Course description
Content
The courses are structured to provide a balance between theory, practice and design. Projects at each level allow students the opportunity to develop their understanding of professional practice whilst drawing together learning from the individual modules and their own experience. To reflect the differing needs of the students, the full time programme includes inter-professional work in each year, whilst the part-time programme builds on work-based projects through experiential learning modules.
The Civil Engineering course is taught within the School of the Built and Natural Environment. The School has a strong inter-professional focus. In each year of the course, you take integrated modules with other construction professionals including Construction Managers and Quantity Surveyors. We have close links with the School of Computing Engineering and Mathematical Sciences and our students join those from other Engineering disciplines to study engineering mathematics.
The course covers a broad spectrum of Civil Engineering including structures, highways and fluid mechanics, as well as professional practice. These subjects are developed throughout the course with opportunities to specialise in the final year. Projects are used within modules to develop your design skills and integrate subject knowledge.
Year 1
You take a range of core modules to develop your knowledge of mathematics, construction, highways, materials, mechanics and surveying. More advanced modules cover structures, ground engineering, site management and contracts. In the inter-professional module, you will investigate the role of civil engineering and present your findings to students from other construction professions.
Year 2
In the second year modules the themes of structures, ground engineering and management are developed. Fluid mechanics and environmental assessment are introduced. You will participate in an inter-professional design project and can select from a range of shared electives covering subjects across all built environment disciplines as well as IT and language skills.
Final year
The final year provides an opportunity to explore more specialised areas. You will take modules in engineering hydrology and facilities management. A strong practice focus is maintained in modules including a design project, a feasibility study, and on professional issues for engineers. You can pursue your specific interests with a choice of modules in structures and ground engineering or transport planning and modelling, as well as a research based dissertation. The broader context of the industry is explored in the final inter-professional module.
