BEng (Hons) in Sustainable Energy Engineering
Course code: WD171

What is the BEng (Hons) in Sustainable Energy Engineering?

This new BEng (Hon) in Sustainable Energy Engineering course is dedicated to investigating energy and its uses in areas such as sustainable low energy building design, building energy performance and analysis, energy production, low and zero carbon heat and power generation technologies, and energy policy and legislation.

It is a four year undergraduate course with first year entry open to school leavers or others who meet the required entry standards (the entry standards are listed below).  Students who pursue other engineering courses at WIT, or another third level institution, at ordinary degree level or equivalent, may apply to transfer onto this course at the third year stage.

The first two years of the course are designed to introduce the students to the fundamentals of maths, engineering, science and technology that underpin the study of engineering in general and equip them with the knowledge required to undertake a more specific study of engineering in relation to sustainable energy in years three and four. In year three, the students go on industrial placement for a period of 25 weeks.  This gives the students a taste of what professional practice is all about, how the industry operates and how theoretical knowledge is applied in practice.  It also generates industrial links between WIT and the engineering industry in Ireland and abroad.

Programme Aims and Objectives

The general aims of this course are to enable graduates to demonstrate:

• The ability to select and apply solutions from a knowledge of sciences, engineering sciences, technology and mathematics, manufacturing and engineering problems.
• The ability to identify and solve engineering technology problems in a specialised area.
• The ability to contribute to the design of a system and carry out a technical performance of the design.
• An understanding of the need for high ethical standards in the practice of engineering, including the responsibilities of the engineering profession towards people and the environment.
• The ability to work effectively as an individual, in teams and in multi-disciplinary settings together with the capacity to undertake lifelong learning.
• The ability to communicate effectively with the engineering community and with society at large.

Having successfully completed the programme the new graduate will be able to:

• Derive and apply solutions from knowledge of sciences, engineering sciences, technology and mathematics.
• Design a system or process to meet specified needs and to design and conduct experiments to analyse and interpret data.
• Analyse the energy requirements of new and existing buildings and propose energy reduction measures to achieve energy reduction targets and CO2 emissions.
• Use dynamic thermal simulation software and perform BER assessments for domestic and non-domestic buildings.
• Appraise renewable and sustainable energy recovery technologies.
• Critically assess and evaluate the aims and strategies of a number of energy policies at different levels.
• Work effectively as an individual, in teams and in multi-disciplinary settings together with the capacity to undertake lifelong learning.
• Communicate effectively with the engineering community and with society at large.

 

Career Opportunities

Graduates from this programme will be equipped with the knowledge and skills required to pursue a career within the energy sector either in Ireland or abroad.  They may find employment as:

•    An energy manager/ consultant for existing building stock;
•    Facilities manager;
•    Construction industry low energy design professional;
•    A specialist in the production and power generation, and energy recovery;
•    Building Energy Assessor.

 

Follow on Study

Graduates from the course are eligible to proceed to taught and research postgraduate programmes in WIT and other colleges.

Course Facts
Course Title: BEng (Hons) in Sustainable Energy Engineering
Course Code: WD171
Course Level: 8
Duration: 4 years

Course Entry

Leaving Certificate:

• 2 subjects: HC3 or better
• 4 subjects: OD3 or better

Required subjects:

• English/Irish: OC3/HD3
• Mathematics: OB3/HC3

NOTE: HC3 or better in a laboratory science or technological subjects compensates for not makes the required grade in Maths (OB3/HC3)

Further Information

Course Leader: Colm Tynan
Email: ctynan@wit.ie

How to Apply
For entry all applications should be made through the CAO system.

See also

• WIT Admissions Office