Master’s degree in Energy for Sustainability

General Objectives of the Course

The study cycle is included in the “Energy for Sustainability” (EfS) Initiative of the UC. The challenges faced by human society today, including climate change and scarcity of energy resources, require answers of an interdisciplinary nature in the study, design, operation, and regulation of systems that generate, transport or use energy.
This program aims at developing its students' abilities to contribute to interdisciplinary interventions in areas such as the efficient use of energy, centralized or decentralized energy production, or the distribution of energy, always under a sustainable development perspective, with competences in the technological domains associated to these areas, as well as the domains of economics and the environment; they acquire capacities to analyze systems and their interrelations; they are able to develop projects and tackle complex problems concerning the energy-environment binomial.

Admission Requirements

a) Holders of a bachelor's degree or legal equivalent in areas of economics, management, engineering, architecture or in a degree that has at least 30ECTS together in the areas of Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry;

b) Holders of a foreign higher academic degree conferred following a 1st cycle of studies organized in accordance with the principles of the Bologna Process by a State adhering to this Process, in the areas referred to in a);

c) Holders of a higher academic degree obtained abroad that is recognized as satisfying the objectives of the degree of licenciado by the Scientific Council of the Organic Unit responsible for the cycle of studies, in the areas referred to in a);

d) In duly justified cases, holders of a scientific and professional curriculum relevant to the frequency of this cycle of studies and that, as such, be recognized by the Scientific Council of the responsible Organic Unit.

Candidates should check the admission requirements available on this site, in addition to the information provided here.

Professional Goals

Sustainability Departments from Large Companies, Companies in the Energy, Environment, Construction, Departments of Research Development, Design and Consulting Companies, teaching. Transportation Companies, Urban Planning

Mode of Study

Full-time, daytime attendance

Teaching / Evaluation language(s)

Portuguese and English

Examination Regulations, Assessment and Grading

Given the fact that pedagogical assessment is inseparable from teaching, it is intended to ascertain competences and knowledge that students acquired, their critical thinking, their ability to point out and solve problems, as well as their written and oral expression. Students admitted to examination are those who are registered in the curricular units in the academic year in which the exams are carried out and, simultaneously, registered in those examinations, whenever this registration is necessary, in accordance with number 7, article 5 of the Pedagogical Regulation of the University of Coimbra.
The assessment elements are the following examples: written or oral exam, tests, written or practical assignments, as well as individual or group projects that may have to be orally defended and students’ participation in classes. Assessment of each curricular unit may include one or more of the mentioned assessment elements.
The mark obtained by each student in each curricular unit consists of a whole number between 0 and 20 points and students who obtain the minimum final mark of 10 points are successfully assessed.
Whenever assessment of a curricular unit comprises more than one assessment element, the final mark is calculated on the basis of the marks students obtained in each assessment element by means of a formula that is made public in accordance with number 1, article 8 of the Pedagogical Regulation of the University of Coimbra.

Learning Objectives and Intended Skills

Learning objectives and the way to their achievement are described in: Batterman, S.; Martins, A.; Antunes, C.; Freire, F.; Gameiro, M. (2011). Development and Application of Competencies for Graduate Programs in Energy and Sustainability. Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice, vol. 137 (4), pp. 198-207. DOI:10.1061/(ASCE)EI.1943-5541.0000069.
Generic Abilities:
- Instrumental abilities on analysis and synthesis, organization and planning, critical reasoning and problem solving;
- Systemic view of sustainable energy systems in which converge not only technological aspects, but also economics, decision support, management, regulation, in an approach to systems engineering;
- Capability to perform research and to apply the acquired knowledge;
Regarding the personal abilities, the importance is stressed of working within interdisciplinary teams (obviously complemented by the ability to communicate with people who are not experts) and of developing critical mind.
Also the ability to work in groups, essential for a research project integration.
Specific abilities:
- To be familiar with the concept of Sustainable Development, having in mind the sustainability challenges that society is facing;
- Understand engineering principles for modeling, measurement, analysis and design, including sustainability metrics that incorporate technical, social, economic and ethical issues.
- Understand the current and emerging technologies in the energy field.
- Ability to make decisions / define policies using sustainability indicators and decision support tools, including estimatio, cost modeling, optimization andx of life cycle assessement.
- Understand deeply some relevant technological and economic fields, such as energy use in buildings and in urban environments, energy systems or energy policies.
These abilities are are addressed generally in almost all optional curricular units and on mandatory ones. The effective acquirement of these abilities will be demonstrated by writing a dissertation, autonomously, which will be evaluated by a jury.

Course Coordinator(s)

José Manuel Baranda Moreira da Silva Ribeiro
jose.baranda@dem.uc.pt

ECTS Departmental Coordinator(s)

Ana Sofia Figueira Ramos
sofia.ramos@dem.uc.pt

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of prior learning is carried out in accordance with the Academic Regulation of the University of Coimbra.

Qualification Requirements and Regulations

The legal framework for the qualification is established by the decrees: Decree-Law no 74/2006, de 24 th March, amended and republished by the decree: DL no 107/2008, 25th June; ordinance no 782/2009, 23th July

Graduation Requirements

To earn the degree of Master in Energy for Sustainability it is necessary to successfully complete mandatory and elective courses totaling 48 ECTS credits, plus a master's dissertation corresponding to 42 ECTS credits. The course requirements depend on the chosen area of specialization.

Access to Further Studies

Possible further studies at doctoral level

Study Programme

Paths

Energy Systems and Energy Policies

Energy in Buildings and Urban Environment

Indoor Climate and Comfort

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Course Type
2nd Cycle Studies - Advanced Specialisation Master Programme

DGES Code: 6693

Qualification Awarded: Mestre

Duration: 18 Month(s)

ECTS Credits: 90.0

Category: Advanced specialization second cycle

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Applications

Call for Applications

• 2nd Cycle Course
• Readmission

• Application submission
• Web page with information for candidates

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Calendar

1st Semester

Start date: 09-09-2024
End date: 18-12-2024

2nd Semester

Start date: 03-02-2025
End date: 22-05-2025

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Accreditations

Agência de Avaliação e Acreditação do Ensino Superior

2019-07-31 a 2025-07-30

Direcção Geral de Ensino Superior

Nº Registo: R/A-Ef 1562/2011/AL02

2021-04-01

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Documents