MSc Process Systems Engineering

Entry standards

Candidates should be graduates with at least a Second class honours degree (or equivalent) in an engineering, science or related subject. Practitioners with suitable qualifications and relevant experience in engineering, science or technology are also welcome to apply.

English language requirements

Non-native speakers of English will normally be required to have IELTS 6.5 or above, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component (or equivalent).

Please note that the University of Surrey offers English language programmes and is also an IELTS Test Centre.

MSc Process Systems Engineering - structure and modules

Module Titles

Compulsory Modules 

• Software Development 
• Process and Energy Integration 
• Process Systems Design 
• Optimisation and Decision Making 
• Supply Chain Management 
• Research Methods and Principles 
• Dissertation 

Optional Modules Include: 

•  Strategic Information Management  Renewable Energy Technologies
• Knowledge-based Systems and Artificial Intelligence
• Introduction to Petroleum Production
• E-commerce and Emerging Technologies  
• Business and Research Seminars  
• Process Safety and Operations Integrity
• Biomass Processing Technologies
• Refinery and Petrochemical Process
• Process Modelling and Simulation   

Compulsory Modules 

Software Development 

In this module you will gain an appreciation of the technical issues involved in the production of computationally intensive engineering design and simulation software. You will explore the software design and production process from the mathematical origins to the final user interface. This module concentrates on the technical issues of algorithm design whilst touching on the business and user-interface aspects of commercial packages. 

Process and Energy Integration 

This module develops your understanding of process integration, highlighting solution strategies for the synthesis of energy recovery networks in the context of the overall chemical flowsheet. 

Process Systems Design 

This module develops your understanding of how to systematically synthesise and design chemical process systems. It will cover process synthesis and integration technology that can be applied in order to improve the economic efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of chemical processing plants. 

Optimisation and Decision Making 

In this module you will develop your understanding of the technology available to optimise process systems, business models and operations. You will be provided with state-of-the-art versions of modelling and optimisation approaches in order to understand both the potential and the limitations of available techniques. 

Supply Chain Management 

This module provides knowledge about the latest trends in the management of product supply chains and enterprise resource planning. You will learn the basic constituents of supply chains followed by the systems engineering aspects of supply chain monitoring, simulation and optimisation. 

Research Methods and Principles 

This module aims to provide an introduction to the general principles and practices associated with planning, undertaking and reporting research in engineering or physical sciences. At the end of the module you should be in a position to apply the taught material to your own project, in order to produce a strategy for a literature search and an outline experimental plan.

Dissertation 

The project provides an opportunity for you to pursue a single topic in depth and to demonstrate evidence of research potential for the Masters award. You will be encouraged to either research a new concept or apply existing technology in a new field. A number of dissertations are carried out in collaboration with industry. Upon successful completion of the module, you will be able to approach an open-ended topic to research new ideas and experiment with new technologies. 

Optional Modules Include: 

• Renewable Energy Technologies
• Knowledge-based Systems and Artificial Intelligence  
• Introduction to Petroleum Production
• E-commerce and Emerging Technologies  
• Business and Research Seminars  
• Process Safety and Operations Integrity
• Biomass Processing Technologies  
• Refinery and Petrochemical Process  
• Process Modelling and Simulation

Programme Structure 

We offer a set of optional modules that will allow you to tailor the programmes to suit your individual needs, whilst the compulsory modules provide the fundamental knowledge and skills needed in industry today. 

Graduate students will find the programmes of substantial benefit in developing the knowledge and skills acquired in their undergraduate programmes. For practising process engineers with professional business experience, the programmes are an opportunity to update their knowledge of current design practice and also to familiarise themselves with developments in codes and methods of analysis. 

Successful completion of four modules is required to gain a Postgraduate Certificate and eight modules for a Postgraduate Diploma. To be awarded the MSc, you will need to take eight modules and successfully complete a dissertation. 

