Programme Specification for Civil Engineering MSc
|
Final award |
MSc |
|
Intermediate awards available |
PgCert, PgDip |
|
UCAS code |
N/A |
|
Details of professional body accreditation |
JBM Accredited MSc (Technical) – see Added Value section for details |
|
Relevant QAA Benchmark statements |
Masters in Engineering (MEng) |
|
Date specification last up-dated |
September 2012 |
Alternative locations for studying this programme
| Location | Which elements? | Taught by UEL staff | Taught by local staff | Method of Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Linton Education Group, Malaysia (Not accredited by the JBM) |
CEM001, CEM007, CEM006, CEM004 & CEM010 |
No |
Yes |
Full Time |
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Profile
The summary - programme advertising leaflet
Programme content
The aim of the programme is to meet the needs of engineers engaged in the planning, design and construction of a variety of Civil Engineering works
MSc in Civil Engineering at UEL
The programme offers a number of self contained modules, organised around the various areas of Civil Engineering. It has been developed as a result of successful operation of a Postgraduate Diploma programme since 1975 and numerous advanced programmes since 1964. In each module theory and design are studied together in order to solve practical problems.
The choice of modules and the subject of the research dissertation allow some specialisation of the MSc
Admission requirements
At least one of the following is required:
- For the MSc, a BEng (Hons) minimum 2:2 or BSc(Hons) minimum 2:1 in Civil Engineering
- Appropriate professional qualifications such as MICE or MIStructE
- Applicants with other qualifications will be considered on an individual basis
In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, then IELTS Academic 6.0 Overall, with no less than 6.0 in writing and speaking and 5.5 in reading and listening components, or equivalent, is required. International qualifications will be checked for appropriate entry to UK Higher Education postgraduate programmes.
Students who apply to enter stages of the programme may be admitted through normal Accreditation of Experiential Learning (AEL) or Accreditation of Certificated Learning (ACL) processes, or through an approved articulation agreement. Therefore such applicants must be able to demonstrate and evidence that they have the required learning outcomes as listed in the modules for which they are seeking exemption.
Programme structure
The programme can be taken either in part-time or full-time mode. The MSc is offered for full-time students with the possibility of being completed in one calendar year. The MSc for part-time students has half load and, consequently, the length of these studies is doubled. Part-time students require a minimum of two years to complete the MSc programme.
Enrolment on the programme is possible either in semester A (starting in September, comprising the academic period from September to January) or semester B (starting in February, comprising the academic period from February to May).
Semester C (June-September) is only available for research supervision.
The maximum registration period is six years.
Students require one 30-credit module for a Postgraduate Associate Certificate, two 30-credit modules for the PGCert, four 30-credit modules for the PGDip (Intermediate awards) and four 30-credit modules plus a 60-credit Research Dissertation for the MSc.
Learning environment
Teaching methods include lectures, tutorials, seminars, laboratory work and external site visits. Web based learning is employed for the research dissertation.
Assessment
Assessment is by a mix of coursework and end of semester examination. The aggregate pass mark for a module is 50% with minimum module component mark of 40%.
Relevance to work/profession
Our teaching is informed by strong links with industry and the profession. We welcome research dissertation topics arising from and linked to professional work.
Thesis/Dissertation/project work
This gives the student an opportunity to work independently making his own critical appraisal of a chosen subject. This may include literature survey, laboratory testing and computer programming.
Added value
The MSc Civil Engineering degree at UEL is accredited as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for candidates who have already acquired an Accredited CEng (Partial) BEng(Hons) or an Accredited IEng (Full) BEng/BSc(Hons) undergraduate first degree. See www.jbm.org.uk for further information.
Your future career
Civil Engineers with postgraduate qualifications find a wide range of career opportunities with consultancy, contactor and client organisations, as well as other related areas such as research and management.
How we support you
Students may approach staff for help with personal or academic problems either in person or by e-mail. A programme handbook provides all relevant information on the programme and the teaching resources. The research dissertation is carried out with the help of a web-based guidance notes and a project supervisor.
