Building Services Engineering MSc

Modules

The course provides a practitioner perspective with which we analyse building energy requirements in terms of the external environment and internal space, and the effect on energy resources. We consider the principles and analyse associated building engineering systems to understand control, simulation and modelling techniques.

As well as the core engineering skills, appropriate areas of management and research methods are studied to provide a balance foundation for the specialist units. The MSc dissertation provides an opportunity to develop further research skills by application to problems that require in-depth and innovative thinking.

Module descriptions

• Thermal environment, acoustics and lighting
  The module provides an introduction to the processes and characteristics that determine the quality of the internal built thermal, acoustic and visual environment. The aims of this module are to examine the principal parameters that affect the thermal, acoustic and visual environment, and the theory and principles necessary for the design of the internal environment.
• Heating and energy in buildings
  This module introduces the key components of building heating and cooling systems, and presents sizing methodologies of central plant and techniques for analysing energy consumption and carbon emissions. System configurations and controls are discussed that ensure optimum safe and efficient operation of the plant.
• Energy resource and use analysis
  This module offers the opportunity to develop strategic and operational management skills in the fields of infrastructure asset management and project appraisal. It covers design life extensions, risk and asset management techniques for infrastructure, and techniques for physical appraisal of infrastructure, and their economic, environmental and social impacts.
• Electrical power
  The module covers electrical power engineering as applied to the design of systems in buildings. In particular, this includes the connection of, and the effects of, small-scale embedded generation as might be employed to exploit renewable energy sources. The module aims to provide an appreciation and understanding of electrical services design in buildings with particular reference to safety requirements and the effects of embedded generation on the supplier and the consumer.
• Sustainable refrigeration
  The module introduces the principles of thermodynamics, and applies them to the study and design of energy efficient refrigeration systems. Vapour compression, absorption and other novel cycles are analysed and modeled. Practical applications of sustainable refrigeration are investigated through case studies.
• Ventilation and air conditioning
  This module introduces the theory and principles necessary for the evaluation of ventilation and cooling loads, the selection and design of ventilating and air conditioning systems. It examines the principles of operation and characteristics of contemporary systems and their associated controls and distribution systems with particular emphasis on energy use and heat recovery. It discusses the effect of system balancing and maintenance on the correct and energy efficient operation of the systems.
• Energy engineering project

Methods of assessment by module Module description Assessment methods Thermal environment, acoustics and lighting 50% Examination 50% Group Project Heating and energy in buildings 50% Examination 50% Coursework Energy resource and use analysis 40% Report 60% Feasibility study Electrical power 70% Examination 30% Coursework Sustainable refrigeration 100% Coursework Ventilation and air conditioning 50% Examination 50% Coursework Energy engineering project 100% Coursework