Chemical &

Biological
Engineering.

MSc Process Safety and

Loss Prevention

Postgraduate Taught Programme

Student Handbook

2013
2013-2014
2014
Table of Contents
Welcome from the Head of Department.................................................... 3
The Academic Year.............................................................................................. 4
Key points to remember................................................................................. .. 5
Some important regulations........................................................................... . 6
Data Protection..................................................................................................... 6

Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering........................... ..7

About the Department............................................................................... 7

Staff Directory............................................................................................... 10
 Academic Staff and Research Interests..................................... 13
 Research Staff....................................................................................... 13
 Administrative Staff............................................................................ 14
 Technical Staff...................................................................................... 15

Management Structure............................................................ ................ 16

Finding your way around the Department......................................... 17

Your Conduct…………………………………………………………………… .20

Communications.......................................................................................... 22
 Computing Facilities/MOLE............................................................. 22
 Photocopier........................................................................................... 22
 Email......................................................................................................... 22
 Academic Staff...................................................................................... 22
 Incoming mail, fax and telephone................................................. 23
 Notice boards........................................................................................ 23
 Departmental interactive TV screen........................................... 23
 University Libraries............................................................................. 23
 Sites and Services....................................................................... 24
 Star Plus.......................................................................................... 26
 Sources of help and guidance................................................ 25
 Keeping up-to-date.................................................................... 26
 Contact the Library.................................................................... 26
 Change of address or telephone number.................................. 27
 Absence from the University.......................................................... 27
 Reporting Special Circumstances........................................ 27
 Attendance Monitoring............................................................. 28
 Religious Holidays and Examinations................................... 29
 British Summer Time......................................................................... 29

Student Support and Seeking Help...................................................... 30
 Student Support Office.................................................................... 30
 The Student Services Information Desk (SSiD)...................... 30
 Fees for the Programme of Study................................................ 31
 Academic Matters............................................................................... 31
 Information for disabled and dyslexic students............ ..31
 Personal Matters................................................................................. 32
 Religious Matters................................................................................. 33
 The International Office.................................................................... 33
 English Language Teaching Centre............................................... 33
 Modern Languages Teaching Centre........................................... 33
 The Academic Skills Hub (TASH).................................................. 34
 Careers and vacation work............................................................. 34
 Personal Development Plan............................................................. 36
 Nightline................................................................................................... 36
 Women’s Safety and the Women’s Minibus.............................. 36
1

Extra-Curricular Activities........................................................................ 37
 The Student Union.............................................................................. 37
 The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE)
and Energy Institute (EI)................................................................... 37
 Facebook.............................................................................................. 37

The Tutor System and Staff/Student Committee.......................... 38
 Personal Tutors.................................................................................... 38
 Departmental Staff/Student Committee................................... 38
 Student representative election procedure.................... 38
 Job description............................................................................. 39
 Staff/Student Committee notice board............................ 39
 Departmental suggestion box......................................................... 39
 Student Questionnaires.................................................................... 39

Coursework and Examinations.............................................................. 40
 Coursework........................................................................................... 40
 Plagiarism and use of unfair means
in the assessment process.............................................................. 41
 TURNITIN........................................................................................ 45
 Examinations.......................................................................................... 46
 Feedback - Exam script viewing............................................ 47

Health and Safety......................................................................................... 48
 Accident reporting and First Aid................................................... 48
 Out of hours working......................................................................... 50
 Fire regulations and evacuation procedures........................... 50
 Non smoking policy............................................................................. 51
 Food and drink..................................................................................... 51
 Procedure for workshop requests.............................................. 51

MSc Process Safety and Loss Prevention.................................................. 54

Background to the course........................................................................ 55

Aims of the Programme............................................................................ 56

Programme Information Structure...................................................... 56

Programme Syllabus................................................................................... 59

Assignment Information............................................................................ 70
 Assignments........................................................................................... 70
 Assessment Information................................................................... 71
 Dissertation Assessment Criteria................................................. 73

Student Prizes............................................................................................... 74

Programme Specification......................................................................... 75

Guidelines for Theses submitted for MSc (Eng) Programmes.. 88

2
Welcome from the Head of Department
Welcome to the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering. You join the Department at a very exciting time in its
history. Each of our four Research Groups is experiencing unprecedented success whether measured by research income,
research output or just by the buzz of excitement around the researchers; at the same time we have redefined much of our
teaching to focus on what we perceive to be the technological and scientific challenges of a new era in chemical engineering.
As students taking a taught Masters Programme, you are ideally placed to benefit from our progress in teaching and in
research. The programmes you take will, in almost every case, be informed by the research taking place here and you will
yourself work with Research Groups in the conduct of your own research project. For many of you some aspects of the
material presented will be entirely new - diversity of backgrounds amongst students is one of the strengths of our Masters
programmes – no doubt from time to time this will present challenges. You should remember, though, that all the staff in the
Department are here to help. Should you be concerned about your progress please approach a member of staff who will do
everything they can to help
Welcome to one of the best Chemical Engineering Departments in the UK. I very much look forward to observing your
progress.

Professor Phillip Wright

Head of Department

3
The Academic Year

2013 – 2014

Intro Week Mon 23 Sep – Sat 28 Sep 1 week

Autumn Term Mon 30 Sep – Sat 21 Dec 12 weeks

Christmas Vacation 4 weeks

Examination Period Mon 14 Jan – Sat 2 Feb 3 weeks

Spring Term (1) Mon 10 Feb – Sat 05 April 6 weeks

Easter Vacation (Easter Day 20 April 2014) 3 weeks

Spring Term (2) Mon 28 April – Sat 14 June 6 weeks

Examination Period Mon 20 May – Sat 8 June 3 weeks

Summer Term Mon 10 June – Sat 31 August 12 weeks

4
Key points
points to remember
Penalties for Late Submission
The University has a uniform system of applying penalties for the late submission of coursework during the teaching periods in each semester. Late submission will
result in a deduction of 5% of the total mark awarded for each working day after the submission date up to 5 days late. The 5 working day deadline for late
submission is absolute and any work submitted after the 5 working day period will be awarded zero unless there are Special Circumstances which have been
recorded using the Special Circumstances Form.

Attendance
Your attendance will be monitored regularly throughout the year.

Absence
Inform your personal tutor if you are absent from the Department for any reason. If you are absent through illness for less than 7 days fill in a Special
Circumstances Form (available from the Student Support Office), and return it to the Student Support Office. If you are absent for more than 7 days or if your
absence affects examinations/assessments you must obtain a medical certificate from your doctor and complete a Special Circumstances Form. If you have any
personal problems that affect your attendance, examinations and/or assessments, you must inform your personal tutor as soon as possible and complete a Special
Circumstances Form as detailed above. The matter will remain confidential between you and your tutor but your tutor may be able to negotiate with other members
of staff on your behalf without disclosing any details.

Email and notices

Please check your email every day and the PGT notice board (located on C Floor) on a regular basis. Please note that staff can only respond to enquiries through
your University email account, not any other email service.

Change of Address
It is of extreme importance that any student who changes either their home or term address, even temporarily, should inform SSiD (Student Services Information
Desk, www.shef.ac.uk/ssid) immediately, as important communications related to a student’s progress might otherwise go astray. Contact details can also be
amended directly via MUSE. Failure to do this may result in a delay in receiving examination results transcripts.

5
Some important regulations
Admission to the University is subject to the requirements that you will comply with the University's registration procedure and will duly observe the Students’
Charter, Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations of the University. Full details can be found at www.shef.ac.uk/calendar.

Your attention is drawn particularly to the following:

1. You are required to attend punctually and regularly the programmes, lectures, laboratory work and tutorial periods prescribed in the relevant scheme of
study, together with such other lectures or classes as may be directed, and to provide the text books and apparatus prescribed.

2. You are normally required to be in residence throughout the whole of each term, and may not be absent during the normal working week without
permission from the Dean of the Faculty (see your tutor in the first instance).

3. In cases of enforced absence, a written explanation must be sent via your personal tutor to the Dean of the Faculty.

4. You must attend all examinations unless excused in writing by the Dean of the Faculty.

5. Failure to observe the above Regulations may disqualify you from receiving a degree from the University.

The General Regulations that apply to all students in all Faculties covering: Registration; Academic Progress; Appeals & Student Appeals can be found in the University
Calendar www.shef.ac.uk/calendar, or in the Appendix to the University of Sheffield Academic Diary & Student Handbook or via the University’s Student Services
Information Desk (SSID): www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/ (select ‘Course Information’).

Information on Academic Appeals Regulations, which exist for complaints regarding decisions of examiners or Faculty Boards can be found from the Students Charter
at the following web site: www.shef.ac.uk/calendar.

Also the University has formal procedures for making complaints, whether about the delivery and quality of services received (i.e. non-academic matters), or about
the delivery and quality of research supervision or any other matters relating to the programme of study. Details of the procedures are contained in the Students’
Charter, copies of which are available from the Advice Centre in the Union of Students, and from the Student Services Information Desk.

General Regulations governing fees for the programme of study can be found at: www.shef.ac.uk/calendar.

Data Protection
Personal information will be held and used according to the Data Protection Acts 1994 and 1998. Details appear in the starter pack issued to all students under
“Personal Information” and can be found at: www.shef.ac.uk/cics/dataprotection/datapol.

You will be given a form authorising the Department to display your name and photograph. You have the right to refuse this, but it creates some inconvenience if you
do. If an external body such as your sponsor requires detailed information such as module marks, we must have permission in writing from you.

6
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering

About The Department

The University of Sheffield grew out of the Sheffield Medical School (founded 1828), Firth College (1879) and
the Sheffield Technical School (1884). They merged to form the University College of Sheffield, which in turn
became the University of Sheffield in 1905. Chemical Engineering and Fuel Technology was one of the original
seven departments of the Technical School.

Drawing of Mappin Building, 1910.

In 1920 RV
Wheeler became
the first
Professor of
Technology,
creating the Fuel
and Mining
Department.
During 1920s,
the income for
the Fuel and
Mining
Department was
provided by local Coal Owners’ Association, and later by the National Coal Board.

During World War II the Department gave advice to local hospitals and industry on fuel economy, and ran
courses on fuel efficiency.

Following rapid expansion, a new building was opened by HRH Duke of Edinburgh in 1961, and extended in 1965.

In 1996, the Department demerged from Mechanical and Process Engineering to become the Department of
Chemical and Process Engineering. Today, the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering has been at
the forefront of environmental, safety, energy and combustion technology for over fifty years, with some of
the most well-known, respected and influential workers in the field and has produced many innovative ideas
and patents. There are four research groups in the Department. These are:

7
 • Energy and Environmental Engineering Group
• Biological and Environmental Systems Group
• Particles Products Group
• Process Fluidics Groups

The Department is part of the Faculty of Engineering - one of the largest in the UK. In governmental reviews
of the quality of UK University departments we achieved an excellent rating for the quality of our teaching.

Whether you are a new graduate wishing to specialise or already in the industry wanting to deepen your
understanding, the Process Safety and Loss Prevention Programme at the University of Sheffield has much to
offer.

Chemical Engineering occupies a modern building. We are particularly excited by our new interdisciplinary
research centre funded by the Government, Chemical Engineering at the Life Sciences Interface, ChELSI.
ChELSI has provided the Department with not only state-of-the-art research laboratories, but also new
teaching and social spaces which are of benefit to all of our staff and students. We encourage a friendly and
informal atmosphere in the Department. The Ideas Space serves as a focal point for both undergraduate and
postgraduate activities.

The Department has a worldwide reputation for its broad range of innovative research and benefits from
having its own research station in the Derbyshire countryside as well as the onsite provisions. A major
challenge of modern engineering is the development of inherently safe and environment friendly processes.
The Department places special emphasis on both of these areas.

The Process Safety and Loss Prevention MSc is one of the principal programmes in Europe for the teaching of
good practice in chemical plant safety methods and its international reputation attracts students from around
the world. The strong European and UK support base offers a valuable environment for gaining practical
experience through student industrial placement opportunities, often providing a first real work place
experience.

Teaching in the Department is by a combination of lectures, tutorials, hands-on computer and laboratory
classes and project work. We highlight computer literacy, which is of increasing importance to the modern
engineer.

8
Staff Directory
Please note: if you are ringing from outside the University, prefix the telephone extension number with 0114 22.

