Civil Engineering and Project Management

Semester 1 core modules:

Research and Professional Skills

This module fosters best practice in engineering-related research/professional skills and delivers a range of training activities to meet the needs of professional engineers dealing with research and technological development.

15 credits

Engineering within Planetary Capacity

It is projected that by 2050 the human population will be 10 billion, with over 75% concentrated in urban and megacity areas. It is essential that engineering solutions are developed to create and maintain an urban built environment that can meet rapidly changing societal needs, whilst being within the carrying capacity of the planet. This module will equip you with the skills to develop and analyse built environment engineering solutions to ensure they operate within planetary boundaries.

15 credits

Civil Engineering Project Management

This module will introduce you to core management topics and skills relevant to the complex environment of the modern construction industry. Key topics addressed include: construction project management, making a business case, understanding value, risk and quality, managing resources and contracts, legal responsibilities and procurement.

15 credits

Advanced Engineering Research Study

This module represents a major element of the Masters programme, with the aim of enabling you to learn skills in scientific investigation and in running and presenting a project. You are required to submit a comprehensive (bound) report describing the individual work that you have done during the summer semester.

60 credits

Semester 1 optional modules:

Advanced Geotechnics

This module is designed to (i) deepen your understanding of the fundamentals of soil behaviour, (ii) develop your understanding of the use of limit analysis in geotechnical engineering and (iii) describe the concepts behind geotechnical limit state design and how safety idealisations are used to deal with the complexities of soil behaviour in a sustainable manner. Through lectures, tutorial sheets, and software exercises, you will develop your knowledge of geotechnical design with reference to Eurocode 7. You will also develop your ability to use a range of state-of-the-art engineering design concepts and tools, all aimed at promoting sustainability and efficiency in engineering practice.

15 credits

Innovations in Construction Materials and Technologies

This research-led module will familiarise students with some of the innovative materials and technologies used in the construction industry for the design and execution of new structures and the rehabilitation of existing infrastructure. The module will deal with: the use of innovative solutions for reinforcing and strengthening concrete structures (e.g. Fibre Reinforced Polymers - FRP, Textile Reinforced Mortars - TRM); the development of Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC) and its structural applications; the development of low-carbon sustainable concretes, including geopolymer concrete, and their applications; recent material and product developments (e.g. self-healing concrete), state-of-the-art additive construction techniques (e.g. concrete 3D printing). Existing design guidelines and state-of-the-art research in the field will be reviewed and discussed, and complemented by practical tutorials, seminars and laboratory sessions.

15 credits

Climate Resilient Water Infrastructure Design

This module aims to equip you with the necessary conceptual knowledge and engineering skills to effectively address the uncertainties associated with climate change, socio-economic factors, and technological advancements in the design of water infrastructure. The module employs computer-assisted exploration, hands-on Python programming, and various interactive interventions (guest lecture, serious game) to empower you in developing robust designs capable of maintaining their intended function throughout the infrastructure's lifetime. The module's objectives include evaluating climate and other risks to water infrastructure, comprehending how they change traditional water engineering design practice, and providing you with essential concepts and methodologies for managing these uncertainties.

15 credits

Semester 2 core modules:

Regenerative Design Project

This module involves working in groups to address a complex, real-world engineering problem. The module will involve receiving, interrogating, and developing a project brief, then drawing on myriad sources to develop options. Students will conduct stakeholder engagement and systems thinking to develop options which meet ecological, ethical, social and technical needs. In doing so will develop holistic concept / scheme stage designs, using engineering calculations to rapidly validate design options, and to inform decision making. Students will then communicate their proposals and reflect on their learning.

15 credits

Managing Design and Construction

This module will apply core skills taught in previous modules to real life scenarios related to the management of construction. The scenarios will include aspects of: construction project management, making a business case, understanding value, risk and quality, managing resources and contracts, legal responsibilities and procurement.

15 credits

Advanced Engineering Research Study

This module represents a major element of the Masters programme, with the aim of enabling you to learn skills in scientific investigation and in running and presenting a project. You are required to submit a comprehensive (bound) report describing the individual work that you have done during the summer semester.

60 credits

Semester 2 optional modules:

Advanced Concrete Design for Net-Zero

This module is designed for individuals with a background in reinforced concrete structure design, offering an in-depth exploration of advanced topics in the field. Focusing on emerging concepts, construction techniques, and innovative materials, the course places particular emphasis on materials conducive to achieving Net Zero Carbon and examines their implications in the design process. The module not only revisits fundamental principles of reinforced concrete design but also delves into key aspects such as short and long-term deflections, creep, shrinkage, ductility, section analysis, prestressing, shear, and cracking. This module equips participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of modern reinforced concrete design.

15 credits

Sustainable Steel and Hybrid Structures

This module will provide students with up-to-date knowledge of steel and hybrid construction and prepare them with skills for designing steel, steel-concrete hybrid and steel-timber hybrid structures.  The module will help the students to develop a fundamental understanding of the underlying principles of the behaviour of these structures, as well as sustainability and modern constructions methods, such as design for disassembly and adaptability.

15 credits

Urban Stormwater Management

This module is designed to provide you with an understanding of the fundamental concepts and processes associated with hydrology and urban drainage design, and to apply these concepts to a variety of drainage engineering problems. Through lectures, tutorials and individual literature and case study research, you will develop your knowledge of current and developing practice in urban drainage, including the increasingly important roles of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) (also know as 'Sponge Cities').

This module aims: (i) to develop knowledge and understanding of current and developing practice in urban drainage engineering/urban stormwater management; and (ii) to develop skills in applying fundamental hydrological and hydraulic knowledge to drainage design.

15 credits