Stage Four of this Engineering Science Major (Energy Systems) prepares candidates for admission to Stage Two of the professionally accredited “Second Cycle” Master of Engineering (Energy Systems) programme. The latter aims to prepare its graduates for work in designing and developing future energy systems, taking account of climate impact / CO2 emissions, security of energy supply and economic competitiveness concerns. The scope of the programme includes analysis of global energy systems, use of finite natural resources and the impact on climate. It focuses on use of fossil fuels and on renewable and other energy sources such as wind, wave, nuclear and solar power and on the conversion, storage and transmission by electrical and other means. The programme also addresses the efficient use of energy in buildings, transport and industrial processes, together with the study of other topics such as carbon capture and sequestration.

Incoming students should have a strong understanding of fundamental principles in the discipline of their “First Cycle” degree, typically in Mechanical, Electrical / Electronic or Chemical engineering, or in a strongly mathematical science discipline. Participation in this programme ensures that they broaden their education to develop a grasp of fundamental principles from across a range of other disciplines in order to equip them to tackle the complex multi-disciplinary and often conflicting issues that arise in the search for effective solutions to the energy challenges facing mankind.

The programme draws from the expertise of UCD academic staff from all of the Schools of Mechanical & Materials, Electrical & Electronic, Chemical & Bioprocess, Civil and Biosystems & Food Engineering), and also from the Schools of Physics, Earth Sciences, Economics and Business.

Teaching is by means of lectures, supervised laboratories, tutorials, assignments and self-directed learning. The programme includes a 30-credit  6-8 month industry-based internship (and also includes an option to take a shorter 10-credit Internship, together with four additional 5-credit modules).

1 - a) Advanced knowledge and understanding of the mathematics, sciences, engineering sciences and technologies underpinning Energy Systems engineering.
2 - b) The ability to identify, formulate, analyse and solve complex engineering problems
3 - c) The ability to perform the detailed design of a novel system, component or process using analysis and interpretation of relevant data.
4 - d) The ability to design and conduct experiments and to apply a range of standard and specialised research (or equivalent) tools and techniques of enquiry.
5 - e) 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.
6 - f) The ability to work effectively as an individual, in teams and in multidisciplinary settings, together with the capacity to undertake lifelong learning.
7 - g) The ability to communicate effectively on complex engineering activities with the engineering community and with society at large.