Engineering - Electrical Power Engineering

ME Electrical Power Engineering
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 120)

The ME Electrical Power Engineering programme is a professionally accredited programme which addresses the challenge of transitioning towards sustainable power systems, and integrating diverse generation and demand-side technologies, while maintaining stable and economic operation. It provides strong training in various aspects of electrical engineering and enhances this through a major research project and professional work experience. If you are a mathematically strong engineering student who is interested in power systems analysis and renewables integration, and you are seeking a professional career in the power system and smart grid sectors, then this programme is ideal for you.

Delivered by a highly research-active School composed of many internationally high-profile academics, including five IEEE Fellows. This programme is also taught by academics from the world-leading Energy Institute for the integration of renewables into power systems and energy systems.

The ME degree in Electrical Power Engineering is a two-year programme that educates professional engineers to excel at an advanced technical level, or as a professional engineering manager, in the expanding sustainable power system and smart grid sectors anywhere in the world. The strong emphasis within the programme on the mathematical and analytical underpinnings of the discipline also provide an excellent foundation for entry into advanced research programmes. The programme can be taken by graduates with an honours bachelor's (first cycle) degree in electrical engineering or a closely related discipline. A one-year (three-semester) version of the programme is also available for suitably qualified applicants. Graduates will receive an advanced engineering education in subject areas related to power system analysis & design, power electronics applications & design, sustainable power systems, smart grid communication architectures and electricity market operations.

Individual modules are taught by a strong cohort of experienced and internationally recognised academic staff (forming part of the world-leading Energy Institute for the integration of renewables into power systems), with expertise in all the core areas of Electrical Engineering. Teaching methods and assessment procedures vary across the programme to suit the wide range of subjects offered, and include individual and group analytical studies, practical work, development of research conference papers and project funding proposals, and group debates. There is a strong laboratory component, allowing students to experience the practical aspects of electrical energy engineering, while assignments provide complex design and problem-solving challenges. In the first year, a six month work experience internship is an integral part of the programme, building upon the strong collaborative links with a large number of companies, both indigenous and multinational companies, for placements within Ireland and internationally. In the final year, a substantial research project draws together many of the separate strands of learning, with an emphasis on independent learning, research methods, technical design & analysis, and communication skills.

Programme Outcomes
Advanced knowledge & understanding of the mathematical and analytical techniques and technologies underpinning the electrical energy engineering field, including state oft the art research techniques, with a focus on sustainable power systems, smart grid applications and power electronics technology

The ability to identify, formulate, model, critically analyse, optimise and solve complex electrical engineering problems, placed in the wide context of smart grid applications, power electronic systems and electricity market economics

The ability to perform the detailed design of electrical networks, power system components and power electronic systems using advanced and research level analytical techniques, and a critical interpretation of relevant data

The ability to design, conduct and critically evaluate experiments, and apply and assess a range of standard and specialised research tools, advanced analytical techniques and methods of enquiry using industry standard software tools, specialist research tools and laboratory facilities

A strong understanding of the need for high ethical standards in the practice of electrical energy engineering, including the responsibilities of the engineering profession towards people and the environment

The ability to work highly effectively as an individual, in teams and in multidisciplinary settings, together with the capacity to undertake lifelong learning, and so offering a strong foundation for entry into advanced research programmes

The ability to communicate effectively on complex engineering activities, fully recognising multidisciplinary aspects, with the engineering community, individual research disciplines and with society at large

A strong understanding of the need for high ethical standards in the practice of electrical energy engineering, including the responsibilities of the engineering profession towards people and the environment

Advanced knowledge & understanding of the mathematical and analytical techniques and technologies underpinning the electrical energy engineering field, including state of the art research techniques, with a focus on sustainable power systems, smart grid applications and power electronics technology

The ability to communicate effectively on complex engineering activities, fully recognising multidisciplinary aspects, with the engineering community, individual research disciplines and with society at large

The ability to design, conduct and critically evaluate experiments, and apply and assess a range of standard and specialised research tools, advanced analytical techniques and methods of enquiry using industry standard software tools, specialist research tools and laboratory facilities

The ability to identify, formulate, model, critically analyse, optimise and solve complex electrical engineering problems, placed in the wide context of smart grid applications, power electronic systems and electricity market economics

The ability to perform the detailed design of electrical networks, power system components and power electronic systems using advanced and research level analytical techniques, and a critical interpretation of relevant data

The ability to work highly effectively as an individual, in teams and in multidisciplinary settings, together with the capacity to undertake lifelong learning, and so offering a strong foundation for entry into advanced research programmes

Student Internships
The Professional Work Experience (PWE) module is incorporated into the two-year Masters of Engineering Programme and is designed to integrate a student's academic and career interests with practical work experience for a 6-8 month period.

The module provides students with the perfect opportunity to gain increased experience and understanding of their chosen field, assess where their strengths and weaknesses lie and maximise their knowledge of the available career possibilities. The practical skills acquired during this placement will give graduates a competitive advantage when applying for positions upon graduation.

Professional Accreditation
The ME programme is professionally accredited by Engineers Ireland and recognised by the Washington Accord for Chartered Engineer status.

Stage 1 - Core
Control Theory EEEN40010
Power System Operation EEEN40080
Renewable Energy Systems EEEN40110
Power System Dynamics and Control EEEN40550

Stage 1 - Option
Networks and Internet Systems COMP30040
Data Science in Python (MD) COMP47670
Energy Economics and Policy ECON42360
Signal Processing: Theory and Applications EEEN30050
Power System Engineering EEEN30070
Electrical Machines EEEN30090
ME Electrical Power Professional Work Experience (short) EEEN40180
ME Electrical Power Professional Work Experience (long) EEEN40190
Entrepreneurship in Engineering EEEN40300
Power Electronics Technology EEEN40310
Optimisation Techniques for Engineers EEEN40580
Fossil fuels, carbon capture and storage GEOL40310
Applied Dynamics II MEEN30010
Engineering Thermodynamics II MEEN30100
Energy Systems and Climate Change MEEN40090
Professional Engineering (Management) MEEN40430

Stage 2 - Core
Power System Design EEEN40090
Power Electronics and Drives EEEN40100
Applications of Power Electronics EEEN40120
ME Electrical Project EEEN40260

Stage 2 - Option
Numerical Algorithms ACM40290
Data Science in Python (MD) COMP47670
Energy Economics and Policy ECON42360
Entrepreneurship in Engineering EEEN40300
Power Electronics Technology EEEN40310
Optimisation Techniques for Engineers EEEN40580
Fossil fuels, carbon capture and storage GEOL40310
Professional Engineering (Management) MEEN40430

An undergraduate honours degree (NFQ level 8) with a minimum upper second class honours or international equivalence in an Electrical or Electronic Engineering programme.

Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.

Students meeting the programme's academic entry requirements but not the English language requirements, may enter the programme upon successful completion of UCD's Pre-Sessional or International Pre-Master's Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information http://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/

These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes

The following entry routes are available:

ME Electrical Power Engineering (T335)

Deadline
Rolling*

* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes

60 credits

2 years full-time.

By completing the ME Electrical Power Engineering programme, you will become a graduate with power systems expertise, whose rare skills will be attractive to a wide variety of technical and managerial roles in the electrical utility and smart grid sectors on an international scale, e.g. ABB, Alstom, EDF, EirGrid, EPRI, ESB, GE, NREL, Siemens. The ME programme also provides an excellent starting point for those aiming for a PhD programme and a research career within a university or specialised research institution.