Science Industry Process and Plant Engineer Degree Apprenticeship

This module introduces the range of mathematical skills that are relevant to an engineering degree. You revisit and develop your knowledge of the fundamentals of algebra, trigonometry and basic statistics. The central ideas of vectors, matrices, complex numbers, and differential and integral calculus are also examined.

Throughout the module you develop a range of mathematical skills and techniques fundamental to the solution of engineering problems. You also advance your skills in selecting and applying mathematical techniques.

This module is delivered through a combination of lectures and tutorial sessions.

You gain a fundamental knowledge of fluid flow through pipe-work systems and the associated design tasks. You are introduced to the techniques used to predict the behaviour of fluids in Chemical Engineering applications and investigate the differences between Newtonian and Non-Newtonian fluids.

The importance of stoichiometry, mass and energy balances and recycle operations is widely known and accepted in the chemical, biochemical and other related industries. You explore concepts and skills necessary to develop the skills necessary to work as a chemical engineer.

Develop academic skills, work-based learning strategies and personal resilience for both the workplace and academic studies. Explore an area of engineering that influences your professional practice.

Learn the fundamentals of process flow diagrams, hazards, health and safety, ethical considerations, and commercial value of process operations in chemical engineering. You also develop essential practical and transferable skills by working in teams, on-site training activities and simulated laboratory sessions.

Explore an area of theory that influences your practice, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to become an effective higher education work-based learner. Foster personal insight into learning and development, critically reflecting on your professional practice.

Gain an understanding of the key properties of engineering materials through hands-on lab sessions and theoretical study. Explore the fundamental relationships between processing, structure, properties, and performance, learning how these factors affect the suitability of materials for various engineering applications.

Develop foundational knowledge in key areas of chemistry, supporting your future studies in the synthesis, analysis, design and manufacture of chemistry-related engineering components and devices, as well as their industrial production.

You explore the concepts of chemical engineering thermodynamics.
Develop an understanding of the engineering thermodynamic properties of pure working fluids. A series of thermodynamic principles are defined, developed and then applied to solve chemical engineering related problems of increasing difficulty, in particular derivation of the first and second laws of thermodynamics are explored and then applied to real world analysis of a range of heat-power cycles.

You develop mathematical knowledge in differential equations and numerical methods and extend your base of techniques to solve a variety of problems which arise in engineering domains. The emphasis is on developing competence in the identification of the most appropriate method to solve a given problem and its subsequent application.

Explore an area of theory that influences your practice, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to become an effective higher education work-based learner. Foster personal insight into learning and development, critically reflecting on your professional practice.

You document work-based evidence to demonstrate key teamwork skills needed to plan, manage and solve an industrially relevant process design problem. You also develop skills in project management, presentation of work, research and commercial awareness. Discover which skills are required to perform a Hazard and Operability study, selecting the best process for manufacturing a given product and designing the plant necessary to carry this out.

You learn about the importance of control systems in industrial production processes, and describe fundamental concepts of linear control including feedback, Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) control, system dynamic response and controller tuning.

Mathematical modeling of systems based upon rate and balance equations are demonstrated, together with methods of designing feedback controllers. You use computer software to develop models of typical industrial systems and simulate their dynamic response under stated conditions.

Explore an area of engineering that influences your professional practice. Develop industry-relevant skills required for research and reporting, including practical work reporting, error analysis techniques and preparation of risk assessments.

Take part in typical graduate selection exercises often used by employers, including writing covering letters and CVs, completing online application forms, participating in mock interviews, undertaking psychometric tests, delivering presentations and engaging in assessment centre tasks. Employability, self-marketing and confidence-building skills are actively developed, using example person specifications as reference points. Key skills are delivered in a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) format to emphasise the importance of skills development and career management. This module is also supported by the University’s Careers Service at key stages. A personal development plan is developed based upon the CPD model provided by an appropriate professional institution (Institution of Chemical Engineers).

In most production units, chemical engineers separate the desired product from the other compounds and concentrate it to give the desired product specification.
You gain a sound understanding of mass transfer theory. You learn about mass and energy conservation and particle technology and the basic concepts behind the design and operation of mass-transfer equipment.

The core of most chemical processes is a chemical reactor to produce the desired product. Sometimes the components of the reaction may be biologically active.
You gain a sound understanding of the fundamental concepts of reaction engineering in chemical and biochemical systems. You make use of the essential knowledge of mass and energy conservation, reaction equilibria and kinetics and are introduced to the basic concepts behind the design of different types of chemical and biochemical reactors.

You broaden your knowledge and deepen your understanding of process unit operations and the underpinning science. It provides you with design methodologies for complex unit operations involving multicomponent distillation, liquid-liquid extraction, gas absorption, membrane processes and chromatography. You gain an in-depth understanding of the application of thermodynamics to mixtures.

Explore an area of theory that influences your practice, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to become an effective higher education work-based learner. Foster personal insight into learning and development, critically reflecting on your professional practice.

You develop an appreciation and understanding of process safety and management systems, incorporating ethics. Study explosions, toxic gas releases, pressure relief, decision trees, mechanical engineering design, safety management systems, accident reporting near misses and whistle blowing. Investigate areas of chemical engineering to broaden your understanding of the current industrial landscape.

Consider the design work introduced throughout the course in to a single cohesive design exercise. Explore the requirements set down for process design degrees by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE).
The project follows standard industrial design methodologies from initial design brief through to complete design of a chemical process.

You explore the environmental impact of industrial and human activity, and the need for a sustainable approach for environmental engineering solutions. You examine sustainable strategies for air, water and land pollution, focussing on environmental management and sustainable engineering.

This is a 20-credit module.

You develop your understanding of reaction engineering and apply your knowledge to complex and multi-phase reactions/reactors systems. You are also introduced to catalyst preparation and characterisation, and the use of catalysis in reaction engineering.