MSc Environmental Entrepreneurship

This class, run by the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, is a client-based project work where you carry out a project of interest to a client while at the same contributing to environmental entrepreneurship in practice.

The potential projects are identified by the students. The aims of each project are defined in terms of progressive risks in effecting a solution. The first aim has a high chance of success and low risk of failure; the second aim is more challenging but capable of solution given initiative and energy on the part of the students; and the third aim can have a 'blue skies' element, a real research challenge and consequently a high risk of failure but success will demonstrate exceptional competence and initiative.

The class manager approves all the final chosen project topics. The project has a four-month duration and is carried out between January and April.

Please note this class is only for MSc Environmental Entrepreneurship students.

In this class, dedicated to the MSc and MRes students in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, students will acquire familiarity with, and practice of, research techniques, and examine different ways of, and gain experience in, presenting research results. The course discusses the key principles, and practical exercises, on both quantitative and qualitative research methods, such as observation methods, survey methods, interviewing techniques and statistical methods. The course also includes discussion of ethical issues. Finally, the course covers writing skills and use of literature, which is relevant to all classes

This module is designed to build knowledge of the processes underpinning innovation. The class will provide an introduction to the main concepts and frameworks related to definitions, processes, strategies, organisation and sources of innovation. Towards the end of the class, new trends in innovation, such as social innovation and frugal innovation, will also be covered.

This class, run by the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, aims to provide engineers and scientists with a better understanding of what it takes to create and grow technology-based businesses. Specifically, it aims to provide students with:

• an appreciation of the intrinsic value of entrepreneurship, innovation and commercialisation activities to business
• a set of frameworks to better understanding and more successfully engage in high-tech business opportunities
• a better appreciation and understanding of management in a complex, uncertain and interdisciplinary high-tech business environment

This class, run by the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, is designed to provide a practical introduction to business modelling and understanding of how new ventures are developed. The class is multi-disciplinary in nature and integrates within it the main business disciplines. It focuses upon the processes within new businesses but draws comparisons with larger organisations and as such introduces a more entrepreneurial approach to the career patterns of individuals who pursue careers in larger organisations. The class will not follow the more traditional lecture pattern but will be highly interactive with class participants being involved in individual and group activities which will encourage creative thinking and “learning by doing” in addressing the real opportunities and challenges that face the first-time entrepreneur.

Within the background of land redevelopment (residential, industrial/commercial and gardens/parks), this class, run by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, aims to provide insights into the remediation of contaminated land, including the regulatory framework and risk assessment, sampling and analysis, and various remedial techniques for contaminated land.

On completion of this class the student is expected to be able to:

• identify possible human health and environmental risks associated with contaminated land management
• demonstrate a working knowledge of the regulatory framework in place in the UK for contaminated land management and remediation, including relevant legislation, policies and regulations
• evaluate critically the range of technologies that may be suitable for various types of contamination present.
  make informed decisions about technologies for contaminated land remediation based upon technical solutions, risk assessment & management, planning and financial constraints

This class initially introduces the circular economy as a framework for the development and management of a sustainable 'waste-as-resource' economic system in which production is designed to be restorative and resilient. The class then proceeds to cover a range of contemporary challenges in the practical application of circular economic principles within different sectors, incorporating presentations from leading practitioners in the field.

The implications of the concept of circular economy for research, policy, business practices and societal transformations towards sustainability are explored in detail through a mix of theory, case studies, individual and group project work. This includes consideration of the role of innovation and knowledge production; social trends and consumer behaviour; conservation and sustainable use of energy and material resources; climate change and environmental sustainability; and the design of business models that maximise product life and value retention.

The class discusses the role of individuals and communities in the making and operation of the circular economy. Students are challenged to identify and critically evaluate opportunities to use waste as an economic good and as the basis for commercially, socially and environmentally profitable business initiatives through the application of creative design; as well as the range of business opportunities arising from repair, reconditioning and remanufacturing activities. The class also introduces the key principles of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), carbon measurement and management.

This class will examine the key systems and infrastructure on which urban centres depend and promote critical reflection on how the design, management and monitoring of these systems impact on the social, environmental and economic sustainability of cities. The use of case studies will allow students to engage with real-world situations, challenges and opportunities and consider multiple infrastructure and technology options for sustainable city strategies. Teaching staff: Dr Neil Ferguson

This class, from the Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, aims to provide students with an understanding of the operation of modern electrical power systems along with the techniques to undertake a basic technical analysis of key electrical devices and systems. Students learn the basis of operation of modern electrical power systems incorporating renewable energy technologies and the consequences for the environment and energy security. The class covers complex numbers and fundamental analysis techniques such as Kirchoff’s current and voltage laws to solve power flow problems.

Energy resources (such as crude oil, natural gas, coal, biomass, wind and sunlight) can be harvested and converted into useful forms to produce energy commodities (such as petroleum and diesel fuel, natural gas, and electricity) that can be used to provide energy services for human activities.

