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Green Technology

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Why Study Green Technology ?

Current concerns about climate change and declining fossil fuel reserves are driving a rapid expansion in the renewables sector. The UK government recently forecast that, to meet its targets for renewable energy, 400,000 new "green collar" jobs would be required over the next eight years. Globally, the UN predicts that millions of new jobs will be created by the development of renewable energy technologies.

This brings exciting new opportunities for rural development, not only in small-scale power generation from the sun, wind, water and wastes, but also in the sustainable production of crops for energy and raw materials for industry, and the environmentally sensitive production of biofuels from algae, biomass, wastes and agricultural co-products. 

SAC’s Green Technology course was designed to help meet the skills needs of this emerging sector. It aims to produce graduates combining technical and scientific skills with an understanding of environmental issues and sustainable land use, who can contribute to the development of renewable resources in rural areas.

A course leaflet can be downloaded from the right of this page.

About The Course

The Green Technology course explores the background to climate change and develops students’ scientific and technical knowledge of energy efficiency, renewable energy systems, crops for energy and bioproducts, and the latest environmentally sensitive methods for producing biofuels from algae, biomass, wastes and agricultural co-products. Students also learn about green building technologies, sustainable transport systems, and the technologies involved in recycling, waste management and pollution control.

In addition to lectures and tutorials, students develop practical skills in workshop and laboratory classes, and see the application of the subjects studied through visits to renewable energy installations, rural businesses and scientific research establishments. Site visits linked to case studies are also included to provide training in rural planning, environmental impact assessment and the management of renewables projects.

The course benefits from SAC’s research and consultancy activities in energy crops and rural renewable energy systems, as well as its strong links with land-based industries.

Successful graduates of SAC’s Green Technology course will be well equipped to help rural businesses harness renewable resources, reduce their energy bills, lessen their dependence on fossil fuels and cut their carbon footprint.

Awards Available

Click on a course title for further details

BSc/BSc (Hons) Green Technology

Study In Ayr: SAC SO1 CF98 Y BSc/GT

Length Of Course

The BSc general degree takes 3 years full-time.  The BSc Honours degree takes 4 years full-time.  Both can be studies part-time.

Validating University

This degree is awarded by the University of Glasgow.

Minimum Entry Requirements

3 Highers (BCC) or 2 A Levels (CC).  English and Mathematics required at Standard Grade/GCSE pass level or equivalent.

Progression Routes

Applications with a related HNC or HND are encouraged to consider an application for advanced entry into Year 2 or 3 of the degree course.

HND Green Technology

Study In Ayr: SAC SO1 89FC Y HND/GT

Length Of Course

The HND takes 2 years full-time, or can be studied part-time.

Minimum Entry Requirements

2 Highers (CC) or 1 A Level pass.  To include a science.  English and Mathematics required at Standard Grade/GCSE pass level or equivalent.  Entry also available with SWAP Access to science qualification.

Progression Routes

Those completing the HND are eligible to progress into Year 3 of the BSc/BSc (Hons) Green Technology course.

Course Content

Further information is available in SAC's undergraduate prospectus and in our course leaflet, which can be downloaded from this page. Please contact us for further information.

The first year provides a foundation in the sciences and introduces environmental issues and concepts of sustainable land use. Subsequent studies focus mainly on the following areas:

  • Small-scale renewable energy systems (e.g. wind, solar, hydro, biomass, waste, ground source heat pumps)
  • The production and processing of crops for energy, biofuels, fibre and raw materials for industry
  • The culture of algae for the sustainable production of biofuels and bioproducts
  • Energy efficiency for transport, buildings and machinery
  • Waste management, recycling and pollution control
  • Rural planning and environmental impact assessment
  • Land and habitat restoration
  • Environmental regulation and economics
  • Project management
  • Management skills and entrepreneurship

Workshop and laboratory classes provide training in practical skills and throughout the course students develop their core skills of numeracy, problem-solving, communication and working as a team.

Career Opportunities

This emerging sector offers a wide range of exciting career opportunities. Graduates might be expected to gain employment as consultants, inspectors or development officers with environmental agencies and organisations promoting energy efficiency, recycling and the expansion of sustainable technologies in rural areas.  Others might find work as technical representatives, technicians and project managers with companies expanding business in small-scale renewable energy systems, waste management or the production and processing of industrial crops. 

Posts that Green Technology graduates might enter include:

  • Energy development officer
  • Environmental consultant
  • Environmental technology project manager
  • Waste management officer
  • Plant product development researcher
  • Carbon management consultant
  • Energy account manager

Over 80% of the organisations and companies contacted in our market research confirmed a sector need for this Green technology course.

Graduates would also be well equipped to launch their own business in this sector, and one industry representative commented “this course would suit a lateral thinking entrepreneur”.

Course Contacts

Ayr Course Contact

Mrs Chris Leggate
Programme Leader
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC, Riverside Campus, University Avenue,
Ayr
KA8 0SX
TelWork 01292 886172
Fax 01292 886199

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Ayr Campus General Contact

Mrs Jill Thomson
Student Recruitment Officer
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC Ayr, Riverside Campus, University Avenue,
Ayr
KA8 0SX
TelWork 01292 886196

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Student Experiences

Toby L'Anson from Northumberland was one of SAC's first students on the BSc Green Technology course, launched in 2007.

"I decided to study Green Technology at SAC having spent one year at Manchester University where I was studying Electrical and Electronic Engineering. I decided to change to Green Technology to better prepare myself for a career in renewable energy.

"The course covers many areas from the production crops for biofuels to the inner workings of a combustion engine, and from recycling in the home to global sustainability. The fact that the course is so wide and varied is one of the main reasons I chose it.

"I think the Green Technology course will equip me with the skills and knowledge I need to eventually start my own business in green consultancy and micro-generation installations; an area I'm particularly interested in."