Ulster’s new degree programmes to meet the global energy challenges The European Union has identified the green economy as a “key sector” offering “important job creation potential,” with renewables alone claimed to provide up to 3 million jobs across the EU to 2020. The UK’s £12.5 billion renewables industry currently supports 110,000 jobs across supply chain, and could support 400,000 by 2020. 182,000 jobs for professionals who can deliver innovative and practical building engineering designs that embrace low-carbon with economic operational performance are to be created in the UK construction sector in the next four years according to CITB. The UK’s pledge to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 is estimated to create 12,000 new jobs for low carbon design and construction specialists every year (CIBSE). To meet this demand for professionals with the required knowledge and skills set, the research team at the Centre for Sustainable Technologies (CST) in Ulster has launched two new exciting courses: BSc (Hons) Energy The course offers an exciting learning experience designed to provide graduates with an in-depth knowledge of energy systems, their sizing, evaluation, economics, policy agendas (environmental, planning etc.) and social acceptance. Close industrial links and the research informed curriculum on renewable energy are main features of the course. Embarking upon a career in Energy can open a wide variety of choices in the public or the private sector, initially engaging in assessments, planning and evaluation of energy systems and processes and later progressing into strategic decision making, budgetary control and wider consultancy responses. UCAS code: H222 Course Director: Dr Aggelos Zacharopoulos

BEng (Hons) Architectural Engineering The course is designed to meet the demand for graduates who are creative and innovative and who can work in building services, architectural integration, energy use in buildings and the application of renewable technologies. It aims to produce architecturally informed Building Services Engineers and Energy professionals able to deliver energy efficient and environmentally conscious solutions. The research informed curriculum offers a route to professional status in an exciting and diverse profession with excellent employment opportunities. Graduates will have high levels of competencies in planning of building heating and cooling systems, electrical energy supply and environmental systems. UCAS code: J1H1 Course Director: Dr Jayanta Mondol

Both courses are designed to provide exciting learning experiences and career opportunities in the energy, renewable energy and sustainable built environment sectors. They aim to develop graduates who can provide innovative and forward-thinking energy and engineering solutions that can create functional buildings, reduce our energy consumption and associated carbon emissions, develop secure energy supplies, reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels, stimulate the economy and also ensure that UK/EU energy policies are implemented successfully.