Civil and Infrastructure Engineering - PgDip/MSc drafted draft

Program Overview

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This technical masters programme focuses on Technical subjects in a framework of Design and Sustainability, and this approach is grounded in technical modules covering waste, water, structural design, utilities, road safety and highways, supported by project management and sustainable development; a large Dissertation brings research-led studies and unique knowledge with substantial industrial linkages. Sustainable Development is the key driver in the design, delivery and assessment of all curricula and material; also, all content is set in the context of scholarly activity in which academic research is blended with professional knowledge and experience to provide a rich learning environment. Input from leading professionals as guest lecturers, mentors and advisors enhances the delivery and educational experience. Therefore the course offers a linked postgraduate course which is intellectually coherent, academically challenging, progressive in nature (with appropriate exit points) and has vocational relevance to the disciplines of civil and infrastructure engineering, as well as being linked to transport, construction, waste management and water engineering. It is designed to provide: (1) development of infrastructure engineering in the context of global sustainability and local strategic drivers, by studying relevant theoretical concepts and making critical reflection on their application;& (2) access to multi and interdisciplinary teaching and professional strengths of the Faculty staff;& (3) innovation in teaching, learning and assessment strategies, thereby relating to current professional practice; (4) leaders of infrastructure engineering for the future; and;(5) opportunities for graduates and professionals within the broad construction and built environment industry to enhance their knowledge and skills through the application of appropriate methods and techniques.

Attendance

Attendance is full-time for one year over 3 Semesters, commencing normally in September, but it is also possible to commence in January.

Attendance for the part-time Postgraduate Diploma is over 3 years, requiring attendance in 2 semesters of Years 1 and 2, and attendance in Year 3 as agreed with the Dissertation supervisor

Semester 1 - Compulsory: Project Management Practice; Integrated Design Studies; Optional – two from: Utilities and Water Engineering, Road Safety Engineering or Highway Asset Management; total of 4 x 15 credit modules.

Semester 2 - Compulsory: Sustainable Development; Infrastructure Design Studies; Optional – two from Structural Design for Infrastructure, Waste Systems or Road Safety Engineering; total of 4 x 15 credit modules.

Semester 3 – Compulsory: Dissertation - 1 x 60 credit module. Study will normally involve a weekly 12 hours of lectures, tutorials, site visits, design studio work, with independent study of 20+ hours.

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Start dates

September 2023

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Teaching, Learning and Assessment

The class contact time allocated to each module of study is indicated on each module booklet, and this time is divided between lectures, tutorials, seminars, site visits and laboratory work according to the specific module and module assessment methods. All University courses are designed on the assumption that you will study an average of 10 hours for each credit point; an example being ENE810 Sustainable Development which has 15 credit points, it is therefore expected an average of 150 study hours are required for this module. This is formed from Lectures - 30 hrs, Tutorials -10 hrs, Site Visits - 8 hrs and Independent study (including assessment) -102 hrs. The independent study time should be time you spend in reading around the subject, carrying out preparatory work, preparing assignments, and preparing for examinations – all of which supports and articulates the concept of ‘reading for a Degree’. Assessment and feedback are provided across Diagnostic, Summative and Formative styles using a range of methods as appropriate for the qualitative and quantitative nature of the content.

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Academic profile

The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 59% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.

Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (25%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (20%) or Lecturers (55%).

We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic staff (81%) are accredited fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advanced HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.

The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise.  The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff.  This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.

Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.

Figures correct for academic year 2021-2022.

Program Outline

Careers & opportunities

In this section

1. Career options
2. Professional recognition

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Career options

Graduate employment may be found in public or private sectors in built environment disciplines, especially in the careers of civil engineering, transportation, public health or environmental engineering, dealing with many key activities such as utilities, construction, design, infrastructure, sustainability, environmental and traffic impacts and waste management. Skills developed will include rational thinking, integrative studies and recent knowledge of current issues such as legislative structures, sustainability challenges, design practices, research-led knowledge. Recent graduates have found professional employment in the UK Water Sector, Australian engineering industries, Scottish Local Authorities, Irish County Councils, major consulting engineers and in Research posts.

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Professional recognition

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Joint Board of Moderators (JBM)

This degree is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) comprising of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Institution of Structural Engineers, Institute of Highway Engineers, the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation and the Permanent Way Institution on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the academic requirement for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng). To hold accredited qualifications for CEng registration, candidates must also hold a Bachelor (Hons) degree that has been accredited as partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng) See www.jbm.org.uk for further information.