Each module is worth 15 credits. The majority of modules are provided by University academic staff. In addition, the business and research seminars and renewable technologies and business modules are coordinated and supervised by University academic staff but delivered by experts from industry, research institutions and business organisations. The majority of modules run for ten weeks and comprise approximately 30 hours of class time (three hours per week) and 120 hours of self-study and assignments. 

There is a wide selection of modules on offer within the programmes covering the most relevant areas in the sector of business and technology in the process industry. At the end of the programmes, you will have an opportunity to pursue a single topic in depth and to demonstrate evidence of research potential through the project dissertation. 

Academic support in the form of consultations is constantly available to enable further knowledge and skill comprehension.

MSc Process Systems Engineering - entry standards

Entry standards

Candidates should be graduates with at least a Second class honours degree (or equivalent) in an engineering, science or related subject. Practitioners with suitable qualifications and relevant experience in engineering, science or technology are also welcome to apply.

English language requirements

Non-native speakers of English will normally be required to have IELTS 6.5 or above, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component (or equivalent).

Please note that the University of Surrey offers English language programmes and is also an IELTS Test Centre.

Planned intake

Up to 25

Start date

September

Programme director

• Dr Aidong Yang

MSc Process Systems Engineering - fees and funding

Fees

Process Systems Engineering (full time):

UK/EU - £5,740 
Overseas - £14,830

Process Systems Engineering  (part time per 15 credits):

UK/EU - £480 
Overseas - £1,235

www.surrey.ac.uk/pgfees/2012

MSc Process Systems Engineering - professional context

Careers

Engineers and scientists are increasingly expected to have skills in information systems engineering and decision support systems alongside their main technical and/or scientific expertise. 

Graduates of these programmes will be well prepared to help technology-intensive organisations make important decisions in view of vast amounts of information by adopting, combining, implementing and executing the right technologies.

MSc Process Systems Engineering - teaching

Teaching

Our programmes utilise our research-active staff in conjunction with state-of-the-art facilities to provide a range of learning experiences – lectures, seminars, directed study, practical laboratories and project work. 

Lectures are delivered by specialised, expert academic staff. Further in-depth knowledge and skills are gained through seminars delivered and guided by experienced professionals from industry, business and research organisations with the focus on the latest trends and problem-solving methods. You will also work on a number of projects, individually and in groups, supervised by academic staff and focusing on real-life problems. 

Modules are generally assessed by a combination of examinations and continuous assessment. The latter will be based on solutions to tutorial questions, reports covering practical sessions and fieldwork, and essays on a number of suitable topics. Each module is examined separately. There is a written final examination for most modules at the end of each semester, although some modules are examined by continuous assessment only. The modules and the dissertation project have a minimum pass mark of 50 per cent.

Staff perspective

Dr Aidong Yang

A chemical engineer by training, I am teaching several MSc modules in the areas of process systems design and modelling, and biomass processing.

My teaching is well informed by active research in the fields of multiscale modelling of complex systems and modelbased
analysis and optimisation of manufacturing systems based on renewable resources.

As a lecturer and a researcher in systems engineering, I believe the coupling of process, information and business engineering with the systems perspectives, as offered by the family of MSc programmes from PRISE, is instrumental in developing future engineers and policy makers who will inevitably be expected to seek efficient and systematic solutions for problems of increasing complexity.

MSc Process Systems Engineering - learning

Facilities, Equipment and Academic Support 

Modules related to the different groups are taught by a total of six full-time members of staff and a number of visiting lecturers. 

An extensive library is available for individual study. It stocks more than 85,000 printed books and e-books and more than 1400 (1100 online) journal titles, all in the broad area of engineering. The library support can be extended further through inter-library loans. 

As part of their learning experience, students have at their disposal a wide range of relevant software needed to support the programme material dissertation projects. In recent years this work included the design of various knowledge-based and business systems on the Internet, the application of optimisation algorithms, and semantic web applications. 

