Programme Title: Beng (Hons) Civil and Structural Engineering

UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD

School of Engineering and Informatics
School of Engineering

Programme title: BEng (Hons) Civil and Structural Engineering

Introduction

Engineering is fundamental to the economic and social prosperity of the UK. It is a “people serving” profession whose activities not only manage humankind’s environment but also create that environment itself. It requires well-qualified students but not just those with a traditional mathematics background. Your studies at Bradford will be a foundation for life aimed at developing an appreciation of technical principles and competence in their application using a wide range of personal and professional skills. Our commitment to this integration is such that we strongly encourage you to undertake a 12-month industrial placement as an integral part of your degree studies. Upon graduation you will have the capacity for professional growth, which is likely to include seeking Chartered Engineer (CEng) status. The BEng (Hons) Civil and Structural Engineering is designed to develop the analytical, design, critical evaluation and communication capabilities needed for employment across the range of the construction industry and beyond. The ability of an engineer to think clearly and logically is widely appreciated by many other professions and your studies may well be a stepping-stone to an alternative career in accountancy, teaching, law etc – a real foundation for life.

The School places emphasis on both teaching and research, believing them to be mutually dependent. We have particular research strengths in environmental water engineering, environmental acoustics, underground technologies, geotechnics and structural engineering.

The School aims to produce graduates who aspire to challenging careers in industry and the public sector, and who will be able to move directly into responsible roles in employment with a minimum of additional training. It achieves this aim by:

• Delivering a range of programmes of study with a degree of commonality of core material, but with the flexibility to allow specialization. The first two years of the BEng (Hons) are shared with the MEng in Civil and Structural Engineering programme, and following a strong performance by the second year it may be possible to transfer to that programme;
• Providing a supportive, structured environment in which students are encouraged to develop independent learning skills;
• Developing subject knowledge and understanding, developing discipline skills and developing personal transferable skills, to enable graduates to pursue programmes of further study, or to move directly into responsible employment;

Programme Aims

The programme is intended to:

• enable graduates to develop the engineering, design, management and personal skills required to become professional Civil and/or Structural Engineers and in doing so, also equip them for careers in other professions.
• fully satisfy the educational base for an Incorporated Engineer (IEng).
• partially satisfy the educational base (in compliance with UK-SPEC) for a Chartered Engineer. A programme of Further Learning will be required to complete the educational base for Chartered Membership of the Institution of Civil Engineers and/or the Institution of Structural Engineers and registration with ECUK as a Chartered Engineer.

Programme Learning Outcomes

When you have completed the programme you will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

LO1Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the engineering principles underpinning structural, water engineering, geotechnics, the use of construction materials and surveying within the context of construction and detailed and conceptual design.

LO2Demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles of organisation, project management and health and safety within the construction industry.

LO3Demonstrate an appreciation of the responsibility of engineers to consider environmental, social and economic aspects in the development of a sustainable built environment.

Intellectual Abilities

LO4Apply engineering principles to the critical analysis of problems in order to create innovative design solutions.

LO5Critically review an existing body of knowledge, plan an original study and utilise research skills to critically evaluate and interpret newly developed data.

Practical Skills

LO6Apply standard laboratory methods to obtain accurate data.

LO7Accurately undertake survey work based on the use of instruments and visual observation.

LO8Use software packages in the analysis, modelling and simulation, and design of engineering systems.

General Transferable Skills

LO9Work in groups in order to meet shared objectives.

LO10Communicate with a variety of audiences using a range of techniques.

LO11Use problem solving strategies to develop innovative solutions.

LO12Reflect on the need for further personal and professional development to improve your own performance.

On completion of this award at Certificate of Higher Education level, you should be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of underlying concepts and principles of geotechnical engineering and the physical assessment, including surveying, of land.
2. Describe basic concepts of the mechanical behaviour of fluids, materials and structural elements.
3. Describe the concepts of stress, strain, equilibrium and deformation, and apply them in the analysis and understanding of simple engineering structures
4. Undertake quantitative measurement and manipulate information obtained to solve straightforward problems.
5. Identify and evaluate simple environmental system controls relating to the built environment.
6. Interpret and appraise the qualities and application of construction materials and their performance in the built environment.
7. Collect, organise interpret and present data using appropriate quantitative techniques.
8. Identify and appraise the principles and concepts that can influence design.
9. Formulate solutions to clearly defined problems and situations.
10. Communicate the results of their study/work accurately and reliably using structured and coherent arguments.

