Program Overview

Process and Chemical Engineering Certificate

The Process and Chemical Engineering Certificate is a one-year, part-time course that teaches the fundamentals of process and chemical engineering. The course is designed for individuals who want to obtain a formal qualification in chemical engineering, use the course as a step towards a professional degree qualification, or gain a formal chemical engineering qualification as part of their continuing professional development.

Course Outline

The course covers key aspects of process and chemical engineering, including:

• Fundamental principles of process engineering (fluid mechanics, heat transfer, mass transfer, thermodynamics)
• Applications 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)
• Powder technology (characterisation, storage, handling, dust control)
• Process instrumentation and control

Course Practicalities

• The course is delivered on campus, with asynchronous remote following possible
• The course is divided into two semesters, with 12 weeks of classes in each semester, followed by three weeks for examinations
• Classes take place on Tuesday evenings (6:15-9:15 pm) and Saturdays (10 am-4 pm)
• All classes are recorded and made available via the Canvas educational platform
• Assessment is through continuous assessment submissions and final invigilated examinations

Why Choose This Course

• Process and chemical engineering is the foundation discipline of manufacturing sectors critical to Irish economic success
• The course provides a foundation grounding in engineering tools for individuals who want to upskill or reskill towards engineering roles in the process industries
• The course is developed by the Department of Process and Chemical Engineering, with lectures provided by staff from the department and relevant industry personnel

Requirements

• Candidates must have a Level 6 NQAI qualification or equivalent and relevant experience through working in the process and related industries or other relevant professional activity
• There are 20 places on the program per annum for candidates who are eligible to receive Springboard funding, plus up to five for others on a self-funding basis
• Entry is on a competitive basis, with selection based on professional experience, reasons for entering the program, and qualifications

Fees and Costs

• The course fee is 3,000 per academic year
• There are a limited number of places available on the program funded by Springboard+

Modules

The modules for the certificate are:

• PE1811: Introduction to Chemical Processing Engineering
• PE1812: Material and Energy Balances
• PE1813: Fluid Mechanics and Particle Processing
• PE1814: Heat Transfer and Applied Thermodynamics
• PE1815: Mass Transfer and Separation Processes
• PE1816: Process Control and Equipment Integrity

Assessment

• Each module is assessed through continuous assessment submissions (30%) and a final invigilated examination (70%)
• The pass standard for each module is 40%