Outcomes
Programme aims and learning outcomes
What is this programme designed to achieve?
- Gain a depth of knowledge and understanding of the most up to date practices and theories in Civil Engineering
- Develop techniques for analysing and solving problems. These may arise in various Civil Engineering projects.
- Understand the role of the engineer as an important professional in society and the built environment.
- Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data, and communicate conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences
- Demonstrate self-direction and originality in solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional level
- Advance knowledge and understanding, and to develop new skills to a high level
What will you learn?
Knowledge
Understand the latest theories and practices in:
- Water and Geotechnical Engineering
- Highways and Transportation Engineering
- Analysis and Design of Structures
- Project Organisation and Construction Management
- Relevant scientific principles of the specialisation.
- New and emerging technologies.
- Appropriate models for solving problems in engineering, and the ability to assess the limitations of particular cases.
- Collecting and analysing research data and using appropriate engineering tools to tackle unfamiliar problems, such as those with uncertain or incomplete data.
Thinking skills
Develop skills in:
- Analysing data
- Critical assessment of current theories
- Solving practical problems
- Appling original thought to the development of practical solutions for products, systems, components or processes.
- Developing a thorough understanding of current practice and its limitations, and some appreciation of likely new developments.
- Developing advanced level knowledge and understanding of a wide range of engineering materials and components.
- Making general evaluations of risks through some understanding of the basis of such risks.
Subject-Based Practical skills
Ability to:
- Carry out a research project
- Interpret experimental data
- Use various computer design packages
- Complete design projects
- Apply engineering techniques taking account of a range of commercial and industrial constraints
Skills for life and work (general skills)
Ability to:
- Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
- Use Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint programs
- Work as a part of a design team
- Exercise initiative and personal responsibility, which may be as a team member or leader.
- Learn new theories, concepts, methods etc and apply these in unfamiliar situations.
- Develop, monitor and update a plan, to reflect a changing operating environment.
- Learn independently.
Structure
The programme structure
Introduction
All programmes are credit-rated to help you to understand the amount and level of study that is needed.
One credit is equal to 10 hours of directed study time (this includes everything you do e.g. lecture, seminar and private study).
Credits are assigned to one of 5 levels:
- 0 - equivalent in standard to GCE 'A' level and is intended to prepare students for year one of an undergraduate degree programme
- 1 - equivalent in standard to the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- 2 - equivalent in standard to the second year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- 3 - equivalent in standard to the third year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- M - equivalent in standard to a Masters degree
Credit rating
The overall credit-rating of this programme is 180 for Masters, 120 for PgDip, 60 for PgCert.
Typical duration
The duration of this programme is one year full time if the enrolment is in September two years part-time.
How the teaching year is divided
The teaching year is divided into two semesters of roughly equal length. A full-time student will study two 30 credit modules per semester and a part-time student will study one module per semester.
What you will study when
Students may choose modules from the optional 30 credit modules on offer each semester. The modules offered are selected from the following list:
30 Credit Modules
- CEM001 Hydraulic Structures, Coastal and River Engineering
- CEM003 Engineering Management and Project Organisation
- CEM004 Soil Structure Engineering
- CEM005 Design in Steel and Concrete
- CEM006 Advanced Structural Analysis
- CEM007 Highway and Transportation Engineering
- CEM010 Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering
- CEM012 Highway Engineering
- CEM013 Transportation Engineering
- CEM015 Design in Timber and Masonry
The research dissertation CEM011 is a 60-credit core module for MSc students.
Requirements for gaining an award
In order to gain a Postgraduate Associate Certificate, you will need to obtain 30 credits at Level M.
In order to gain a Postgraduate Certificate, you will need to obtain 60 credits at Level M.
In order to gain a Postgraduate Diploma, you will need to obtain 120 credits at Level M
In order to obtain a Masters, you will need to obtain 180 credits at Level M. These credits will include a 60 credit level M core module of advanced independent research.
