Civil and Environmental Engineering MEng/BEng (Hons)

The second year will build on the foundational topics covered in the first year, broadening your knowledge by covering more aspects of the topic and taking your knowledge to an advanced level.

You will be introduced to environmental topics at this level through an environmental focused group project and modules including environmental systems and the basic principles of environmental and pollution science, including the range of chemical and physical stressors, impacts of pollution on people and the environment and the interactions between the natural environment and the built environment. You will have the chance to develop theoretical knowledge and practical experience in pollution monitoring, including an introduction to sampling and analysis methodologies for air, soil and water as well as noise pollution.

Modules

• Structural Analysis 2

  This module develops students’ knowledge of methods used to analyse statically indeterminate structures and compression struts and solve problems of a non-routine nature commensurate with the CEng pathway.

  Compulsory

• Materials 2 – 10 credits

  The aim of this module is to advance students’ knowledge of construction materials and the test methods used to derive material properties. It will also strengthen their understanding of sustainability assessment and material selection for particular applications in a sustainable and durable built environment.

  Compulsory

• Geotechnics 2 – 10 credits

  This module aims to develop further understanding of the fundamental principles of soil behaviour incorporating core engineering knowledge with practical application. This module will also 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

• Structural Design 1 – 10 credits

  The module aims to develop the student's knowledge of the principals and methods of structural engineering design to the Eurocodes, covering design of structural steelwork and providing an introduction to the design of structural timber. This module will provide the student with an appreciation of the multi-disciplinary nature of civil and structural engineering design.

  Compulsory

• Alternative Energy – 10 credits

  This module will provide overview of alternative energy sources which use renewable energy and low carbon technologies such as solar, wind, hydro-marine and nuclear power. This module investigates the scientific basis as well as the socio-economic and environmental characteristics of each of the technologies.

  Compulsory

• Hydraulics – 10 credits

  The aim of this module is to introduce students to fundamental theory relating to hydraulics and fluid flow. This module will also develop practical skills to undertake laboratory experiments and interpret experimental data to be used in solving engineering problems.

  Compulsory

• Environmental Engineering Project – 40 credits

  The aim of this module is to apply core environmental engineering theory to a 'real' environmental engineering project, demonstrating the link between theory and applied practice. This will incorporate theory previously learnt and applied practice taught through the module supported by examples of industry practice.

  Compulsory

• Add+vantage 2 – 10 credits

  You will also be able to take an Add+vantage module which can allow you to develop your CV by taking credits in an area of study that doesn’t have to be related to your degree. The assessment type will depend on the type of Add+vantage module you wish to take.

  Compulsory

Following your second year, you will have an option to apply for a one-year professional work placement or study abroad in a partner institution. Past students have undertaken placements working with contractors, design consultants and local authorities, including Balfour Beatty Construction, Mott Macdonald, Severn Trent Water, Interserve Project Services, Warwickshire County Council, Atkins and Morgan Sindall.

If you wish to undertake the optional study abroad/placement year, you will take either the Placement Year module or the Study Abroad Year module which both typically run for a full academic year between years 2 and 3 of your course. You are normally able to progress onto the relevant module if you have successfully completed the first two years of the course (i.e. having accumulated 240 credits) and have a confirmed opportunity two weeks prior to the start of the academic year. However, we encourage international students to confirm their placements earlier to ensure they are able to meet any applicable visa requirements. 

Students opting for either the work placement or study abroad module will be registered on a non-credit bearing module. Whilst the modules do not bear credits, they do require completion of marked activities reflecting on your placement/study abroad or work placement experience. Following successful completion of the activities, the module selected will appear on your final academic transcript. Students will thus graduate with 360 credits in total, assuming successful completion of their final year.

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any placement or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.

As the course progresses to Stage 3, (year 3 for Full-time BEng, Year 4 for BEng sandwich and Year 4 for MEng Study abroad) you will start to look at more advanced knowledge of areas such as environmental assessment, water modelling and engineering. For the research dissertation, you will have to demonstrate your analytical, problem solving, innovation, communication and information management skills, enabling you to establish creative solutions when researching problems and issues.

Your skills may be further enhanced by group projects with inter/multidisciplinary activities at each stage, using appropriate environmental and humanitarian engineering with computer and field simulations, as well as building information modelling (BIM). In addition to the know-how gained from the lectures and learning support, there may be opportunities to collaborate with the other courses, international and part-time students (subject to availability). Group and project work has the potential to further develop your appreciation of the multidisciplinary nature of civil biased environmental engineering, as well as the importance of effective project management, teamwork, good communication and lateral.

Modules

• Materials 3 – 10 credits

  This module concludes the study of materials technology focusing on degradation processes, specification and repair of materials used within civil engineering and construction industry. Students will develop a critical appreciation of topics related to current and future trends in construction technology and materials for a sustainable built environment.

