Civil Engineering MEng/BEng (Hons) with foundation year

This module will introduce you to the fundamentals of engineering geology and soil mechanics. You can expect to develop an ability to identify soil properties and assess their suitability for specific applications within the construction industry, while considering construction methods, safety and sustainability. The module will also introduce you to the sustainability of construction materials and the properties that are used to select them for applications in civil engineering and construction. You should develop an appreciation of the types of materials, issues with their sustainability and examples of their use within the construction industry.

Compulsory

The aim of the module is to introduce the concepts of surveying and transportation within the fields of construction and civil engineering. You can expect to learn practical skills relating to surveying and highways design, along with the background knowledge to be able to use them. We will cover how surveying methods are used on-site to control horizontal and vertical aspects of construction work. You should also develop practical knowledge and a critical understanding of highways and transport.

Compulsory

The aim of this module is to introduce you to construction industry practice and the breadth of aspects to be considered at various stages of a construction project. You will primarily act as a contractor, tasked with planning the execution of a provided design. Due consideration must be given to meeting the clients’ requirements, sustainable construction practice, minimising environmental impact, and health and safety.

Compulsory

When tackling real-world problems, civil engineers often need to apply mathematical principles and processes or fundamental knowledge in relation to structural mechanics. The aim of this module is to further develop your mathematics and problem-solving ability, as well as introducing you to the fundamental principles of structural mechanics, to enable you to solve engineering problems of a routine nature commensurate with the Incorporated Engineer (IEng) pathway.

Compulsory

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. This will incorporate theory previously learned and applied practice taught through the module, supported by examples of industry practice.

Compulsory

This module offers you a practical examination of how the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be implemented and furthered within the built and natural environment. The module will introduce you to how individuals, communities and businesses within the built and natural environment could be responding to the UN SDGs, and helping to transform the world through their impact. The module will identify how the SDGs impact your course discipline by exploring the 17 SDGs and focusing on the delivery and implementation of a student-led project that encompasses the most applicable SDG (or a combination of SDGs), to your specific academic discipline.

Compulsory

The aim of the module is to enhance your understanding for two key subjects within civil engineering: hydraulics and transportation engineering. For hydraulics, you will study all the essential theory required to understand pipe and open channel flow, at a basic level. For transportation engineering, the module will deepen your knowledge and critical understanding of highways and transportation, covering relevant content on highway and rail engineering at an intermediate level.

Compulsory

The module aims to develop your knowledge of the methods of structural design, with the underpinning principles and structural analytical methods. This module will provide you with fundamental knowledge and skill in structural modelling using industrial standard computer software⁴. You will be encouraged to make maximum use of knowledge and experience gained in other civil engineering modules for the solution of design problems. Consideration for sustainability in design will be highlighted. This module will consider aspects of structural modelling, design and carbon reduction considerations embodied in the design process.

Compulsory

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. This will incorporate theory previously learnt and applied practice taught through the module, supported by examples of industry practice. The project will allow you to choose between addressing some of the Sustainable Development Goals 9, 11, 12, and 13, or all of them.

Compulsory

This module will give you more advanced knowledge of the characteristics of construction materials, their application and their environmental impact in a sustainable and durable built environment. Additionally, you should achieve a further understanding of the strength and behavioural response of soils, incorporating core engineering knowledge with practical application. This module will also help develop the necessary skills to acquire and analyse experimental data, for use in solving engineering problems of a routine nature commensurate with the IEng pathway.

Compulsory

This module will develop your understanding of the tools and techniques of project management, and how to prepare and administer a construction contract using a Standard Form of Contract. The module will also explore procurement processes for a built asset, with a focus on finance, the critical factors influencing the parties to the contract and the impact of their interactions on the project activities.

Compulsory

In this module, you will undertake a critical analysis of a specified location and associated project that has been influenced by the UN's SDGs. Your analysis will explore the impact, success or failure of the project, alongside possible solutions that will be fundamental to the positive future development of the location. You will research, appraise, critique, develop and then communicate to a wider audience, the impact and implementation of the identified SDGs for the location/ project. The focus of the review will be linked to your academic discipline within the built and natural environment, and draw upon prior learning from your previous cognate knowledge.

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

The aim of this module is to demonstrate your skills 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. You can also expect to apply skills you've developed in other areas of the course(s) to a practical project delivered as part of a group, as well as incorporate internationalisation through a mandatory international field trip² (at no extra cost to you), drawing from the wide range of nationalities and experiences of other students, as appropriate to the professional body guidance.

Skills are developed through a continuous review of collaborative and communication experiences while tackling an interdisciplinary group project that aims to further develop your understanding of industrial collaboration within a 'Building Information Management' scenario. The purpose of the project is to develop key learning skills and personal attributes that are required within the civil engineering, environmental engineering and built environment professions. These skills and attributes will also prepare you for professional work, demonstrating teamwork, project planning, critical and research evaluation as well as technical and personal reflection.

Compulsory

The aim of this module is to enable you to develop your research skills by conducting primary or secondary research focused on a specific problem of relevance to your discipline. You would use different methods and research skills, gained over previous years of study, to effectively communicate research novelties and ideas to the academic and non-academic communities. It will contribute to the research training aim appropriate to your level of study and requires you to demonstrate an understanding of the principles of research and to show an appropriate level of competence in the design, execution and reporting of a research project. It will enable you to understand the importance of correct and critical analysis of all the factors involved in a problem and develop your initiative as you pursue and execute the investigation, demonstrating originality and creativity. You will be required to ensure that your work conforms to appropriate codes of practice and standards, meeting the ethical requirements of the university. Successful completion of the research investigation will require a methodical approach and planning, self-management and effective communication. Support and guidance will be provided by a supervisor who will be your primary point of contact on this module.

