Anyone here do a MSc in Renewable Energy?

joeKel73

Hey,

Has anyone here down an MSc in Renewable Energy? Was it usefull getting you a job?

I've been offered the Msc in Renewable Energy and Resource Management in Glamorgan University. Course looks very interesting but now convinced of the jobs existing for graduates.

I've been offered another course, in software development (different career route really), so any advice on this would help my decision! I did my undergrad in Civil Engineering, NUIG.

Thanks,
Joe

lg123

i would go the software route.

the RE industry in ireland will be very very competitive recruitment wise. from the small dispersed generation and energy management point of view all the building services engineers are falling into these roles. the larger generation end of the industry just isnt that big in ireland imo.

pauln

lg123 wrote: »

i would go the software route.

the RE industry in ireland will be very very competitive recruitment wise. from the small dispersed generation and energy management point of view all the building services engineers are falling into these roles. the larger generation end of the industry just isnt that big in ireland imo.

I don't agree with that view point. I think you're mixing up renewable energy and energy efficiency fields.

Building services engineers will be well placed to take up roles in increasing building efficiency such as improved climate control systems, more efficient heating and ventilation systems, lighting, insulation etc. But I would not define these areas as renewable energy, they are energy efficiency improvements. They are related to renewable energy technologies and can slightly overlap at the fringes but renewable energy is a very specfic group of technologies.

My undergrad was in mech eng., working in the energy sector now and literally typing up my thesis for MSc in Renewable energy technologies today.

None of the areas covered on my MSc would fall under the buildings services area (with exception of maybe passive solar heating design), the problem with some of the course outlines I've seen in Ireland calling themselves MSc. in Renewables is that at best most are energy efficiency improvement courses trying to cash in on the renewable title. So be careful that the course actually covers the areas that you want to be experienced in by the end of it.

To answer your question in bold. No the masters didn't get me the job but has helped me move into this area within my job.

Do I think there will be jobs in this area? Hard to call, it's still a very government policy driven area and there hasn't been much proactive activity from them in this area to date. To get working in this area of larger scale renewable projects in Ireland you're better off starting down a care in the general energy area and then follow the opportunities this provides to get into renewables. Friends have recently graduated from MSc. in this area and no job yet so I guess at the minute it's not a golden ticket or anything.

There are good job opportunities in this area in Europe if you're willing to travel, better MSc courses there too.

Paul.

Edit:
Had a quick look through the MSc. you have the offer on. At least it is staying away from the efficiency improvements areas. I think it looks weak on the fundamentals of the technologies, more qualitative then quantitative. Being in the engineering area I wanted a quantitative background to be able to design, assess and apply the technologies, qualitative is good for policy and assessment of the potential benefits. Most modules are 60% coursework which is kind of high for a taught MSc. which would again lead me down the qualitative assessment of the course.
Best of luck whatever you do, I'm sure that course would give you a good foundation in the area and would get you started on a career in renewables.

joeKel73

Thanks for the replies, very helpful!

I've decided to go down the software route, doing the "MSc in Software Design and Development" in NUIG. Starting tomorrow!