GeoEnergy MSc

University of Derby

The energy demands of our changing world must balance an expanding global population with a desire to shift towards more carbon-neutral sources. The world needs skilled practitioners who are adept at environmentally-sensitive energy generation. Our course prepares you to develop energy solutions and be a driving force for a sustainable mixed-energy economy.

This innovative course has been designed to produce graduates who can actively contribute to the global energy transition, have the ability to tackle climate change and the expertise to combine emerging techniques with conventional ones. You will consider a variety of energy sources, with your main focus being on how we can responsibly obtain energy from the Earth (conventional and unconventional hydrocarbons and geothermal energy) and how we mitigate global warming (carbon capture and subsurface storage, a key technology that many governments are deeming to be imperative to meet their carbon unit quotas).

The course aims to view energy from all aspects: finding, producing, assessing impact, and protecting the climate while powering the economy and providing for society. You will be able to apply traditional exploration and production skills to provide for future global power while ensuring a sustainable climate. On the course, you will:

• Gain an understanding of locating and evaluating hydrocarbon sources
• Apply your knowledge of related energy options to prepare for a carbon-neutral transition, such as geothermal energy and carbon capture
• Undertake relevant software training: seismic interpretation, GIS, petrophysics, gravity & magnetics, reservoir/fluid modelling, to prepare you for industry
• Gain practical skills (such as core logging and wireline log interpretation) that enhance employability
• Use critical evaluation of datasets, creating industry-standard reports, which will build confidence in guiding companies towards the right mix of energy utilisation and climate protection
• Collaborate on live projects with UK Geoenergy Observatories to put your skills into practice
• Be able to provide solutions which carefully balance providing affordable and sustainable energy with enhancing social, economic, and environmental prosperity
• Study content aligned to the priorities of global initiatives, such as the UK Clean Growth strategy, and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals where 'affordable and clean energy' is listed as a priority
• Work with our research-active teaching team who have a wealth of experience in renewable energy, climate change, and conventional and unconventional hydrocarbons