Compulsory

The module leads on from the 'Structural Analysis and Design' and 'Soil Mechanics and Material' modules in presenting the principles and applications of engineering analysis on plastic collapse of steel beams and foundation design. This module also furthers the study of materials technology focusing on degradation processes, specification and repair of materials used within civil engineering and the construction industry, with specific reference to durability and refurbishment, and consideration to reduce carbon emission in infrastructure development projects. This is to prepare you for civil engineering practice to solve problems in systems with structures, and your foundations with considerations of your long-term performance.

Compulsory

Computational Methods in Civil Engineering – 20 credits

This module introduces the main principles of computational methods and computer programming aspects in civil engineering. You can expect to acquire fundamental knowledge of machine logic, will familiarise yourself with a programming syntax for basic data analytics, and will practice your coding skills for solving civil engineering problems. In addition, the module uses basic computational analysis tools to execute numerical methods applicable to both static and dynamic engineering problems. You will develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding of computational methods and modelling techniques. Also, the numerical methods learned in this module will be placed in the context of applications within engineering using finite element analysis techniques.

Strategic Construction Project Management – 20 credits

Project Management is a much needed and indispensable skill in the construction industry, regardless of the type and size of organisations or the sector. A project manager's (PM) role starts from inception of projects and extends to end-of-life scenarios and includes everything in between. This module will enable critical awareness and deliver a greater understanding of some of the advanced principles of construction management. Project management helps organisations manage change, deliver against strategic objectives and achieve competitive advantage. It aims to develop and enhance your understanding and ability to apply project management tools and techniques, especially in a relevant case study scenario. A secondary focus of the module will be the application of leadership skills required by modern construction PMs, including research and inquiry skills, interpersonal relationships and an understanding of your own cognitive and communication skills, applied through the construction simulation centre.

Structural Design – 20 credits

The aim of this module is to apply structural engineering theory to the ‘real-life design’ of complex structural members of diverse types of building structures. You should develop a wider and deeper understanding of structural design and the use in construction of a range of civil and structural engineering works. The module will consider up-to-date aspects of a more advanced nature and will include references to the latest guidance given in the Eurocodes and associated UK National Annexes. Particular attention will be given to safety and sustainability considerations embodied in design. In appropriate cases, some lectures will be given by practicing engineers from the industry (subject to availability) and some self-guided research will be required.

Optional

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 of industry practice, using the current design and construction codes underpinned by the relevant research enriched learning given attention to safety, sustainability and contemporary issues in transport infrastructure planning, design and construction.

Engineering Hydrology – 20 credits

There is a strong need for engineering graduates who can solve problems such as flooding and pollution. This module is designed to cover essential engineering principles like environmental fluid mechanics, hydrology and hydraulic engineering to enable you to apply mathematical and fluid mechanics principles to solve a range of hydrological problems. The course will prepare you for work in areas such as the water industry, sustainable urban development, flood and environmental management.

Optional

This module will extend your previously acquired knowledge of structural mechanics, design principles for the plastic analysis, dynamics and design of structures, and empower you to tackle structural analysis and designs of greater complexity. You will develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding of advanced analysis and design techniques for frames, complex connections, as well as demonstrate expertise in their application.

Compulsory

This module aims to develop further your applied and critical understanding of various aspects of design, analysis and operation, in the field of transportation engineering. In particular, the module focuses on the current practices for forecasting future traffic flows, determining highway traffic capacity, designing fundamentals of highway intersections and introducing sustainability measures in transportation engineering, all underpinned by the relevant research enriched learning, given attention to contemporary issues in transportation engineering in the global business environment.

Compulsory

This module aims to provide you with the technical knowledge, skills and abilities to enable you to demonstrate an advanced understanding of principles and theories behind soil-structure interaction in ground engineering. You can also expect to develop the analytical, decision-making and critical thinking required to solve soil-structure interaction problems, along with the transferable skills to enable a leading career in civil engineering (geotechnical engineering).

Compulsory

The aim of this module is to enable you to apply one of the main standard forms of construction contracts to real-world situations. You will be provided with an overview of UK contract law as it applies to the construction professional, together with an awareness of the various options for procuring construction projects. This module will also develop your ability to apply different project management techniques in the execution of projects in the construction industry. You will develop a critical understanding of the project delivery process by integrating the main knowledge areas in project and contract management, and apply them to construction scenarios.

Compulsory

The module extends the previous development of personal, professional and academic research skills required by civil engineers who aspire to be future leaders of the profession.

The module has two objectives:

1. 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 support and aid the development of others
2. 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

The project calls for the application of your academic knowledge (gained throughout the MEng course) in engineering judgment, professional skills and personal resourcefulness, to analyse challenging civil engineering/construction problems in a sustainable and comprehensive manner, and then propose well-justified and presented solutions. The project will involve group work, requiring original research by the participants, and requires the integration of technical, economic, socio-political, sustainable, ethical and interpersonal aspects of the project process.

Compulsory