On completion of this award at Diploma of Higher Education level, you should be able to:

1. begin to develop own criteria and judgment on the design, construction and performance of construction elements.
2. Interpret design information in different areas of construction work and to relate these to the behaviour of actual materials and structural elements.
3. Plan and apply safe methods of construction, to Civil Engineering projects.
4. Apply fundamental and design concepts to solve structural problems.
5. Apply a range of techniques to the mathematical formulation and solution of general and civil engineering problems.
6. Apply a range of techniques to formulate computational models for engineering and technology problems.
7. Analyse the interrelationship between the construction disciplines.
8. Analyse Civil Engineering project client requirements and derive solutions considering technical and regulatory requirements.
9. Undertake investigation into statistical engineering data relevant to elements of the built environment and be able to apply a range of relevant statistical tests.
10. Reflect on and apply concepts, principles and techniques from a range of construction disciplines in analysing realistic, semi-open civil engineering problems and situations, and selecting appropriate methods for their resolution.
11. Effectively communicate information, arguments and analysis in a variety of forms.

Although the University does not recruit directly to Ordinary degrees this route is available. A Bachelor’s degree (Ordinary) is awarded to students who have demonstrated:

• a systematic understanding key aspects of their field of study, including acquisition of coherent and detailed knowledge informed by aspects of Civil Engineering, materials, geotechnics, structures and design.
• an ability to deploy accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry within civil engineering design.
• conceptual understanding that enables the student:
• to devise and sustain arguments, and/or to solve problems, using ideas and techniques.
• to describe and comment upon particular aspects of current research, or equivalent scholarship, or practice in Civil and Structural Engineering.
• an appreciation of the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge.
• the ability to manage their own learning, and to make use of primary sources.

Typically, holders of the qualification will be able to:

• apply the methods and techniques that they have learned to review, consolidate, extend and apply their knowledge and understanding.
• communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non specialist audiences.

And holders will have:

• the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring:
• the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility
• the learning ability needed to undertake appropriate further training of a professional or equivalent nature.

Curriculum

The map of your studies is detailed below showing core (C) and optional (O) modules. Each year, or stage, of an Honours programme comprises 2 semesters with 60 credits being studied in each of them. For 10 credit modules all of the teaching and assessment is undertaken in the same semester.

Some of the 20 credit modules have teaching and assessment which occurs in both semesters. At the end of Stage 1 there may be the possibility to transfer onto the Ordinary route, to be discussed with the Director of Studies. The Ordinary degree routecomprisesof 100 credits at each stage.

We strongly encourage you to undertake a year of industrial placement between Stages 2 and 3. The School has many contacts with relevant organisations and arranges for interviews with those in which you have an interest. It is then your task to impress them sufficiently to gain an offer of employment. You will be able to use this experience to claim some of the training objectives specified by the Institutions of Civil Engineers and Structural Engineers for professional accreditation.

Stage 1[Level 4]

Students who have achieved at least 120 credit points at Level 4 may exit the programme and are eligible for the award of Certificate of Higher Education.

Stage 2 [Level 5]

Students who have achieved at least 120 credit points at Level 5 may exit the programme and are eligible for the award of Diploma of Higher Education.

Stage 3 [Level 6]

The curriculum may change, subject to the University's programme approval, monitoring and review procedures

Teaching and Assessment Strategies

The teaching and learning strategy takes into consideration the learning outcomes, progression through the levels of study, the nature of the subject and the student intake, and the need for you to take greater responsibility for your own learning as you progress through the course. The strategies and methods implemented are:

• The teaching and learning methods implemented to engage you in developing your knowledge and understanding of the course include formal lectures (including those from Visiting Lecturers), case studies, tutorial exercises, practical demonstrations, directed learning and individual work. The method of assessment is by written examination and both analytical and experimental coursework.
• The methods implemented in developing your intellectual skills include engaging with you during tutorial exercises, case studies, practical demonstration and supervised research or project work. The methods of assessment of intellectual skills are implicit in the written examinations, analytical and experimental coursework and more particularly in your final year Project work.
• The methods implemented in developing your practical skills include demonstrations and practicals linked with the taught modules. You will also design and operate equipment and/or procedures and use control and measuring instruments under supervision during your Project work. The methods of assessment of practical skills include feedback on laboratory work linked with the taught modules.

