11/08/2017

28/08/2017

The Certificate in Process and Chemical Engineering provides participants with an understanding of the basic principles which underpin Process and Chemical Engineering and how they are applied in the process industries. Participants on the Certificate programme will be exposed to the fundamentals of chemical process engineering. This includes not only the fundamental principles which underpin process engineering (fluid mechanics, heat transfer, mass transfer, thermodynamics), but also the application of these principles (pumps and piping systems, flow measurement and sampling systems, heat exchanger design, energy conservation and integration, thermal process engineering, refrigeration, combustion, steam generation, combined heat and power plants and a range of separation processes involving heat and mass transfer). The important area of powder technology (characterisation, storage, handling, dust control) is also covered, as is process instrumentation, automation and control.

The programme has run for over fifteen years and has consistently received the support of all local employers in the process industries; throughout the pharmachem, food, energy and engineering consultancy sectors.

Upon completion of the programme, students will be able to:
* Demonstrate an understanding of the sciences (of chemistry, physics, biochemistry, microbiology and biotechnology) which underpin chemical engineering.
* Demonstrate an understanding of core chemical engineering.
* Utilise the mathematical methods that underpin the solution of engineering problems (algebraic and differential equations; complex numbers; expansion of functions in series; transforms).
* Derive expressions and apply solutions for quantitatively solving defined problems in chemical engineering using a knowledge of the sciences, engineering sciences, technology and mathematics.
* Identify, formulate, analyse and solve engineering problems, including perform process design of unit operations, including evaluation of operating variables; sizing of the equipment; evaluating any utility requirements, such as electrical power, heating, cooling etc.; perform sensitivity / optimisation analysis of how variation in input variables influence the performance of the unit operation; creation of P&ID.

Candidates are required to have a NFQ Level 6 qualification or equivalent and it is expected that they will have relevant experience through working in the process and related industries, but this is not essential.

Candidates applying to the programme will be considered for a place through the proactive use of UCC's Recognition of Prior Learning policy, which includes the recognition of previous work and experiential learning.

English language requirement: all applicants whose first language is not English are expected to have a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, with no individual section lower than 6.0.

The Certificate in Process and Chemical Engineering includes the following modules:

* PE1811: Introduction to Chemical Process Engineering (5 credits)
Basic engineering computation, engineering units, SI units, dimensions and conversions, moles, molecular weights, basic chemical reactions and stoichiometry, chemical engineering heuristics. Block Flow Diagrams (BFD), Process Flow Diagrams (PFD), Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&ID).

* PE1812: Material and Energy Balances (5 credits)
Law of conservation of mass, open and cloased systems, system boundary, batch and continuous processes, material balance equations, material recycle. Law of conservation of energy, forms of energy, development of energy balance equations, process applications, reading and using steam tables.

* PE1813: Fluid Mechanics and Particle Processing (5 credits)
Properties of fluids, compressible and incompressible, fluid statics, fluid dynamics. Pumps, fans, compressors, piping systems, flow measurement, sampling systems, Bernoulli's equation, design of pump-pipeline systems. Particle and powder characterisation, dust fires and explosions, dust separation and air pollution control, powder storage and transport.

* PE1814: Heat Transfer and Applied Thermodynamics (5 credits)
Energy, entropy, work, 1st and 2nd laws of thermodynamics. Heat transfer principles, heat exchanger design, condensers. Refrigeration, cooling, chilled water systems, cooling towers, combustion, boilers, steam, CHP, generators. CO2 plant, N2 plant, HVAC.

* PE1815: Mass Transfer and Separation Processes (5 credits)
Principles of mass transfer, phase equilibria, interphase mass transfer, distillation, absorption, solvent extraction, evaporation, drying, crystallization, adsorption, ion-exchange.

* PE1816: Process Control and Equipment Integrity (5 credits)
Control theory, measurement and transducers, process control systems, automation in industry, S88 & Gamp4, advances in control systems. Materials of construction, mechanical properties of metals, polymers & ceramic materials, corrosion, emergency pressure relief & venting, welding of process vessels, safety & process fluid leakage.

There is a demonstrated growing requirement in the Biopharma sector for people with Engineering qualifications. This has been quantified in the recent EGFSN report on ‘FUTURE SKILL NEEDS OF BIOPHARMA INDUSTRY IN IRELAND’ (2016) which points to the following: “A particular difficulty cited is the sourcing of experienced staff especially for Process Engineering. Process engineering skills required include process development and scale-up.” Indeed, throughout the process industries (Pharmaceutical, Chemical, Food, Biopharmaceutical, etc.) there are many cases where personnel with a strong scientific background are in contact with Process and Chemical Engineers and/or whose job develops in such a way that they require a greater understanding of Process and Chemical Engineering principles and applications. The Certificate in Process and Chemical Engineering addresses these needs and helps students up skill in an area that is very much in demand among employers.

