Sustainable Energy and Environmental Management Programmes

Certificate in Domestic Sustainable Energy

 

Programme Location:

Clonmel Campus*

 

Target Groups

The domestic/residential sector accounts for 25% of all energy used in Ireland. Increased energy prices and availability of new technology, designs and systems has stimulated significant demand for information and training in the field of sustainable energy. There is a need to reduce energy consumption and replace traditional fossil fuels with more sustainable energy sources.

This programme, which started in 2004, will deal with renewable energy heating systems, small-scale renewable energy electricity systems and passive solar and sustainable building design with a specific focus on the domestic/residential sector. The programme is targeted at:

• - Architects, builders, engineers and others involved in the building sector
• - Trades people in relevant areas
• - Individuals with an interest in energy and sustainability

Students will study how buildings can be designed to harvest the sun’s energy, and the various choices of building materials and methods that can be used from a sustainability perspective. For the relevant technologies the programme will take the participant through the entire design cycle from site evaluation, choice of technology, system component selection, load analysis and through to a completed design. It will focus on combining Rational Use of Energy with Renewable Energy Technologies and Systems.

 

Distinctiveness of the Programme:

Reducing the energy footprint of dwellings can make a significant contribution to improving the national energy balance sheet, make us more energy independent and have beneficial environmental and climatic consequences. Lectures, video showings, discussions, software simulations and field trips are all integral to delivery.

The Domestic Sustainable Energy programme caters for those who wish to focus on small scale systems for the domestic/residential sector, and has been running successfully since 2005.

 

Programme Structure and Assessment

• The programme is offered on a part-time basis, commencing in late September and concluding at the end of April.  There is a total of 96 ‘contact’ hours.
• The contact hours are made up of:

• lectures and tutorials (from 6.30pm to 9.30pm one night per week, with 24 nights in total),
• field trips on 3 Saturdays (generally 9am to 5pm).

• It is expected that lectures will take place on Thursday evenings in our Clonmel Campus, as in the past (subject to confirmation)

• While the programme is practically-oriented, it does involve formal academic assessment, supported by an External Examiner from the Dundalk Institute of Technology.  Programme participants are assessed through 3 written design assignments, three field trip reports and six in-class tests.  There is no end-of-programme examination.  The assignments require a significant time input and self-learning hours are estimated to be in the region of 300 hours.  Potential applicants should also consider their travel time to and from TI Clonmel, and their other commitments, in assessing their capability to successfully complete the programme.
• Please note that applicants awarded a place on the programme will have to come to TI Clonmel for registration in advance of the commencement of the programme.

Entry Requirements

Minimum requirements will normally be a pass in six Leaving Certificate subjects including mathematics or an equivalent qualification. The Institute’s procedures for recognition of prior learning will be used to assess equivalence. Applicants who meet the minimum entry requirements will be selected on the basis of a written application and if appropriate, interview. The selection process will follow the Institute’s mature student entry procedures.

The ability to use a computer to access information online is an advantage, as the delivery of the programme is supported though the use of TI’s online learning environment, Moodle. Demand for the 25 places on the programme has generally exceeded supply on previous cycles.

Please note that the closing date for applications for the 2010/2011 cycle is 5pm 20th August 2010.

 

Programme Outline

 

 

Award
The Certificate in Domestic Sustainable Energy has received provisional approval as a HETAC (Higher Education and Training Awards Council) Special Purpose Award. It is offered at NQF (National Qualifications Framework) Level 6 and carries 20 ECTS credits.

 

Programme Fee

The programme fee is currently under review.  The fee will include a sustainable energy textbook and a Tipperary Institute course reader in renewable energy.

To facilitate widespread participation a fee reduction may be offered to a limited number of participants in certain circumstances.  Please contact the Rural Development Department for further information.

Programme Location

Tipperary Institute – Clonmel Campus.

Information on Obtaining an Application Form

For further information and an application form, contact the Information and Communications Technology Department at:

	Tel: 0504 28127	Email: acdse@tippinst.ie
	Fax: 0504 28111	Web: www.tippinst.ie
An electronic copy of the application form is also available here