Introduction

The Bachelor’s degree programme in Gas and Energy Technology provides a broad introduction to process technology with a focus on gas and energy engineering courses. The study programme provides expertise in the design of chemical process plants, gas power plants and plants for gas purification. It will focus on energy efficiency and health, safety and environment (HSE) in such systems. The study programme utilizes standard industry software for the dimensioning and optimization of chemical processes. After successfully completing the study programme students will have gained an understanding of the areas of knowledge that are important with regard to process plant construction and operation.

The study programme is designed according to the General Plan for Engineering Education set by the Ministry of Education 3 February 2011. For students who were admitted to the study programme in 2011 or before, please refer to the study programme and curriculum for the relevant year.

The study programme may be subject to changes.

Target Group and Admission Requirements

General admission requirements + Physics 1 and Mathematics R1 + R2, or

1-year Preparatory Course for Engineering or

Applicants who have successfully completed the 2-year technical college programme (curriculum 1998-1999 or earlier) or

Applicants who have successfully completed a technical college programme (pursuant to the Act Relating to Tertiary Vocational Education of 2003) - they must be able to document knowledge equivalent to R1 + R2 and Physics 1.

Three-semester arrangement (TRES)

The “three-semester arrangement” (TRES) allows admission to engineering programmes for applicants who fulfill general admission requirements / prior experiential learning, but who lack the special admission requirements for mathematics and / or physics.

Aim of the Programme

The objective of the study programme, Gas and Energy Technology, is to provide the candidate with the knowledge and skills that will enable him/her to prepare flow charts, dimension selected process units, optimize energy efficiency and conduct safety assessments in process plants. The candidate will learn how to make economic assessments so he/she will be able run profitable operations. He/she will learn how to use standard industry software to design and optimize chemical processes with regard to energy efficiency and economic considerations.

The candidate will be able to work with other people in their own and other fields, communicate orally and in writing, and understand and make use of the terminology relevant to the field of study.

The successful candidate may also apply for admission to Master’s degree programmes; however, he/she should select Mathematics III as an elective course.

After successfully completing the study programme, the candidate will be qualified to apply for positions in the offshore, process, unit-manufacturing, and food processing industries, as well as in the areas HSE (Health, Safety and Environment), consulting engineering firms, research institutions, educational sector, and sales and marketing.

Learning outcome

A candidate who has successfully completed the 3-year Bachelor’s degree programme in Gas and Energy Technology will have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and overall competence:

Knowledge

The candidate:

- Has basic knowledge of mathematics, physics, statistics, economics, project methodology, information and communication technology (ICT) and HSE, and is able to integrate these subjects when solving engineering problems.

- Has knowledge of basic chemistry and processing subjects including general and organic chemistry, thermodynamics, energy and material balances, fluid mechanics, separation technology and process design.

- Has specialized in gas and energy engineering topics with emphasis on process design and optimization of processes with respect to the environment, economic considerations and energy utilization.

- Has basic knowledge in the use of software such as ASPEN, HYSYS and Fluent.

- Has knowledge of the safe handling of chemicals and is able to use HSE data.

- Has knowledge of technological advances in chemistry and process subjects, the chemical engineer’s role in society and he/she has knowledge of social, environmental, ethical and economic implications of technological solutions.

- Is able to independently update his/her knowledge through literature searches and contact with academic communities and interest groups, and through practical experience.

- Has knowledge of research challenges in the field of gas and energy engineering.

Skills

The candidate:

- Is able to apply and adapt knowledge to solve gas and energy engineering problems, propose technical solutions, analyze and quality assure results.

- Is able to work independently and in teams planning and executing experiments and engineering projects.

- Has the ability to work in chemical laboratories, and has mastered methods of chemical analysis and separation techniques.

- Has the ability to use computer software such as ASPEN and HYSYS in planning, calculating scale and optimizing chemical processes, and to use Fluent to study flow patterns.

- Has the ability to find and evaluate information, scholarly subject literature, and he/she is also able to present and discuss this information and subject matter so that it highlights an issue orally and in writing.

- Is able to contribute to new thinking, innovation and entrepreneurship in the development and implementation of sustainable and socially useful products.

General competence

The candidate:

- Is aware of environmental, ethical and economic consequences of chemical products, analyzes and processes and he/she has the ability to place them in local and global long-term perspectives.

- Is able to communicate knowledge of the field to different kinds of audiences, orally and in writing, in Norwegian and English.

- Is able to participate actively in academic discussions, show respect for and openness to other disciplines and contribute to interdisciplinary work.

Curriculum and structure

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Students who choose the option of taking the Student Business Venture course must take the course Entrepreneurship in the 5th semester.

Mathematics III is required for students who wish to seek admission to Master’s degree programmes in engineering.

Students who have taken other courses at Telemark University College and other institutions may apply to have them approved as replacements for elective subjects. It is important that the selected elective subjects meet the learning outcomes of the study programme.

All the elective courses are given on condition that at least 10 students have registered for the course.

The Bachelor’s dissertation should be based on real social and business issues or research. In other words, it should be linked to business activities in the private or public sector, research activities of the college, or other aspects of an engineer’s work.

Internationalization

The Faculty of Technology emphasizes the candidate’s opportunities for completing parts of their studies abroad and they endeavour to develop professionally relevant and qualitatively effective learning arenas.

Engineering studies offer a comprehensive programme for international activities. Apart from teacher exchanges, research and cooperation with regard to the development of modules and curricula, the faculty offers a student exchange programme for students who wish to pursue part of their regular bachelor’s degree abroad. The student exchange agreements are linked to international networks and bilateral agreements. Exchange agreements have been established with colleges and universities in Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Germany, Ukraine, United States, China, Nepal and Sri-Lanka. Students enrolled on Bachelor’s degree programmes in engineering may enter into agreements with foreign universities for one or two semesters.

It is recommended that students schedule their period of study abroad in the 4th and/or 5th semester.

Students wishing to take part of their education abroad must have completed one year of higher education, have made good progress in their studies and achieved an average grade equivalent to C or better.

Teaching and Learning Methods

Various teaching methods are used in the instruction: classroom teaching, laboratory instruction, and the use of computer tools. The Bachelor’s degree programme at the Faculty of Technology is project-oriented in that many of the courses are conducted as projects. This pedagogical method gives students greater responsibility for their own learning as well as experience with problem analysis, seeking information and problem solving. Work is done in groups, often in close cooperation with local businesses.

The study programme also includes field trips to local industrial facilities. Guest lecturers from business and industry are invited to deliver lectures.

Theory and Practical Training

The student’s dissertation should be anchored in the courses the candidate has taken in the previous five semesters. Candidates will integrate previously acquired knowledge and demonstrate their ability to acquire new knowledge in solving an engineering problem. This work will demonstrate the candidate’s ability to work independently in a team. It is particularly important that the dissertation is viewed in a holistic perspective. It should be based on real social and business issues, or research. In other words, it should be linked to business activities in the private or public sector, research activities of the college, or other aspects of an engineer’s work.

It is possible to select the option of taking the Student Business Venture course instead of writing a dissertation based on an engineering question. This will give the candidate an opportunity to develop capabilities in innovation and entrepreneurship. In the Student Business Venture course the candidate will develop and implement a business idea, and start, operate and close a business venture.

Assessment Methods

Telemark University College examination regulations adopted by the board December 15th, 2005 apply to all examinations and include all assessments that form the basis for a grade (cf. regulation § 1).

The study programme uses several different forms of assessment: examinations, projects, laboratory exercises and assignments.

The description of the particular assessment methods and criteria are given in the individual course descriptions.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean