Civil Engineering with an Industrial Placement Year MEng

Core modules:

Practical Application of Civil and Structural Engineering

Civil and Structural Engineering programmes provide their students with the knowledge and skills to shape the world. However, with this power, also comes huge responsibility. This module focuses on developing the attitudes and behaviours that engineers require to apply their new-found knowledge appropriately in the context of the 21st century.

The module will draw very heavily on a broad range of interactive projects and workshops, providing the context on which their other academic modules are founded. 

Short practical exercises will be used as the framework to introduce reflective practice, developing students' ability to solve engineering problems, and to also take ownership of their own educational development. Small groups projects will also provide a lens for students to start developing an awareness of the complex human relationships at the heart of any engineering project.

Through lectures and workshops students will be introduced to the historical context of their profession, and will debate the evolving ethical challenges facing modern civil and structural engineers.History will be used as the lens to explore: the moral basis for civil and structural engineering; the link between they physical world and evolving theoretical models; and engineers' relationship to risk.

The module will next explore the relationship between physical structures and the various theoretical mental models that engineers can use to describe and analyse them. Practical make-and-break exercises will explicitly expose the power, and limitations, of our theoretical methods, whilst site-visits will allow students to internalise the impact and scale of their design decisions.

The module will introduce students to the concept of systems thinking, initially in its broadest sense, and then considering infrastructure as part of complex environmental and societal systems. Students will then be introduced to the concept of risk, and understand how risk management underpins all engineering decision making.

Working in small-groups the students will conduct a project to develop a solution to a real-world civil or structural engineering challenge, consolidating their learning from this module, and providing practical application for their wider programme learning outcomes.

The module assessment will consist of mandatory non-graded activities, and graded work.

20 credits

Engineering Surveying

In this module you will learn basic engineering surveying skills and the role spatial data plays in civil engineering design and construction. You will gain hands-on experience in using different types of surveying equipment and in basic manipulation of spatial data. You'll gain key transferable skills in metrology and checking data accuracy.

10 credits

Civil and Structural Engineering Mechanics

This module is delivered in both the Autumn and Spring Semesters. Teaching in the first semester is designed to provide a basis of knowledge and understanding of elastic structural analysis and will be applied to two key structural forms - trusses and beams. The focus of the second semester is on the analysis of stress, strain and elastic deformation of beams.

20 credits

Hydraulic Principles and Flow in Pipes

This module aims to build a common understanding of the principles of fluid mechanics, progressing from statics such as pressure and force on objects, through properties and laws of hydro-dynamics including continuity, energy and momentum principles of fluid in motion, leading to the ability to understand and analyse fluid flows in pipes including simple networks and the operation of pumps. Overall, you will gain the essential understanding of fluid mechanics and application to pipe flows. This will be achieved through a series of lectures, building to practical real world examples, laboratory classes and tutorial sheets. Theory is reinforced through practical experimentation and problem solving.

20 credits

Mathematics and Python Programming

This module aims to reinforce and extend students' previous knowledge of mathematics studied before university, and introduces the use of computer programming to solve engineering and mathematical problems. 

Mathematics is further taught to develop new basic mathematical techniques needed to support the engineering subjects taken at levels 1 and 2. It also provides a foundation for the level 2 mathematics courses in the department. Combined with the mathematics teaching, this module teaches the opensource programming language, Python, which can be used to efficiently solve a variety of practical scientific and numerical problems. 

A combination of formal lecture content, tutorials and assisted computer lab sessions, help the students learn and apply mathematical and programming theory. Practice problems are presented showing the links between mathematics and programming learning, to show how the skills learnt can solve practical problems of relevance to the students.

20 credits

Soil Mechanics

This module is an introductory module to the use of soils in engineering practice. As soils are a naturally varying material, the creation of different soil types is first discussed giving the student a background in why soils differ. This then progresses into the engineering classification of soils followed by the design of simple geotechnical structures. These include retaining walls and earth embankments.

10 credits

Introduction to Structural Materials Engineering

This lecture course focusses on materials for structural applications and covers all the main classes of materials (ceramics, metals, polymers, natural materials and composites), describing the properties that they show, the root cause of their properties, the structure, and how we can affect this by processing to get the properties we want. The course will also introduce some ways that the best material for a purpose can be selected.

