This 11-month MPhil in Advanced Materials for the Energy Transition is to take students with undergraduate degrees in a scientific or engineering discipline (Physics, Chemistry, Material Sciences, Engineering, Chemical Engineering) and train them in materials growth, characterisation, device design, and related techniques and toolsets to understand, develop, and deploy the next generation of energy-efficient materials-based technologies to replace fossil fuels. This will help to meet the UK’s goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The diverse topics addressed in the course will prepare students for long-term careers in a rapidly growing zero-carbon energy sector where broad knowledge of flexible and agile energy materials and systems is required to deliver a secure and sustainable global energy landscape.
The course mission is “to train students to become leaders in academia and industry to address grand challenges in the science and application of energy materials to decarbonise society”.
The course offers a multidisciplinary approach to energy materials, such that graduates are well placed to work in a diverse range of energy-related areas that are in high demand from employers.
Throughout the year the students will have lectures, practicals, and research projects delivered under the guidance of experts across all relevant research areas at the University of Cambridge, as well as leaders from the energy industry.
The course encompasses different educational and societal objectives, and responds to the growing:
- demand for highly trained scientists to design and develop the new generation of energy-efficient technologies,
- societal demand to replace fuel-based technologies by zero-carbon technologies, and
- importance of interdisciplinary expertise to better respond to the complexity of challenges faced by modern societies.
The objectives of the course are to provide students with:
- deep knowledge in all scientific areas for the growth and characterization of new materials,
- knowledge and practical experience in device design to develop new technologies, and
- awareness of the wide range of industrial applications of these new technologies.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course, students will have:
- A thorough and multi-disciplinary knowledge in state-of-the-art energy materials science and technology.
- A good understanding of the industrial and business relevance of the subject matter of the course.
- Demonstrated abilities for the critical evaluation of new energy materials science and technology.
- Demonstrated originality in tackling and solving problems and autonomy in the planning and implementation of research.
Continuing
The pass mark for the course is 60%. This is the minimum mark accepted for applications to PhD programmes in UK institutions, but many require higher marks, e.g. above 75%.
Open Days
The University hosts and attends fairs and events throughout the year, in the UK and across the world. We also offer online events to help you explore your options:
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Discover Cambridge: Master’s and PhD study webinars - these Spring events provide practical information about applying for postgraduate study.
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Postgraduate Virtual Open Days - taking place in November each year, the Open Days focus on subject and course information.
For more information about upcoming events visit our events pages.
Departments
This course is advertised in the following departments: