Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

1. To provide a high-quality educational experience that develops and sustains students' knowledge about project design, delivery and maintenance of civil infrastructure;
2. To provide a top up accredited programme of study with a strong emphasis on industrial relevance that fully satisfies the further learning needed to become a Chartered Engineer.
3. To produce civil engineering graduates with strong teamwork and leadership skills, who are equipped to play a leading role in industry, with potential to take responsibility for innovation and change.
4. To develop students’ analytical, management and key transferrable skills to a depth and breadth that will equip them for high quality employment in a wide variety of professions.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and internal reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

• Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) (2014) Part A: Setting and Maintaining Academic Standards: The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies, QAA, Gloucester.
• Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) (2015) Subject Benchmark Statement: Engineering, QAA, Gloucester
• Engineering Council (2020) The Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes: UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competencies, The Engineering Council, AHEP 4
• Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) (2015) Characteristics Statement: Master's Degree.
• JBM guidelines for developing degree programmes;
• JBM Technical/Non-Technical Guidelines for MSc - Progression from IEng to CEng July 2018

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and understanding of: 

1. Relevant mathematics, science and engineering principles in the field of structures, geotechnics, materials and water engineering
2. Current practice and emerging technologies in Civil Engineering
3. Common and complex Civil Engineering problems
4. Fundamentals of research methods and research processes

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

1. Apply appropriate analytical techniques and codes of practice to the design of components and systems;
2. Analyse and choose technical solutions compatible with Civil Engineering problems
3. Critically assess the social, economic and environmental implications of civil engineering projects
4. Use Engineering judgement to work with information that is uncertain or incomplete understanding the limitations
5. Identify and critically evaluate innovative emergent technologies in Civil Engineering and their impacts on society, sustainability and the environment

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

1. Design processes and technical solutions for complex Civil Engineering problems
2. Apply computer programmes and tools for the design and management of civil engineering projects
3. Apply methods and predictive models to civil engineering problems
4. Observe, record, process and critically analyse data in the laboratory and in the field;
5. Prepare technical reports and give technical presentations related to civil engineering problems.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

1. Communicate technical concepts and ideas taking account of socio-economic, legal and environmental issues using a variety of media
2. Collect and critically analyse data
3. Synthesise relevant information from the literature and from their research
4. Work effectively in teams, devising co-operative strategies to achieve planned goals and solve problems
5. Manage their time and effort efficiently in individual and group activities.

4. Programme structure

OUTLINE STRUCTURE FOR FULL-TIME STUDENTS 

Semester 1 

Compulsory Modules (60 credits)

Semester 2 

Compulsory Modules (15 credits)

Optional modules (Students should select one module from each group (15 credits) subject to availability and timetabling) 

Semester 1, Semester 2 and Semester 3

Compulsory Module (60 credits)

OUTLINE STRUCTURE FOR PART-TIME STUDENTS 

YEAR 1

Semester 1 

Compulsory Modules (30 credits)

Semester 2 

Compulsory Modules (15 credits)

Optional modules (Students should select one module (15 credits) subject to timetabling)

YEAR 2

Semester 1 

Compulsory Modules (30 credits)

Semester 2 

Optional modules (Students should select two modules (30 credits), one from each group subject to availability and timetabling) 

Semester 1,  Semester 2 and Summer Period 

Compulsory Module (60 credits)

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must satisfy the requirements set out in Regulation XXI. 

In addition to regulation XXI the Accreditation body also set the following requirements for postgraduate degree award as part of AHEP4: 

1. No Condonement of modules delivering AHEP learning outcomes is allowed.
2. A maximum of 20 credits can be compensated (i.e. Students must pass 160 credits to be awarded a degree of Master)
3. Compensation for credits not passed can only be given when the mark is between 40% - 49%.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the purposes of Final Degree Classification

Not applicable.

