Overview
Duration: 1 year full-time (taught).
Application deadline: 30 June (international) / 31 August (home/EU).
Entry requirements: First degree (UK 1st or 2:1 or international equivalent ) in an engineering or science subject.
Language requirements: IELTS 6.5 (at least 6.0 in each of the four components) OR TOEFL (internet): 92 overall, Writing 21, Listening 21, Reading 22, Speaking 23.
MSc in Civil Engineering: Innovative Structural Materials
The programme produces graduates with an in-depth and practical understanding of the use of innovative structural engineering materials in the provision of sustainable and holistic construction solutions for the built environment.
The use of construction materials is key to infrastructural development globally. New approaches are now needed for innovative renewable and low carbon structural engineering materials.
Learning outcomes
The programme is aimed at engineering and science graduates who wish to work in the construction industry.
As a student you will be provided with the practical knowledge and tools to support you in the use of innovative structural engineering materials in the context of sustainable and holistic construction. You will also learn how to harness that knowledge in a business environment. You will gain analytical and team working skills to enable you to deal with the open-ended problems typical of structural engineering practice.
The MSc is based on research expertise of the BRE Centre for Innovative Construction Materials.
Collaborative working
The programme includes traditionally taught subject-specific units and business and group-orientated modular work. These offer you the chance to gain experience in design, project management and creativity, while working with students from other subjects.
Further details
A full list of units can be found on the programme catalogue 2012/13.
Group project work
In semester 2 you undertake a cross-disciplinary group activity for your professional development, simulating a typical industrial work situation.
Individual project work
In the final semester, you undertake an individual research project directly related to key current research at the University, often commissioned by industry.
A full list of units can be found on the programme catalogue 2012/13.
Semester 1 (October-January)
The first semester provides a foundation in the most significant issues relating to the sustainable use of innovative structural engineering materials in design and construction; and involves units in natural building materials, advanced timber engineering, advanced composites, sustainable concrete technology and architectural structures.
- Five taught compulsory units
- Includes coursework involving laboratory or small project sessions.
- Typically each unit consists of 22 hours of lectures and 11 hours of tutorials, and may additionally involve a number of hours of laboratory activity and field trips with approximately 65-70 hours of private study (report writing, laboratory results processing and revision for examinations).
Semester 2 (February-May)
The second semester offers a distinctive project-based learning environment, focusing on your development as an engineering professional in a research and design context. You will gain analytical and team working skills to enable you to deal with the open-ended tasks that typically arise in practice in present-day engineering.
- The semester aims to develop your professional understanding of engineering in a business environment and is taught by academic staff with extensive experience in industry
- Engineering Project Management and Research Methods modules
- Group projects in which students work in a multi-disciplinary team to solve a conceptual structural engineering design problem, just as an industrial design team would operate
- Individual project preliminary work
Summer/Dissertation Period (June-September)
Individual project leading to MSc dissertation.
Depending on the chosen area of interest, the individual project may involve theoretical and/or experimental activities; for both such activities students can use the department computer suites and well-equipped and newly refurbished laboratories for experimental work. The individual projects are generally carried out under the supervision of a member of academic staff.
There may be an opportunity for some projects to be carried out with the Building Research Establishment (BRE).
- Advanced Composites in Construction
- Advanced Timber Engineering
- Architectural Structures
- Natural Building Materials
- Sustainable Concrete Technology
A full list of units can be found on the programme catalogue 2012/13.
