Electrical Energy Systems (MSc)

How will I be taught?

A wide range of teaching styles will be used to deliver the diverse material forming the curriculum of the programme, and you will be required to attend lectures and participate in examples classes.

A 10-credit module represents approximately 100 hours of study in total, which includes 24–36 hours of contact time with teaching staff. The remaining hours are intended to be for private study, coursework, revision and assessment. Therefore you are expected to spend a significant amount of time (typically 20 hours each week) studying independently.

At the dissertation stage, you will be allocated a supervisor in the relevant field of research whom you should expect to meet with regularly.

Learning Central, the Cardiff University virtual learning environment (VLE), will be used extensively to communicate, support lectures and provide general programme materials such as reading lists and module descriptions. It may also be used to provide self-testing assessment and give feedback.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment:

Achievement of learning outcomes in the majority of modules is assessed by a combination of coursework assignments, plus University examinations set in January or May. Examinations count for 60%–70% of assessment in Stage 1 of the programme, depending on the options chosen, the remainder being largely project work and pieces of coursework.

Award of an MSc requires successful completion of Stage 2, the Dissertation, with a mark of 50% or higher.

Candidates achieving a 70% average may be awarded a Distinction. Candidates failing to qualify for an MSc may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma for 120 credits in Stage 1. Candidates failing to complete the 120 credits required for Stage 1 may still be eligible for the award of a Postgraduate Certificate for the achievement of at least 60 credits.

How will I be supported?

Students will be allocated a personal tutor to assist them with both academic progress and pastoral support when required. The personal tutor will see students early on in the programme, and as required thereafter.

You must keep your personal tutor, project supervisor and the Teaching Office informed of any circumstances or illnesses that might affect your capacity to attend teaching or undertake assessment.

In addition to the broad range of support services provided centrally by Cardiff University, students with specific needs will be supported as required.

Feedback

You will receive feedback for written coursework assignments and oral feedback for assessed presentations.

What skills will I practise and develop?

You will practise and develop the following skills:

Knowledge and Understanding

• Understand the multidisciplinary nature of Electrical Energy Systems studies, and the need for integration of knowledge from a range of engineering disciplines in the management of the integration of renewable generation energy and supply.
• Use in an appropriate manner the fundamental scientific laws underlying the operation of a wide range of important renewable and non-renewable energy systems and their integration into the electricity supply system.
• Recognise and be capable of utilising basic relationships and techniques of energy management for a range of given situations.
• Explain and present information associated with appraisal and assessment of energy projects.
• Explain the role of the electricity regulators.
• Compare and contrast the different challenges presented by distributed generation.
• Outline the structure of the UK regulatory framework for management of transmission and distribution electricity systems.
• Explain methods utilised in industry for identifying, quantifying and mitigating risks and hazards.
• Demonstrate knowledge which is at the forefront of a range of Electrical Energy Systems disciplines, including: high voltage engineering, power systems, power electronics, distributed generation, control and protection, power quality and condition monitoring, smart grids and active power control.

Intellectual Skills

• Use knowledge and scientific, evidence-based, methods in the assessment and solution of Electrical Energy Systems challenges.
• Deal with complex Electrical Energy Systems issues both systematically and creatively.
• Show originality in tackling both familiar and unfamiliar problems.
• Critically review the background to an electrical energy systems problem and to formulate a programme of works to address the issue.
• Systematically undertake a significant research project in Electrical Energy Systems which includes originality in the application of knowledge and the exercise of critical engineering judgement.
• Collect, evaluate, synthesise and interpret qualitative and quantitative data in a variety of ways, and identify means to gain new data where needed.
• Conceive, plan, execute and communicate the results of an extended in-depth piece of individual project work.
• Sustain a critical argument, both in writing and through presentations.

Practical Skills

• Use appropriate mathematical and experimental methods for the modelling and analysis of Electrical Energy Systems problems.

Transferable Skills

• Manipulate, present and report data in a variety of ways.
• Manage resources and time.
• Communicate ideas, principles and theories effectively by oral, written, and physical or practical means.
• Generate a concise literature review.
• Make effective use of information technology and communications tools, including spreadsheets, word processors, database systems and the Internet.
• Work effectively in a group context towards achieving specific goals and targets.