The class, run by the Department of Economics, begins by studying the forces that generate both demand for and supply of energy resources and energy commodities. It considers what factors determine the way those commodities are transported to users, and how residuals are disposed of. It investigates the roles of alternative market and regulatory structures on these activities, the impacts of such activities and their environmental consequences.

The class identifies criteria required for the efficient provision and use of energy commodities and resources and reasons why efficiency is rarely achieved. The class adopts a practical, applied orientation throughout. Applications include the evaluation of renewable energy projects and the economic analysis of nuclear power.

This module provides an understanding of the theoretical and operational principles underlying simulation modelling of energy supply and demand systems and their environmental impact. The emphasis is on practical computer lab-based modelling exercises. It covers detailed energy system simulation, supply-demand matching, energy management and monitoring.

This class examines sustainable options for energy production, supply and consumption in relation to the net zero transition now underway in many countries. The aim of this class, run by the Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, is to give students an understanding of current trends in energy conversion and the energy market, and to enable a critical evaluation of emerging ideas, technologies and policies especially in relation to new and renewable energy supply systems.

A growing, and increasingly important, part of the work of many applied economists includes the economic analysis of environmental issues. Additionally, many professionals working in the fields of energy, the natural environment, government, or business more generally will find that their careers require some working knowledge of economic approaches to environmental problems.

The main objective of this class, run by the Department of Economics, is to provide a thorough grounding in the economics of the environment, with a particular focus on environmental protection in an international policy context. That context raises all of the issues confronted in the analysis of national and subnational environmental policy making, but also a host of others that arise from the absence of a supranational sovereign authority.

A key element of the economic approach to environmental policy is ‘value for money’ ‐ designing policy interventions that give the greatest environmental improvement for any particular budget outlay. But economic analysis also deals with questions about sustainability (and so impacts on future generations) and equity between different individuals, groups, and countries.

This class pays particular attention to international environmental problems – those that spill over national boundaries, and cannot be well‐managed by actions of individual countries alone, such as climate change and loss of biological diversity.

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) relates to the process of identifying, evaluating, and mitigating the biophysical, social, economic, cultural and other relevant effects of development proposals prior to major decisions being taken and commitments made. This class, run by the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering but open to all MSc and MEng students across the University, introduces the methods used to predict environmental impacts, and evaluates how these may be used to integrate environmental factors into decisions. 

The class draws principally on the UK planning context of environmental impact assessment of individual projects (project EIA), but also takes account of EIA experience in other countries and international organisations. Participants evaluate the quality of Environmental Statements (or EIA Reports) and of the EIA process using the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) methodology. 

The class discusses how EIA can be used a pro-active design tool for projects and how it can contribute to the enhancement of environmental, social and health issues. Students are also introduced to key principles of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and biodiversity net gain (BNG). Class has the contribution of key practitioners in the field and includes different case studies, such as proposed onshore and offshore windfarms.

In this class, run by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, you'll develop in-depth knowledge and skills regarding the science, engineering and management of environmental pollution control approaches to protect public health. You'll benefit from research-led teaching at the interface between public health and environmental engineering, with a particular focus on risk-centred methods. Lecture sessions are complemented by industrial and government case studies in contemporary air quality management practice.

This module introduces elements of financial engineering that are applied to reduce risk of business insolvency and enhance the financial robustness of business enterprises. Questions addressed include: What is the best strategy for survival and growth?; What are the options for financing investment projects both in the private and public sectors of an economy?; How would the financial engineer propose to combine loan capital and equity capital to raise funds for an investment initiative; How would he/she advise his/her company/organization to build its investment portfolio to ensure financial security in volatile market conditions?

This class provides an introduction to, and an overview, of the fields of Operational Research and Business Analysis. The class explores the generic problem solving process which underpins the provision of decision support. In particular, it will consider the role of modelling in that process.

The activities of problem structuring, data collection and analysis, identification and evaluation of options, communication and implementation of learning, findings and recommendations will each be discussed along with the issues pertaining to each of them. In addition, the links between each of these activities will be explored. Basic methodological issues will be considered and debated.

Relevant and up-to-date case studies will be used to illustrate key points and to initiate debate. Time will be spent appreciating the role of problem structuring methods and a variety of other approaches to modelling will be briefly discussed in order to introduce students to key techniques and tools in the field.

This class, run by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, introduces Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and spatial data analysis. The course covers the key theory with a strong focus is on practical applications. Students will develop skills to apply GIS independently to real world datasets and problems. The student will need to independently develop spatial research questions, find, or collect relevant data and perform a state-of-the-art spatial analysis. GIS is a digital tool for analysing spatial phenomena. It focusses on spatial data, so data where the location of the data is just as important as the data itself. GIS allows us to organize, visualize and analyse this data in a spatial context, so that we can interpret and understand the underlying processes. GIS can be used in a wide range of fields for example in engineering (site selection, flood risk, transport planning, impact of construction), environmental science (e.g. soil erosion, health and disease, pollutant transport, landscape visual impact assessment, wildlife preservation), business (e.g. asset management, customer relations) to policy making (e.g. urbanization, deforestation, spatial distribution of crime).