10 credits

Sustainable Design and Engineering Skills

This module is designed to ensure students have the skills to design solutions and assess options against sustainability criteria to make evidence based recommendations. Students will be able to look at the bigger picture of a projects impact on our complex systems and society.

10 credits

Global Engineering Challenge Week

The Faculty-wide Global Engineering Challenge Week is a compulsory part of the first-year programme. The project has been designed to develop student academic, transferable and employability skills as well as widen their horizons as global citizens. Working in multi-disciplinary groups of 5-6, for a full week, all students in the Faculty choose from a number of projects arranged under a range of themes including Water, Waste Management, Energy and Digital with scenarios set in an overseas location facing economic challenge. Some projects are based on the Engineers Without Borders Engineering for people design challenge*.

*The EWB challenge provides students with the opportunity to learn about design, teamwork and communication through real, inspiring, sustainable and cross-cultural development projects identified by EWB with its community-based partner organisations.

Core modules:

Open Channel Hydraulics

Open channel flows are common in Civil and Environmental Engineering, from rivers and sewers to culverts and treatment channels. Our ability to understand open channel flows allows us to manage these types of flow in urban and rural environments. This is relevant for a range of applications such as quantifying and remediating the risk of flooding, designing sustainable water infrastructure systems and understanding the transport of pollution within surface waters.

This module will equip students with the understanding and ability to analyse open channel flows. This will be achieved through lectures, laboratory classes and tutorial sheets, where theory is reinforced through practical experimentation and problem solving.

10 credits

Engineering - You're Hired

The Faculty-wide Engineering - You're Hired Week is a compulsory part of the second year programme, and the week has been designed to develop student academic, transferable and employability skills. Working in multi-disciplinary groups of about six, students will work in interdisciplinary teams on a real world problem over an intensive week-long project. The projects are based on problems provided by industrial partners, and students will come up with ideas to solve them and proposals for a project to develop these ideas further.

Further Civil Engineering Mathematics and Computing

This module is part of a series of second-level modules designed for the particular group of engineers shown in brackets in the module title. Each module consolidates previous mathematical knowledge and new mathematical techniques relevant to the particular engineering discipline.

10 credits

Hydrology and Flooding

Introduction to the global water cycle, water security, water supply and clean water distribution systems. Develop concepts in hydrology: rainfall and design storms; climate change; the Unit Hydrograph approach and reservoir routing method. The module introduces the multiple causes of flooding, leading to a practical numerical modelling exercise to explore the effect of roughness estimates on predicted velocities and water levels and the impact of climate change. Evaluate interventions such as: upstream Natural Flood Management and flood gates or embankments.

10 credits

Materials for Structural Engineering

This module looks at the role of materials and materials properties used for structural design. The module will be delivered using a combination of lectures, on-line learning initiatives and group-based practicals.

The module aims to introduce you to a variety of materials used for structural applications. You will be exposed to materials selection, mechanics and physical principles responsible for specific materials being utilised to meet specific design requirements. A range of test methods for materials properties will be discussed, as well as, non-destructive methods used for assessing quality and the extent of defects in materials.

10 credits

Civil Engineering Challenges and Project Management

This module builds on the Y1 Practical Application of Civil and Structural Engineering to further develop the intellectual capabilities, professional skills and ethical attitudes required of civil engineers.

The module will involve a series of interactive challenge projects, workshops, and practical exercises, in which you will work in teams, drawing on project management techniques developed in the module and conceptual engineering knowledge developed in other modules to propose and design / develop solutions.  

You will develop your ability to analyse complex scenarios, recognising that environmental, commercial and societal contexts are the drivers for civil engineering projects.  You will use your engineering knowledge to identify and design conceptual solutions, understanding that engineering design decisions balance technical feasibility with the wider environmental, society and commercial contexts.  You will also be introduced to techniques for planning and managing construction projects and risk and you will apply these techniques for planning and managing safe, and successful delivery of a construction project. You will also investigate a variety of engineering scenarios / failures and discuss in terms of ethics and professional responsibilities of a civil / structural engineer.

You will develop a range of broader skills including ability to build and work collaboratively and inclusively in teams, monitoring and proactively managing progress, and ability to communicate in a variety of written formats and also through presentations.  The group challenge  projects will form the basis for reflection, recording and learning from your experience, and planning for future personal and professional development.

