MPhil. Clean Energy and Environment

sun wind turbine and solar panel combined to represent clean energy
Degree Type
Master of Philosophy
Modes of Study
Regular
Programme Duration
2 years (Standard Entry)
Post date
Thursday, November 14, 2024 - 13:22

Contact Details for more information about programme

 

Prof. Mohammed A. Takase (Programme Coordinator) +233244909134  

Email: mohammed.takase@ucc.edu.gh

 General Office Tel:03320-96237

Department Email: enviro.science@ucc.edu.gh

Objectives of the programme

This is a TEA-LP,UKAid sponsored programme with objectives to:

  1. Develop students’ competencies in the science and technology that underpin the clean energy sector
  2. Equip students with the knowledge and analytical skills to be able to design and evaluate options for clean energy systems
  3. Develop students’ managerial skills for clean energy systems
  4. Equip students with the requisite tools and skills for research in clean and sustainable energy

Intended/Expected Outcomes

Upon completion of the programme, students will be able to:

 (a) Develop their competencies in the science that underpin clean energy

 (b) Design and evaluate options for clean energy systems

 (c) Develop managerial skills for clean energy systems

 (d) Carry out research in clean and sustainable energy

The programme focuses on entrepreneurship for the graduates. For instance, in the curriculum, there are core courses such as Local Solutions for Energy Access, Appliances for Off-Grid Communities, and Mini-Grids Planning and Design which are entrepreneurship-based and solely unique to this programme in Ghana and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Why Choose this Programme

The Clean Energy and Environment Programme is designed to blend academic with industrial training. This is geared towards producing graduates for the corporate world.

 The curriculum is multidisciplinary with knowledge from varying backgrounds and disciplines all geared towards addressing energy challenges in Ghana. Case studies on energy and environment will be employed in the course of teaching and learning. The students will also undergo field internships and practical attachments in energy-related industries.

Career Opportunities: There is an existing gap in expertise and the programme is expected to bridge the gap: Local Solutions for Energy Access, Appliances
for Off-Grid Communities and Mini-grids Planning and Design etc. Graduates of the M.Phil (Clean Energy and Environment) programme will also be equipped with knowledge and skills that will help address the inadequacies in the energy sector.

Target Market

  • Engineers
  • Environmentalists
  • Researchers
  • Geologists

 Employability

  • Energy sector
  • Agriculture
  • Manufacturing
  • Services
  • Non-Governmental Agencies 

Unique 'selling points'

  • This programme prepares students for entrepreneurship and self starters. 
  • It develops students’ competencies in the science and technology that underpin the clean energy sector
  • It equip students with knowledge and analytical skills for designing and evaluation options for clean energy systems
  • It equip students with the requisite tools and skills for research in clean and sustainable energy

Career opportunities

Graduates of the programme can work in the following sectors:
Agriculture
Manufacturing
Services
Energy
Production
Non-Governmental Agencies

Apply for the Programme here
E-voucher can be purchased from the University Finance Office or any of the banks below:
GCB, ADB, NIB 
 

Application Timeline Date
Deadline for student applications  10/01/2025
Notification of acceptance into Masters' programme 13/01/2025
Fee payment deadline  20/01/2025
Registration deadline  24/01/2025
Launch date - classes start 27/01/2025

Entry Requirements.

To qualify for the programme candidates must possess the following:

  • Have obtained a good first degree in an appropriate field of study from a recognized university/analogous institution.
  • Submit an official transcript of your academic record.
  • Submit the names of two referees, one of whom must be a former Lecturer.
  • Pass selection interview organised by the department.
  • Satisfy any additional requirements prescribed by the Department.
     
Last modified
Friday, December 20, 2024 - 12:30

Programme Structure

Level 800

First Semester

ENS 802 Environment and Climate Change
2 Credit(s)

This course examines the effects of anthropogenic activities, the factors on the environment, and climatic conditions as well as mitigation factors, potential costs, and benefits.

 

  1. Objectives

The objective of the course is to:

    1. Explain the basic concept of climate change
    2. Identify the anthropogenic drivers of climate change
    3. Examine trends and impacts in climate changed
    4. Analyse linkages between climate change adaptation and development
    5. Discuss the mitigation factors, potential costs, and benefits of combating climate change

ENS 821 Environmental Stewardship and Waste Management
3 Credit(s)

The course deals with the social, economic, and political significance of environmental stewardship as well as understand different types of waste, their handling, storage, and disposal requirements. It examines waste and waste management systems.

Objectives

The objective of the course is to:

  • Explain the importance of environmental stewardship
  • Discuss multiple methods of demonstrating environmental stewardship
  • Examine sustainable waste and environmental management systems
  • Examine different types of waste, their handling, storage, disposal requirements

       and their potential effect on the environment.

 

ENS 823 Renewable Energy and Society
2 Credit(s)

The course focuses on the relationship between the technologies of renewable energy systems and the societies as well as the policies that influence the development of energy supply and demand, processes, and institutional arrangements.

Objectives

The objective of the course is to:

  • Examine the different forms of renewable energy
  •  Discuss the merits and demerits of the different renewable energy sources
  •  Discuss the variety of applications for renewable energy
  •  Examine the scientific and technical principles in the applications of renewable energy
  •  Discuss the socio-political and economic incentives in the implementation of renewable energy

    • ENS 825 Artificial Intelligence in Renewable Energy     
    2 Credit(s)

    The course discusses key concepts that underline artificial intelligence (AI), and their applications within renewable and sustain- able energy settings such as the theory and algorithms of Machine Learning for forecasting, prediction as well as conservation of energy.