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

This programme is aimed at graduate engineers and scientists who wish to enhance their understanding of relevant drivers and processes of flooding and develop capability in applying different types of hydraulic and hydrological models and data analytics tools to support flood risk assessment and management. It aims to:

• provide knowledge of key concepts and principles related to flooding, flood modelling, risk assessment and management;
• develop advanced skills to acquire and process data from different sources to support flood risk assessment;
• develop advanced analytical skills to integrate multi-source data and different types of models to predict floods from multiple sources and assess their impact and risk;
• provide the multidisciplinary knowledge and skills to plan/design different types of interventions for effective flood risk management;
• develop a critical approach to the global principles and local practice of sustainable flood risk management for a broad range of stakeholders;
• encourage critical analysis through in-depth study of one specialist topic, and
• to prepare students for employment in diverse professional environments through a combination of independent work and industry exposure.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and internal reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

This specification has taken into account the descriptors for a qualification at Masters (MSc), Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) and Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) levels that are set out in the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The FMM postgraduate programme is multidisciplinary in content so no single subject benchmarks are wholly applicable to it. There are currently no benchmark statements for Engineering MSc programmes. Although the Subject Benchmark Statement for Engineering applies to first degrees in engineering, and not to postgraduate degrees, it has been used to inform the drafting of intended learning outcomes for this programme, with the expectation that postgraduate students attain a higher level than undergraduate students in relevant outcomes. The Subject Benchmark Statement for Master’s Awards in Business and Management has also been consulted because of the management content of this programme; the list of skills for all Master’s programmes listed in Appendix 2 is of particular relevance. Note has also been taken of the Engineering Council document The Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes (published 2016) for ‘Masters Degrees other than the Integrated Masters (MEng)’.

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and understanding of: 

K1 how to apply and critically evaluate different concepts relevant to flood modelling and management

K2 the drivers and mechanisms of flooding, economic and societal impact of floods, and future changes to flood risk

K3 the mathematical and statistical principles underpinning flood risk modelling and management

K4 the tools and models available for modelling floods and assessing their risks

K5 the options for planning, selection, design, construction, sustainable operation and maintenance of different approaches to flood risk management

K6 multidisciplinary approaches to sustainable flood risk management

K7 how to promote resilient development and develop projects to enable sustainable outcomes.

K8 effective qualitative and quantitative data collection, analysis and dissemination techniques applicable to modelling and management of floods.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

C1 critically evaluate and apply appropriate tools and models for assessing flood risks

C2 integrate and evaluate users’ needs for managing flood risks based on conflicting and limited information

C3 critically analyse institutional, social, economic, environmental and technical constraints and compare possible solutions

C4 develop and/or adapt appropriate sustainable technical options and designs to meet users’ needs and demands for managing flood risks

C5 apply appropriate engineering analysis methods and computer modelling for solving complex problems and consider their limitations

C6 investigate relevant emerging challenges facing the public and private sectors.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

P1 model hydrologic and hydraulic problems, using appropriate computer software, to develop risk reduction and improvement strategies

P2 select and collect data from multiple sources for flood risk assessment and management

P3 choose appropriate methods to model, analyse and interpret dissimilar data sets using appropriate methods

P4 calculate key design parameters for various elements of appropriate measures for managing flood risks, incorporating multi-disciplinary aspects

P5 identify appropriate knowledge exchange and communication methods for relevant end users

P6 critically analyse new opportunities from which to develop or adapt appropriate flood risk management options that can meet users’ needs.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

T1 Find and evaluate a variety of existing sources of data, information and knowledge where the quality and quantity of information may be limited

T2 Seek, listen to, record and consider a range of views, from local stakeholders and vulnerable groups

T3 Communicate professionally using visual, written and oral skills such as through presentations and discussions;

T4 Plan time and workload effectively to meet the competing demands of the course, individually and as part of a team.

4. Programme structure

OUTLINE STRUCTURE FOR FULL-TIME STUDENTS 

Semester 1 

Compulsory Modules (60 credits)

Semester 2 

Compulsory Modules (60 credits)

Semester 1, Semester 2 and Semester 3

Compulsory Module (60 credits)

OUTLINE STRUCTURE FOR PART-TIME STUDENTS 

YEAR 1

Semester 1 

Compulsory Modules (30 credits)

Semester 2 

Compulsory Modules (30 credits)

YEAR 2

Semester 1 

Compulsory Modules (30 credits)

Semester 2 

Compulsory Modules (30 credits)

Semester 1, Semester 2 and Semester 3

Compulsory Module (60 credits)

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must satisfy the requirements set out in Regulation XXI.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the purposes of Final Degree Classification

Not applicable.