The module assessment will involve group reports and presentations, as well as an individual pass-fail quiz and a final individual reflective portfolio showing personal and professional development across the module.

20 credits

Structural Analysis

This module is designed to improve your knowledge understanding of how elastic and plastic methods of structural analysis can be applied to various structural forms. The module will be delivered via lectures, supported by problem-solving, and computer and laboratory classes. You will develop your ability to analyse structures under working and ultimate loads, by hand and via computer.

20 credits

Structural Engineering Design and Appraisal

This module will discuss the fundamental principles of structural engineering philosophy and design. The theories and concepts of analysis and design of structural elements will be presented for the most commonly used structural materials and discussed along with the more prescriptive design rules included in the relevant Eurocodes.

20 credits

Geotechnical Engineering 2

This module is aimed at extending your knowledge of soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering. The focus is on applying fundamental understanding of mechanics to geotechnical problem solving with an emphasis on fluid-soil and structure-soil interaction. The approach is designed to link soil mechanics theory (e.g. seepage, consolidation, bearing capacity, settlement) to practical application (e.g. deformation and failure of foundations and slopes) through the use of physical models, numerical models and case studies. The course will encompass lectures, tutorials, group work including laboratories, and directed and independent reading.

20 credits

Core modules:

Integrated Design Project - Detailed Design Stage

This module essentially requires students, working individually, to evaluate the various solutions developed in Part 1, select a preferred solution, and develop that solution to the next level of detail.

30 credits

Civil Engineering Research Skills

This module introduces academic engineering research and associated skills to students. Hence, it provides an academic training basis for independent dissertation projects later in the course of study. More generally, it helps students understand various methodologies they are exposed to in their course of study, develop a data analysis capability and develop the skills of reading and critiquing the original academic literature in civil engineering and allied disciplines. Such skills are also essential for undertaking high calibre consultancy work when employed by industry.

10 credits

Computational Engineering Mathematics

To provide the necessary mathematical framework to understand advanced computational methods for the solution of complex engineering problems. At the end of the course the student should: 1. understand and be able to derive the basic equations of continuum mechanics; 2. understand and be able to derive the basic equations of fluid mechanics; 3. have a basic understanding of how to use basic Finite Difference methods in the context of complex engineering problems.

10 credits

Accounting and Law for Engineers

The module is designed to introduce engineering students to key areas of accounting and legal risk that engineers should be aware of in their working environment. The module will draw directly on practical issues of budgeting, assessing financial risks and making financial decisions in the context of engineering projects and/or product development. At the same time, the module will develop students' understanding of the legal aspects of entering into contracts for the development and delivery of engineering projects and products, and enhance their awareness of environmental regulation, liability for negligence, intellectual property rights and the importance of data protection. Through a series of parallel running lectures in the two disciplines, the module will provide a working knowledge of the two areas and how they impinge on engineering practice.

10 credits

Geotechnical Design

This module is designed to develop your understanding of the concepts behind geotechnical design and how safety and idealisations are built into design calculations to deal with the complexity of subsurface stratigraphy, groundwater, soil behaviour and modelling issues for both Ultimate Limit State (ULS) and Serviceability Limit State (SLS). Through lectures, tutorial sheets, software exercises, and a design project, you will develop your knowledge of design calculations for retaining structures, reinforced soil and foundations in the context of Eurocode 7. You will also develop your ability to use a range of state of the art engineering design concepts and tools.

10 credits

Bridge Engineering

Bridges are key elements of infrastructure, providing vital links in our transport networks. They are among the largest structures we build, typically crossing challenging terrain and often have long lifespans which may include significant maintenance or alterations.

This module will introduce students to the key aspects of bridge engineering, including both design of new structures and management of existing assets. The focus of the module will be on areas where design or analysis considerations are different or in addition to those considered in design of other structure types e.g. buildings. A significant focus will be on the structural design of superstructures, although key considerations of substructure design will also be covered.

The assessment will consist of an open book examination covering analysis and design approaches, plus an individual report discussing maintenance requirements for a case-study structure.

10 credits

Water Quality Management

This module integrates water quality assessment and sustainable management into engineering practice, focusing on the design and delivery of services for drinking water supply and wastewater treatment. The module will address key public health concerns and climate change challenges, students will develop practical skills in water quality measurement, critical interpretation of results and the design of treatment processes.  The Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Water) will be discussed including challenges in delivering essential water services in both the UK and developing countries. The module will consider sustainable water engineering practices (e.g. water reuse, nature-based solutions and storm water harvesting).