The programme incorporates tutorial style in-class active student engagement through problem solving, supported by the lecturer. In order to complete the assignments, participants learn to apply programme information in a practical manner. Continuous assessment plays a very important role in the programme assessment comprising 50% of all modules. Assignments are provided for each course module at approximately three week intervals. The remaining 50% of assessment is gained through end of year exams, which are conducted entirely as open book exams. This is in line with an adult learning philosophy, which strongly promotes active engagement and deep learning over rote and shallow learning.

In addition, a dedicated UCC EMPLOYABILITY AND WORK PLACEMENT COACH will work with students on this programme and provide a tiered approach to supporting the participants with the development of their job readiness and their transition into employment. The activities of the Coach will be structured to meet the differing needs of the 4 categories of eligible applicants for the 2017 Springboard+ call: those unemployed; those previously self-employed; homemakers; and those in employment in designated sectors. Main activities will include:

1. ONE TO ONE CAREER COACHING to formulate Individual CAREER ACTION PLANS leading to employment: Individual career coaching will be provided for each participant to reflect on:
* Where they are now in their careers;
* Where they want to be;
* Strategies for gaining employment on completion of their springboard course.
These individual coaching sessions will be customised to the needs of the student within the four categories of Springboard+ 2017 applicants.

2. JOB READINESS WORKSHOPS to compliment individual coaching sessions will be built into the programme as outlined below:
* Positioning oneself for job readiness (4 workshops): Setting realistic career objectives; Understanding strengths and skills; Learning from successful role models; Developing a career management strategy.
* Moving forward into a job (4 workshops): Taking action by developing career goals and implementing them;
* Creative job-hunting both on-line and off-line; Written applications, CVs and interview preparation and Implementing career plans.
* Small Group Workplace skills training will also be delivered to help individuals with barriers to employment to gain confidence, develop the people skills and the insights needed to transition to the world of work.

3. Participants will be given the opportunity to MEET EMPLOYERS by
* Attending UCC organised recruitment fairs, jobs roadshows and other events where employers will be invited on campus to meet students;
*Attending employer-led events on building workplace competencies. Springboard 2016 students attended talks delivered by Voxpro, Biomarin, Cork Local Enterprise Office, among others.
*Meet with employers for informational interviews.

This course also includes a non-accredited work placement for interested students for an 8-12 week period following the Certificate programme to enable them to practically apply their learning. This is a non-accredited work placement, but will provide excellent hands-on experience to participants which will further boost their employability. The students' Employability and Work Placement Coach will help candidates in securing suitable work experience to fulfil their personal objectives. The Coach will customise their support in this regard to meet the needs of the individual student and take cognisance of their individual requirements in terms of their previous experiences, length of time out of the workplace etc. Work placement opportunities will be sourced by the Work Placement Coach and will be offered to students on a competitive basis. Workplace preparation workshops will also be offered to all students prior to going on work placement.

Due to our deeply embedded connections with local process industries, we regularly receive EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES from local employers. We will forward all relevant opportunities to Springboard+ students to help them return sustainable employment.

There are also numerous NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES for participants of the programme as virtually all participants already work in the process industries, and are developing their Continuing Professional Development capacities, while working as operators, technicians, scientists and engineers. Typically, up to about half the participants on the programme have been educated to level 8 degree level and beyond, so the programme offers a diverse mix of participants and opportunities for networking for Springboard+ students.

Past graduates of the programme currently hold roles such as process operator and process technician in biopharma, pharmachem, engineering, food and beverage, and manufacturing industries all over the country. Anecdotal evidence from ongoing contact with past graduates indicates that they progressed to higher positions in their organisations and/or moved to higher positions in new organisations as a result of completing this course. Many have also continued to other level 8 and 9 programmes in order to increase their knowledge of process, chemical, pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical engineering and advance their careers in these industries.

* Semester 1 classes run on Monday and Tuesday nights from 18:15 – 21:30 from 28/08 to 25/09, then Tuesday only until 21/11 with exams on 05/12/17 and 12/12/17.

* Semester 2 classes run on Tuesdays 18:15 – 21:30 from 09/01/18 to 24/04/18 with exams on 01/05 and 08/05.

* Following exams in April/May, interested students may complete a work placement of 8-12 weeks.

This course will be held on UCC's main campus.

This course will be held on UCC's main campus.

Lorna Moloney

Adult Continuing Education (ACE), Western Road, University College Cork.

021 4904700

l.moloney@ucc.ie

RPL may be used by Springboard participants applying to this course to gain admission to the programme where an applicant many not otherwise reach the standard educational qualification entry requirements.

Apply online at www.springboardcourses.ie. Candidates are advised to apply early as high demand is anticipated and places are limited.

Applications will NOT be assessed until all supporting documentation has been received. Please ensure that you have the following documentation available at the time of application:

* Copies of transcripts and parchments for any previous relevant educational qualifications

* Current CV

* References where applicable

* Copy of IELTS/TOEFL certificate for non-native English speakers

Applicants must also submit a 500 word Application Statement stating state why you wish to study this programme at University College Cork.

https://www.ucc.ie/en/ace-dpce/