Assessment Regulations

Whilst this Programme conforms to the general principles set out in the standard University Assessment Regulations which are available at the link below, the following exception(s) apply to these regulations:

1. Students must pass the final year project at 1st attempt.
2. Where an element of assessment for a module has a weighting of 30% or more, a minimum mark of 30% must be obtained in that element, as well as a pass mark overall being obtained for a module to be deemed a pass

For your award to be accredited by the professional body, the final award classification must be 2:2 level or above.

If the above requirements are not met, but the University’s undergraduate regulations are complied with, then a non-accredited BEng will be awarded.

Students on a BEng programme obtaining a 2:1, will be offered an opportunity to transfer to MEng and enter stage 4.

Requirements to transfer to the MEng Programme: If you perform at an enhanced level you may be invited to transfer your registration to MEng Civil & Structural Engineering Programme. To be considered for transfer to the MEng you must achieve an average of at least 60% over all of the 120 credits with at least 40% in 100 credits and 35% in the other 20 credits.

In addition for the purpose of MEng transfer, 100 credits of the above must be at the first attempt and you are only permitted supplementary assessment in a maximum of 20 credits per stage and only one re-sit attempt.

Admission Requirements

The University welcomes applications from all potential students regardless of their previous academic experience; offers are made following detailed consideration of each individual application. Most important in the decision to offer a place is our assessment of a candidate’s potential to benefit from their studies and of their ability to succeed on this particular programme.Entrance requirements for each programme will vary but consideration of your application will be based on a combination of your formal academic qualifications and other relevant experience.

If you have prior certificated learning or professional experience which may be equivalent to parts of this programme, the University has procedures to evaluate this learning in order to provide you with exemptions from specified modules contained within the curriculum. Please talk to us if you do not fit the standard pattern of entry qualifications.

The University of Bradford has always welcomed applications from disabled students, and these will be considered on the same academic grounds as are applied to all applicants. We are continually reviewing and developing our practices and policies to make the University more inclusive, but if you are disabled we may need to make some adjustments to make sure that you are not disadvantaged. We would advise you to contact the programme leader before you apply to discuss these.

A typical offer to someone seeking entry through the UCAS scheme would be 260 UCAS tariff points with 160 points from 2 A levels including A-level Mathematics with a minimum grade of C. However, applications are welcome from mature students (those over 21 years of age on entry) and candidates with non-standard qualifications or who, lacking academic qualifications, have significant relevant experience. On completion of a UCAS form you will be invited to the School for an Open Day when you will have the opportunity to meet staff, view the facilities and discuss “the Bradford experience” with current students.

English Language Requirements

All students must satisfy the English language requirements for admission as described in

If your native language is not English, you will have to pass a test in English approved by the University before you can be admitted. The following qualifications are acceptable as satisfying this requirement. Both are available internationally:

• The International English Language Testing Service Test (IELTS) administered by the British Council is the test which is preferred by the University. You will need to achieve an Overall Band of at least 6.0, with at least 5.5 in each of the four sub-tests. Testing facilities are available at most British Council overseas offices. When you take your test, you should ask for a copy of your Test Report Form to be sent to the University.
• The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) administered by the Educational TestingService, Princeton, New Jersey, 08540, USA. You will need to achieve an overall score of at least 80*, and sub-tests not less than 18 in Reading, 17 in Writing, 17 in Listening and 20 in Speaking.. If you take this test, you should enter the University’s code 0828, on your answer sheet.

Should you not be able to offer these grades then you should contact the Admissions Tutor for further advice as the University provides a number of pre-sessional English courses for international students.

Learning Resources

The JB Priestley Library on the city campus and our specialist library in the School of Management provide a wide range of printed and electronic resources to support your studies. We offer quiet study space if you want to work on your own, and group study areas for the times when you need to discuss work with fellow students. Subject librarians for each School provide training sessions and individual guidance in finding the information you need for your assignment, and will help you organise your references properly.

Student PC clusters can be found in both our libraries and elsewhere on the campus. Many of these are open 24/7. You can also use the University's wireless network to access the internet from your own laptop. Most of our journals are available online (both on and off campus), and you can also access your University email account, personal information and programme-related materials this way.