10 credits

Integrated Design Project - Concept Design Stage

The 'Integrated Design Project' (or 'IDP' as it is more commonly known) comprises two linked modules, each running for 6 weeks of the spring semester.  The aim of these modules is to give students the opportunity to experience the engineering design process by working on proposals for redevelopment of a real brownfield site located in Sheffield.

In the first 6 week long module, known as 'IDP Part 1', students take part in a master-planning exercise. You will build on this master-planning exercise in the remainder of this module, which involve engineering development of a scheme considering stakeholder requirements, through option identification and evaluation, to the production of design calculations and drawings. Accordingly, you will consider the overall concept / scheme design, where ability to consider and integrate a wide range of issues is more important than detailed design calculations. The above is all done in groups, typically consisting of 5 or 6 students, and is worth 25 credits.

The final week of the module involves two components, each worth 2.5 credits, which students work on in parallel.

In the first component, students again work in groups to explore the 'International/Global Context of Engineering', 

In the second component, students work individually to produce a reflective report on their experience of working on the IDP (from both an individual and group perspective), a portfolio which demonstrates their knowledge and skills (and can be used for future job applications), and at least two evaluations of core objectives / attributes from relevant PEIs (Professional Engineering Institutions), which should help students start to identify their strengths and weaknesses as they begin their journey to becoming Chartered Engineers.

30 credits

Core modules:

Year in Industry

The course enables students to spend, typically, their third year of a BEng or fourth year of an MEng working in a 'course relevant' role in industry. This provides them with wide ranging experiences and opportunities that put their academic studies into context and improve their skills and employability. Students will also benefit from experiencing the culture in industry, making contacts, and the placement will support them in their preparation for subsequent employment.

120 credits

Core modules:

Groundwater Engineering

This module provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles of groundwater flow and subsurface hydrology, with a focus on both theoretical and practical applications. It covers the fundamental concepts of groundwater movement through porous media, the interaction between surface water and groundwater, and the role of aquifers in water storage and supply. The module also examines seawater intrusion in coastal aquifers and its impact on groundwater management and sustainability. Students will explore methods for assessing and modelling groundwater flow and contaminant transport, with a focus on practical techniques such as well hydraulics, pumping tests, and the design of groundwater remediation systems. By building a strong understanding of subsurface flow dynamics and groundwater flow to wells, students will acquire the skills necessary to analyse groundwater systems at local and regional scales, using qualitative and quantitative approaches to address issues related to water resource management, pollution, and environmental protection.

15 credits

MEng Individual Project

Each student will undertake an individual research project under the guidance of a member of academic staff. The project will permit students to demonstrate their organisational skills and initiative. During the project students will be expected to integrate and apply their learning obtained on the course. The technical components of a project may be experimental, theoretical, analytical or design based and most projects will require proficiency in a number of these. Assessment of the module is based upon conduct, submission of a thesis and the ability to present the findings of the project.

45 credits

Optional modules:

Advanced Concrete Design for Net-Zero

This module offers an in-depth exploration of advanced topics in the field of reinforced concrete, and you must, therefore, have a background in this subject area to study this module. Focusing on emerging concepts, construction techniques, and innovative materials, the module places particular emphasis on materials conducive to achieving Net Zero Carbon and examines their implications in the design process. You will not only revisit fundamental principles of reinforced concrete design but also delve into key aspects such as short and long-term deflections, creep, shrinkage, ductility, section analysis, prestressing, shear, and cracking. This module will equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of modern reinforced concrete design.

15 credits

Geotechnical Infrastructure

The module will focus on the analysis and sustainable design of large scale geotechnical infrastructure and systems, such as embankment dams, levees and tunnels. Aspects of uncertainty and risk, particularly in the context of a changing climate, will be developed related to ultimate and serviceability limit states, using a range of historical case histories within the published literature. A forensic investigative analysis will be conducted on a case study of geotechnical failure, benefiting from data from the literature and numerical modelling. This will be complemented by a consideration of soil acting as both a continuum and as a particulate system, and by an examination of the role of physical modelling, analytical models, constitutive models, and the geological model.

