Plant Operations:
This course aims to develop student’s skills in managing a business operation, from ethical, technical / operational and strategic / marketing standpoints. This will be achieved through the student’s industrial training and by having the student work in teams to operate a chemical process plant and steer a virtual company to achieve specified technical and business outcomes, against which the student will be assessed.

An example of the kind of process that may be used is the production of biodiesel from various feedstocks. The students’ team will do the necessary research, and design and operate the students’ process within the constraints of safety requirements in the school pilot plant, on an independent basis.

The student are encouraged to compare what is learnt about team operation in this technical and production environment with what is learnt in the business environment, which the student will experience in a multi-player market simulation game. In both of these environments the student will be encouraged to reflect on the ethical implications of their actions as well as the purely technical aspects.

Sixty days of approved industrial training are part of the requirements for the satisfactory completion of this course. The objectives of the industrial training are :
1) to develop an appreciation of the structure and operation of industrial organisations
2) to understand the role of the engineer and engineering in industry
3) to appreciate the importance of good communication and interpersonal skills and to develop these skills
4) to appreciate the ethical basis of engineering practice in industry.

Students are required to submit to the school evidence from the students’ employers of each period of training, confirming the work performed together with a 2000 word report giving specific examples where and how each of the industrial training objectives were achieved.

This course replaces CEIC4120.