MSc Sustainable Design and Innovation

When studying full time you'll take the following modules:

• Research Methods: Data Collection and Analysis (Online/distance learning module)
  It's essential that you're able to research effectively, so this module will equip you with the appropriate tools, knowledge and strategies to fully develop a coherent approach to your research.
• Designing Environments
  This optional module is aimed at students who have a background in architectural technology. You'll explore issues related to sustainability associated with key players and systems in regeneration and new research and developments in the design of the built environment.
• Designing for People
  This optional module has been developed for students with a background in product design. You'll focus on the key elements of human factors and interaction design, as well as branding and colour theory, so that you can develop a greater understanding of these powerful and persuasive tools and interpret them for use in your own work.
• Design for Recycling and Reuse
  During this module you'll explore the often conflicting economic and legislative constraints that are placed upon designers who are trying to produce environmentally sound products. You will investigate and evaluate the ways and means by which these designers can optimise their designs, while still satisfying these overall constraints.
• Innovation in Sustainable Design
  The market for sustainable technologies has been estimated to be worth $800 billion by 2015. However, this figure undervalues the market as it does not account for the growing integration of renewable materials and alternative energy generation into products, technologies and buildings. During this module you'll explore areas of  significant growth including wind, solar, biomaterials, bio-energies, green buildings, sustainable mobility, smart grids, water filtration, and energy monitoring products and technologies.
• Managing Environmental Design
  This module is about looking at the bigger picture, not just the actual design but implications throughout the design process and the choices that are made in relation to materials and design that will potentially have implications for the sustainability of the artefact. You'll investigate the design process and examine the inclusion of sustainable considerations within that process and how the issues surrounding sustainable environmental design can potentially be managed more effectively.
• Sustainable Design Ethics
  During this module you'll explore issues related to sustainability and the broader ethics associated with the role of the designer, recognising that designers may have influence but not ultimate authority when production is determined. You'll consider sustainability with regard to social and economic criteria, as well as the environment.

You'll also take a number of project based modules that will allow you to develop your studies in a practical way. The most important of these is the MSc Project module that accounts for one third of the course and will define the final outcome of your studies.

When studying part time you'll take the following modules:

Preparatory Course

Preparing for Postgraduate Study in Arts, Design and Technology (Engineering) covers:

• Personal and Professional Skills
• Engineering and Society
• Applied Mathematics for Engineering
• Specialist Component for Sustainable Design and Innovation

MSc:

Over two years you will take these modules:

• Research Methods: Data Collection and Analysis (E-learning)
• Sustainable Design Ethics
• Managing Environmental Design
• Design for Recycling and Reuse
• Innovation in Sustainable Design
• MSc Project

And you can choose three of these modules:

• Designing Environments
• Designing for People
• Independent Scholarship (Technology) -This module will provide you with an opportunity to utilise and enhance the knowledge and intellectual skills gained during your programme, by means of an extensive investigation of a proposed postgraduate study related to the course material. Dissertations, research based technical design and development projects and the exhibition of creative design artwork are viable types of independent scholarship.
• Getting Research Published and Exhibited, Intellectual Property and Patents (E-learning)
• Negotiated Module (Work Based Learning)

The project based modules allow you to develop your studies in a practical way. The most important of these is the MSc Project module which accounts for one third of the course.

Start dates

This course is available to start in January 2012 for full time international students, and full time or part time Home and EU students. You can apply online now.