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

Computational Fluid Dynamics

This module is designed to provide and reaffirm an understanding of computational fluid dynamics from underlying governing principles modeling the behavior of fluids to typical numerical mathods used for solving them. Through lectures, practical computer sessions, and labs the module aims to provide students with a working understanding of transport equations, turbulence, pressure-velocity coupling in steady flows, and implementation of various boundary conditions in a built-environment context. The module will additionally develop students skills in effectively and professionally communicating implemetation of CFD models.

15 credits

Earthquake Resistant Design and Strengthening

The aim of this module is to teach the principles of modern seismic design of structures, the methodology of the European design code (Eurocode 8) and the main concepts of seismic performance of structures. The module will be delivered through lectures and computer-lab sessions in which students will be working on a project

15 credits

Design and Management of Sewer Systems

This module will provide students with a high level of knowledge and understanding as to how sewer and stormwater drainage systems operate in the UK. Teaching will focus on acquiring knowledge about current and emerging regulatory, management and design practices. Students will be required to understand the environmental and sustainbility issues associated with this type of infrastructure system. Students will apply industry standard design approaches in a case study, considering hydraulic and pollution concepts to evaluate and modify the performance of the case study network to meet current regulatory requirements, anticipated future pressures whilst considering the long term sustainability of the system. Students will be expected to demonstrate their level of knowledge and understanding via application in the case study sewer network.

15 credits

Structural Dynamics and Applications to Vibration Design

This module is designed to provide students with a systematic knowledge and understanding of structural dynamics and its applications in Civil Engineering. On successful completion of this module, students will be able to perform calculation and analyse vibration response of single-degree-of-freedom and multi-degree-of-freedom systems and apply simple structural dynamics theory to solve practical problems in vibration engineering design.

15 credits

Sustainable Drainage and Green Infrastructure

This module will introduce engineering students to Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) and Green Infrastructure. Lectures and design exercises will be used to develop your understanding of why SuDS are preferred to conventional stormwater management approaches, and to equip you with the skills to design SuDS schemes to meet relevant performance objectives. Guest lectures will raise your awareness of the inter-disciplinary aspects of SuDS, through topics focusing on, for example, urban planning, ecology and biodiversity, plant and soil processes, rainwater harvesting and evapotranspiration. The module will also include a site visit to a local SuDS scheme and discussion/interaction with an indutry practitioner. Independent literature research will enable you to explore a current topic in SuDS research in detail.

15 credits

Groundwater Engineering

Hydrogeology is an introductory survey of the geologic and hydrologic factors controlling the occurrence, movement, and development of subsurface water. The course includes applications to groundwater resource development, and management of chemicals in groundwater, whether they are natural occurring or pollutants. This module is designed for non-geologists and leads towards qualitative and quantitative analyses of the behavior of groundwater at local and regional scales.

10 credits

Reuse of Existing Structures

The main focus of most Civil and Structural Engineering programmes is on how to design new buildings and structures, which fails to address the reality that many practicing Structural Engineers also work on existing buildings and structures. Furthermore, it is out of step with Society's efforts to address the climate emergency, and the current focus on reusing existing buildings and structures wherever possible. This module is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills to assess existing buildings and structures, in terms of their materials, condition and structural behaviour / capacity, in order to develop sustainable solutions which extend the life of buildings and structures, thereby addressing some of the climate emergency challenges currently facing society .The module assessment will comprise a single piece of group coursework, involving the evaluation of an existing building or structure, and the development of detailed proposals for its reuse. 50% of the module grade will be based solely on the sections of the report / calculations / drawings / risk assessments which an individual student contributed to (with no peer assessment applied), whilst the remaining 50% will be based on the whole submission (with peer assessment applied).

15 credits

Parametric Modelling and Computational Design

Parametric design involves a workflow that allows for changes in key model parameters to be observed rapidly, generally in a computer aided design workspace. It provides the designer with immense design and analysis freedom when undertaking tasks that would be repetitive or not feasible to perform manually. It also allows for a rapid exploration of the design space at the initial conceptual stage of a project. It can also be used in conjunction with optimisation methods and other computational design techniques to automatically generate candidate designs, taking advantage of the vast computational resource available in a modern PC. This module provides lectures describing the fundamentals underpinning parametric modelling and computational design techniques and gives you hands-on experience of modelling and optimising engineering structures using the Rhino modelling software and the inbuilt Grasshopper visual programming environment.

15 credits