Civil Engineering - MSc

In the 21st century, Civil Engineering research and practice will be affected substantially by the Climate Emergency. Current research suggests that changing climate patterns will bring substantial challenges for Civil Engineers: phenomena that used to be considered rare of extraordinary will become much more common. At the same time, the internationalisation of Civil Engineering as a discipline is likely to continue. As such, the 21st Civil Engineer will need to be able to design for events currently considered extreme.

Structural Engineering is a core aspect of Civil Engineering practice. Contemporary structural engineers have to deal with a range of challenges: they need to be able to design in a range of materials, applying highly complex design codes, and taking into account a number of technoeconomic parameters outside the conventional design principles.  

This module explores various methods of project management within the context of construction.  It explores the practical aspects of the development and construction process and in particular, those areas over which a Project Manager would expect to have some control. Themes such as specifications, programming, costing, stakeholder, risk and project control are addressed towards providing practical solutions. This module focuses on the practical skills needed for a project manager to effectively manage a construction project. 

Contemporary civil engineering design is a complex, multi-disciplinary process, covering a wide range of building and infrastructure typologies, and relying on a synthesis of the specialist skills of a great number of individuals. Simultaneously, design solutions needs to be communicated appropriately to clients, with detailed justifications of the choices made and the factors that informed them. 

The programme philosophy seeks to respond to a changing employment market and to the changing requirements of the construction industry. Its aim is to give you a broad yet rigorous grounding in the fundamentals of organising and managing construction projects.  This module is consistent with this philosophy as it discusses the reality of construction activities which have a long-lasting effect on the environment therefore sustainable and environmentally sound construction methods and innovative management practices are needed.  

The purpose of the module is to enable you to undertake a sustained, in-depth and research-informed Level 7 project exploring an area that is of personal interest to you. In agreement with your supervisor, you will decide upon your topic which will take the form of a practical outcome (artefact) with accompanying contextual material. The main consideration when choosing your topic is that it must be aligned to the programme you are studying and informed by the research strategy of your school, and you should consider the relevance of this topic to your future academic or professional development.