Training programme
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We offer a full programme of specialist and generic skills training to complement and enhance our students' research.
Core knowledge & skills
Collaboration between chemical engineering and chemistry is key to the Centre's approach, but very few people have a background in both subjects. All our doctoral students are therefore expected take either:
- Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry; or
- Principles of Chemical Engineering;
in their first term to ensure they have the basic knowledge to work with colleagues in both disciplines.
Alongside these, all students must attend a departmental safety induction. Training is also available on all of the facilities and instruments we have available, including:
- NMR spectroscopy;
- Mass spectometry;
- Electrochemistry;
- X-ray diffraction;
- Computer modelling;
- Glassblowing;
- High pressure equipment;
- Research methods for engineers.
Generic skills
The University provides a full programme of short courses in generic research and transferrable skills for all postgraduate students, including:
- Ethics
- Rapid reading
- Time management
- Personal effectiveness
- Creative thinking
- Effective writing
Sustainable chemical technologies
We run a range of specialist chemistry and chemical engineering courses specifically related to sustainable chemical technologies. All of these are full-credit modules, either run over a term or as shorter intensive courses.
- Clean Technology, Design of Sustainable Chemical Processes
- Life Cycle Assessment
- Green Chemistry and Process Metrics
- Industrial Catalytic Processes
- Catalysis and Sustainability
- Materials Chemistry for Sustainable Energy
Society & outreach
To complement the specialist training, we also run several full-credit courses giving our students a solid grounding in societal and business aspects of sustainability and skills in science communication.
Sustainable Development
An introduction to sustainable development in business and industry, including:
- SD thinking and policy
- Diversity of perspectives
- Applying SD principles
- Metrics, reporting and compliance
Introduction to Environmental Management
Following on from Sustainable Development, this course covers:
- Environmental legislation
- Environmental impact assessment
- Cost/benefit analysis
- Introduction to lifecycle analysis
- Environmental risk management
Commercialisation of new technology
A course run by the School of Management, which helps students to:
- Appreciate the way in which products and services are taken to the marketplace;
- Understand contemporary marketing tools and techniques for market analysis; and
- Integrate market-defined needs with organisational process to usefully commercialise new products and services.
Public engagement
Through two year-long courses (one mandatory, one optional) all of our students learn how to get audiences of all ages excited about science. Supported by mentoring and training from science communication experts, students contribute to major local and national science events, such as the annual Cheltenham Science Festival, as well as taking part in University open days and visiting local schools.
