Facilities
Learning environment
Students attending our MSc courses benefit from access to a first class study environment, IT support, experimental facilities and analytical equipment. Our MSc courses are taught in newly refurbished lecture rooms, set aside for postgraduate teaching. This dedicated teaching space is equipped with the latest visual aids and IT interfaces which enable online delivery of module content and access to web resources to maximise the flexibility and scope of learning possible. We also have fully equipped networked computer laboratories with the latest commercial and industry-standard software, for both teaching and self study.
On the campus you will benefit from access to the award-winning Information Commons, the ultimate integrated work space for self study and independent learning in your own time. The Information Commons combines a variety of different study environments over seven levels in one spacious building and is a 24 hour facility providing year-round access to a large selection of books, e-resources, personal and group work space areas, computer technologies, wireless networking and wifi-enabled internet portals, printers and photocopiers to support you. It has been designed to support a more collaborative approach to learning by enabling students to work together in a variety of different ways. This means that discussion and sharing of ideas is encouraged and allowed in some areas of the facility. With a range of self-service facilities and 24 hour access, you can work at times to suit you and still have access to all the university services you need.
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Figure 1. Kroto Research Institute
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Experimental and analytical facilities
Extensive experimental and analytical facilities to support practical laboratory classes within modules and your summer MSc dissertation project are available in the Kroto Research Institute (KRI), a £20M environmental engineering science research facility established in 2005 (Figure 1).
The KRI hosts outstanding environmental research laboratories with state-of-the-art analytical suites for chemical and microbiological analysis of environmental contaminants (Figure 2). This includes equipment and techniques for standard hydrogeochemical and microbiological analysis of field and laboratory samples, plus instruments for more specialised organic and inorganic analysis, such as Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), gas-chromatography (GC-FID), High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Ion Chromatography (IC), ICP Mass Spectrometry, UV/Visible Spectroscopy, Total Gas Analysis (TGA) and Total Inorganic Carbon and Total Organic Carbon (TIC/TOC) analysis.
In addition the institute has a Class II laboratory for microbial physiology, molecular ecology and biosensor research (Figure 3), optical and confocal microscopy suites (Figure 4) with InfraRed, and Raman microspectroscopy including dual photon capability, X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy and imaging and Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry for surface analysis.
Figure 2. Analytical laboratory | Figure 3. Class II microbiological lab | Figure 4. Microscopic analysis of bacteria in groundwater |
Our experimental facilities include open laboratory space to undertake research studies (Figure 5 and 6), a darkroom suite for bench-scale fluorescence imaging of physical models of environmental systems (Figure 7), advanced equipment to investigate the subsurface behaviour of contaminants (Figure 8), a 14m flume to investigate sediment transport and environmental river processes at different scales (Figure 9) and a 600m pilot-scale water distribution system (Figure 10). You will have the opportunity to gain experience in the use of these techniques and facilities as part of the teaching on the MSc course and during your dissertation project, with support from trained laboratory staff and your project supervisor.
Figure 5. Chemical analysis of samples from column experiments | Figure 6. Apparatus to study unsaturated flow processes | Figure 7. Fluorescent imaging analysis of solute transport in a model aquifer | Figure 8. Analysis of NAPL contaminant surface properties |
Figure 9. Flume to examine sediment transport and environmental river processes | Figure 10. Experimental pilot-scale water distribution system | Figure 11. Experimental constructed wetland for water treatment |
Elsewhere we have field experimental facilities in and around Sheffield to support our research and MSc projects. These include a pilot-scale sustainable urban drainage system (SUDS), developed with Sheffield local council and a constructed wetland facility for wastewater treatment, developed in the Peak District with Severn Trent Water (Figure 11).
Fieldwork equipment
An extensive range of measuring devices, field sampling equipment and monitoring apparatus is also available to support fieldwork activities for our students. These resources are used extensively for research undertaken by the Groundwater Protection and Restoration Group, for teaching and to support individual MSc projects. The equipment includes portable field kits for onsite measurement of surface water and groundwater hydrochemistry, a range of pumping devices (peristaltic pumps, inertial lift pumps, submersible pumps) for the collection of groundwater samples and dedicated equipment for water level measurement and hydraulic testing (dip-meters, divers, inflatable straddle packers, pressure transducers, data loggers and generators). During fieldwork, you will be supported by a trained technician and your project supervisor.
In short, you can be assured of gaining first class experience in the use of advanced instruments for the analysis of environmental samples and complete your dissertation in a state-of-the-art research environment, supported by a team of experienced technical and academic staff. Whether your project is laboratory or field-based, or involves a combination of both, you can be sure of receiving real opportunities to apply your knowledge, practical skills and a range of advanced analytical procedures to your chosen dissertation topic.
