All students study the core programme of four modules, which focuses on developing a breadth of skills and understanding that complements the technical background of participants. The core is designed to provide both a conceptual, qualitative approach to understanding sustainability concepts, values, and change processes and a quantitative approach that makes use of key tools in sustainability methods and metrics.
Two of the core modules deal respectively with qualitative and quantitative aspects of engineering sustainability. ESD 150 explores Driving Change Towards Sustainability and investigates the ideas behind sustainable development that are relevant to engineers, including ethical issues, managing change within industry, and dealing with multiple stakeholders. ESD 200 Sustainability Methods and Metrics introduces systems thinking and such tools as life-cycle analysis, systems dynamics, multi-criteria analysis, ecosystem service valuation, environmental economics and social science research methods.
The other two core modules go deeper into specific aspects of the sustainability agenda. ESD 380 explores the Resilience of Infrastructure Systems, while principles that can be used to guide Innovations in Sustainable Design and Manufacturing in the manufacturing and process engineering sectors form the basis of ESD 560.
- Please note that both the course structure and the modules offered for the MPhil are subject to change year on year. This information is representative of the 2020-21 course structure, but some options may not be available in future years.