete our BEng first before progressing. We offer an MSc which allows direct entry to students who hold a first degree How much will it cost me? See the section above on fees which are payable annually. There are not normally any additional costs for materials but if there are costs to the student will be minimal. For students taking examinations outside of the University any additional costs will be payable by the student. I don t think that I will be able to attend the tutorials, is this a problem? Tutorials are found to be useful by the students who attend but they are not compulsory. They are normally online and we try to record them where possible for those who can t attend at the arranged time. It is possible to complete the course without ever attending the University Can I take my exams at a venue local to me? If you are considered to be in a location that is an unreasonable distance to travel you may apply to sit exams in a local venue, normally a British Council office. See the relevant section above for more information. How flexible is the timeline for completing the course? The course is intended to be completed in a 3 year timeframe, it is not possible to complete this earlier but it may be possible to take longer by applying for periods of voluntary suspension of study. Some students take this option in years where work, health or family pressures are making it impossible to study and the University is sympathetic to these requests. Individual modules run over a fixed timetable so while students can plan the pace of their own study, exam dates and assignments deadlines will still have to be adhered to. Am I under any obligation if I apply for the course? No, if your application is successful you will be offered a place on the course, if you accept you are indicating your intention but it is still possible to change your mind or to defer before final registration. All that we ask is that you keep us informed of your intentions so that we can offer the place to another if you do not intend to take it up. 9
Key dates July - All entry conditions need to be completed by the end of July, in order to start the course in September. For example if your entry was dependant on completing another qualification we would have to see the evidence of this before the end of July. This is to allow time for the admissions and registration process, and payment of course fees. August - Payment and registration for the course is expected to be completed by mid August at the latest. After this is complete course materials will start to become available. September - The course will commence and first tutorials are likely to be held at this time. January - 1 st semester examinations - Mid to late January semester 2 commences May Semester 2 examinations July/August - Summer break/preparation for next term note that as an exception, 3 rd year continues into summer to allow additional time for write-up of design project. 10
Appendix 11
John Anderson Campus map 12
Map showing location of James Weir building 13