Programme description

Our postgraduate research programmes in Environmental Engineering offer the opportunity to study in a multi-disciplinary team alongside leading academics in the field. Drawing on our expertise in Bioenergy and biomass, sustainable nuclear energy, low carbon transport, renewable energy socio-economics and carbon capture and storage we develop practical solutions to some of society's most pressing environmental challenges.

Aims

The Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is awarded by the University in recognition of the successful completion of a course of supervised research, the results of which show evidence of originality and independent critical judgement and constitute an addition to knowledge.

A PhD is the target of most postgraduate students who relish the opportunity to undertake a research project with intellectual, scientific, industrial or commercial challenges. Individuals with relevant industrial experience are also encouraged to apply for this level of graduate work, which is of particular value for personal and professional development.

Teaching and learning

All candidates for the degree of PhD must undertake a skills review at the beginning of their degree to determine their research, transferable and generic skills requirements. The review will provide the basis for a planned programme of skills training and development. The outcomes of the review and programme of skills development must be discussed and agreed by the student and the supervisory team. The supervisory team will be responsible for ensuring that the student has access to the required skills training and development opportunities.

Students admitted to the degree of PhD must demonstrate satisfactory progress before the end of the first year by submission of a progress report which will be discussed at a formal progress meeting with the supervisory team and an independent assessor. Successful completion enables progression into the next year.

Career opportunities

Undertaking a PhD in the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering is both challenging and rewarding. Not only does it provide you with the opportunity to strengthen your research ability but it will also help you to develop a much wider range of skills, required to develop your career in business and industry or in research and an academic environment.

Graduates from the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering leave with a breadth of strong technical and inter-personal skills and expertise far beyond their particular degree specialism. They progress into a wide variety of careers within engineering (e.g. consulting engineers, R&D companies, construction sector) academia, public services (e.g. civil service, policy change) and commerce (e.g. IT, finance). The acquisition of a PhD degree provides a significant career acceleration and facilitates entry into positions with greater responsibility and diverse opportunities. Furthermore, it increasingly provides entrepreneurial opportunities, exploiting skills and knowledge acquired during the programme.