 This class, run by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, aims to provide students with the ability to:

• recognise the issues relating to overall global water policy and its interactions with other global issues
• discuss the impact of climate change and economic development on water resources and availability
• explore the different implementation issues based on regional case studies
• explore the role of stakeholders on the acceptance and achievement of policy objectives

The class also covers water policy from an international perspective focusing on transboundary issues and a review of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) that tie into water law and water policy.

This class, run by the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, develops students’ understanding of public and environmental health, and the multidisciplinary approach in preventative and proactive action to safeguarding public health.

A diverse range of subjects are covered ranging from the risk assessment approach taken with respect to protecting the public from private water supplies, to the role of environmental health professionals in the prevention of the spread of infectious disease.

The class also provides students with fundamental knowledge regarding Health Improvement/Promotion and Health Protection, including the different methods used and the variety of agencies involved.

One of the major challenges of modern industry is to address the need for sustainable product development and manufacturing. International legislation and increasing costs of fiscal instruments such as the landfill tax now aim to force producers to reduce the environmental impacts of their products and processes. Accelerating globalization and industrialization continues to exacerbate complexity of sustainability. Whilst manufacturers are constantly required to lower their costs and maintain their competitiveness, legislations require them to look at lifecycle costs. This class addresses these global concerns by studying lifecycle considerations for a sustainable and profitable product development and manufacture. The latest environmental legislation will also be studied along with product development concepts and strategies that will enable industry to meet these increasingly severe competitive, environmental and legislative pressures. The associated practical, hands- on sessions maximize the usefulness of the skills acquired in real-life operational industry setting.

There is a growth in the number of entrepreneurs starting businesses with social and environmental purposes. This module examines ideas and practices for addressing social needs. These include social enterprises, collaborative innovation networks, hubs, digital platforms, and support intermediaries. The module is centred around how students can start their own social entrepreneurship projects. The module will consist of a selection of presentations and discussions around social innovation and social entrepreneurship.

This class, run by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, covers organisational and regulatory aspects of waste management practice in the UK: legislation, composition of domestic and industrial wastes, storage, collection, reception, and disposal of solid wastes, clinical wastes, sewage sludge disposal, recycling and recovery. The class discusses common methods used in the management and treatment of solid municipal waste: recycling, thermal treatment of solid waste (incineration, gasification, pyrolysis), biological treatment of solid waste (anaerobic digestion and composting), and landfill as a disposal option.

Family businesses represent an important part of all businesses across different types of economies, encompassing larger to smaller firms. The specific nature of family business compared to other businesses emphasises the importance of family members on business creation, strategy and growth. In this class, participant explore aspects of governance, work ethics and succession as well as family dynamics, conflict on gender issues. The class, run by the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, gives students insights into effective and professional work with and within family firms.

The Internationalisation & Growth Lab recognizes that in today’s globalised business world, ventures often face international competition and international opportunities from inception. Therefore, internationalisation is no longer the premise of larger, more established corporations but it also happens in new and small firms. Identifying and selecting international markets for entry requires considering a number of factors and planning accordingly. This lab, run by the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, will equip students with the critical and applied understanding needed to plan international market selection and entry

This class, run by the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, is designed to build knowledge of the processes underpinning innovation. The class will provide an introduction to the main concepts and frameworks related to definitions, processes, strategies, organisation and sources of innovation. Towards the end of the class, new trends in innovation, such as social innovation and frugal innovation, will also be covered.

This class, run by the Department of Economics, introduces contemporary issues in the economics of development. The course aims to combine insights from theoretical economic models with empirical evidence regarding issues in low-income countries. 

In many environments, decisions are not made in a vacuum: what any individual does affects the wellbeing of others, and vice-versa. When this is the case decision-making requires some very careful thought indeed. Game Theory recognises this inter-dependence of decisions, and through its study students will develop skills to analyse such strategic environments using appropriate game theoretic tools, enabling them to enhance their decision-making ability in environments where they face strategic adversaries. Whilst Game Theory is used extensively in Economics, it is also of great importance in the business environment whenever interactions take place at a strategic level.

This class gives you an understanding of the ways in which the maritime environment can offer a significant contribution, in a sustainable manner, to global energy demands. You’ll undertake engineering assessments of the design and operation of marine energy generating systems.

This class aims to impart an understanding of the theoretical and operational principles underlying simulation modelling of energy supply and demand systems and their environmental impact. The emphasis is on practical computer lab-based modelling exercises.