  Compulsory

• Geotechnics 3 – 10 credits

  The module leads on from previous soil mechanics content in presenting the principles used by Civil Engineers in geotechnical design. There is particular emphasis on:

  1. Theory of the bearing capacity of soils and its application on the calculation of ultimate loads for shallow footings and deep foundations (piles);
  2. Lateral earth pressure theories and their application on the stability of excavations and on the design of retaining structures;
  3. Slope stability calculation methods and application on the assessment of stability of natural slopes or man-made cuts.

  Compulsory

• Computational Mechanics – 10 credits

  This module is designed to introduce students to the computational aspects of civil engineering in support of the theoretical content taught at earlier stages of the course. The module uses basic computational analysis tools to execute numerical methods applicable to both static and dynamic engineering problems.

  Compulsory

• Hydrology and Water Engineering – 20 credits

  The module leads on from previously taught hydraulics content and further expands on the principals of flood and groundwater hydrology, introduction to the physical and computer hydraulic and hydrological modelling techniques, and food and water pollution risk assessment. In addition to this, there is a strong emphasis on the water engineering particularly for water supply, wastewater and flood as well as pollution management systems.

  Compulsory

• Environmental Assessment and Management – 10 credits

  The module will introduce students to how organisations are governed, lead and how they are addressing sustainability challenges. Students will review types of law and policy instruments as applied to environmental risk management and identify the benefits to organisations of achieving and moving beyond compliance.

  Compulsory

• Group Project 3 – 20 credits

  The aim of this module is that students will accrue a detailed understanding of some of the key stages involved in a construction projects through the operations of a simulated design and construction team. Students will learn how to manage, through Building Information Modelling, aspects of a project through a feasibility study working in groups drawn from Civil and Building courses across the School of Energy, Construction and Environment.

  Compulsory

• Civil Engineering Research Dissertation – 30 credits

  The individual final year aims to:

  • Give the student a realistic exercise in the practice of engineering at a professional level.
  • Be a vehicle for integrating the knowledge gained in several subject areas of the degree course.
  • Allow the student to develop their personal qualities such as initiative, imagination, creativity, communication, organisation, employ IT effectively and solve non-routine problems.

  Compulsory

• Add+vantage 3 – 10 credits

  You will also be able to take an Add+vantage module which can allow you to develop your CV by taking credits in an area of study that doesn’t have to be related to your degree. The assessment type will depend on the type of Add+vantage module you wish to take.

  Compulsory

In the fourth year, you should gain a deeper understanding of technical concepts in the modelling and design of engineering systems by studying subjects dealing with a holistic approach to eliminating waste, minimising environmental risks and protecting the environment.

Modules

• Soil-Structure Interaction – 20 credits

  This module aims to provide the participants with the technical knowledge, skills and abilities to enable them to demonstrate an advanced understanding of principles and theories behind soil structure interaction in ground engineering; and to develop the analytical, decision-making and critical powers required to solve soil-structure interaction problems, along with the transferable skills to enable a leading career in Civil Engineering (Geotechnical Engineering).

  Compulsory

• Water and Wastewater Treatment – 20 credits

  This module is designed to equip students with detailed knowledge and understanding of the physical, chemical and biological water/wastewater treatment processes and technologies. These include pre-treatment, primary treatment, secondary treatment, advanced treatment such as membrane filtration and other tertiary options such as slow sand filters, disinfection and fluoridation/de-fluoridation for domestic and industrial wastewater.

  Compulsory

• Environmental Hazard Mitigation – 20 credits

  In this module, students will gain an understanding of processes that lead to the generation of natural hazards and disasters, specifically relating to the concepts of complex and cascading hazards and issues regarding multi-hazard assessment. There will also be analysis of the additional impact that disruption to key resources, and environmental change (namely climate change) is likely to have.

  Compulsory

• Leadership and Research Practice – 20 credits

  The module aims to extend the previous development of team working and personal development with a focus on the theory and practice of leadership, in particular the skill to develop others (course learning outcome 9). It also aims to extend the previous development in academic research skills to be able to disseminate research findings to the professional community, peer review research publications and reflect on peer review comments to accommodate improvements in research publications.

  Compulsory

• Advanced Contract and Project Management – 20 credits

  This module will develop and build upon contract and project management type content delivered earlier in the course. It will enable the participant to apply one of the main standard forms of construction contract (NEC ECC) to real situations.

  Compulsory

• Group Project 4 – 20 credits

  The project calls for application of academic knowledge (gained throughout the MEng course), engineering judgment, professional skills and personal resourcefulness to analyse challenging civil engineering / construction problems in a comprehensive manner, and propose well justified and presented solutions.

  Compulsory