Msc. in Energy Engineering, professional focus in Energy Conversion

Programme content

PRESENTATION

Since the start of the 2023 academic year, ULiège's Faculty of Applied Sciences has been offering a new Civil Engineer in Energy Engineering course, taught entirely in English, in the form of two Masters in Civil Engineering in Energy Engineering with specialized finalities. These new masters courses replace the "Civil Electromechanical Engineer" master's degree and the "Smart Grids" specialization of the Civil Electrical Engineer master's degree.

Societal challenges and an objective

The energy transition is undeniably one of the major challenges facing our society. Energy is essential for many aspects of our daily lives, including basic domestic activities, communications, transport and leisure, and even more so for the industrial activities that underpin our economy. However, the environmental impact of fossil fuels, global warming and the rise in energy prices on the international markets should lead us to question our consumption and embark on a more responsible and rational use of energy.

The course in Energy Engineering aims to respond to these challenges by training responsible citizens who are capable of making informed choices about energy. Secondly, it aims to train the new generations of engineers who, through their technological innovation, will be called upon to support the development of a low-carbon, sustainable economy such as that of the European Green Deal and its ambitious project to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050.

PROGRAMME

Tackling the complex issue of energy

The curriculum, taught in English, is based on the engineer's core scientific and technical knowledge and on the specific subject knowledge developed as part of the 'energy' option of the bachelor of science in engineering's degree programme.

It is structured around a set of compulsory and optional courses covering the different modes of energy production/conversion, energy transport, distribution and storage, and the rational use of energy in buildings and transport. The technological approach is put into perspective in relation to the way the energy market operates, regulatory constraints and geopolitical issues.

The course programme begins by focusing on the fundamental disciplines of electricity, thermodynamics and mechanics, and on the principles of balance of systems analysis, which enable energy systems to be described, modelled and designed.

The resulting concepts and approaches are applied to the various energy production, conversion, transport and storage systems to develop a cross-disciplinary vision of the different systems, which is consolidated as part of a large-scale integrated project. The programme is completed by specific courses on the economic, regulatory and societal framework in which the energy question is raised.

The "Energy conversion" specialization (30 ETCs) develops specialized skills in the design of energy production/transformation systems: turbomachinery/alternators, cogeneration systems, fuel cells, etc.

The course is rounded off by a final year project involving a long-term work placement in a company or research center in Belgium or abroad.

Other options available at ULiège

ULiège also offers a Master's degree in Civil Engineering for Energy Networks. You'll find the presentation and full program here.

Learning outcomes

I.  Understand and be able to apply sciences and concepts within the field of engineering

Engineers master and are able to apply fundamental concepts and principles of various fields of science and technology. 

I.1 Master the concepts, principles and laws of the basic sciences (mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer science, etc.).

I.2 Master the concepts and principles of the engineering sciences. In particular, have a solid background in the fields of electrical circuits, digital and analog electronics, electromagnetic energy conversion, electrical measurement systems, digital signal processing, analog and digital telecommunications.

II.  Learn to understand

Engineers have a strong capacity for autonomous learning, which enables them to seek out and appropriate relevant information to address emerging issues and to engage in continuous learning. They may also engage in research to advance the state of understanding.

II.1 Demonstrate autonomy in learning. In particular, know how to appropriate and summarise scientific and technical information from various sources (lectures, literature, references, manuals and technical documentation, online resources, etc.).

II.2 Research, evaluate and use (through scientific literature, technical documentation, the web, interpersonal contacts, etc.) new information relevant to understanding a problem or a new issue.

II.3 Carry out fundamental or applied research work to produce original scientific and technical knowledge.

III.  Analyse, model and solve complex problems

Engineers are capable of conducting structured scientific reasoning, demonstrating the capacity for abstraction, analysis and management of the constraints necessary to solve complex and/or original problems and thus to be part of an innovative process.

III.1 Formalise, model and conceptualise a scientific or technical problem related to or inspired by a complex real-life situation in rigorous language, e.g. using mathematical or computer language, to obtain results. Be capable of abstraction.

III.2 Critically analyse hypotheses and results and compare them with experimental reality, taking into account uncertainties.

III.3 Identify and manage the constraints associated with a project (technical constraints, specifications, deadlines, resources, customer requirements, etc.). 

III.4 Innovate through the design, implementation and validation of new solutions, methods, products or services.

IV. Implement the methods and techniques in the field to design and innovate while adopting an engineering approach

Engineers implement the methods and techniques specific to their field of specialisation and work as part of a multidisciplinary team to develop engineering projects and ensure the achievement of specific objectives in their working environment.

IV.1 Use a numerical/computational approach to investigate a problem and test hypotheses or solutions.  In particular, exploit numerical methods of calculation, data analysis and optimisation.

IV.2 Use an experimental approach to investigate a problem and test hypotheses or solutions. 

IV.3 Design and model a control system.

IV.4 Design and test electronic converters using the concepts of power electronics.

IV.5 Design embedded systems by developing the hardware and software aspects.

Depending on the chosen field of study, engineers are confronted with advanced technological fields ranging from microtechnologies to large electrical networks and are required to interact with specialists in the fields concerned.

IV.6 Engineers from the "Smart Grids" specialisation will be able to:

• understand how electric energy networks, including microgrids and HVDC networks, work and how to optimize their planning and operation;
• model and design electromagnetic systems;
• understand and analyse renewable energy production systems;
• understand the main principles of energy markets. 

IV.7 Engineers from the "Electronic Systems and Devices" specialisation will be able to:

• understand and model the behaviour of semiconductor devices;
• understand and design integrated circuits and microsystems;
• model and design electromagnetic systems;
• measure physical quantities using different sensors.     

IV.8 Engineers from the "Signal Processing and Intelligent Robotics" specialisation will be able to:

• understand and exploit the properties of signals in the time and frequency domains;
• understand the principles of machine learning and apply them to engineering problems such as computer vision or optimal decision making;
• understand the principles of information theory and use them in different contexts;
• understand advanced principles of systems and control theory.      

V. Develop their professional practice within the context of a company

Engineers are responsible members of society and the professional world. They integrate economic, social, legal, ethical and environmental constraints and challenges into their work. 

V.1 Integrate human, economic, social, environmental and legal aspects into their projects.

V.2 Position themselves in relation to the professions and functions of an engineer, taking into account ethical aspects and social responsibility. Adopt a reflective stance, both critical and constructive, with regard to their own way of acting, their approach and their professional choices.

V.3 Develop an entrepreneurial activity.

VI. Work alone or in groups

Engineers are able to work independently and collaborate within a group or organisation. They demonstrate responsibility, team spirit and leadership.

VI.1 Work independently.

VI.2 Work in a team. Be open to collaborative working. Make decisions together.

VI.3 Manage a team. Distribute work and manage deadlines. Manage tensions. Demonstrate leadership skills.

VI.4 Work in an environment with different hierarchical levels, different skill levels and/or different expertise.

VII. Communicate

Engineers are capable of communicating and sharing their technical and scientific approach and results in writing and orally. Their command of at least one foreign language, in particular English, enables them to work in an international context.

VII.1 Understand general and technical documents related to the professional practice of the discipline (plans, specifications, etc.).

VII.2 Write a scientific or technical report by structuring the information and applying the standards in place in the discipline.

VII.3 Present/defend scientific or technical results orally using the codes and means of communication appropriate to the audience and the communication setting.

VII.4 Understand and write general and technical documents in a foreign language.

VII.5 Understand and present a general or technical oral presentation in a foreign language.