Academic Staff and Research Interests

Prof P Wright D58 27577 p.c.wright@sheffield.ac.uk
Head of Department
Systems biology; Synthetic biology and metabolic engineering
Prof R Allen F53 27601 r.w.k.allen@sheffield.ac.uk
Microfluidics; Clean Energy; Hydrogen Manufacture; CO2 Re-useGas Cleaning; Particulate Systems
Prof C Biggs D62 27510 c.biggs@sheffield.ac.uk
Environmental (Water) Engineering; Biofilms; Biological Systems
Prof M Considine 27573 M.Considine@sheffield.ac.uk
Process Safety and Loss Prevention
Prof D James C56 27505 d.c.james@sheffield.ac.uk
Biopharmaceutical Bioprocessing
Prof P Hall F57 28251 peter.hall@sheffielc.ac.uk
Advanced batteries, supercapacitors and energy
Prof A Salman E58 27560 a.d.salman@sheffield.ac.uk
Particle Technology/Agglomeration
Prof V Sharifi G59 27518 v.n.sharifi@sheffield.ac.uk
Energy from biomass waste, CHP
Prof P Styring G57 27571 p.styring@sheffield.ac.uk
Carbon Capture and Utilisation; Catalysis; Polymers; Snowsports Engineering
Emeritus G59
Prof J Swithenbank 27518 j.swithenbank@sheffield.ac.uk
Incineration; Turbine Combustion; Heat Exchanger Design; Process Control
Prof W Zimmerman Kroto
LG16 27517 w.zimmerman@sheffield.ac.uk
Fluid Mechanics; Interfacial Phenomena; Bioreactors and Biochemical Processing; Energy efficient
Microbubbles; Plasma Microreactors
Dr M Dickman D54 27541 m.dickman@sheffield.ac.uk
Molecular Interactions, Chromatography, Proteomics and Systems Biology.
Dr P Dobson D52 27649 p.d.dobson@sheffield.ac.uk
Application of bioinformatics, Systems biology modelling
Dr A Dunbar G56 27551 a.dunbar@sheffield.ac.uk
Polymer Photovoltaics
Dr S Ebbens F62a 27589 s.ebbens@sheffield.ac.uk
9
Nanoswimming Devices; Polymers; Microscopy; Surface Analysis and Modification
Dr R Edyvean F51 27506 r.edyvean@sheffield.ac.uk
Biochemical Engineering; Wastewater Treatment; Corrosion
Dr R Elder G54 27574 r.elder@sheffield.ac.uk
Carbon Capture and Utilisation; Hydrogen Production; Separation Processes; Electrochemical Processes and
Energy Engineering
Dr B Ewan DG51 27504 b.c.ewan@sheffield.ac.uk
Sustainable Energy Processes
Dr R Falconer G52 28253 r.falconer@sheffield.ac.uk
Analytical Biotechnology
Dr M Heslop F59a 27601 m.j.heslop@sheffield.ac.uk

Dr J Howse F56 27596 j.r.howse@sheffield.ac.uk

Soft Matter, Polymer Colloids, and Biomimetic Nanomaterials
Dr H Jensen B54 28254 h.s.jensen@sheffield.ac.uk
Environment, Water
Dr D Lisbona 24911 d.lisbona@sheffield.ac.uk

Dr J McGregor G-Floor 24918 James.mcgregor@sheffield.ac.uk

Dr J Macinnes G62 27511 j.m.macinnes@sheffield.ac.uk

Fluid Mechanics; Atomisation and Spray Formation
Dr J Noirel D61 27582 j.noirel@sheffield.ac.uk
Computational Biology and Bioinformatics
Dr J Pandhal D76b 27631 j.pandhal@sheffield.ac.uk
Environmental Proteomics and Metabolic Engineering in Biopharmaceutical Research and Environmental
Systems
Dr M Pitt D64 27513 m.j.pitt@sheffield.ac.uk
Process Safety; Risk Assessment
Dr G Priestman F62 27512 g.priestman@sheffield.ac.uk
Separation Processes; Power Fluidics; Multiphase Flow; Micro-Chemical Engineering
Dr R Ristic D59 27516 r.i.ristic@sheffield.ac.uk
Crystallisation
Dr R Smith F59 28255 rachel.smith@sheffield.ac.uk
Particle technology, granulation and pharmaceutical processing
Dr S Vaidyanathan G60 27526 s.vaidyanathan@sheffield.ac.uk

10
Bioanalyses, Metabolome analyses, Bioprocessing
Dr TS Wong G51 27591 t.wong@sheffield.ac.uk
Protein engineering, Directed evolution, Biocatalysis and biotransformation, Biophysics, Cancer and ageing
Dr Y Wu F54 27514 y.wu@sheffield.ac.uk
Combustion; Fire and explosion; Process safety
Dr M Zandi F60 28265 m.zandi@sheffield.ac.uk
Biomass combustion energy
Dr J Zhao F63 28256 xiubo.zhao@sheffield.ac.uk
Bionanotechnology, Nanomedicine, biomaterials and biointerfaces

11
Research Staff
K Armstrong F55 27508 katy.armstrong@sheffield.ac.uk
Dr S Brittle E61b 27522 s.brittle@sheffield.ac.uk
Dr A Campbell E62 27636 a.i.campbell@sheffield.ac.uk
Dr N Couto D76b 27599 n.couto@sheffield.ac.uk
Dr S Davies C67a 27594 Sarah.L.Davies@sheffield.ac.uk
Dr C Evans D76b 27599 caroline.evans@sheffield.ac.uk
Dr D Ferachou d.ferachou@sheffield.ac.uk
Dr K Finney D52 27572 k.finney@sheffield.ac.uk
Dr P Foster E63a 27522 p.j.foster@sheffield.ac.uk
Dr G Fowler D76b 27599 g.fowler@sheffield.ac.uk
Dr E Haq E62 28257 e.u.haq@sheffield.ac.uk
Dr M Hicks E52 27636 m.hicks@sheffield.ac.uk
Dr C Howse F55 24912 C.Howse@sheffield.ac.uk
Dr P Jackson D76b 27599 p.j.jackson@sheffield.ac.uk
Dr K Kamvilaisak D76b 27599 k.kamwilaisak@sheffield.ac.uk
Dr E Karunakaran D76b 27599 e.karunakaran@sheffield.ac.uk

Dr D Kuvshinov G15 27520 d.kuvshinov@sheffield.ac.uk

Dr J Lozano-Parada Kroto 27570 j.lozana@sheffield.ac.uk
LG17
Dr TK Pham D76b 27599 Khoa.pham@sheffield.ac.uk
Dr K Pitt F55 27644 k.pitt@sheffield.ac.uk
Dr A Rennie E62 28257 a.rennie@sheffield.ac.uk
Dr T Smart B52 27636 t.smart@sheffield.ac.uk
Dr B Thompson C67a 27594 ben.thompson@sheffield.ac.uk
Dr K Washino E60 27543 k.washino@sheffield.ac.uk
Dr G Wilson E62 28257 grant.wilson@sheffield.ac.uk
Dr X Zou D76b 27599 x.zou@sheffield.ac.uk

12
Administrative Staff
Normal office hours are 08:00 hrs to 17:00 hrs.

Natalie Cardwell C52 27525 n.cardwell@sheffield.ac.uk

Departmental Administration
Manager
Jane Gardner C62b 28258 j.gardner@sheffield.ac.uk
Marketing Assistant
Gillian Rhodes D60 27557 Gillian.rhodes@sheffield.ac.uk
PA to the Head of Department
Rhian Park C52 27648 r.owens@sheffield.ac.uk
Finance Secretary
Marine Percival C62b 28250 m.percival@sheffield.ac.uk
Postgraduate Admin Assistant
Maria Soto C62b 27500 m.soto@sheffield.ac.uk
Postgraduate Admissions
Natalie Swallow C52 27539 n.swallow@sheffield.ac.uk
Finance Assistant
Christine Wilkinson C62b 27575 christine.wilkinson@sheffield.ac.uk
Academic Administration
Louise Hall C62b 27576 Louise.Hall@sheffield.ac.uk
Undergraduate Course Support
and Admissions Officer

13
Technical Staff
Normal office hours are 08:30 hrs to 16:30 hrs.

Richard Stacey D56a 27529 r.v.stacey@sheffield.ac.uk

Laboratory Superintendent
Technical Services
Stuart Richards W/shop 27533 s.richards@sheffield.ac.uk
Workshop Supervisor G6
Adrian Lumby W/shop 27641 a.j.lumby@sheffield.ac.uk
G1
Andy Patrick W/shop 27533 a.patrick@sheffield.ac.uk
G6
Electronics Workshop
Oz McFarlane W/shop 27530 oz.macfarlane@sheffield.ac.uk
G7
Mark McIntosh W/shop 27530 m.mcintosh@sheffield.ac.uk
G7
Usman Younis W/shop 27530 u.younis@sheffield.ac.uk
G7
Laboratory/Teaching
Nadine Kirkpatrick F67 27588 n.kirkpatrick@sheffield.ac.uk
Keith Penny F67 27531 k.penny@sheffield.ac.uk
Dave Wengraf 27586 d.wengraf@sheffield.ac.uk

14
15
Finding Your Way Around The Department
A-Floor Office, Laboratory or Facility Room Number

B-Floor
Postdoctoral Researcher Office B52
Dr H Jensen B54
Women's toilets B59
Men's toilets B60
Four Degree Room B61
Seminar Room B63
Ideas Space B64
Toilets B67
Mass Spectrometry Laboratory B68b

C-Floor
Finance Cluster Office C52
Professor D James C56
Staff Photocopying/Post Room C58
Student Support Office C62b
Toilets C65/66
Teaching Laboratory C67
Postgraduate Student Office C67a
Ideas Space

D-Floor
Dr P Dobson D52
Dr M Dickman D54
Mr R Stacey D56a
HoD Meeting Room D56
Professor P Wright D58
Dr R Ristic D59
Ms G Rhodes D60
Dr J Noirel D61
Professor C Biggs D62
Women's toilets D63
Dr M Pitt D64
Dr B Ewan G51

16
 Postgraduate Student Office D72
Microbiology Lab D73
Shower D74/75
Teaching Laboratory D76a
Postdoctoral Researcher Office D76b
Photocopier / PGR pigeon holes mezzanine

E-Floor
Large-scale Granulation Laboratory E51
Crystallisation Laboratory E53
Food Research Laboratory E54
Energy & Environmental Laboratory E55
Postdoctoral Researcher Office E56
Professor A Salman E58
Postgraduate Student Office E59
Postgraduate Student Office E60
Student Computer Room E61
Postgraduate Student Office E61b
Postdoctoral Researcher Office E62
Postdoctoral Researcher Office E63a
Men's toilets

F-Floor
Dr R Edyvean F51
Professor R Allen F53
Dr Y Wu F54
Dr K Pitt F55
K. Armstrong F55
Dr J Howse F56
Prof P Hall F57
Dr R Smith F59
Dr M Heslop F59a
Dr M Zandi F60
Postdoctoral Researcher Office F61
Dr G Priestman F62
Dr S Ebbens F62a
Dr J Zhao F63
Analytical Laboratory F65
17
 Women's toilets

G-Floor
Postdoctoral Researcher Offices G15/G18
Dr TS Wong G51
Dr R Falconer G52
Dr R Elder G54
Postgraduate Student Office G55
Dr A Dunbar G56
Lecture Theatre 20 LT20
Professor Styring G57
Professor V Sharifi G59
Dr S Vaidyanathan G60
Hydrogen Research Laboratory G61
Dr J MacInnes G62
Dr T Lafitte
Dr J McGregor
Men's toilets
CBE yard
Mechanical and Electrical Workshops
Kroto Professor W Zimmerman LG16
Building
Dr J Lozano-Parada LG17
Postgraduate Student Office LG19

18
Your Conduct

Your time as a student should be challenging and fun but also prepare you for the professional life that will
follow on from your studies. One of the most important aspects of this is the high standard of conduct that is
expected of all staff and students studying at the University. This applies both during your studies and in your
interactions with the wider community.

You should take particular care that presentations, posters and other pieces of assessment produced as part
of your course reflect standards of tolerance and decency. Whilst debate about relevant topics is encouraged
as a normal part of academic life you are recommended to steer clear of using assessment as a platform for
criticizing others for their personal or lifestyle choices. These standards extend to use of social media where
offensive or inappropriate comments can be seen by many people both in and outside the University. You
should ensure that material presented is not likely to cause offence or embarrassment to others; as a rule of
thumb you should consider whether your work and conduct would be acceptable in a business environment.

The University website contains useful information about student conduct

(http://www.shef.ac.uk/ssid/ourcommitment/rights) , reproduced below for easy reference;

‘During your studies you are not living and working in a bubble. On campus and beyond, you are part of a
community comprised of individuals from numerous different countries, cultures and backgrounds. You have
opportunities to: immerse yourself in activities that expose you to new cultures; to acquire new skills and
knowledge from languages through to knowledge of the economics, history and society of other countries or
continents; and to contribute to your local community, for example through voluntary work with local
organisations and schools and/or work experience in a hospital or old-persons’ home. This all enables you to
develop a cultural agility that could open up new horizons and opportunities for you in the UK, the European
Union and beyond. This is highly valued by employers who need their staff to be able to work effectively with
colleagues and clients/customers in ways that respect social and cultural diversity. If you can’t offer this,
somebody else will. (http://www.shef.ac.uk/sheffieldgraduate/diversity)

The University asks for your commitment to behaving responsibly while you are a student, taking account of
the diversity of the University community and the values of truth, toleration and justice. This requirement
extends beyond the University campus to student residences and includes engaging positively with your local
community. You are encouraged to engage positively with your local community and become an active citizen.
The Attributes of a Sheffield Graduate http://www.shef.ac.uk/sheffieldgraduate/students web site sets out
those attributes the University believes you should be acquiring during your studies.’

19
 It is recommended that you familiarise yourself with these webpages and the advice in the Student Handbook
(Section 1, Your Conduct) and ensure that you conduct yourself according to these standards.

In the event of serious breaches students may be referred to Student Services for action under the Student
Discipline Regulations which are laid out in full here;
http://calendar.dept.shef.ac.uk/calendar/07_regs_as_to_the_discipline_of_students.pdf

These regulations define misconduct as ‘improper interference, in the broadest sense, with the proper
functioning or activities of the University; or action which otherwise damages the University’. Some examples
of this are ‘behaviour which brings or is likely to bring the University into disrepute; sexual, racial or any
other form of harassment of any student or staff member; violent, indecent, disorderly threatening or
offensive behaviour; behaviour which puts … at risk of harm any person with whom a student has dealings; the
use of unfair means in the assessment process’. A range of penalties are available to the Discipline
Committee which reflect the seriousness with which the University treats inappropriate behaviour.

Communications
Computing Facilities / MOLE
The Department of Corporate Information and Computing Services (CiCS) offers a wide range of computing
facilities for all students. For further information visit the following web site: www.sheffield.ac.uk/cics/.

The facilities include:

IT Centres and Open access PC/Apple Macintosh rooms (some 24-hour), low cost, high quality laser printing,
campus-wide electronic information systems, email, short courses, documentation, helpdesk service. A
Computer Suite can be found on E-Floor (E61).

MOLE – My Online Learning Environment – previous exam papers (for help with revision) can be found on
MOLE. As long as you are fully registered for a module you will be able to access material on MOLE.

Photocopier
As MSc students, you have access to the black and white photocopier located on the D-Floor mezzanine.
Press login name and scroll down the list until you find ‘PSLP students’. You will then need to enter your
password: 11188.

20
Email
Important messages and announcements from departmental staff and from the University will often be sent
by email, so you should check your account regularly.

Academic Staff
Academic Staff have many duties and are not always available in their offices. You can usually make an
appointment by email or telephone message. Documents for the attention of Academic Staff can be handed in
to the Student Support Office.

Incoming Mail, Fax and Telephone

You will be informed of any incoming mail and faxes, which can be collected from the Student Support Office.
Facilities for the use of a fax machine are available to postgraduate students in the Student Support Office.
Please note that the use of the fax machine is for business purposes only. A telephone for making external
calls (UK only) is also available to Postgraduate students in the Student Support Office - again, all calls must
be for business purposes only. You have free access to internal telephones to make calls to other parts of
the University.

Notice Boards
Official notices about Programmes and examinations are posted on the Postgraduate Notice Board which is
located on C-Floor.

Departmental Interactive TV Screen

Located in the Ideas Space on B-Floor, the interactive TV screen gives useful information such as: office
locations of academic staff, timetables, photographs of staff and students.

University Libraries
The University Library

The Library is here to support you in your studies. There is a wealth of material available; over 1,400,000
printed volumes and an extensive range of electronic resources including subject databases, ebooks and
ejournals. Many resources are accessible from anywhere via the internet.

Sites & services

There are four Library sites for you to choose from:

21
The Information Commons (IC) – holds 100,000 core texts found on module reading lists. This is a 24 hour
facility with 1300 study spaces and over 500 PCs. It has bookable group study rooms, a cafe and is wireless
enabled.

St. George’s Library – based in a modern building on Mappin Street, this Library contains material relating to
engineering, computer science, economics and information studies. It has access to the wireless network
throughout and is convenient for Engineering students based in the St. George’s area.

Western Bank Library – this Library contains lots of material particularly in the fields of arts, humanities,
science, architecture, social sciences and East Asian studies. It has a superb Reading Room, long opening
hours, and has a quiet study atmosphere. There is access to the wireless network in most of the building.

Health Sciences Library – based on Floor C of the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, with a satellite at the Northern
General Hospital. This newly-refurbished site specialises in medicine, dentistry and health related subjects.
A valid UCard is needed to gain entry to all Library sites and to borrow books. You will also need your UCard to
use photocopying, printing and scanning facilities.

StarPlus
StarPlus, the University of Sheffield Library catalogue, gives you personalised access to the
University’s online and print resources.

• find all the resources you need such as books, ejournals, ebooks and databases
• request material you can’t find and we’ll notify you when it’s ready for collection
• view details of your Library account, including a list of your current loans
• renew your library loans and pay any charges you may have incurred
• save the details of useful books, journals and articles to your eShelf so you can refer to them
later
• add your own reviews and tags

myResourceLists

The library produces online reading lists for your modules, which are accessible via MOLE2

Sources of help & guidance

22
Staff are on hand at each site to offer advice and assistance. If you have problems, for example, finding books
in the Library, accessing electronic resources, or need help with your Library account please don’t hesitate to
ask any member of staff.

The following librarians can offer subject-specific guidance, (see

www.sheffield.ac.uk/library/libstaff/sllist.html for a full list):

Helen Moore is the Faculty Librarian for Engineering - email h.moore@sheffield.ac.uk or telephone
0114 222 7309.

Emily Stock is the Liaison Librarian for Engineering – email e.stock@sheffield.ac.uk or telephone 0114
222 7307.

Caterina Sciamanna is the Information Assistant for Engineering – email c.sciamanna@sheffield.ac.uk

The Library web pages at http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/library offer extensive information about making the
best use of resources and services.

The Library offers help and advice on academic skills such as searching for resources, referencing and
plagiarism:

• Information Literacy pages (http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/library/infolit)

• Information Skills Resource (http://www.librarydevelopment.group.shef.ac.uk/)

For further information about your specific subject area see http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/library/liaison/eng

Keeping up-to-date

Students in the Faculty of Engineering receive an electronic newsletter on a regular

basis containing all the latest Library news.

In addition, find out about new engineering resources on the Science and Engineering
blog (scan the code on the right or see http://unisheffieldlib-scieng.blogspot.co.uk/).

Follow Library news via Twitter @Eng_Librarian and @UniSheffieldLib, or via RSS feeds
23
(see www.sheffield.ac.uk/library/services/libnewsfeeds.html ).

Contact the Library

By telephone 0114 222 7200

By email library@sheffield.ac.uk

Web www.sheffield.ac.uk/library

Twitter twitter.com/Eng_Librarian

twitter.com/unisheffieldlib

24
Change of Address or Telephone Number
You can access the University record which shows your personal details such as your permanent or Sheffield
address or telephone number and which degree and modules you are registered for. See the Student
Services Information Desk (SSiD) web pages www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/record.

It is your responsibility to check that this record is correct, and to notify the University of any changes which
need to be made (most of which can be done online). For any changes to modules or degrees, the appropriate
form must be authorised by the Department, which means bringing it to the Student Support Office for
signature.

Absence From The University

If you are absent from the University for any reason, you must inform your Course Director, Dr Bruce Ewan,
immediately. If he is not available, leave a message with the Student Support Office (0114 222 7500). The
voicemail operates 24 hours.

Reporting Special Circumstances

During your studies you may experience difficulties which could affect your academic performance. Such
difficulties are known as ‘special circumstances’. These could include:
• medical problems, including long-term problems or short term periods of illness
• personal problems e.g. stress or homesickness
• difficult events e.g. bereavement
• serious incidents e.g. being affected by crime

It is important that you report any special circumstances to your department as soon as you can. Any special
circumstances which you report in advance of the final exam period will be considered by the Departmental
Examination Board and may be taken into account when calculating your results and determining your final
degree classification. Any information you submit will be treated as confidential and will not be used for any
other purpose.
To report special circumstances, please complete a Special Circumstances Form and submit it to the Student
Support Office. Forms are available from the Student Support Office or on-line at:
www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/forms/special.html.

Further information about completing the form is also available from the same webpage. You will usually need
to submit documentary evidence with the form, e.g. a medical certificate.

25
If you need to be away from term-time lectures for a short period of time, you need permission from the Head
of Department.

If you require a longer Leave of Absence from the University (for example a temporary withdrawal, as
opposed to absence through illness etc), you need to fill in a Change of Status form. If you need any further
explanation of these procedures, you can talk to your Course Director or the Director of Student Support.

Attendance Monitoring
As a student, it is most important that you attend regularly all the lectures, tutorials, laboratory sessions etc.
that are listed in your timetable or that are communicated to you as the semester proceeds. It is only by
attending all of the scheduled sessions that you will be able to learn effectively, and it is for this reason that
the Student Charter notes that students are expected "to attend throughout each semester, including the full
examination period. This means turning up on time to all designated teaching sessions, tutorials, laboratory
sessions and all assessment".

To help ensure that you make full use of the learning opportunities that are available, the department will be
monitoring the attendance of students at twelve or more sessions throughout the year. The monitoring will
be carried out using systems that have been developed by the University specifically to help departments
identify and support students who are having difficulty with their study programme.

Religious Holidays and Examinations

If you are unable for religious reasons (e.g. Sabbath, Festival, Friday Prayers etc.) to take examinations on any
day on which examinations may be set during the year (including Saturdays but not Sundays), you should
make a request before 31st October. This is done online by completing a ‘Religious Observance and
Examinations Form’ (http://www.shef.ac.uk/ssid/exams/observance.html). Please note that once
examination timetables have been set it is difficult for alterations to be made.

British Summer Time

British Summer Time (BST) starts on the last Sunday in March and ends on the last Sunday in October, at 1.00
am Greenwich Mean Time (GMT):
• in Spring the clocks go forward, losing an hour - at 1.00 am GMT the UK moves to 2.00 am BST
• in Autumn the clocks go back, giving an extra hour - at 2.00 am BST the UK moves to 1.00 am GMT.

26
Student Support and Seeking Help
Student Support Office
The Student Support Office is located on C-Floor, by the stairs leading to the Ideas Space. Maria Soto, PGT
Course Secretary and Marine Percival, Postgraduate Administrative Assistant, will be happy to help with
queries specific to the Department.

Please note that any question relating to registration, fees, UCards and general University matters
should be directed to the Student Services Information Desk (SSID), as detailed in the following
section.

The Student Services Information Desk (SSiD)

You can go to the Student Services Information Desk in the Student Union Building about any student matters,
those relating to University Regulations regarding your Programme of study, or specialist welfare services.

Many of the questions you will have can be answered quickly by visiting the “Ask Sheffield” website at
http://ask.sheffield.ac.uk/. It should be the first place to check as it will get you to the right place, service or
answer quicker than any other route. This website is not just for administrative details but also carries up-
to-date information on student visas and all sorts of things relating to studying and living in Sheffield.

IMPORTANT: If you need official documentation confirming that you are a student with the University
of Sheffield, please go to SSID (with your UCard). The Department cannot issue such a letter. This
information is often required by international students for their embassies and in dealing with the
immigration authorities

Information regarding finance, loans and tuition fees can be found on the SSiD web pages:
www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/finance/.

SSiD’s email address is: ssid@sheffield.ac.uk and this can be used as a general contact point for student
queries.

Other sources of information:

• The Students' Charter
• The University Calendar
• The Student Handbook
• The International Students' Guide

27
 • Information guide for disabled students
• Departmental Web pages
• Survival Handbook for Mature Students
• Student Financial Support Information Handbook

Fees for the Programme of Study

Information regarding finance, loans and tuition fees can be found on the SSID web pages:
www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/finance.

Academic Matters
Your Course Director is here to help you with problems you may have. If you have detailed problems with the
work concerned for a particular module, you should pass this query to the course director who may contact
the lecturer concerned to obtain a direct response.

Information for disabled and dyslexic students

If you have a disability, medical condition, or specific learning difficulty, we strongly encourage you to contact
the Disability and Dyslexia Support Service (DDSS).
http://www.shef.ac.uk/ssid/disability

The DDSS is a confidential and friendly service which offers a range of support, including:
• Liaising with academic staff and central services about disabled students’ support needs;
• Referring students who think that they might be dyslexic for diagnostic assessments with an
Educational Psychologist;
• Putting students in contact with local and national external agencies who offer support and advice
to disabled people on specific issues;
• Formalising alternative arrangements for examinations and assessments, e.g. extra time in
examinations.

Personal Matters
You can seek help in a variety of ways:

• Your Course Director, Dr Ewan, is available to discuss any personal problems you may have.
• If you would prefer to talk to someone outside the Department, a free and entirely confidential
service is offered by the University Counselling Service. The Counselling Service is situated at

28
 36 Wilkinson Street and can be contacted on extension 24134, or via the website:
www.sheffield.ac.uk/counselling.
• If you have problems concerning money, debt, housing, academic, immigration, consumer and
employment issues, the Student Advice Centre in the Students’ Union has a team of professional
advisors to offer specialist advice and support. Email: union@shef.ac.uk, visit:
www.sheffield.ac.uk/union or telephone: 222 8500 (Reception).
• Members of the University's Personal Harassment Network are available to provide advice and
information on a confidential basis to any member of the University community who feel they are
being harassed. A list of Personal Harassment Network Contacts can be obtained from
Personnel Services web site at:
http://www.shef.ac.uk/hr/guidance/eamp/harassment/network.html.
• See also the web pages at www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid for Student Welfare.
• University Health Service – 53 Gell Street, Sheffield, S3 7QP, Tel 0114 222 2100.

All students of the University are entitled to register with the University Health Service for NHS care, from a
Sheffield address, but dependants can only be accepted if they live within the practice boundary and are
resident in UK (International Students – please see "Welcome to Sheffield-International" booklet).

Religious Matters
The University Chaplains are based within the Octagon Centre. For details of their facilities and services or
for information on local worship please visit: www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/chaplaincy.

The International Office

The University’s International Office takes a special interest in the needs of international students and is
always happy to provide advice, assistance and information.

The International Office

8 Palmerston Road
Sheffield S10 2TE
Email: international@sheffield.ac.uk
www.sheffield.ac.uk/international

English Language Teaching Centre

The Centre provides assistance to students who feel they need help with their English. Most of the Centre’s
clients are international students, but staff are equally happy to assist home students. Facilities include
computer and listening laboratories as well as audio-visual equipment and resources, available for class and
29
individual use. Wide ranges of free English language support classes are offered each semester. The Centre
also provides a Writing Advisory Service and English Language Testing.

English Language Teaching Centre

78 Hoyle Street, Sheffield, S3 7LG
Telephone: 222 1780 Fax: 273 1788
Email: eltc@sheffield.ac.uk
www.sheffield.ac.uk/eltc

Modern Languages Teaching Centre

The Modern Languages Teaching Centre exists to enable students of the University to learn a modern foreign
language. The Centre offers institution-wide accredited modules, intensive language courses, and a self-
access centre.

Modern Language Teaching Centre

Jessop West, 1 Upper Hanover Street, Sheffield, S3 7RA
Telephone: 222 4897 Fax: 275 0632
Email: mltc@sheffield.ac.uk
www.sheffield.ac.uk/mltc

The Academic Skills Hub (TASH)

Wondering what kinds of new skills and abilities are going to be expected of you at University and how you’re
going to get good at them? If so, have a look at The Academic Skills Hub. It’s a web-based resource for all
students that will help you develop an understanding of a huge range of important academic skills. Over 70
important topics are introduced and web-resources are provided for learning more about them. TASH covers
everything from brief note-taking to producing all the main forms of academic writing; from working well with
numbers to designing experiments; from developing your library skills to learning from feedback; and from
preparing for exams to managing your time and coping with stress. Of course, some skills will be most
relevant in different subjects and at different times during the degree, but browsing through TASH now is a
very good way to begin thinking about University learning. For more information, visit:
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/tash.

30
Careers and Vacation Work
Careers advice is available from Tim Fletcher (t.fletcher@sheffield.ac.uk, Tel 20963) and Dr Yajue Wu
(y.wu@sheffield.ac.uk; PSLP Industrial Liaisons Officer)Tim Fletcher is available to give advice on applying for
both industrial placements and permanent positions. Your successful future employment as a chemical
engineer or in an alternative profession of your choice is a key concern of the department. You can maximize
your employability by doing industrial placements or simply highlighting appropriate problem-
solving/communication skills in your application covering letters.

Students in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering have access at any stage of their course
to the support offered by the University Careers Service, which is based at 388 Glossop Road on the
University Campus.

In addition to sessions which will be delivered by the Careers Services in the Department, the range of help
available includes:

• Leaflets on a variety of issues including career planning, making applications, job search and
interview preparation e.g. Briefing Sheets Series.
• Access to a range of reference materials e.g. on occupations, employers, postgraduate study,
career management skills.
• Individual guidance interviews to discuss personal career plans.
• An email advice service, which can be accessed through the student pages on the Careers Service
website http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/careers/students
• Access to a range of careers related computer programmes and employer videos.
• Careers Service events and workshops as well as employer presentations
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/careers/students/events
• Assistance from the work experience team in obtaining part-time work during the term-time, as
well as vacation employment and year long placements (see also A Year Out, Page 63). They can
be contacted via the Student Jobshop in the Student Union or on
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/careers/students/jobs
• Access to vacancy information via the website http://www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/jobs
The Careers Information Centre is open Monday, Wednesday to Friday 9 – 5, Tuesday 11 – 5 in term time. The
email address is careers@sheffield.ac.uk.

If appropriate, a longer, individual appointment can be arranged with Tim Fletcher, the designated Careers
Adviser for the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering. He can be contacted through the Careers
Service reception.
31
Personal Development Plan
Your time at University is an opportunity for much more than just getting a degree. You can do things which
will enrich your life, develop you as a person, and make you more attractive to an employer.

At the same time, you should use your time wisely. The Personal Development Plan (PDP) on MOLE provides a
way of keeping a record of your achievements. See http://www.shef.ac.uk/sgdp.

Nightline
Nightline is the University of Sheffield's confidential listening and information telephone service. It is run by
trained student volunteers, and operates from 8 p.m. until 8 a.m. every night during term time. It offers
students everything from the phone number of a 24- hour taxi company, to exam dates, times and locations,
and information about every issue that can be encountered within student life. It provides a vital support
network for all students, so whatever you need to say, Nightline is listening, and our service can be called free
from phones in Halls of Residence. If you think you would like to volunteer for Nightline, contact
nightline@sheffield.ac.uk for more information. For the Sheffield University Nightline Listening Line dial (0114)
222 8787 or (0114) 222 8788 for the Information Line. The Nightline telephone number is on the back of the U-
Card.
http://www.shef.ac.uk/union/advice/support-services/nightline.php

Women’s Safety & the Women’s Minibus

If you have any worries about safety or harassment, or if you would like help in solving any problems you or
your friends are facing, please contact the Women’s Officer (currently Amy Masson). A Women’s minibus
service operates every evening from the Union of Students to home (within a five mile radius). Other request
services and taxi connection services are available.

Women’s Officer
Sabbatical Office, Level 4
Union of Students Building
Telephone: 222 8608
Extra-
Extra-Curricular Activities
The Student Union
One aspect of the student union is that it has about 190 groups and clubs providing for recreational, sporting,
political and religious interests; all organised by students. Here is a great opportunity to combine personal
development, responsibility and social satisfaction.

32
There is information on the Union's Academic Committee plus other committees on their web pages:
www.sheffield.ac.uk/union.

The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) and Energy Institute (EI)

Successful engineers build their career by constantly updating their knowledge via a mixture of direct
experience; contact with other engineers and companies; attending conferences and courses; and personal
study. Two institutions which provide the focus for chemical and biochemical engineering and energy/fuel
technology are the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), based in Rugby, and the Energy Institute (EI),
which is based in London. Each is a 'learned society' and a regulator of the training and qualifications of
professional engineers. Both are able to award the designation of 'Chartered Engineer' on behalf of the
Engineering Council. The IChemE has a local section – the Sheffield Centre – which we encourage you to join.
Dr Pitt and Dr Zandi act as liaison officers between the Department and the IChemE and the Energy Institute,
respectively. They will be happy to answer any questions.

Facebook
We strongly encourage students to join our Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/80991500939/ and share in the community spirit we are hoping it
creates, and enjoy what we all post on it. Clearly, however, the Department has a duty to ensure that postings
and images are not offensive in any way, particularly with regard to gender, race religion, etc. Hence any such
content will be subject to removal by the administrator.

33
The Tutor System and Staff/Student Committee
Personal Tutors

At the appropriate times, meetings are arranged with individual students or student groups to discuss
research projects, academic and if necessary personal matters.

Departmental Staff/Student Committee

This is the formal body at which matters of concern to students are discussed and recommendations are
made to the departmental Staff Meeting and to the Faculty of Engineering Student Affairs Committee. Each
taught programme year elects its own representative at the beginning of the Autumn Semester, through
whom matters of student concern should be directed, who will then raise them at the Committee. The
Committee meets at least once each semester. Its chairman is Professor Sharifi and it comprises
undergraduate and postgraduate students, and academic staff from the Chemical and Biological Engineering
Department. The Committee Secretary is Marine Percival (m.percival@sheffield.ac.uk)to whom agenda items
can be passed.

The Academic Diary and Student Handbook also contains information about student representation
opportunities and the University of Sheffield’s Code of Practice for student course representatives provides
guidance on the role and responsibilities of staff-student committee members.

Student representative election procedure

A representative from your course will be elected to the Staff/Student Committee to raise any issues that
students may have. The election will take place at the start of the course and all students may nominate
themselves. If more than one student wishes to stand, a vote will take place. The student who receives the
most votes from the group will be elected to serve on the committee

Job description

The student representative is required to:

• contact all students in the MSc group before each meeting, asking for any issues to be raised;
• attend the Departmental Staff/Student Committee (5 times a year) and raise matters on behalf of
the student group.
• report back to students after each meeting.

Staff/Student Committee notice board

34
The minutes of the Staff/Student Committee will be on display on the notice board located in the Ideas Space
on B-Floor.

Departmental Suggestion Box

A suggestion box is available in the Ideas Space. Students are invited to write comments/suggestions they
might have, which will be passed on to the Director of Student Support.

Student Questionnaires
MSc Process Safety & Loss Prevention students are asked to fill in a paper-based questionnaire after each
module. Issues raised are dealt with through the Staff/Student Committee.

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) (alternate years only) – this is a national survey to find out
the opinions of postgraduate taught students on a range of academic issues relating to their courses. The
results of the survey are used by the University to consider whether any improvements are needed to their
courses.

35
Coursework and examinations
Coursework
If medical or personal problems delay your work, you should discuss this with the course director as soon as
possible. Most coursework is an individual submission by the student, who receives marks for content and
presentation. You should note that in order to pass a module, students must attempt all components of that
module

All assessed coursework has a final date (‘deadline’) for submission. If you are not sure what the date is, ask
the academic in charge. All coursework submitted to the Student Support Office must be delivered by
the deadline date. A Coursework Submission Form (available from the office) must be completed and signed.
Please note there is a paragraph stating it is all your own work (see information below re Plagiarism/Use of
Unfair Means). A member of staff will acknowledge receipt of your work and will give you a receipt, which you
should keep as proof of submission.

Coursework is normally marked anonymously.

