Civil Engineering MEng/BEng (Hons)

The second year will build on the foundational topics covered in first year, broadening students’ knowledge by covering more aspects of the topic and taking their knowledge to an advanced level. It includes a professional training and study abroad component.

Modules

• Structural Analysis 2 – 10 credits

  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.

  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.

  Compulsory

• Transportation Engineering 2 – 10 credits

  The aim of the module is to deepen students’ knowledge and critical understanding of highways and transportation, covering relevant content on highway and rail engineering at an intermediate level.

  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.

  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

• Civil Engineering Project 2 – 40 credits

  The aim of this module is to apply core civil engineering theory to a 'real' civil engineering project, demonstrating the link between theory and applied practice.

  Compulsory

• Group Project 2 – 10 credits

  The aim of this module is to develop the student’s skill base through the continued development of critical, transferable study skills that are of practical benefit in the workplace and that promote and enable continued professional development.

  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 will be required to take an academic module in which they reflect on their experiences. The module appears on a student’s transcript as a zero-credit module. They will be supported by the university’s Talent Team throughout the process and will be allocated a tutor who will keep in touch. 

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.

The third year aims to bring students to the level necessary to enter professional practice as an Incorporated Civil Engineer; reflecting both the latest advances and research work in the subject together with the contemporary job market.

At this stage, each student will also undertake a body of independent research during Year 3 of their course within their ‘Civil Engineering Research Dissertation’ module. The module leader coordinates the operation of this module – organises research training sessions for students, disseminates submission requirements and marking criteria, briefs students on gaining ethics approval etc. Students are given a list of supervisors and indicative titles / areas of research at the end of their second year and select their project and supervisor accordingly. They meet their project supervisor within designated academic personal tutor meetings during Semester one to begin planning the project and discuss progress on preparatory work. They then undertake the main body of the project work during Semester two.

Within your individual project, you will be expected to carry out detailed research into a technical aspect from the course with the help of an experienced supervisor. Project topics typically relate to research areas of supervisors and take the form of experimental projects largely relating to structural, material or geomaterial research.

Modules

• Structural Analysis – 10 credits

  Principles of structural analysis previously covered will be extended to cover more advanced theories of structural plastic analysis.

  Compulsory

• Materials – 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.

  Compulsory

• Geotechnics – 10 credits

  The module leads on from previous soil mechanics content in presenting the principles used by Civil Engineers in geotechnical design. On successful completion, students should have sufficient knowledge and understanding to be able to carry out practical engineering work in most areas of geotechnics.

  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.

  Compulsory

• Group Project – 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.

  Compulsory

• Civil Engineering Research Dissertation – 30 credits

  The aim of this module is to enable students to develop their research skills by conducting primary or secondary research focused on a specific problem of relevance to their discipline. Students would use different methods and research skills to effectively communicate research novelties and ideas to the academic and non-academic communities.

  Compulsory

• Add+vantage Module – 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

• Optional Modules (1 of the following):

  Geospatial Surveying – 20 credits

  Students will develop a theoretical and practical understanding of alternative solutions to standard engineering surveying measurement problems and aspects of current developments in instrumentation, measurement and reduction of field observations by computer.

  Transport Infrastructure – 20 credits

  This module is divided into four themes: bridge analysis, fundamentals of tunnelling, railway design, and pavement design and maintenance. The module will examine current aspects in industry practice and will be continuously updated to reflect changes as necessary.

  Construction Project Management – 20 credits

  This module will enable critical awareness and deliver a greater understanding of some of the advanced principles of construction project management.

  Structural Design – 20 credits

  Students will develop a wider and deeper understanding of structural steelwork, concrete, timber and masonry and their use in the design and construction of a range of civil and structural engineering works.

  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.

  Earthquake Engineering – 20 credits

  The aim of this module is to provide students with an appropriate understanding of earthquakes and the process of structural design in seismically active regions.

  Coding for Civil Engineers – 20 credits

  This module introduces main principles of computer programming and coding. Students will acquire fundamental knowledge of programming commands, functions and tasks (i.e., looping, branching, etc.) and will practice algorithm flowchart design.

  We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated. Before accepting any offers, please check the website for the most up to date course content.

  Optional

In the final year, you should gain a deeper understanding of technical concepts in the modelling and design of engineering systems, studying subjects such as bridge engineering, construction contracts, structural dynamics, project and system management and advanced structural analysis and design.

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.

  Compulsory

• Transportation Engineering 3 – 20 credits

  This module aims to develop further understanding of to various aspects of design, analysis and operation in the field of transportation engineering.

  Compulsory

• Advanced Structural Analysis and Design – 20 credits

  This module will extend participants' previously acquired knowledge of structural mechanics, to cover yield line analysis of slabs, design of prestressed reinforced concrete beams, design of steel and timber structures, and empower them to tackle structural analysis and design tasks of greater complexity.

  Compulsory

• Leadership and Research Practice – 20 credits

  This module aims to extend the previous development of team working and personal development with a focus on the theory and practice of leadership. 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