    Objectives

    The objective of the course is to:

     Predict future performance of energy resources using AI

    • Apply machine learning for operational detection

    • Gain digital engineering and Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) skills

    • Gain hand-on experience with the application of neural network in energy operations

    ENS 827 Local Solutions for Energy Access   
    2 Credit(s)

    This multi-disciplinary, non-technical course exposes student examines the framework of the local/regional Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) sector, assess its challenges, and offer potential solutions.

    Objectives

    The objective of the course is to:

    • Analyse local energy challenges
    • Design and implement local energy systems
    • Gain entrepreneurial/ intrapreneurial mindset for energy access projects

    SGS 801 Academic Writing for Graduate Students
    3 Credit(s)

    The course offers the student an opportunity to acquire and develop rhetorical knowledge and practices for writing discipline-specific contexts with a focus on other practical issues in research writing and publishing, including how to respond appropriately to reviewer comments.

    Objectives

    The objective of the course is to enable students to

    i. Write the theoretical, procedural, and practical aspects of genres and part genres within discipline-specific contexts

    ii.Write and publish including how to respond appropriately to reviewer comments

    iii.Write texts in support of research career

    Level 850

    Second Semester

    ENS 806 Research Methods                    
    3 Credit(s)

    The course provides hands-on experience to students on theoretical/conceptual framework and modelling, statistical tools, data collection and analysis, problem identification and objectives setting, literature-searching skills to enable them write research proposals.

    Objectives

    The objective of the course is to:

    • Apply statistical tools, knowledge and computing skills to research
    • Explain basic concepts of research, variables operationalization, sampling, reliability and validity
    • Explain quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods of research
    • Formulate research questions and hypotheses
    • Analyse the appropriate method and variables needed for research questions
    • Write a good research proposal

    ENS 822 Energy and Gender
    3 Credit(s)

    This course offers students the opportunity to understand gender dimensions of the energy sector such as gender barriers that contribute towards poverty, health risks and other issues affecting women will be discussed as well.

    Objectives

    The objective of the course to:

    • Examine gender dimensions in the energy sector
    • Determine gender barriers in the energy sector and suggest ways of removing these barriers
    • Establish the relationship among gender, energy use, and climate change and mitigation.
    • Relate gender and energy use to the SDGs

    ENS 824 Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Renewable Energy
    3 Credit(s)

     This course equips students with skills in renewable energy entrepreneurship and data management. Emphasis will also be placed on organizing and financing new projects, current trends, and e-commerce.

    1. Objectives

    The objective of the course is to:

    Identify key concepts underpinning

      1. entrepreneurship and its application in the recognition and exploitation of product/ service/ process opportunities

      2. Examine key concepts underpinning innovation and the issues associated with developing and sustaining innovation within organizations

      3. Design creative strategies for pursuing, exploiting, and developing new opportunities

      4. Assess issues associated with securing and managing financial resources in new and established organizations.

    ENS 826 Appliances for Off-Grid Communities  
    3 Credit(s)

    Description

    This multi-disciplinary course focus on the insights into the technical, environmental, socio-economic, policy, and business aspects of off-grid appliances that improve quality of life, livelihoods, local economies, and climate resilience.

    1. Objectives

    The objective of the course is to:

    •  Determine appropriate appliances for off-grid communities
    •  Design and operate off-grid systems for communities
    •  Examine various off-grid systems and perform a cost-benefit analysis for suitable options for the off-grid communities
    •  Demonstrate entrepreneurial skills via activities through projects

    ENS 828 Mini-Grids Planning and Design     
    3 Credit(s)

    The course focuses on the impart of holistic, high-level, practical skills to plan and complete a technical design for a mini-grid to support sustainable energy access for off-grid communities.

    1. Objectives

    The objective of the course is to:

    •  Design a simple mini-grid system given a set of specifications and constraints
    •  Plan mini-grid systems
    •  Carry out cost-benefit analysis of choosing a particular mini-grid system
    •  Manage mini-grid

     Develop fertilizer business plans

    ENS 832 Bioenergy Technologies 
    3 Credit(s)

    The course will focus on overview of biologically-based processes for bio-energy and biofuel production. Topics of interest include bioethanol, biodiesel, bioelectrical systems, methane and hydrogen production.

    Objectives

    The objective of the course is to:

    •  Determine the types and characteristics of biomass for energy application and fuel characterization
    •  Examine biochemical conversion of biomass for energy application
    •  Evaluate bioenergy systems and process integration
    •  Conduct techno-economic analysis for bioenergy systems

    ENS 834 Solar-Hydro-Wind Technologies   
    3 Credit(s)

    Description

    This course highlights the past, present, and future solar thermal technologies; fundamentals of solar radiation; solar cooling; components of concentrated solar power plants and sizing of solar thermal plants.

    Objectives

    The objective of the course is to

    i. Assess solar data (radiation total, diffuse, direct, sunshine duration, etc).

    ii. Design simple solar thermal dryers, thermal heating, and thermal cooling systems for diverse applications.

    iii. Examine hydro energy technologies and their applications

    iv. Appreciate wind energy technologies and their applications

    ENS 836 Energy and Geopolitics
    2 Credit(s)

    The course will assess the profound transformations in the world energy landscape due to rapid technological change and concern about climate change. A review of global energy security and how key countries and regions view their energy challenges and strengths will be carried out. It will focus on evaluation of the considerations of impact international relations and strategies, and how energy security can be shaped by geopolitical factors, e.g., the rise of nationalism and weakening of the post-World War II global order.

     Objectives

    The objective of the course is to:

              .  Describe the major energy security issues facing the world and specific regions and countries

                 today and how this may evolve going forward

              .  Discuss how particular countries and regions view their energy strengths and challenges and

                 how this perception impacts foreign and security policies.

              .  Explain how geopolitics might affect energy trends and how geopolitics could be impacted by

                energy developments