You are expected to complete the work before the deadline, so last-minute problems are not
considered an acceptable excuse. Coursework submitted after the provided deadline should be
accompanied by a written note of explanation and a medical note if this was the reason. Module Assessment
Forms are available on MOLE and these forms detail exam/coursework split, and the amount and type of
coursework to be completed with deadlines.

The following penalties policies will apply to all students:

Non-Attendance:
You are expected to attend all lectures. Non-attendance could affect your progression through your course
and ultimately could affect whether you have completed the sufficient number of credits to graduate.
Non-Participation or Less than Full Participation in Group Work:
You will be informed how group work for assessment will be assessed but you will be required to submit
evidence of your participation in the assessed group work, outlining the work of the group and your
contribution.

Late Submission:
If you submit work to be marked after the deadline, you will incur a deduction of 5% of the mark for
each working day the work is late after the deadline.
36
Failure to avoid the above may result in disciplinary action.

Plagiarism and Use of Unfair Means in the Assessment Process

The following is official University guidance/advice to students

The University expects its graduates to have acquired certain attributes. (See the Sheffield Graduate) Many
of these relate to good academic practice:
• a critical, analytical and creative thinker
• an independent learner and researcher
• information literate and IT literate
• a flexible team worker
• an accomplished communicator
• competent in applying their knowledge and skills
• professional and adaptable.

Throughout your programme of studies at the University you will learn how to develop these skills and
attributes. Your assessed work is the main way in which you demonstrate that you have acquired and can
apply them. Using unfair means in the assessment process is dishonest and also means that you cannot
demonstrate that you have acquired these essential academic skills and attributes.

37
What constitutes unfair means?
The SSID website has useful information on the subject:
http://www.shef.ac.uk/ssid/exams/plagiarism.

The basic principle underlying the preparation of any piece of academic work is that the work submitted must
be your own work. Plagiarism, submitting bought or commissioned work, double submission (or self-
plagiarism), collusion and fabrication of results are not allowed because they violate this principle (see
definitions below). Rules about these forms of cheating apply to all assessed and non-assessed work.

1. Plagiarism (either intentional or unintentional) is using the ideas or work of another person
(including experts and fellow or former students) and submitting them as your own. It is considered
dishonest and unprofessional. Plagiarism may take the form of cutting and pasting, taking or closely
paraphrasing ideas, passages, sections, sentences, paragraphs, drawings, graphs and other graphical
material from books, articles, internet sites or any other source and submitting them for assessment without
appropriate acknowledgement.

2. Submitting bought or commissioned work (for example from internet sites, essay “banks” or
“mills”) is an extremely serious form of plagiarism. This may take the form of buying or commissioning either
the whole piece of work or part of it and implies a clear intention to deceive the examiners. The University
also takes an extremely serious view of any student who sells, offers to sell or passes on their own assessed
work to other students.

3. Double submission (or self-plagiarism) is resubmitting previously submitted work on one or

more occasions (without proper acknowledgement). This may take the form of copying either the whole piece
of work or part of it. Normally credit will already have been given for this work.

4. Collusion is where two or more people work together to produce a piece of work, all or part of
which is then submitted by each of them as their own individual work. This includes passing on work in any
format to another student. Collusion does not occur where students involved in group work are encouraged
to work together to produce a single piece of work as part of the assessment process.

5. Fabrication is submitting work (for example, practical or laboratory work), any part of which is
untrue, made up, falsified or fabricated in any way. This is regarded as fraudulent and dishonest.

How can I avoid the use of unfair means?

38
To avoid using unfair means, any work submitted must be your own and must not include the work of any
other person, unless it is properly acknowledged and referenced.

As part of your programme of studies you will learn how to reference sources appropriately in order to avoid
plagiarism. This is an essential skill that you will need throughout your University career and beyond. You
should follow any guidance on the preparation of assessed work given by the academic department setting
the assignment.

You are required to declare that all work submitted is entirely your own work. Many departments will
ask you to attach a declaration form to all pieces of submitted work (including work submitted online). Your
department will inform you how to do this.

If you have any concerns about appropriate academic practices or if you are experiencing any personal
difficulties which are affecting your work, you should consult your personal tutor, supervisor or other
member of staff involved.

The following websites provide additional information on referencing appropriately and avoiding unfair means:

The Library provides online information literacy skills tutorials.

http://www.shef.ac.uk/library/services/infoskills.html

The Library also has information on reference management software.

http://www.shef.ac.uk/library/refmant/refmant.html

The English Language Teaching Centre operates a Writing Advisory Service through which students can
make individual appointments to discuss a piece of writing. This is available for all students, both native and
non-native speakers of English.
http://www.shef.ac.uk/eltc/languagesupport/writingadvisory

What happens if I use unfair means?

Any form of unfair means is treated as a serious academic offence and action may be taken under the
Discipline Regulations. Where unfair means are found to have been used, the University may impose penalties
ranging from awarding a grade of zero for the assignment through to expulsion from the University in
extremely serious cases.

If a member of staff detects the use of unfair means in a piece of work, this will be reported to the
Examinations Officer. Instances of a minor nature which may be the result of inexperience rather than
39
deliberate intent to cheat will be dealt with by the Module Leader and the Examinations Officer. This may
involve a reduced mark, but will involve a warning letter being issued and placed on your student file.

Instances of a minor nature where intention to cheat is apparent but which only affects one part of a module
will be dealt with in a similar manner but with a mark of zero for this part. A warning letter will be sent from
the Head of Department and placed on your student file.

You can appeal against any decision or penalty of a minor instance to a departmental panel drawn from the
Director of Teaching, the Director of Student Support, your Course Director and the Head of Department.

40
TURNITIN
TURNITIN is a web-based facility which helps you to ensure that your coursework does not break the
plagiarism rules of the University.

What it does is to compare your submission with its database, to see if any sentences are the same as items
on the Internet, or documents submitted by students in this and other universities. It then marks the text in
colour, and lists the origin. Thus if you just copy material from elsewhere, Turnitin will show it clearly, and
this would be counted as plagiarism in a final submission. The aim is to show you what you might be doing
wrong. Of course, some common phrases and possibly sentences are bound to repeat - this does not matter.

You are allowed to quote from sources providing you put them in quotation marks, and give the source
immediately after. Turnitin can be set to ignore these and also ignore your list of references at the end.
However, if you copy from a book which Turnitin does not know, it will not be recognised, but it will still be
plagiarism. If this is detected by the marker (who has usually read the books on the subject) you would be
liable to disciplinary action - so don't do it!

If you copy from another student on the same course so that you are both submitting similar words this will
not be indicated to you, but it will be shown to the staff when all the assignments are in. This is again a
disciplinary offence - so don't do it!

The system has been set up to enable you to submit your work to particular assignment headings,
corresponding to each taught unit and dissertation on the course (e.g. CPE6001). If you find that your first
version shows copying, you can submit a revised one. For example, you may have forgotten to put in
quotation marks, or to have removed some notes from your rough version. Each taught unit has a Turnitin
deadline date and you are free to submit revised versions of a particular assignment to a heading up to the
deadline date. The last version received before the deadline will be your final electronic copy submitted to the
University for that particular assignment.

The Turnitin website provides downloads of the instruction manual for students, which explains most of the
operating features. Be aware that the Turnitin reports which you will receive will also be received by the
University and reviewed as part of the overall assessment of the work submitted.

Full instructions will be sent to you by the department at the beginning of the academic year.

41
Examinations
It is most important that you read the instructions for each examination, since the format and allocation of
marks vary. All examinations are marked anonymously. That is, the exam paper only shows the student
number. Each paper is marked by the principal examiner or examiners and checked by another member of
staff. The transfer of marks into the spreadsheet and then to the University system is double checked.

The examination question papers and specimen answers are reviewed by special meetings of academics and
also by the External Examiner (a senior academic from another University’s Chemical Engineering
Department). They also review the results of examinations and coursework, and consider any issues.

Marks may sometimes be adjusted if, for example, some students have misunderstood a question or the exam
was interrupted. The examiners may take personal circumstances such as illness into consideration and
recommend that a student be allowed to progress or receive a degree classification despite a lower
achievement. Any such recommendations have to be approved by the Board of the Faculty of Engineering.

The pass mark for each MSc module is 50%. Students may fail no more than one module (15 credits) with a
minimum of 40% and still be eligible for the degree. Loss of more than 15 credits or any mark below 40%
prevents the award of an MSc. A diploma may be awarded or the student may be allowed to re-take failed
modules the following year. The dissertation may not be taken.

A full list of all Exam Regulations can be found at:

www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/exams/pgexconv (Exam Conventions).

Feedback - Exam Script Viewing

MSc PSLP students will be offered the opportunity to view exam scripts for CPE6001 in July. Students will be
informed of the date and time via email and asked to confirm if they wish to attend the viewing session. The
Examinations Secretary will supervise the viewing session.

42
Health and Safety
You should have been given a separate Safety Handbook, which gives important information on Health and
Safety issues in the Department, details all procedures and includes all the forms you might need to use.
Alternatively, all safety information, including necessary forms, is available under MUSE, PGT>Files>Safety
forms.

All members of the Department are required to work in a safe and responsible manner, to adhere to the
departmental safety regulations in their place of work, to wear the relevant protective clothing and equipment
deemed necessary by risk assessment.

All students working in the University premises are subject to the safety procedures as found in the
University of Sheffield Health and Safety Code of Practice:
http://www.safety.dept.shef.ac.uk/cop/Full%20Cop%20Revised%20Nov%202010.pdf.

The Departmental Safety Officer, Mr Richard Stacey, is the first point of call for advice on safety (email:
r.v.stacey@sheffield.ac.uk, extension: 27529, Room D56a).

Accident Reporting and First Aid

All accidents requiring First Aid should be reported to Mr Richard Stacey and recorded in the Accident Report
Book. The Accident Report Books are kept by:

• Mr R V Stacey Room No D56a

• The Porters Lodge Mappin Building
• Mr M S O’Meara Harpur Hill Research Station

43
The names, location, internal telephone numbers of members of staff who are qualified “First Aiders” and who
undergo First Aid training every three years are:
Name Room Number Telephone Number
Mr Andy Patrick CBE Yard 27533
Mr Keith Penny F67 27531
Mr Mark McIntosh CBE Yard 27530
Dr Rachel Elder G52 27574
Mr Dave Wengraf C62b 27586

For minor incidents, first aid boxes can be found at the following locations:-

A-Floor A3 A60

B-Floor B2 B58

C-Floor C55

E-Floor E53 E54 E55 E57 E59 E62

F-Floor F65

G-Floor G21 G61

Any accident requiring hospital treatment must be reported immediately to the University Safety Services
(Ext. 26198 or 26100). If the Ambulance Services, Fire Services or Police Services are required, telephone
4444 (University Emergency Control Centre).

44
Out-of-hours working
The University's Health and Safety Code of Practice states in part:
Anyone working out-of-hours must have the written permission of the Head of Department.

Normal working hours in the Department are 08.00 hrs to 17.00 hrs, Monday to Friday, excluding days when
the Department is closed. MSc PSLP students are not expected to work outside of the normal weekday
working hours, Monday to Friday. Permission may be obtained in exceptional circumstances only and
supervision must be in place for it to be considered.

Anyone working out of hours, with permission to do so, MUST sign in and out at the Hadfield Porters’ Lodge.

Note: Staff and students working outside normal working hours in the Kroto Building must also sign in at the
designated point.

Fire Regulations and Evacuation Procedures

If you discover a fire, telephone 4444 and report the exact location of the fire, whether there are any special
hazards and whether there are any casualties and if so how many and their nature. Only if it is safe to do so
should the fire be tackled with an appropriate portable extinguisher. Human safety must come first. If the
fire is to be left, all doors should be closed to prevent its spread.

The fire alarm is a continuously sounding bell or electric siren and on hearing this, you must vacate the
building immediately by the nearest possible exit and assemble in St. George’s Churchyard. You must not
congregate at the entrance to the building or on the pavements in Newcastle Street or Mappin Street as such
action can jeopardise the effectiveness of the Emergency Services and put lives at risk. All users of the
Department's buildings should:

• Familiarise themselves with the sound of the alarms.

• Commit to memory the emergency procedures.
• Know the location of the various escape routes - LIFTS MUST NOT BE USED IN THE EVENT OF AN
EMERGENCY.
• Ascertain the whereabouts of the telephone nearest to their work area to summon assistance.
• Know the location of the nearest appropriate fire extinguisher.
• To ensure that all personnel are familiar with the evacuation procedures, a full fire drill is held annually
early in the first semester.

