Program Overview

MRes Geoenvironmental Engineering

The MRes Geoenvironmental Engineering is a postgraduate research degree that provides advanced study in key issues related to geoenvironmental engineering and related topics such as geoenergy and engineering for sustainability. This research-led course aims to further students' knowledge and develop their research skills, contributing to new knowledge on geoenvironmental engineering topics.

Why this course?

• The course is ideal for those looking to further their knowledge and develop their research skills in geoenvironmental engineering and sustainability.
• It offers a unique and bespoke experience, allowing students to tailor their studies to suit their own research interests and career objectives.
• The course is largely research and project-based, with a taught element, and students are taught by an interdisciplinary group of professionally qualified civil engineers, chemists, microbiologists, and geoscientists.
• The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering has strong industrial links, contributing to the overall student experience.

Course Content

• The course combines a number of subjects relevant to geoenvironmental engineering, including environmental engineering, pollution and contamination, environmental impact assessment, risk assessment, microbiology, chemistry, hydrogeology, and sustainability.
• Students complete six taught modules – four compulsory classes and two optional.
• The bulk of the study focuses on the MRes dissertation project, which develops independent research skills.

Compulsory Classes

• Site investigation & risk assessment (10 credits)
• Research methods for quantitative & qualitative approaches (10 credits)
• Hydrogeology (10 credits)
• Contaminated land (10 credits)

Elective Classes

• Principles of environmental microbiology (10 credits)
• Geographical information systems (10 credits)
• Slopes & walls (with mechanics of unsaturated soils) (10 credits)
• Groundwater flow modelling (10 credits)
• Aquifer mechanics (10 credits)
• Environmental pollution management (10 credits)
• Independent study in collaboration with industry
• Vertically Integrated Project water and sanitation hygiene (10 credits)
• Engineering hydrology (10 credits)
• Isotope hydrology (10 credits)
• Environmental geochemistry (10 credits)
• Structural health monitoring (10 credits)
• Industrial design & construction (10 credits)
• Environmental impact assessment (10 credits)

Facilities

• Students have access to laboratory facilities providing hands-on experience essential to develop skills and pioneer new research into geoenvironmental engineering topics.
• The £6 million state-of-the-art laboratory facilities are well-equipped with high-technological instrumentation and available space to investigate environmental & molecular microbiology, environmental chemistry, analytical chemistry, geomechanics & soil quality, and structural design & material science.

Learning & Teaching

• Taught classes are delivered via a mixture of approaches, including lectures, online quizzes, tutorials, workshops, and research seminars.
• The dissertation represents independent study to deliver new research in a geoenvironmental engineering field that interests the student and develops the skills they wish to acquire.

Assessment

• Students are assessed via a mixture of methods, including assignments, online quizzes, formal exams, practicals, presentations, or team projects.
• The final MRes thesis is typically assessed orally in a viva voce examination.

Entry Requirements

• A minimum of a first or upper second-class Honours degree from a UK institution (or overseas equivalent), and preferably a Masters-level qualification (or equivalent).
• English language requirements: IELTS minimum overall band score of 6.5 (no individual test score below 5.5).

Fees & Funding

• All fees quoted are for full-time courses and per academic year unless stated otherwise.
• Fees may be subject to updates to maintain accuracy.
• Tuition fees will be notified in the offer letter.
• Annual revision of fees: Students on programmes of study of more than one year should be aware that the majority of fees will increase annually.

Start Date and Duration

• Start date: September
• Study mode and duration: 12 months full-time; 24 months part-time; 36 months part-time (online distance learning)

Athena Swan Gold Award

• The University of Strathclyde has been awarded the Athena Swan Gold Award for its commitment to improve equality and being an inclusive and supportive place to work and study.