Introduction

The program focuses on environmentally friendly energy production from both renewable and non-renewable energy sources, and on prevention of pollution of air and water. Specialization is given in physical, chemical and biological processes for energy recovery and pollution control; and in energy and combustion processes. The programme is concluded with an individual research based thesis. The topic of the thesis typically has relevance to sustainable development of industry and society.

Target Group and Admission Requirements

The target group is candidates with a bachelor degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Environmental Engineering (related programmes may also be accepted).

Special admission requirements include the following:

• passed bachelor course in Thermodynamics
• passed bachelor course in Fluid mechanics
• passed course in Mathematics III or equivalent

Aim of the Programme

The aim of the programme is for the student to acquire knowledge, skills and general competence within the field of energy and environment, as detailed in the separate section on learning outcomes.

The successful candidate can find employment in companies, public institutions or research institutes working on safety and environmental risk analysis; design and operation of pollution abatement facilities, such as water treatment plants or gas purification plants; and energy production, management, and distribution.

The program also qualifies for admission to PhD studies at Norwegian and foreign universities.

Learning outcome

A candidate who has successfully completed the programme will have a learning outcome in the form of aquired knowledge, skills, and general competence, as described in the subsections below.

Knowledge

The candidate:

• has advanced knowledge in thermodynamics; heat and mass transfer; and mathematical modelling and simulation of processes;
• has a highly specialized knowledge of theory and methods used in the area of energy and environment, with emphasis on combustion processes, process safety, energy optimization, gas purification, water treatment, environmental biotechnology, energy technology, and control of processes;
• knows how to use advanced and specialized knowledge in new areas, for example via crossdisciplinary projects;
• knows how to perform techno-economical analyses.

Skills

The candidate:

• is able to apply adequate methods and techniques in solving problems within the field
• is able to work as an individual, as well as in teams, in planning and conduction of experiments and technical projects;
• is able to work safely in laboratories, in accordance with HES procedures;
• knows how to use computer based tools to solve technical problems;
• is able to analyze and critically review different sources of information, and is able to use such information in structuring and formulating technical problem descriptions and goals;
• is able to apply universally accepted methods of citation and referencing of scientific sources;
• is able to independently conduct a defined research or development project under supervision, according to prevailing ethical norms.
• is able to analyze and propose solutions to different types of environmental problems and energy-related challenges based on fundamental, advanced and specialized knowledge.

General competence

The candidate:

• is able to analyse relevant challenges in an ethical context;
• is able to apply acquired knowledge and skills to solve advanced tasks and projects in new areas;
• masters the terminology used and is able to communicate acquired knowledge in the area of energy and environment - orally; in technical report writing; and via use of modern visualization tools;
• is able to discuss - with experts as well as with the general public - technical problems, analyses and conclusions within the area of energy and environment;
• is able to take part in and contribute to creative thinking and innovation.

Curriculum and structure

An overview of the programme is given in the matrix. The programme consists of:

• courses providing an advanced scientific basis for subsequent courses (first semester);
• courses giving a highly specialized competence within the field (second and third semester);
• courses contributing to crossdisciplinary competence and a broader perspective within the field of technology and engineering (third semester);
• a research-based group project (third semester);
• an individual research task documented in a master’s thesis (fourth semester).

Electives can be taken in the third semester, as described in the matrix. The interdependence of different courses is apparent from the prerequisite section in the course descriptions.

The programme is largely based on research conducted at the faculty. This is clearly reflected in topic for the group project in the third semester and the master’s thesis in the fourth semester. Such student tasks are typically coupled to ongoing research programmes, in many cases in collaboration with industrial companies. Accordingly, student project reports and student theses contribute in providing research and development results at the faculty.

Through the group project and the master’s thesis, the students will also be introduced to, and get practical experience with, the scientific methods used in the faculty’s research work.

Internationalization

It is possible for students to take part of the programme abroad via an exchange agreement with a foreign university or college; the faculty has international agreements with a large number of institutions in Europe, Asia and America.

Taking the fourth semester abroad is the advocated solution. Carrying out the third semester at another institution is also possible; in that case the concrete selection of courses will have to be tailor-made for each individual, depending on the student’s interests and the course availability at the foreign institution.

Teaching and Learning Methods

The programme is taught in English (international students are enrolled in the programme). Different teaching and learning methods are used, including lectures, supervision, project work, exercises, lab work, self-study and assignments. The choice of methods depends on the specific learning outcome goals; details are given in the course descriptions.

Theory and Practical Training

Most courses in the programme offer a combination of theory and practical work in the laboratory, although the distribution between the two components may be very different in different courses; see details in the course descriptions.

In many cases, the research topics offered in group projects or in master’s thesis projects will include practical, experimental work.

Assessment Methods

Different assessment methods are used, including:

• written tests (mid-term tests and tests at the end of the semester);
• exercise hand-ins;
• project reports;
• oral presentations;
• oral examinations; and
• laboratory reports.

Different combinations are used for different courses. In most cases, grading is given on a scale from A (best) to F (fail). In some cases, assessment is given on a pass/fail basis. The details are found in the course descriptions.

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