45
• Special measures are taken during an evacuation to assist disabled personnel.

Non-smoking Policy
The University operates a policy of no smoking in its premises. There are no exceptions in any academic
department building. If you must smoke, do so well outside the building. Do not smoke next to an entrance to a
building as you may set off the smoke detectors.

Food and Drink

Food and drink must be consumed only in designated areas, i.e. the Ideas Space and the St. George's
Cafeteria. Hygiene regulations forbid food and drink from being taken into lecture theatres, computing
suites or laboratories.

Procedure for Workshop Requests

Students are not allowed to use any workshop equipment without proper training and authorisation of
the Workshop Supervisor.

Staff and students requesting work to be carried out by technical staff must complete a ‘Technical Work
Request Form’. However, before the request is accepted it is important that the person who submitted it can
answer various questions about the work required.

Things to consider before requesting work are understanding what the item is required to do and what the
basic dimensions or minimum size should be. Other considerations are what operating parameters e.g.
temperature, pressure, flow rates, the item or items will be expected to operate under or measure. Thought
should also be given to both future use of the equipment and operational safety.

The ‘Technical Work Request Form’ should then be completed, usually in consultation with a member of
technical staff. Full details should be given. This includes, in most cases, schematic drawings of the item
required, name, phone number, email address, a signature from a budget holder, an account code and budget
or budget limit and an agreed realistic appraisal of the timescale by which the work is required.

When the form has been agreed and completed it should be lodged with the Workshop Supervisor or the
Electronics technician who will nominate a technician to undertake the work. A copy of the form will be
passed to the Departmental Administration Manager who will treat it as authorisation from the budget holder
for the technician to spend up to the indicated sum without further authorisation. The technician will be
responsible for keeping an account of funds spent.
46
The Workshop Supervisor and Electronics Technician will maintain a spreadsheet detailing the job title,
contact details of the end-user, deadline for completion, status (complete, % complete, pending) and an
anticipated completion date or time. The jobs undertaken at Buxton will be included on the spreadsheet. The
spreadsheet will be updated on a fortnightly basis and placed on the CBE Muse Website to inform staff of the
progress of jobs.

47
 Technical Work Request Form

Project Title

Names & Contacts Name: Budget Holder’s Name: Account No.:

Contact No.: Contact No.: Budget Holder’s Signature:

Project Details: Job description: Project Expense limit:

Date In:
Note:

Drawing must be provided on

separate sheet Date Required:

If required

Technical staff section

Technician’s Name: Date completed:

Notes:

48
MSc Process Safety and Loss Prevention

Course Director
Dr Bruce Ewan
Email: b.c.ewan@sheffield.ac.uk
Tel. 0114 222 7504
Room D66

Postgraduate Admissions and Administration

Ms Maria Soto
Email: m.soto@sheffield.ac.uk
Tel. 0114 222 7500
Ms Marine Percival
Email: m.percival@sheffield.ac.uk
Tel. 0114 222 8250
Room C62b

49
Background to the Course
The Modular Masters Programme in Process Safety and Loss Prevention was developed jointly by the
University of Sheffield and the Institution of Chemical Engineers with help from the Health and Safety
Executive. The programme has been running successfully since 1990 with an annual intake of approximately
20 full-time and 15 part-time students. Full-time students complete the programme in one year. Part-time
students, who are usually employed in industry, attend the modules over a period of two years and may take a
third year to complete their dissertations.

The Programme aims to combine the highest academic standards and industrial know how to give a thorough
understanding of ways of reducing the risk to industrial employees and the general public from exposure to
chemicals as a result of the planned or accidental release of process material.

Practical risk assessment requires the identification of the hazard, together with estimating the frequency of
its occurrence. The consequences for people, the environment, equipment, buildings and the business must
be evaluated. Action is taken to reduce the risk to meet agreed criteria, or else the project must be
abandoned or the plant shut down. The Programme contains a wealth of information on ways of lowering this
risk at every stage in the life of the plant.

Companies who have sponsored part-time students and/or employed graduating full-time students include:

Agip UK, BP, BNFL, Mobil, Conoco, Bowring, Zeneca, ICI, IRI, HSE, Dista, Schering Agrochemicals, Lloyds
Register, British Gas, Brown and Root, Foster Wheeler, Craemer & Warner, Rolls Royce, Rhone Poulenc, Shell,
Texaco, Dunlopillo, AEA Technology, John Brown and Tioxide.

The programme is also able to contribute to the important safety training element required for IChemE
membership.

Aims of the Programme

The University’s aim is to provide students from a wide variety of educational and social backgrounds with
high-quality education in a research-led environment using staff working at the frontiers of academic enquiry.
The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering implements this through its strong commitment to
both teaching and research. It also aims to engender in its students a commitment to future self-learning and
social responsibility.

50
The overall aim of the MSc in Process Safety and Loss Prevention programme is to provide students with the
necessary range of knowledge and skills to enable them to take a leading role in the decisions, which will lead
to the design and operation of a safe chemical plant.

The specific aims of the MSc in Process Safety and Loss Prevention programme are to:

• Provide students with an education through a firm understanding and practical knowledge in
Process Safety and Loss Prevention
• Provide students with methods of identification of hazards in process industries
• Develop student skills in quantifying levels of safety and risk
• Enable students to determine acceptability criteria
• Develop student skills in risk reduction strategies.

Programme Information Structure

Each module on the Programme comprises a four-day intensive mixture of lectures and discussion, case
studies, workshops and hands-on computer sessions and associated assignments. These are organised by
module directors who are recognised experts in their particular fields, and wide use is made of guest
lecturers from industry, the Health and Safety Executive, Consultancies and Universities in order that the
topics are covered in a way which combines state-of-the-art awareness with practical usefulness. In addition
to students registered on the Masters Programme, modules may be taken on a one-off basis as part of the
Department’s Short Course Programme. Masters Programme students are set a project assignment as part
of each module, which allows further integration of the material and forms part of the course assessment.

The MSc (Eng) programme consists of a core of three compulsory units, a major research project plus five
additional modules. For the degree of PGDip, the research project is not taken.

The degree of MSc (Eng) is awarded for the satisfactory completion of eight units and their assignments, a 3-
hour written examination, and a dissertation of 15,000-25,000 words on a topic concerned with process
safety. A Diploma may be awarded for satisfactory completion of the taught elements of the module, their
assignments and a 3-hour written examination.

Students taking the MSc are required to register for 180 credits of modules. For the Diploma, students
register for 120 credits of taught modules.

51
Module units are chosen prior to registration at the University. The Course Director will go through the
module selection process with all the students and will sign the appropriate form for the students to take to
registration.

52
 COMPULSORY MODULES OPTIONAL MODULES

• Hazards in Process Plant Design and

• Elements of Risk and Major Hazards Units
Operation
involved:
o Introduction to Hazard Analysis • Process Plant Reliability and Maintainability
and Risk Assessment • Human Behaviour and Human Error
o Design for Safe Handling of • Applied Hazard and Operability Studies
Industrial Chemicals
• Process Safety Management and Loss
o Major Hazards and Emergency Prevention
Planning
• Computer Control: Safe Practice
• Research Project • Safety in Nuclear Operations

Our departmental modules are described in detail at:

http://www.shef.ac.uk/cbe/prospectivepg/taught/pslp/modules.

The University Calendar also contains a directory of all the modules in the university.

53
Programme Syllabus
Module Title: Elements of Risk and Major Hazards

Module Code: CPE6001

Credit Value: 45
Semester: Autumn/Spring
Status: Compulsory Module

Description (including aims of programme)

The course has three main themes - hazard and risk, chemicals handling and major hazards. The interaction
between process design and hazard identification is explored. A number of hazard study techniques are
introduced and the concepts underlying risk and risk criteria are analysed.

A wide range of chemical hazards are examined at a fundamental level and the harm humans, chemical plant
and environment arising from these is quantified. In each case, the methods adopted for reducing hazards is
developed and auditing tools are introduced as a means of self regulation.

The major hazards which can arise from chemical plant operations are examined and the consequences which
can arise are represented numerically for quantitative risk assessment. The regulatory requirements for on-
site and off-site incident plans are presented and related to the consequence analysis framework.

Aims of the module:

• an understanding of the origins of hazards in chemical plants

• an understanding of the regulatory framework within which chemical plants operate
• an appreciation of the methods used to identify hazards
• an understanding of the principles underlying risk criteria
• an understanding of the main types of chemical hazard and the representation of harm arising
from them
• appreciation of the mitigation measures which can be applied to chemical hazards
• knowledge of the requirements for incident planning
• an understanding of the way in which the effects of major incidents can be quantified

54
Mode of delivery: 60 hours lectures, 36 hours workshops/tutorials

Mode of assessment: Written assignment and examination

55
Module Title: Process Safety & Loss Prevention Project

Module Code: CPE6390

Credit Value: 60
Semester: Spring
Status: Compulsory Module

Description (including aims of programme)

The unit is the practical component of the taught course requiring the demonstration of the application of the
methodologies learned on the course to a real industrial project. Projects are usually carried out at a
placement company and projects are agreed with the course director. Project durations are 3 months and
require the completion of a 15,000 – 25,000 word dissertation. Supervision is provided both within the
company and the University.

Aims of the module:

• to allow the student to demonstrate understanding of the course material within a real working
environment
• to pursue a safety project related to the course content
• to allow the student to demonstrate the application of some of the methodologies learned from the
course to a real problem

Mode of delivery: 400 hours work placement, 200 hours independent study

Mode of assessment: Dissertation

56
Module Title: Applied Hazard and Operability Studies

Module Code: CPE6240

Credit Value: 15
Semester: Spring
Status: Optional (6 from 7)

Description (including aims of module)

The HAZOP technique is used to identify potential hazards and plant operating deviations. The principles and
practice of the HAZOP technique, as adopted within the process industries, are demonstrated by case study
material selected to illustrate a wide range of applications. This Module is essentially participative and gives
experience of study team involvement. Guidance is given on the management of HAZOP and case studies
include consideration of both continuous and batch processes. The course is aimed at improving plant safety
at the design stage.

Aims of the module:

• to understand the role of HAZOP with the framework of chemical plant hazard identification
• to understand the methodology underlying the HAZOP technique
• to experience the application of the technique to real chemical plant systems
• to understand the requirements for setting up a HAZOP study

Mode of delivery: 20 hours lectures, 12 hours workshops/tutorials

Mode of assessment: Written assignment

57
Module Title: Process Plant Reliability and Maintainability

Module Code: CPE6250

Credit Value: 15
Semester: Autumn
Status: Optional (6 from 7)

Description (including aims of module)

The basic concepts, techniques and potential of reliability engineering are introduced. The main part of the
course is concerned with the theory and practice of availability and reliability assessment which are
described and applied. Frequency analysis is based on systems analysis and assessment. Fault tree analysis
is demonstrated and applied to practical engineering systems and chemical processes. Other reliability
techniques including reliability block diagrams and failure mode and effects analysis [FMEA] are also covered.
Techniques for both qualitative and quantitative analysis of maintainability are introduced.

Aims of the module:

• a clear grasp of the relation of system reliability and maintainability to overall chemical plant
safety and risk
• an understanding of the numerical representation of reliability and maintainability
• an appreciation of the methods by which reliability measures are used in overall risk estimation

Mode of delivery: 20 hours lectures, 12 hours workshops/tutorials

Mode of assessment: Written assignment

58
Module Title: Hazards in Process Plant Design and Operation

Module Code: CPE6200

Credit Value: 15
Semester: Autumn
Status: Optional (6 from 7)

Description (including aims of module)

The course examines four key areas which have broad relevance to safety in the design of chemical plant
systems. These are mechanical failure mechanisms, chemical degradation of structures via corrosion, the
electrical classification of areas subject to explosive atmospheres and the inherent safety approach to safe
design. Each of these areas is introduced from a fundamental standpoint and exemplified with real industrial
examples. The implication for real designs is developed through case studies and workshops.

