Chemistry & Engineering

University of Edinburgh

Will there be any metals left by the time you are 50? Imagine a world without metals: No cars, no phones, no TV, no tins of baked beans... Quite a different place. As the global population soars and the planet’s natural resources dwindle, it is vitally important from an economic and environmental perspective that we make better use of our metal reserves. Through lectures and workshops led by academic staff, and hands-on laboratory experiments run by our students, you will learn why metals are so important, where they come from and when they will all be used up. We will examine the environmental impact of industrial-scale metal extraction and purification techniques, and why it is important that we develop a more sustainable approach for the use of metals right now. Is it possible to secure the future of the baked bean tin? Come and find out.

The Engineering programme will consist of lectures and group workshops integrating the four disciplines of Engineering taught at the University of Edinburgh (Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Electronics, and Mechanical Engineering). The aim is to give you a sense of what it is like to study Engineering at university level and how all disciplines integrate and contribute to the challenges of ensuring sustainability. Each discipline will have one dedicated session, and there will be opportunity to discuss each discipline in groups and with academic staff. You will also have the opportunity to take part in a group project in the area of sustainability, where you will work with young researchers from the School of Engineering to produce a poster presentation.

22 June 2020 - 27 June 2020

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: