Civil and Environmental Engineering (International) with a Year in Industry (MEng)

Learning and assessment

How will I be taught?

Teaching is through lectures, examples classes and extensive laboratory, IT and practical work. The taught modules in the first two years are largely compulsory, but options are usually available in years four and five. All students must complete a 30-credit individual project in year four, for which they are allocated a supervisor from among the teaching staff. There are opportunities for interactions with potential employers.

The international module will be delivered through the medium of English, using the delivery methods of the overseas institutions, including lectures, seminars, workshops, group work and laboratories.

How will I be supported?

You will be assigned a personal tutor who is a member of the academic staff associated with your degree course. Your tutor will be there to advise you on academic, non-academic and personal matters in a confidential and informal manner when you need some guidance. We aim to help you overcome any problem, however big or small, as smoothly and quickly as possible.

For the 30-credit project in year four, you will be allocated a supervisor in the broad area of research specialism and meet regularly.

During your placement year you will be visited by your industrial training tutor or nominee at least once, but preferably twice, if you are based in the UK.

The tutor will interview you, check your logbook/diary and discuss progress with you, the company training officer and/or the manager with direct responsibility for your training. A summary report will be filed.

You will have access through the Learning Central website to relevant multimedia material, presentations, lecture handouts, bibliographies, further links, electronic exercises and discussion circles. Opportunities for you to reflect on your abilities and performance are available through the Learning Central ‘Personal Development Planning’ module.

The University offers a range of services including the Careers Service, the Counselling Service, the Disability and Dyslexia Service, the Student Support Service, and excellent libraries and resource centres.

Feedback

We’ll provide you with frequent feedback on your work. This comes in a variety of formats including oral feedback in classes like design and project work and via return of marked coursework.

The opportunity to test your knowledge and understanding will be provided throughout the semester via class tests in Years 1 and 2, plus feedback on written assessments.  Occasionally, peer assessment of an individual’s contribution to a group may be used, and you may also receive oral feedback on presentations and contributions to group activities.

How will I be assessed?

Your progress in each module is usually assessed at various stages through each semester (through a short test) to give you feedback on your progress, then finally at the end of the appropriate semester. Assessment is undertaken using methods including formal written examinations, case studies, assignments and project work.

Examinations count for 60% to 70% of all assessment throughout the course, depending on the options chosen. The remainder is composed mainly of project work and larger pieces of coursework, plus performance in laboratories.

The opportunity to test knowledge and understanding is given through class tests throughout years one and two, plus feedback on written assessments. Occasionally, peer assessment of an individual’s contribution to a group may be used, and students may also receive oral feedback on presentations and contributions to group activities.

What skills will I practise and develop?

This course is currently undergoing accreditation via the Engineering Council, as it is a new course. The core competencies required for UK-SPEC (UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence) are integrated throughout the taught years of the course. 

You will develop a number of practical skills during the laboratory-based sessions, while there is a consistent core of management skills and personal development. 

You will also:

• Develop your understanding of the application of architecture, building conceptual design and building services within the context of engineering and construction
• Develop your understanding of environmental problems arising from activities and the consequences of construction –  and how to mitigate or remedy them
• Enhance your communication skills, both orally and in writing through a series of reports and assignments
• Develop your knowledge, skills and confidence to solve multidisciplinary problems in a civil engineering context.