Aims of the module:

• a clear grasp of the underlying mechanisms associated with mechanical and corrosion failure
• an understanding of the design strategies required to avoid structural failure by fracture and
corrosion
• an understanding of the representation of electrically safe zones and their derivation under
release scenarios
• an appreciation of the principles underlying inherent safety and the ways in which they can be
applied in chemical plant and process design

Mode of delivery: 20 hours lectures, 12 hours workshops/tutorials

Mode of assessment: Written assignment

59
Module Title: Human Behaviour and Human Error

Module Code: CPE6260

Credit Value: 15
Semester: Autumn
Status: Optional (6 from 7)

Description (including aims of module)

The theoretical background and practical skills are given for assessing and reducing human error. Features
considered include human factors and psychological mechanisms. Human reliability is considered in industry
and its impact on major hazard systems and quality assurance. Human-machine interfaces are examined.
Approaches are given for improving human reliability and error reduction. Key features include task analysis
and its application, the quantification of human error for risk assessment and cost-benefit analysis and the
use of data collection systems. Studies identify the underlying reasons for human caused accidents and
quality lapses.

Aims of the module:

• an understanding of the importance of humans in the chain of actions leading to accidents in
chemical plants
• an understanding of the ways in which human error can be described in the operation of a task
sequence
• an appreciation of the ways in which data can be collected and used in incident investigation
• an understanding of the numerical representation of human behaviour in the assessment of risk

Mode of delivery: 20 hours lectures, 12 hours workshops/tutorials

Mode of assessment: Written assignment

60
Module Title: Process Safety Management and Loss Prevention

Module Code: CPE6270

Credit Value: 15
Semester: Spring
Status: Optional (6 from 7)

Description (including aims of module)

This course integrates risk assessment, safety management systems (SMS) and safety culture within the
chemical industry showing how they can be assessed and improved. The use of quantified risk assessment as
a measure of safety and a tool to reduce risk is demonstrated using computerized tools.
The measurement of safety management systems against the HSE model is explained and expanded to show
how safety can be improved through correct management techniques. The key elements are presented
behind the writing of Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) safety reports to demonstrate SMS systems.

Aims of the module:

• an understanding of the role of the safety management system in the delivery of safety in
industrial scale chemical operations
• an understanding of the legal framework within which safety management operates in the
chemical industry
• an appreciation of the methods used to construct and operate an effective safety management
system
• an understanding of the way in which risk data is used within a safety management decision
making process

Mode of delivery: 20 hours lectures, 12 hours workshops/tutorials

Mode of assessment: Written assignment

61
Module Title: Computer Control: Safe Practice
Module Code: CPE6280
Credit Value: 15
Semester: Spring
Status: Optional (6 from 7)

Description (including aims of module)

The use of computers in the control process has resulted in some serious problems in the design and
maintenance of safe process systems. An introduction is given to computer architecture. Requirements
analysis and systems analysis with supporting tools are described followed by software concepts and tools.
Training is given in software and system testing and validation, software maintenance and redesign, and the
development of fault tolerant systems. The standards required for safety critical computer systems are
examined. Other topics include the use of expert systems in design, operation and maintenance, and the
application of database technology in safety critical systems. The above material is amplified by appropriate
case studies.

Aims of the module:

• an understanding of the role of computers in chemical plant operation
• an understanding of the needs in specifying computer control systems
• an appreciation of the regulations relating to the use of computers in chemical plant control
• understand how to assess design faults of a computer control system
• an understanding of current international standards for the design of programmable electronic
systems

Mode of delivery: 20 hours lectures, 12 hours workshops/tutorials

Mode of assessment: Written assignment

62
Module Title: Safety in Nuclear Operations
Module Code: CPE6014

Credit Value: 15

Semester: Spring

Status: Optional (6 from 7)

Description (including aims of the course):

The nuclear industry has a history dating back to the 1950s and its profile today is a reflection of this long
historical legacy as well as the present day needs which are shaping its future.

This future is being strongly influenced by a background of rising energy costs and continued pressures to
reduce carbon emissions from fossil fuels and new nuclear build is now part of the revised energy strategy
in, for example, the UK and USA.

The long lifetime of nuclear installations means that there is a constant demand for expertise in all aspects of
nuclear fuel cycle requires a disciplined approach to process safety. The safety record within the nuclear
industry is already very good but the public expect higher levels of safety for nuclear compared with other
hazardous processes associated with the chemical or oil and gas industries. The nuclear industry has
responded to this greater demand ad this is reflected in the steady need in all areas of the industry for those
with the necessary safety training.

The module will aim to address safety issues which are specific to the nuclear industry and will approach
these in a similar way to other modules o the course which are more concerned with chemicals/oil and gas.
Five areas have been identified – reactor operations, safety case development, human factors, fuel
production and spent fuel processing, and these topics will be presented by the experts from industry who
work with these subjects on a daily basis. Within these areas the module will cover:

• Radiation Hazards
• Leadership Roles In Nuclear Safety Culture
• Managing Nuclear Risk
• Nuclear Safety
63
 • Overview of Waste Management Technology
• Waste Management
• Hazards & Hazard Management
• Management of Legacy Facilities
• Regulatory Assessment of Safety cases
• Regulatory Assessment of Siting
• Engineering Principles
• Radiation Protection
• Fault Analysis
• Numerical Targets and Legal Limits
• Accident management ad Emergency preparedness
• Radioactive Waste Management
• Decommissioning
• Control and Remediation of Radioactively Contaminated Land
• Human Factors

Students should find that many of the concepts developed within the course will appear within this module but
with direct application to the nuclear environment, which will both widen the applicability of the knowledge
gained on the course and aim to meet some of the rising demand from the nuclear sector.

Mode of delivery: 20 hours lectures, 12 hours workshops/tutorials

Mode of assessment: Written assignment

Assignment Information
Assignments
An assignment is provided at the end of each unit and most of the information needed to complete this can be
found in the notes. As with any lecture, however, additional information may be given verbally and you are
expected to take notes during the week where appropriate. Occasionally you can expect to have to look up
additional supporting information such as property data, toxicity information etc.

The University operates a policy of anonymous marking and students are therefore requested to use only
their registration number as a means of identification on their submitted work.
64
Assignments should be submitted in word-processed form, be of a professional standard and include
assignment covers.

As a guideline, assignments should be around 3000-4000 words in length, which excludes diagrams, tables,
graphs etc., although you may find it difficult to keep within this limit for some modules (e.g. Major Hazards).

Deadlines are now provided for the submission of assignments and these are around 6-7 weeks after the
module. It is intended that marks for these will be provided within 4 - 6 weeks of submission.

Please note the following important information regarding late submission of assignments.

The University has a formal procedure which those students who are submitting work after the deadline
should follow. Students are required to submit with their work a Special Circumstances Form (SCF) which
provides reasons, supported with evidence, for their late submission. The Department then has discretion as
to how it views the reasons given and whether or not the normal penalty system should apply. Students who
have some good reasons which affect their ability to do work (i.e. illness) must inform the Department as
soon as practicable and the SCF form submitted as soon as possible. If illness is for more than 7 days the
SCF form should be accompanied by a signed Doctor’s note. The Department will decide in each individual case
if the SCF is valid and what allowance, if any, will be given in respect of an assessment. Otherwise the
University wide rule is that a 5% per day penalty applies.

The SCF form can be downloaded from SSid website: http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid under “online forms”.

Note that if you send assignments by post, these should be sent to Maria Soto with a SIGNED SUBMISSION
FORM (available in office counter and sent to part-time students by email) to this address:

Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering

The University of Sheffield
Mappin Street
Sheffield
S1 3JD

Part-Time students are strongly advised to send assignments by REGISTERED POST to ensure their safe and
timely arrival in the Department. Students submitting in person should do so by the deadline on the day of
submission and complete a submission form at the counter.

65
In line with the University’s standards on coursework submission, and to ensure the correct procedures are
followed when using other sources of material in assignments, all assignments should be submitted through
the ‘Turnitin’ system – instructions will be sent to students to enable them to do this.

Assessment Information
The assessment of the programme consists of 8 assignments from the taught units, a project dissertation
and an end of programme examination covering the compulsory units within CPE6001.

The credits available for each element are as follows:

Total value
Each of the three compulsory Units of Module CPE
6001 45 credits
(equivalent to 15 credits each)
Each of the other five modules 75 credits
15 credits each
Project Dissertation 60 credits

Total for programme 180 credits

The pass level for each assessed module (i.e. those carrying a CPE code) is set at 50%. For CPE6001, the
final mark is calculated by a combination of the individual assessed components.

When this is achieved, the credits for that element are awarded and the mark for the module is carried
forward for the final averaging process. Failure to achieve the pass mark for any module will result in the
loss of credits for that module.

The Faculty sets the rules for the awarding of degrees. A candidate who has achieved 180 credits on the
programme will be awarded the MSc.

Candidates achieving 180 credits, with a module and dissertation average of 70% or above (and with 90
credits or more above 70%), will be awarded the MSc with Distinction. When the module and dissertation
average of 60% or above is achieved (and with 90 credits or more above 60%) , then the MSc with Merit will
be awarded.
66
For candidates who have achieved 165 or more credits, the degree may be awarded at the discretion of the
examiners providing no module has fallen below 40% and the overall average for all modules is 50% or
above. For those achieving fewer than 165 credits, the Diploma may be awarded.

Note that if an assignment has not been submitted in advance of an examiners meeting at which a candidate is
being considered for the degree then, according to the current Faculty rules, the MSc cannot be awarded
since the mark for that assignment will automatically fall below the 40% level even when 165 or more credits
have previously been gained. The Faculty allows a failed module to be re-submitted/re-taken on one further
occasion.

Dissertation Assessment Criteria

Technical Content
(50% of the assessment)
• Achievement of set objectives
• Used appropriate techniques and methods
• Showing a good understanding of engineering and scientific issues
• Evidence of insight, motivation and originality

Structure and content of the Thesis

(50% of the assessment)
• Good introduction
• Logical development
• Appropriate use of sources
• Appropriate use of figures
• Sound and concise conclusions
• Attractive presentation
• Correct spelling, grammar, syntax and style
• Appropriate length of thesis

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Student Prizes
2 prizes are awarded to MSc PSLP students. The list of prizes and the criteria for receiving them are:

• Best PSLP student prize (awarded by IChemE)

• Best PSLP research project report (decision by the Departmental Exam Board in October)

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Programme Specificati
Specifications
pecifications
1 Programme Title Process Safety and Loss Prevention

2 Programme Codes CPET03 (Full-time), CPET04 (Part-time)

3 JACS Code Not applicable

4 Level of Study Postgraduate

5a Final Qualification Master of Science in Engineering (MSc (Eng))

5b QAA FHEQ Level Masters

6 Intermediate Qualifications Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert), Postgraduate

Diploma (PGDip)
7 Teaching Institution (if not Sheffield) Not applicable

8 Faculty Engineering

9 Department Chemical and Biological Engineering

10 Other Department involved in teaching the None

programme

11 Modes of Attendance Full-time or part-time

12 Duration of Programme 1 year, full-time or 2 years, part-time

13 Accrediting Professional or Statutory Body The Institution of Chemical Engineers

14 Date of production January 2003

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15. Background to the programme and subject area

The need for specialists in the field of process safety is driven by the economics of risk and quality of life, and
by environmental issues, both of which are reflected in the steady growth of legal measures affecting the
chemical industry. The legal requirements placed on plant operators at all stages from design to
decommissioning have produced their own specialist sector, in the form of in-house safety departments and
an expanding consultancy company market. This has generated a strong market demand and graduates will
normally have agreed positions before completion of the programme. Part of this demand also arises from the
third world development in safety culture, and UK companies are currently at the forefront of service
provision in this area.

The MSc programme in Process Safety and Loss Prevention provides students with the necessary range of
knowledge and skills to enable them to take a leading role in the decisions which will lead to the design and
operation of a safe chemical plant. The type of work for which the training provides the necessary skills are as
follows:

• Safety assessment of new chemical plant both on-shore and off-shore

• Safety assessment of modifications for existing plant
• Development of safety cases for COMAH (Control of Major Accident Hazards) regulations and local
authorities
• Calculation of environmental impact of chemical operations
• Evaluation of insurance liability
• Development of safety infrastructure in developing countries

16. Programme aims

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The University’s mission is to provide students from a wide variety of educational and social backgrounds with
high-quality education in a research-led environment using staff working at the frontiers of academic enquiry.
The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering implements this through its strong commitment to
both teaching and research. It also aims to engender in its students a commitment to future self-learning and
social responsibility.

