Dr Karen Finney

Karen successfully completed the MSc in Environmental and Energy Engineering in 2010, graduating with Distinction! Karen very kindly took the time provide us with some feedback on her experience.

"I thoroughly enjoyed my MSc degree programme here and achieved an excellent, comprehensive grounding in the fundamentals of energy and environmental engineering science from the compulsory modules, along with more advanced and in-depth knowledge from my options. As someone wanting to pursue a career in the field of ‘energy’ research, I found all the modules both relevant and interesting. I still have all my folders with lecture notes, hand-outs, coursework, journal papers, other references, etc., which I refer to on a regular basis. These are all pertinent to my work now, as a post-doctoral research associate within the department. I am currently working on many EPSRC-funded research projects and the information gained through the MSc course is highly relevant to these investigations, specifically: (i) the formation, effects and mitigation/removal of various pollutant species, (ii) emissions limits and related legislation/policies, (iii) different types of renewable/sustainable energy sources, (iv) combustion principles of solid, liquid and gaseous fuels, not just limited to fossil fuels, and (v) a general awareness of environmental issues. The modules covered incorporate all aspects of both energy and environmental engineering; these are vital for all career paths.

More generally, the experimental and analytical techniques acquired during the laboratory practicals, technical review and, in particular, the year-long research project have been most useful during the completion of my PhD and subsequent work as a research associate here. The research project allows significant choice and the opportunity to work on a unique project. General but invaluable research techniques, such as literature/database searches and writing and giving technical papers and presentations, were also greatly developed and honed through all modules on this course. The breadth of the topics studied meant that not only was the content sufficiently varied, but also the learning and teaching styles; throughout the course I completed many individual assignments and group projects, doing design-based problem-solving exercises, compiling literature reviews, giving presentations and preparing technical and lab reports.

Overall, anyone wanting to work in the field of energy and/or environmental engineering would benefit greatly from studying on this course at Sheffield. Not only is the broad, up-to-date energy-related knowledge gained significant for working in this area, but the skills acquired along the way are also applicable to all vocations. Although these are important for employment in an academic environment, such as for myself, these would be just as vital for working in an industrial setting. The fact that this MSc course is accredited by both the Energy Institute (EI) and the Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) is a credit to both the department and the university as a whole; this also means that this qualification would be highly regarded by future employers.