The framing of this module is that Machiavelli has seriously misled modern political thinking by permitting a wedge to be driven between morality and politics. Even if that was not Machiavelli’s intention, that has been the consequence of his ideas. Thus, this module can be approached as an extended criticism and response to Machiavellianism in political thought and in politics. We will recover a lost way of thinking that does not drive a wedge between morality and politics. This recovery will show us a more subtle way of thinking about morality and politics in order to understand that this earlier tradition of thought has more depth and rings more true with regard to our own moral convictions. However, the purpose is not primarily about beating up Machiavelli, enjoyable though that is; our primary purpose is to think more deeply about actual political problems that challenge our own moral beliefs. Our primary texts come from the ancient Greeks and the focus is on the ethical use of political power – whether that is possible and what it would like like in practice. Who should take this module? It should appeal to those who think Machiavelli was right, but who are not afraid to have their convictions challenged. It should appeal to those who disagree with Machiavelli and are looking for penetrating arguments to use against him. It should appeal to those who observe contemporary politics and are alarmed that we are seeing blatant dishonesty, torture, arms sales to oppressive regimes, and a host of other behaviours that we feel are deeply wrong. After a brief recap of Machiavelli to set the stage, we will dive in to an analysis of those thinkers who defined the tradition of Western political thought before Machiavelli, Plato and Aristotle. Through them we will find a richer and more profound – and more applicable to our world – understanding of the conflict between morality and politics, more profound than any modern thought infected with Machiavelli’s ideas. This module will actively undermine cynical, realist thinking about politics that becomes a lazy excuse for not asking ethical questions of our politicians or ourselves.
In this module, you will explore some of the social, cultural and political forces that transformed the medieval and early modern worlds. This was a period of momentous change characterised by invasion, political upheaval, religious conflict and a rapidly globalising world. International developments like the Renaissance, the Reformation and the Enlightenment shaped the way individuals and societies engaged with each other and the wider world. Our focus is on the transformations that took place in the British Isles and the emerging overseas empire. But there are opportunities to range further afield and consider this period of transformation from other European or global perspectives. You will explore themes such as: political upheaval; kingship and diplomacy; exploration, commerce and empire; religion and reform; violence, warfare and conflict; art, architecture and literature. In doing so, you will consider to what extent developments in this period laid the foundations for the world we live in today.
The module aims to provide a detailed understanding of more advanced topics in circuit theory, in particular developing a good understanding of the fundamental theory of power, three phase circuits and transmission lines for both high and low frequency applications.
This module introduces students to fundamental issues in the design and operation of electricity transmission and distribution networks. There is a particular focus on understanding how to specify equipment, including through the use of power flow modelling tools such as ERACS and PowerWorld. The course is primarily designed for MSc Energy & Sustainability w/EPE students, but is available for MEng students as an option on the proviso that ELEC3213 has not been taken previously. The module is assessed 50% by courseworks and 50% by exam. Throughout the assessment there is an emphasis on the provision of engineering justification for design decisions, using the results obtained from simulations and calculations. These are key transferrable skills which will be valuable throughout your career.
This module introduces the principles and applications of power electronics, focusing on semiconductor devices, practical implementation aspects and converter topologies. Students will learn the characteristics of conventional and emerging devices, design and analyse key circuits for protection and thermal management, and explore common representatives of DC-DC, AC-DC, AC-AC and DC-AC converters.
The syllabus will be based upon several topics relating to the use of power semiconductors and components in power systems. The course starts with considerations of the individual power electronic devices, before moving on to their use as part of an HVDC convertor station. Finally, you will consider issues surrounding HVDC transmission links as a whole, including the relevant cable and line technologies. This will be set against the context of the changing requirements for bulk transmission of power which are affecting electrical grids around the world.
The module content allows students to 1) Appreciate the role of electric power in the modern world – Size of the industry 2) Understand current power demands and projected increase – Geographic location – Seasonal and daily variations 3) Learn different generation technologies – Physical and engineering aspects – Economy and cost – Impact on environment – Political vector
Electric power systems are one of the most important assets of any nation and are responsible for the nation’s assured and non-stop electricity supply. This module provides an overview of the power engineering tools of dynamic modelling, stability analysis and control design, which are needed to ensure that the electricity supply exactly meets the electricity-demand at every instant, and the system operation remains stable so that any unforeseen change or disturbance in the system does not lead to partial or complete system shutdown. The importance of these power engineering tools and concepts are considered in light of the urgently needed large-scale integration of renewable sources to power systems, which may lead to several stability challenges, such as reduced system inertia, stochastic generation and converter driven instabilities.
This module introduces students to fundamental issues in the design and operation of electricity transmission and distribution networks. There is a particular focus on understanding how to specify equipment, including through the use of power flow modelling tools such as ERACS and PowerWorld. Students are introduced to fundamental concepts of power flow, protection and earthing, along with the the construction of overhead lines and underground cables.
- To introduce fundamental concepts relating to the design, analysis, economics and management of modern electrical power systems. - To develop awareness of the technical problems associated with operation of such systems. - To gain analytical and numerical modelling skills for handling particular problems. - To introduce classification of grid users, load control and tariffs.
- To introduce the students to fundamental concepts relating to the design and management of modern electrical power systems. - To develop amongst the students an awareness of technical problems associated with operation of such systems. - To teach the students basic theory and equip them with necessary analytical, numerical and modelling skills for handling particular problems. Students are not required to have taken ELEC2213 before taking ELEC3214, but it is strongly recommended.
This course is an introduction to practical chemistry, involving direct laboratory teaching (with detailed instructions) of a range of basic skills to set foundations for further learning. It includes the teaching of common experimental techniques, use of laboratory instrumentation (e.g. NMR, IR, MS Spectrometers); along with training in the analysis (and appropriate presentation) of data. As the course proceeds, this course will progressively introduce slightly more advanced basic skills, building on previously developed skills and knowledge. More complex work-ups will be undertaken, with more emphasis on student input (or decision making) in the process. Students will also have the opportunity to learn how to use additional instrumentation (e.g. UV-Vis, Fluorescence Spectrometers).
This course is designed to further develop practical chemistry skills built in earlier years.
A practical based module to reinforce lecture material from other modules on unit operations and to develop understanding of spectroscopic methods of chemical characterisation.
The emphasis is on processing and application of data collected in the optical regions of the electromagnetic spectrum using passive sensors.