Numerous laboratory facilities across the Faculty and the University are also available for those opting for technology-based projects, such as the process engineering facility, a control and robotics facility and signal processing labs. 

The work related to the MSc dissertation can often be carried out in parallel with, and in support of, ongoing research. In the past, several graduates have carried on their MSc research onto a PhD programme.

MSc Process Systems Engineering - graduate profile

Graduate Profile: Obafemi Adesanya

MSc Process Systems Engineering

The detailed breakdown of the course content, presented on the University website and in the prospectus, was a key factor in choosing the University of Surrey.

The lecturers are highly competent, with vast experience in their discipline. This creates an environment conducive for every student to excel and add value to themselves. You do have to put the hard work in; however, it is worth it. 

I developed the ability to meet and exceed targets within a set time-frame; I improved my ability to work with a wide network of people from various cultures and ethnic backgrounds and also adopted a more flexible approach to change and new ways of working. I hope to build on my engineering experience by being involved in technologies aimed at improving existing and alternative energy production, thereby contributing to a ‘green’ environment.

Guildford has a great range of high street shops, restaurants, bars, pubs and a few clubs, giving students enough options to shop and relax. If you need the buzz of a big city, London is just 40 minutes away by train. 

As an international student, it was a fantastic experience meeting people from diverse cultures. I shared a flat on campus with students from different countries. We had small parties in the communal area of the flat, where I got to appreciate different musical preferences and dishes. I must say, some of my flatmates had remarkable culinary skills!

Graduate Profile: Grace Oppong

MSc Process Systems Engineering

I chose the University of Surrey because the programme modules were of such great interest to me.

My lecturers were very friendly and helpful. My supervisor was also very inspirational and encouraged me to pursue my education beyond Masters level. I am now studying for an engineering doctorate (EngD) in biopharmaceutical bioprocess development.

Studying at Surrey was a very important career development for me. The MSc gave me a chance to develop my engineering ability – a plus in my industry. The academic criteria and eventual qualification have enabled me to pursue the right engineering career for me. 

While at Surrey, I was able to work part-time, as I was a self-funding student. When I do have spare time, I like to volunteer and am a member of Amnesty International.

I lived in International House on campus. It was really convenient and very close to the department. My en suite accommodation meant I didn’t have to worry about queuing for the shower! 

To chill out, we had barbeques by the lake in the summer. The people at Surrey truly make the place special. With students of so many diverse nationalities on campus, anyone can find a friend.

MSc Process Systems Engineering - more

Centre for Process and Information Systems Engineering 

Process integration and systems analysis for sustainability of resources and energy efficiency are carried out within the well- established Centre for Process and Information Systems Engineering (PRISE). PRISE, supported through industrial membership, fosters interactions with R&D centres around the world. The most notable of the successes in this area includes design technology for chemical reactors and chemical process flow sheets, optimisation solvers, the knowledge management h-TechSight and a long array of synthesis tools. 

Major research interests in PRISE include: 

• Chemical reactor design, addressing specific industrial reactors or reaction/separation and reactive separation processes 
• Process operations, including graph-based methods, mathematical programming, stochastic optimisation 
• Computer-aided molecular design (CAMD): integrated synthesis of optimal process designs and optimal solvents, novel solvent options and retrofit decision making 
• Bioprocess systems: the research targets optimal biocatalytic process design problems focusing on membrane and solvent-based reactive and non-reactive separations, and solid/liquid separations 
• Knowledge management and grid applications inviting real-life problems to be used as pilot studies 
• Oil exploration: research investigates the effective production and exploration of oil and the optimum design capacity of production facilities 
• Sustainable systems engineering: with strong links with the Centre for Environmental Strategy (CES) 

Other Programmes You May Be Interested In 

• Petroleum Refining Systems Engineering 
• Renewable Energy Systems Engineering

MSc Process Systems Engineering - apply

• MSc Process Systems Engineering - Full-time - starting September 2012
• MSc Process Systems Engineering - Part-time - starting September 2012