Civil Engineering with a Year in Industry

Course Content (including module information)

This degree is designed to provide students with a good basis for a professional career as a chartered Civil Engineer. Emphasis is placed on the practical application of theory through design and laboratory work. The degrees contain an element of modular choice, but all students are required to take modules which will equip them with the technical, management and professional skills needed for a career in civil engineering.

Stage 1

Students study the fundamentals of civil engineering theory and practice. This forms the transition from the basic mathematics and sciences studied at secondary level to engineering applications.

Stage 2

This is a very important year of study, when the major knowledge of civil engineering subjects and their application within design are developed.

Students following the sandwich degree will take an Industrial Placement Year between Stages 2 and 3 for both BEng and MEng students, or between Stages 3 and 4 for MEng students.

Stage 3

Theory is applied in a professional context in Stage 3. Students can develop their knowledge in specialist subjects by choice of modules, and are introduced to management and economics within the civil engineering profession.

All students undertake a major individual research project.

Students may opt to study a foreign language during Stage 3 and BEng students graduate at the end of this year.

Stage 4

The MEng is an Integrated Masters programme, therefore Stage 4 is set at Masters level.

In this year students develop knowledge of building construction and business management. They work in teams on large integrated designs, which form a substantial part of their studies. They broaden their knowledge through a wide choice of modules, while being required to take relevant core civil engineering subjects to advanced level.

Assessment (general): The way in which you are assessed will vary according to the Learning objectives of each module. Some modules are assessed solely through project work or written assignments. Others are assessed through a combination of coursework and end of semester examinations. Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Student Handbook which is provided to all students during their first year induction.

Feedback (general): As students progress through their course at Queen’s they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module co-ordinators, placement supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study and peers. University students are expected to take a greater role in reflecting on this and taking the initiative in continuously improving the quality of their work. Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:

• Feedback provided via formal written comments and marks relating to work that you, as an individual or as part of a group, have submitted.
• Face to face comment. This may include occasions when you make use of the lecturers’ advertised “office hours” to help you to address a specific query.
• Placement employer comments or references.
• Online or emailed comment.
• General comments or question and answer opportunities at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.
• Pre-submission advice regarding the standards you should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid. In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which you can review in your own time.
• Feedback and outcomes from practical classes.
• Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services such as, Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service.

Once you have reviewed your feedback, you will be encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of your work.

At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable student to achieve their full academic potential.

On the BEng in Civil Engineering we do this by providing a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners. Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:

• Lectures: introduce basic information about new topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading. Lectures also provide opportunities to ask questions, gain some feedback and advice on assessments (normally delivered in large groups to all year group peers).
• Practicals: where you will have opportunities to develop technical skills and apply theoretical principles to real-life or practical contexts. You will be expected to attend a number of practicals per week depending on your year of study. These are designed to reinforce the core subjects you are studying.
• E-Learning technologies: Information associated with lectures and assignments is often communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Queen’s Online. A range of e-learning experiences are also embedded in the degree through, for example: interactive group workshops in a flexible learning space; IT and statistics modules; podcasts and interactive web-based learning activities; opportunities to use specialist IT programmes associated with design in practicals and project- based work etc.
• Seminars/tutorials: Significant amounts of teaching are carried out in small groups (typically 10-20 students). These provide an opportunity for students to engage with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them and to assess their own progress and understanding with the support of peers. You should also expect to make presentations and other contributions to these groups.
• Self-directed study: This is an essential part of life as a Queen’s student when important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work is carried out.
• Work placements: Students may opt to undertake a vacation work-placement after Level 2. This is a significant learning and employability enhancement opportunity and is accredited by the University.
• Supervised projects: In final year, you will be expected to carry out a significant piece of research on a topic or practical methodology that you have chosen. You will receive support from a supervisor who will guide you in terms of how to carry out your research and will provide feedback to you on at least 2 occasions during the write up stage.
• Personal Tutor: Undergraduates are allocated a Personal Tutor during Level 1 and 2 who meets with them on several occasions during the year to support their academic development.