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Modules

Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.

Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.

In this section

1. Year one
2. Year two

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Year one

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Project Management

Year: 1

Status: C

The module is designed to provide a postgraduate multi disciplinary learning experience on the subject of Project Management. It introduces the concepts of Project Management, examines the recognised practices and accepted principles involved in the project management function, and combines these with an understanding of the increasingly demanding multi-dimensional aspects of the discipline. It provides an overall project orientated management framework (theoretical tempered with world best practice) with local, national and international dimensions within which you can develop your knowledge / understanding and key professional competencies.

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Integrated Design studies A

Year: 1

Status: C

The module builds upon previous knowledge of civil and infrastructure engineering, building services engineering and broader transport and energy issues to prepare students to participate in the design of a broad range of built environment projects. The module is firmly grounded in the principles engineering understanding and detailed problem-solving tasks.

There will also be some application of sustainable development within the modules. The modules is designed to allow students to apply innovation and creativity in a systematic approach to this problem solving and development of concept design.

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Structural Design for Infrastructure

Year: 1

Status: C

This module provides students with the opportunity to further their knowledge, understanding and appraisal of the specialist nature of civil engineering structures with a particular emphasis on infrastructure projects. Several techniques are used in design studies of bridge and culvert structures, earth retaining, water retaining and other geotechnical solutions. Specialist geotechnical design methods are introduced for the solution of a range of geotechnical problems.

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Infrastructure Design Studies

Year: 1

Status: C

The module builds upon previous conceptual design experiences, and on the themes offered in the Masters technical modules, and requires a detailed design folio to cover infrastructural aspects of a large project. The connections between the themes will be captured through appraisal of health and safety, investigation of costs and specification, leading to design and detailing of the project. The module is firmly grounded in the principles and application of sustainable development and requires each student to apply innovation and creativity in a systematic approach.

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Sustainable Development

Year: 1

Status: C

This module strengthens student awareness and knowledge of sustainable development and how it can be delivered and measured. It explores a range of economic, environmental and social challenges to determine how the built environment can best respond. It provides an appreciation of the policy and actions needed to deliver a smarter and more resilient built environment.

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Waste Systems

Year: 1

Status: C

This module addresses prudent resource management and low energy usage wastewater treatment systems. The waste issues cover the fields of municipal, hazardous, commercial, construction and industrial sectors, including yields, collection, treatment and disposal of by-products. Wastewater treatment impact on the environment requires energy efficient and appropriate treatment, and is dealt with through secondary and tertiary processes, as well as their effective management due to potential pollution from sewage discharges.

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Highway Asset Management

Year: 1

Status: C

This module introduces the professional skills necessary to design, appraise and maintain a safe sustainable highway, applying a range of technical and managerial systems.

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Advanced Materials, Structures and Geotechnics

Status: O

Year: 1

This module is optional

Knowledge of structural analysis and design is extended and soil structure interaction explored within a challenging case study. Complex geotechnical issues are investigated. Advanced materials are presented to inform and assist the design process.

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Dissertation

Status: O

Year: 1

This module is optional

This research project and associated dissertation gives students the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in problem solving and desision making by engaging in rigorous research into a practical problem in infrastructure engineering. They then have to demonstrate their skills in written and oral presentation of their work, demonstrating their knowledge of the subject treated, their powers of critical analysis, the investigation methods employed and the principal arguments and conclusions of their work.

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Utilities and Water Engineering

Status: O

Year: 1

This module is optional

This module describes and develops a broad range of water engineering and utilities services covering legislation, construction, remediation and decommissioning. Hydraulic analysis and performance of key elements of water supply and distribution systems will be given detailed attention; this will all be set in the context of water supply resilience.

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Year two

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Research Dissertation (Civil and Infrastructure)

Status: O

Year: 2

This module is optional

This research project and associated dissertation gives students the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in problem solving and desision making by engaging in rigorous research into a practical problem in infrastructure engineering. They then have to demonstrate their skills in written and oral presentation of their work, demonstrating their knowledge of the subject treated, their powers of critical analysis, the investigation methods employed and the principal arguments and conclusions of their work.

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Testimonials

'This course met my academic needs toward chartered engineer application, and added considerable knowledge, despite my intense period on a number of major UK Projects'. Dean Elder (London)

'Getting a BSc Hons in Civil Engineering gave me an Incorporated Engineer degree; this MSc has opened the door for me to apply for CEng status, as well as assisting me in getting a Graduate Training Agreement with Atkins Global' . Matthew Donnelly