Civil and Environmental Engineering BEng (Hons) with foundation year

Develop your mathematics and problem-solving ability associated with the mechanical performance of civil engineering structures.

When tackling real-world structural engineering problems, civil engineers often need to apply mathematical principles and processes to structural mechanics. During this module, you will benefit from hands-on sessions in computer and structures laboratories.⁴ The module introduces you to the fundamental principles of structural mechanics, which are required to solve engineering problems of a non-routine nature.

Compulsory

Learn the fundamentals of engineering geology, soil mechanics and common construction materials.

Develop an ability to identify soil and material properties and assess their suitability for specific applications within civil engineering and the construction industry, while considering construction methods, safety and sustainability. Gain valuable experience from hands-on laboratory sessions⁴, which should help to strengthen your in-depth understanding of the subject.

Compulsory

This module introduces you to the construction industry practice and the breadth of aspects to be considered at various stages of a construction project.

You will primarily act as a simulated contractor, planning the execution of a design. You will give due consideration to meeting the client's requirements, sustainable construction practices, minimising environmental impact, and health and safety. You will also operate with due regard for professional ethics and foster a positive working environment.

Content will be adapted to the project brief, but will typically cover:

• professionalism and collaborative work
• site investigation
• environmental risk assessment
• access considerations and site setup
• construction programming
• cost estimation and resource management
• material choice and construction methods
• construction documentation
• sustainable construction practice
• quality and risk management.

Compulsory

Improve your understanding of land surveying in civil engineering applications. This module introduces you to the fundamentals of:

• Building Information Modelling (BIM)
• Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Data analytics for civil engineering.

For the land surveying element of this module, you should gain the relevant knowledge for establishing vertical and horizontal control on-site through levelling and traversing. You will learn about mapping, setting out construction works related to civil engineering applications and the latest land surveying technology. You should develop the necessary fieldwork skills to do this using surveying instrumentation.⁴

For the digital engineering element of this module, you should gain an introductory understanding and learn to apply BIM and CAD principles for civil engineering professional requirements. You should acquire basic knowledge of engineering statistics and AI and apply these principles using relevant software for data analysis to solve civil engineering problems.

Compulsory

Develop your knowledge of structural design methods, along with the underpinning principles and structural analytical methods. Gain fundamental knowledge and skills in structural modelling using industry-standard computer software, benefiting from hands-on sessions in the computer and structures laboratories.⁴

This module also considers contemporary aspects of structural modelling, design, and carbon reduction considerations embodied within the design process.

Compulsory

This module aims to develop your understanding of the fundamental principles of soil behaviour and hydraulics, incorporating core engineering knowledge with practical application.

Gain valuable experience from hands-on laboratory sessions⁴, designed to strengthen your in-depth understanding of the subject. Develop the necessary skills to interpret experimental data for use in solving engineering problems of a non-routine nature commensurate with the CEng pathway.

Compulsory

Equip yourself with the knowledge, skills and tools to effectively manage sustainable energy and environmental projects within civil and environmental engineering.

Apply project management principles, including risk assessment, stakeholder engagement and lifecycle analysis while evaluating the environmental, economic and social impacts of projects using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), cost-benefit analysis, and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA).

Explore the integration of renewable energy technologies, addressing technical, economic, and policy constraints, and utilise digital and geospatial tools such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and digital twins4 to assess environmental risks, energy efficiency, and carbon footprints.

Through critical analysis of real-world case studies, you will extract best practices and lessons learned to inform future sustainable infrastructure developments. By the end of the module, you should have the expertise to manage and assess projects that align with climate resilience, net-zero targets, and long-term sustainability goals.

Compulsory

Further enhance your understanding of construction materials used in civil engineering applications and the wider construction environment. Learn from selected topics in the principles of highways and transportation engineering. Your learning will be strengthened by laboratory testing sessions using industry-standard equipment.⁴

This module focuses on transport safety, equality, equity, resilience and decarbonisation. It covers the principles of geometric highway design following current design codes and traffic flow analysis. The module also explores the decision-making process in highway projects, including project appraisal, transportation policy and planning.

The module will also provide an overview of railway engineering, addressing design standards for various railway track systems, gauging and clearance management, vehicle-track interaction dynamics and safety and maintenance considerations.

Advance your knowledge of construction materials, their specification and selection for a sustainable and durable built environment. This concludes the study of materials technology, focusing on the degradation processes, specification and repair of materials used within civil engineering and the construction industry.

Compulsory

This module provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement² undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

This module provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement² undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

Get the knowledge, skills and tools necessary to design, assess and manage climate-resilient and sustainable infrastructure within the civil and environmental engineering sector.

Develop the ability to assess climate risks and vulnerabilities in infrastructure projects by applying climate modelling tools and impact assessment methodologies. Explore strategies for designing adaptive and resilient infrastructure solutions incorporating sustainable materials, renewable energy and nature-based approaches to enhance long-term sustainability.

Gain a comprehensive understanding of climate resilience policies, regulations and global frameworks so you can evaluate and apply key adaptation and mitigation strategies. Through hands-on experience with geospatial and digital tools such as Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and digital twins⁴, you will analyse climate change impacts on infrastructure and optimise project planning. By engaging with real-world case studies, you will critically assess best practices and lessons learned, preparing yourself to contribute to climate-adaptive urban planning, sustainable construction and resilient infrastructure development.

This module explores the principles, challenges, and strategies for designing and managing climate-resilient and sustainable infrastructure in the context of civil and environmental engineering. Develop skills in climate risk assessment, adaptive infrastructure design and policy implementation, ensuring that engineering solutions can withstand climate change impacts such as extreme weather events, flooding and rising temperatures.

Compulsory

This module teaches the key principles of flood hydrology, hydrological and hydraulic modelling techniques, and water pollution risk assessment. It emphasises practical applications in water engineering, including water supply and flood management systems.

Topics covered include water distribution, Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS), rainwater harvesting, sewer outfall design, and flow routing for reservoir spillway design and river/channel flood forecasting.

A strong foundation in environmental fluid mechanics, hydrology and hydraulic engineering should enable you to apply mathematical and fluid mechanics principles to address water-related challenges such as flooding and pollution.

This module prepares you for a career in civil, environmental and public health engineering, particularly in the water industry, sustainable urban development and flood and pollution management.

Compulsory

Gain critical, transferable skills that are essential in the workplace and that promote and enable continued professional development. Learning is contextualised around a realistic project.

Learning outcomes are achieved by working in groups on a practical civil engineering problem. The project typically requires planning and designing a piece of infrastructure with elements of hydraulics, geotechnics, structures and transportation engineering. You will need to ensure your solutions give due consideration to sustainability and the environment.

By engaging with this module, you should learn to demonstrate your skills in professional development planning, project planning and the value of teamwork. You should also learn to demonstrate a further understanding of BIM planning ethos, the ability to work collaboratively in an industrial setting while considering cybersecurity threats, understanding roles, group dynamics, negotiation and influencing, motivation, emotional intelligence, assertiveness and conflict management.

Compulsory

Develop your research and investigative skills by scoping, designing and conducting an independent research dissertation under the supervision of academic staff experienced in the field.

Module content aims to improve your understanding of problem identification, reviewing literature and research design, and the development and implementation of appropriate methods. You will be supported to conduct research independently and to plan, manage, and conduct research within an appropriate context.

This includes the development of an understanding of:

• research design and methodology
• ethical considerations of research
• health and safety concerns (including, where appropriate, risk assessments)
• research methods for technical, scientific and social science investigations
• project management
• data collection, interpretation and analysis
• report writing.

Compulsory