Masters Award Classification
Where a student is eligible for an Masters award then the award classification is determined by calculating the arithmetic mean of all marks and applying the mark obtained as a percentage, with all decimals points rounded up to the nearest whole number, to the following classification
|
70% - 100% |
Distinction |
|
60% - 69% |
Merit |
|
50% - 59% |
Pass |
|
0% - 49% |
Not Passed |
Assessment
Teaching, learning and assessment
Teaching and learning
Knowledge is developed through:
- Lectures
- Tutorials
- Seminars
- Site visits
Thinking skills developed through:
- Coursework
- Mini projects
- Research dissertation
Practical skills:
- Laboratory experiments
- Design projects
- Planning of work required for the research dissertation
Skills for life developed through:
Assessment
Knowledge is assessed by:
- Coursework
- Examinations
- Research dissertation
Thinking skills are assessed by:
- Solutions to practical problems
- Evaluation of literature
- Evaluation of experimental data
Practical skills are assessed by:
- Use of design aids
- Use of computer aided design packages
- Laboratory experiments
- Preparation of research dissertation
Skills for life are assessed by:
- Seminars
- Design drawings
- Research dissertation
- Oral examinations
Quality
How we assure the quality of this programme
Before this programme started
Before the programme started, the following was checked:
- there would be enough qualified staff to teach the programme;
- adequate resources would be in place;
- the overall aims and objectives were appropriate;
- the content of the programme met national benchmark requirements;
- the programme met any professional/statutory body requirements;
- the proposal met other internal quality criteria covering a range of issues such as admissions policy, teaching, learning and assessment strategy and student support mechanisms.
This is done through a process of programme approval which involves consulting academic experts including some subject specialists from other institutions.
How we monitor the quality of this programme
The quality of this programme is monitored each year through evaluating:
- external examiner reports (considering quality and standards);
- statistical information (considering issues such as the pass rate);
- student feedback.
Drawing on this and other information programme teams undertake the annual Review and Enhancement Process which is co-ordinated at School level and includes student participation. The process is monitored by the University's Quality Standing Committee.
Once every six years an in-depth review of the whole field is undertaken by a panel that includes at least two external subject specialists. The panel considers documents, looks at student work, speaks to current and former students and speaks to staff before drawing its conclusions. The result is a report highlighting good practice and identifying areas where action is needed.
The role of the programme committee
This programme has a programme committee comprising all relevant teaching staff, student representatives and others who make a contribution towards the effective operation of the programme (e.g. library/technician staff). The committee has responsibilities for the quality of the programme. It provides input into the operation of the Review and Enhancement Process and proposes changes to improve quality. The programme committee plays a critical role in the University's quality assurance procedures.
The role of external examiners
The standard of this programme is monitored by at least one external examiner. External examiners have two primary responsibilities:
- To ensure the standard of the programme
- To ensure that justice is done to individual students
External examiners fulfil these responsibilities in a variety of ways including:
- Approving exam papers/assignments
- Attending assessment boards
- Reviewing samples of student work and moderating marks
- Ensuring that regulations are followed
- Providing feedback to UEL through an annual report that enables us to make improvements for the future
Listening to the views of students
The following methods for gaining student feedback are used on this programme:
- Module evaluations
- Student representation on programme committees
Students are notified of the action taken through:
- circulating the minutes of the programme committee
- providing charts on student feedback on the programme notice board
Listening to the views of others
The following methods are used for gaining the views of other interested parties:
- Questionnaires to former students
- Industrial liaison committee
Further Information
Where you can find further information
Further information about this programme is available from:
- The UEL web site
- The student handbook
- UEL Manual of Regulations and Policies http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/
- UEL Quality Manual http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/manual
- Regulations for the Academic Framework http://www.uel.ac.uk/academicframework/
- Current External examiners
- External examiner reports (available from UEL virtual learning environment (UELPlus or Moodle))