The specific aims of the programme are to:

1. Provide access to an engineering degree to students from a range of academic and social backgrounds;
2. Prepare students for a professional career in industry, education, public and commercial sectors;
3. Develop interpersonal skills appropriate to a professional person;
4. Encourage students to think for themselves, work effectively on their own initiative, and develop a social
awareness;
5. Provide experience in conducting extended individual projects;
6. Develop the students’ ability to make technical decisions;
7. Provide students with an education through a firm understanding and practical knowledge in Process
Safety and Loss Prevention;
8. Provide students with methods of identification of hazards in process industries;
9. Develop students’ skills in quantifying levels of safety and risk;
10. Enable students to determine acceptability criteria;
11. Develop students’ skills in risk reduction strategies.

17. Programme learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

Students will have developed knowledge and understanding of:

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K1 appropriate mathematical methods, principles of IT and communications relevant to process safety

K2 science appropriate to the discipline of safety engineering

techniques of hazard identification, risk assessment and risk criteria, assessment of and reduction
K3 of human error, understanding of human reliability, integration of safety studies within the design
process, codes of practice and the regulatory framework
techniques for the safe handling of industrial chemicals which may involve: explosions, runaway
K4 reactions, occupational health and environmental issues. Understanding flammability, sources of
ignition including static, inerting and explosion venting; assessment of runaway reaction hazards and
pressure relief; occupational medicine, toxicology, epidemiology and the COSHH (Control of
Substances Hazardous to Health) Regulations; and environmental auditing
the detailed application of the HAZOP (Hazard and Operability) technique to identify potential hazards
K5
techniques and potential of reliability engineering including availability and reliability assessment
K6
professional and ethical responsibilities including the global and social context of engineering
K7
mechanical sources of failure, principal failure modes including deflexion, plastic collapse, creep
K8 fatigue and fracture and corrosion
issues concerned with electrical hazardous area classification and the principles of inherent safety
K9
practical risk assessment and the effects of major chemical releases on populations and
K10 environment quantification release rates and atmospheric dispersion: development of emergency
plans
integration of risk assessment, safety management systems (SMS) and safety culture: use of
K11 commercial tools for QRA : the measurement of SMS against current models through the use of case
studies
use of computers in process control and role of computer architecture: process control software
K12 and system testing and validation: the development of fault tolerant systems: standards for safety
critical computer systems

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Skills and other attributes

Intellectual Skills – students will be able to:

I1 select and apply appropriate mathematical methods for modelling and analysing process safety
I2 analyse the hazards associated with chemical plant using a range of methods and to assess the
acceptability or otherwise of different levels of risk
I3 identify and mitigate the specific hazards associated with potentially hazardous materials and their
usage
I4 design systems to avoid mechanical failure and understand and quantify the role of corrosion in
system failure
I5 have an understanding of inherently safe design processes and understand the role of reliable design
in mitigating hazards
I6 make design choices to minimise the role of human failure
I7 to assess and quantify the effects of hazards arising from chemical plant
I8 to construct management structures to avoid and monitor risks

Practical Skills – students will be able to:

P1 make use of appropriate mathematical methods for modelling and analysing discipline specific
chemical engineering problems
P2 make use of safety engineering IT tools
P3 undertake the design of a system, component or process
P4 research for information to develop ideas further
P5 apply engineering techniques taking account of industrial and commercial constraints
P6 For those following the MSc programme, progress a larger scale study project by assembling the
necessary knowledge and making safety judgements

General Transferable Skills – students will be able to:

T1 undertake manipulation, sorting and presentation of data
T2 make use of scientific evidence based methods in the solution of problems

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T3 make use of general IT tools
T4 make use of creativity and innovation in problem solving
T5 work with limited or contradictory information
T6 effective written communication and approach to the solution of problems in an engineering
environment
T7 time and resource management
T8 teamwork and leadership

18. Teaching, learning and assessment

Development of the learning outcomes is promoted through the following teaching and learning
methods:

The main teaching, learning and assessment methods adopted for each learning outcome are shown below. In
most cases a combination of methods is used. Lectures are the principal means of imparting knowledge, and
understanding is gained through a combination of workshops/tutorials, example classes, and coursework
assignments.

The programme also provides a number of opportunities for personal development, including the interaction
with those working in the field, during lectures and workshop sessions, and by encouraging responsibility in
the decision making process, often when confronting complex industrial plant scenarios.
Opportunities to demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomes are provided through the
following assessment methods:
Knowledge and understanding are primarily assessed in written assignments and an examination. Skills are
acquired mainly through coursework. For those following the MSc programme, additional skills are acquired
by means of an individual project undertaken as an industrial placement and this forms a major part of the
overall assessment.

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 Teaching/Learning Assessment

Individual investigative project for the MSC

Individual Design project for the MSc

Tutorials / example classes
Coursework Assignments

Coursework submissions
LEARNING OUTCOME

Written examinations
(abbreviated – see Section

programme
17 for full text)
Lectures

• • • • • • •
K1 Mathematical Methods
K2 Process safety science • • • • • • •

K3 Hazard ID • • • • • • •

K4 Safe handling • • • • • • •

K5 HAZOP • • • • • • •

K6 Engineering reliability • • • • • •

K7 Responsibilities • • • • • • •

K8 Failure • • • • • •

K9 Electrical hazards • • • • • •

K10 Risk assessment • • • • • • •

K11 SMS • • • • • • •

K12 Control • • • • • •

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I1 Mathematical methods • • • • • • •

I2 Hazards • • • • • • •

I3 Hazard mitigation • • • • • • •

I4 Failure avoidance • • • • • •
systems
I5 Safe design and hazard • • • • • • •
mitigation
I6 Human error • • • • • •
minimisation
I7 Effects of hazard • • • • • • •

I8 Management structure • • • • • •

P1 Mathematical methods • • • • • • •

• • • • •
P2 IT tools
P3 Design • • • •

P4 Research • • • •

P5 Industrial application • • • •

P6 Large scale study • •

T1 Data manipulation • • • • • • •

T2 Problem solving • • • • •

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T3 IT tools • • • •

T4 Creativity and • • • • • •
innovation

T5 Contradictory • • • •
information

T6 Effective • • • • •
communication

T7 Time and resource • • • • • •

T8 Teamwork and • •
leadership

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19. Reference points

The learning outcomes have been developed to reflect the following points of reference:

• Accreditation of University MSc PSLP Programme based on Learning Outcomes; Institute of

Chemical Engineers and Energy Institute, 2001
• Academic Standards – Engineering; Subject Benchmark Statement, Quality Assurance Agency
for Higher Education, 2000 (as far as this pertains to postgraduate masters programmes)
• Draft Annex to Academic Standard – Engineering, Subject Benchmark Statement, Quality Assurance
Agency for Higher Education, 2002 (as far as this pertains to postgraduate masters programmes)
• The Masters qualification level descriptor of the QAA Framework for Higher Education, January 2001
(www.qaa.ac.uk)

20. Programme structure and regulations

Students are required to complete eight modules from a choice of ten, including a 45 credit compulsory
taught module (CPE6001) and a 60 credit compulsory project module (CPE6390). Modules are assessed by
assignment, by examination for CPE6001 and by a dissertation for CPE6390. The objective of the project is to
allow the students to demonstrate the practical application of a number of skills acquired on the programme
in an industrial context.

The overall workload for full-time and part-time students following the MSc programme is the same. Full-time
students should complete all of the work elements in one year and part-time students are required to
complete all of the modules and assignments within two years with not fewer than four modules completed
within the first year. Part-time students are allowed to take a third year for the completion of their project
and dissertation submission. Students registering for the Diploma do not undertake a project. Students
registering for the Certificate are required to pass 60 credits of taught modules.

Information concerning individual modules can be found online at

http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/cbe/prospectivepg/taught/pslp/modules.

78
Please refer to the Programme Regulations, General University Regulations and the On-line Directory of
Modules for detailed information about the structure of programmes, regulations concerning assessment and
progression and descriptions of individual modules.

79
21. Student development over the course of study

Assignments set for the programme are intended to allow the student to demonstrate the required level of
knowledge for a particular element of taught work. The pass level for assessed work is set by the Faculty, and
award of the final MSc degree or PG Diploma is based on the Faculty rules regarding credits obtained during
the programme.

22. Criteria for admission to the programme

The programme is vocational in nature and provides the basis for a fundamental approach to the
understanding and management of safety related issues in the chemical industry. Entry to the programme is
based on successful completion of a first degree in a suitable science or engineering subject.
Detailed information regarding admission to the programme is available at:
www.sheffield.ac.uk/prospective/.

23. Additional information

This specification represents a concise statement about the main features of the programme and should be
considered alongside other sources of information provided by the teaching department(s) and the University.
In addition to programme specific information, further information about studying at The University of
Sheffield can be accessed via our Student Services web site at www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid.

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Guidelines for Theses Submitted for MSc (Eng)
Programmes
Size
The dissertation should be of a minimum length of 15,000 and a maximum of 25,000 words for text plus
figures, tables and references. Additional material may be included as appendices, but may not be considered
by examiners.

Layout
The dissertation should be typed, preferably in Times New Roman typeface, 12-point with 1.5 line spacing on
one side of each page. Each chapter should start on a new page. The use of numbered sub-sections is
recommended, but not beyond three levels.

Contents
An outline of the structure of a typical dissertation is given below. More guidance is available from your
supervisor and from the following text books:

Porush, D., 'A short guide to writing about science',

Harper Collins College Publishers, 1995.

O'Connor, M., 'Writing successfully in science',

Chapman & Hall, 1991.

Day, R. B., 'How to write and publish a scientific paper',

Cambridge University Press, 1989.

(i) Summary:
No more than one page, describing briefly the objectives of the dissertation, the work done and the main
conclusions.

(ii) Contents List.

(iii) Nomenclature [if appropriate]

(iv) Introduction:

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Describe the relevance/importance/usefulness of the dissertation and, if appropriate, its relationship with
existing knowledge or practice. In a logical sequence from the above, explain the objectives of the
dissertation and its scope, to put the thesis into the context of existing work.

(v) Main Text:

This should be broken into several chapters. The precise nature of the divisions will depend on the subject
matter of the dissertation.

A literature review should be included and should be a concise and critical of account of relevant published
work, in particular highlighting anomalies and discrepancies in current knowledge which the project
addresses. The significance of the reviewed work in relation to the advancement of the subject and to
objectives of the dissertation should be described. An account of the work done for the dissertation must be
included perhaps under the chapter headings:

• Methodology [or Procedures]

• Results
• Discussion

It is important to provide an argued case for each conclusion within the main text and then only briefly report
each one under the chapter title ‘Conclusions’.

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(vi) Conclusions:
This should be several pages long. A common way of structuring it is to draw conclusions for each chapter in
turn. It is important to also include a section of recommendations for future work in the area. No new
arguments or discussions should be introduced in this section.

(vii) References:
This is a list of the papers and books that have been used to obtain the information given in the dissertation,
and which are referred to from within the main text. Search tools such as BIDS or Athens are useful ways of
identifying additional references. All the main points made in the dissertation should either be backed by
references, or justified on the basis of the work done and being reported. Any information you have used that
is not your own work must be referenced. References may either be numbered [in the order they appear in
the main text], or given alphabetically [in which case they may be referred to in the main text by Author
[year], with a, b, c etc. if an author published more than one reference in the same year.

Give papers as:

Author[s], [year], “Title of Paper”, periodical, volume number, issue number or month, page
numbers

Give books as:

Author[s], [year], “Title”, Publisher, Town/country

If the dissertation is mainly reporting a literature review, a long list of reference would be expected. If it is
mainly reporting the work done, then fewer references may be appropriate.

(viii) Acknowledgements:
To anyone who helped with the subject matter of the dissertations, or has funded you or the research. You
may also wish to make personal acknowledgements.

(ix) Appendices:
Any supplementary material which you wish to include, but which does not form part of the main text.

Subject Matter
This needs to be agreed with the academic staff, and you should provide a one-page [maximum] abstract for
the files. If you are working in industry, you will want to choose a subject which is relevant to you and your
83
employer and we will do our best to accommodate that. A good dissertation will combine a literature review
with work you have done and which adds something new and useful. Some possibilities include:

• application of an existing technique in a novel situation

• development of a new technique for a particular situation
• a critical comparison of two or more related techniques
• description of a general or specific problem and your proposed solution to it

Please talk to us about your ideas at an early stage. You will have a supervisor from amongst the staff,
probably allocated according to our individual interests.

84