About the Department
Overview
The Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering is recognised as one of the best in Europe. Its purpose is to provide education and research in the sustainable production of materials, products and energy from natural and recycled materials.
The Department maintains links with big multi-national companies and small highly specialised enterprises alike. This way, students can get to work on interesting, real-life technological problems alongside their purely academic work.
This kind of collaboration is central to the way the Department operates. Working with colleagues from a wide range of universities, institutions and companies in the UK and abroad often takes us in new and unusual directions.
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Teaching
Teaching facilities are first class. They include well-equipped lecture rooms, extensive laboratories - both at bench and pilot-plant scale - and 24 hour access IT.
We like to use a mix of teaching techniques, lectures and problem-solving classes are supplemented by laboratory work and computer techniques. Often, field courses and visits to industrial sites are part of the teaching process. There's a lot of project work too, culminating in a variety of final-year projects.
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Assessment & Progression
Assessment of student performance is based on a combination of examinations, laboratory work and projects. An annual assessment helps us judge progression through each course.
Undergraduate courses are accredited by professional institutions to make sure quality stays high, and that courses remain relevant to the needs of modern engineering.
Our graduates' abilities as 'all-rounders' mean they're really sought-after in whatever career field they decide on. It's also why many progress into Senior Management in all kinds of industries.
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Professional Recognition
Current accreditation is by the Institution of Chemical Engineers or the Institution of Materials, Minerals and Mining. We're also working for accreditation by the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
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Selection
All potential students normally visit the Department on interview days, although there are University Open Days and Taster Days during the year. During the visit you will be shown round the campus and the Department facilities - it's also your the chance to meet students who are already studying your intended course. Naturally, there'll be plenty of staff on hand, so you can discuss your application and raise any issues relevant to you.
Offers are normally made after the visit, through UCAS. However, if you have long distances to travel - and especially for candidates from overseas - a visit can be planned to meet your own personal circumstances, or an offer may be made without a visit.
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