Curriculum Information

Document Version

QAA Benchmarks

Educational Aim

Learning Outcomes

Course Structure

Level 7 Modules

Teaching and Assessment

Learning and Teaching Methods

Employer Engagement

A range of professionals from industry (e.g. RES, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, Natural Resources Wales etc.) have offered, or will be approached to deliver guest lectures as part of the MSc course. We will also take advantage of the accreditation of the course by the Energy Institute to source speakers and promote external talks and events to the students.

Field trips are integrated into the taught modules. For example, visits to Dwr Cymru Welsh Water operated sites, or wind farms where we have links through our alumni; demonstrate to the students, possible employment pathways, whilst putting the theory taught in lectures into a practical industrial context.

Students may carry out their dissertation within the Sustainable Environment Research Centre where their projects will be linked to externally funded research projects supported by industry and SERC’s team of researchers. This provides students with the opportunity to engage with employers through a meaningful project that may have real impact.

Means of Assessment

Formative assessment is integrated in to the assessment schedule of the taught modules. This allows students opportunity to gain feedback on their progress through their work before submitting their summative assessments. This gives students confidence that they understand the expectations of the staff and the marking structure and submission systems of the course.

Group-work is carried out by students in RE4S006. This enable students to learn about managing large tasks, delegation, teamwork, and??

Practical classes in computer laboratories are used to develop IT skills and approaches to systems modelling to assist students with the completion of assessed work, and provide them with understanding and confidence that may encourage them to carry out modelling work as part of their dissertation.

Students who undertake practical work for their dissertation are provided with training on the techniques, processes, and equipment that they will be required to use to help them gain confidence and an ability to work independently in the collection of their data.

Learning Support

New and returning full and part-time students will attend induction sessions and activities in the first week of their course either in September, or February as required. The University’s Unilearn is used together with ICIS to provide access to the course handbook, module information, an assessment schedule and their timetable.

Staff are available to meet students when not teaching. Students are advised to speak to staff at the end of lectures, or to contact them via email to arrange a meeting.

The MSc REST is accredited by the Energy Institute, and students are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity of free membership of the Energy Institute which provides them with opportunities to go to seminars arranged by the EI and engage with the EI young persons network and attend their events. Seminars are publicised to the students via Unilearn.

Each module has an element of formative assessment designed into its delivery program. This is to enable students to and staff to understand how the students are progressing through the course and to relieve assessment pressure by allowing students to become acclimatised to the level of study expected of them.

Each student will meet the course leader once a term to discuss progress.

The dissertation process begins at the start of the academic year and students are guided towards their proposal through one to one meetings with the dissertation module leader in the spring term to ensure they have a well defined set of aims and objectives before submission of their proposals. Each student will be allocated two project supervisors for their dissertation project and would typically be expected to meet their primary supervisor once a week for the duration of their project, either face to face or electronically (Skype/phone/email), depending on circumstance.

Teaching and coursework assessment materials are made available on-line through the University’s virtual learning environment (Unilearn).

Modern computing laboratories provide access to specialist resources. The University also has centrally-managed open-access laboratories for more general work. Each student has an academic e-mail account that is particularly useful when requesting support from teaching staff.

Staff email students via Unilearn to announce course and module related information.

The University operates advice zones located in the libraries of each campus. The Advice Zone supports students with anything that might affect their ability to study and achieve their goals. They help with both personal and academic issues. If they cannot help directly, they guide students towards the specialist support they need.

USW has a legal obligation to make reasonable adjustments in relation to education and services as required by disabled students. It does this through the use of individual support plans. The Disability Service provides information, advice and guidance to and co-ordinates support for USW students who have disabilities, including physical, sensory, mental health or unseen disabilities, specific learning difficulties (e.g. dyslexia) and autism. The Disability Service also has a key role in ensuring the University meets its commitment to providing an inclusive environment for disabled students.

Library Services provides a wide range of high-quality library and information services to USW students, academics and researchers.

IT Services provide students with their online student account (giving them access to email, printing and payments and more), Unilearn, open access to computers on each campus, printing services, and media equipment.

Course Exit Points

Progression Route

Typically MSc graduates continue their careers in industry, or commence doctoral research.

Entry Requirements

Admission to the course is typically through the following qualifications:

A minimum 2:2 Honours degree in a science or engineering-related subject. Other applicants will be considered on an individual basis.

The course welcomes international applicants and requires an English level of IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component or equivalent.

International applicants further information:

Visa information

Inclusive Curriculum Statement

The University of South Wales operates a policy of inclusive learning, teaching and assessment to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to fulfil their educational potential. Course teams will have considered ways of designing out any potentially disadvantageous element of courses during the course design process. However some specific needs may remain, details about how to apply to have your needs assessed can be found at: http://unilife.southwales.ac.uk/pages/3040-disability-and-dyslexia-service/

Addendum for Delivery at a Partner Institution

N/A