The normal entry requirement for applicants for this MSc programme is:
- Minimum of a lower second class (2:2) Honours Degree in a science or engineering discipline.
- Students holding overseas degrees are very welcome to apply, and their degree qualifications are assessed in accordance with their referees’ comments and our long-established experience in working with international students.
- International students whose native language is not English will also need to demonstrate English Language ability (e.g. IELTS 6.5, TOEFL score of 600 or equivalent).
All the modules in this programme are delivered through lectures and tutorials (some lab-based), which provide a good balance between the study of scientific methodologies and their performance in the context of broad industrial applications. Students will gain plenty of practical experience through case studies and coursework. The teaching modules are assessed through a combination of coursework and examinations and a dissertation is required for the major, six month MSc project. The MSc programme places a strong emphasis on writing the dissertation since it teaches students to work independently using the scientific methods studied during the first two semesters. A special project supervisor will be assigned to each student.
Postgraduate Diploma in Chemical Process Technology
The Diploma is an award in its own right but can be regarded as a cumulative approach towards an overall Masters Degree. The credits for the Diploma can be accumulated in 9 months or a maximum time of five years.
Part-time MSc Degree in Chemical Process TechnologyThe Masters award is based on 180 credits at Masters Level. Credits at Masters Level will be awarded, on successful completion of a theoretical or practical module based on the same criteria as for the full-time Masters degree. However these may be amassed over 1-5 years but the assessment criteria are identical to those for the full-time MSc.
Our MSc in Chemical Process Technology will be particularly attractive to science graduates who want to expand their career opportunities in chemical and process industries, as well as experienced graduates and professionals with an interest in process industries with specialisation in management, polymer engineering or bioenergy and bioproducts. It will provide students with the knowledge, understanding and skills appropriate to careers in the chemical process industries.
The MSc programme is borne out of the activity of two research groups: the Bio-materials and Bio-molecular Science Research Group and the Bioenergy Research Group (BERG) including the newly established European Bioenergy Research Institute (EBRI). The Bio-materials and Bio-molecular Science group’s core expertise lies in the application of a fundamental molecular understanding to rapidly developing areas such as biomimetic systems, assay development, combinatorial chemistry and biology, molecular design, biological chemistry and biomaterials. Research has been generously funded by the EPSRC, BBSRC, EU grants and UK and international companies, including Johnson & Johnson, Ciba-Novartis, Proctor & Gamble and Avecia. The basis of the group’s work is creatively interdisciplinary, and is further supported by in-house tissue culture facilities and external clinical collaboration.
The Bioenergy Research Group is the largest university-based research group for thermal biomass conversion in the world. The focus of the group’s work is the thermal processing of biomass for production of power, transport fuels and chemicals, with a particular interest in fast pyrolysis. The group has secured over £16 million in funding and is involved in a number of key national & international bioenergy projects. It possesses some of the most extensive university-based thermal processing facilities and capabilities in the world. Its steady stream of national and international funding means that its researchers work at the cutting edge of bioenergy R&D and their research is geared to finding real world solutions. There are unique opportunities for MSc students to do their thesis work with BERG and EBRI, and some of the best students go on to complete PhDs with the group.
Dr James Titiloye
BSc(Ibadan), MSc, PhD(UMIST), CEng, MIChemE, MRSC, FHEA
The programme draws on complementary cutting edge research carried out by academics in the School of Engineering at Aston University. The Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry unit is part of the Material, Energy and the Environment Research Institute and specialises in three main areas; Bioenergy, Bio-material and Polymer processing and fabrications, all of which are reflected in the module contents of the course.
Professor Brian Tighe
Leader, Biomaterials Research GroupProfessor Tighe's research focuses on the design, synthesis and applications of biomedical polymers, a significant proportion of which are hydrogels, a term frequently used to describe polymers swollen with water. Current interests include novel materials for ophthalmic applications, drug delivery systems, bioadhesive polymers, synthetic materials for articular cartilage, lung surfactant and cornea. The research is interdisciplinary and involves strong interactive connections with relevant industrial companies.
Dr John Brammer
Lecturer, Chemical EngineeringDr. Brammer's interests are in the field of energy systems and in particular systems for the production of energy from biomass (bio-energy systems). He specialises in systems modelling and analysis, including process modelling, techno-economic studies and environmental life cycle assessment. He has a particular interest in biomass gasification and combustion systems. He also has an interest in computational fluid dynamics and its application to energy system components, including furnaces and gasifiers.
Dr George Drahun
Undergraduate Programme DirectorDr. Drahun’s major interests are in the field of combustion, in particular the kinetics of the combustion of char derived from the fast pyrolysis of biomass. Both experimental and modelling work is underway to study char combustion and its impact on existing and future industrial applications. His other interests include sustainable development and health and safety.
Main University navigation links