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Courses

Undergraduate Programme Specification

BEng Civil Engineering

Academic Year 2022/23

A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance processes. All degrees are awarded by Queen's University Belfast.

Programme Title BEng Civil Engineering Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)
Bachelor of Engineering
Programme Code CIV-BENG UCAS Code H200 HECoS Code 100148 - Civil engineering - 100
ATAS Clearance Required No
Mode of Study Full Time
Type of Programme Single Honours Length of Programme Full Time - 3 Academic Years
Total Credits for Programme 360
Exit Awards available No

Institute Information

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

Natural and Built Environment

Quality Code
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code

Higher Education Credit Framework for England
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/higher-education-credit-framework-for-england

Level 6

Subject Benchmark Statements
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/quality-code/qualifications-frameworks.pdf

Engineering (2019)

Accreditations (PSRB)

Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) comprising of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Institution of Structural Engineers, Institute of Highway Engineers, the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation and the Permanent Way Institution on behalf of

Date of most recent Accreditation Visit 18-05-18

Regulation Information

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

Yes — the Programme does not use Predominance in determining degree classification. This is a requirement of accreditation through the Joint Board of Moderators.

Programme Specific Regulations

In accordance with the Engineering Council policy on compensation and condonement, to successfully graduate with an accredited degree students must complete all modules that contribute to the Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB) accreditation with a mark of not less than 10 percentage points below the pass mark i.e. not less than 30%. The School shall maintain and make available the current list of modules linked to PSRB accreditation.

In addition, to qualify for the BEng degree, students must:
i. have at least 120 credits (that is, passed 6 modules) at Level 1 or higher, or equivalent; and
ii. have at least 120 further credits (that is, passed 6 modules) at Level 2 or higher, or equivalent; and
iii. have at least 100 further credits at Level 3 or higher; or equivalent; and
vi. have passed CIV3006 Project 3.

To progress to Stage 3 of the BEng programmes, students must normally have passed at least 120 credits at Level 1 or higher, at least 120 further credits at Level 2 or higher, and have passed all compulsory modules.

Classification of BEng honours where credit transfer has occurred
Queen’s University Belfast operates a Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme, allowing credit to be awarded for courses undertaken elsewhere. This would apply to students who enrol directly in to Stage 2 of the BEng degree. Occasionally, students enrol directly in to Stage 3 of the BEng degree. In these cases, credit is awarded but no marks will be assigned. These students may not have completed all the Stages which are included in the normal calculations for the classification of honours, therefore a different weighting is required.

When calculating the Honours classification of BEng students who first enrolled directly in to Stage 3 in 2009-10 or later, the module weighting will be equal to:
• 100% of the marks for modules at Stage 3 to include all compulsory modules.


Students gain a greater understanding of the relationship between theory and practice in an industrial context through a sandwich year of industrial placement, taken between Stage 2 and Stage 3. Progression on the sandwich degree is subject to satisfactory completion of the sandwich year and an approved report. Students who do not wish or are unable to complete a sandwich year may transfer to the parallel BEng degree.

Transfer between programmes
• Students are considered for transfer between different programmes by the relevant Advisor of Studies in response to individual student requests or by the Board of Examiners on the basis of student performance. This includes transfers between sandwich programmes and non-sandwich programmes. Transfer decisions must take into account whether the student has completed or is currently taking any modules which are compulsory on the course in to which the student proposes to transfer.
• Transfer from the BEng into MEng may take place at the end of Stage 2 or at the end of Stage 3. To transfer from the BEng degree into an MEng degree students must have attained an overall average of 55% or more on the current stage of their pathway at the time of the transfer and be currently meeting the progression requirement for the degree in to which transfer is being considered.
• To transfer from an MEng degree into the BEng degree students must be currently meeting the progression requirement for the degree in to which transfer is being considered. Transfer from MEng into the BEng may take place at the end of Stage 2 or during Stage 3.
• Students not enrolled on a sandwich programme but who obtain a suitable placement may apply for transfer to a sandwich programme if they have met the requirements for progression to the relevant placement year.
• All students will initially be registered on BEng Stream A. Transfer to BEng Stream B at Stage 2 will be subject to approval by the Programme Director.
• Students wishing to transfer to the MEng Civil Engineering or MEng Environmental & Civil Engineering programmes should follow Stream A. Students wishing to transfer to the MEng Structural Engineering with Architecture programme should follow Stream B. Students transferring from Stage 2 or Stage 3 of the MEng Civil Engineering or MEng Environmental & Civil Engineering programmes must take Stream A. Students transferring from Stage 2 or Stage 3 of the MEng Structural Engineering with Architecture programme must take Stream B.

Students with protected characteristics

The programme does not contain any barriers to access or progression for any protected group except for those with total blindness, because of the accrediting body’s requirement that every student undertake surveying, which relies on optical instruments.

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

No

Educational Aims Of Programme

The programme aims to produce engineering graduates equipped for professional roles in industry, the professions and public service. The programme meets the requirements of the Engineering Council’s UK-SPEC for BEng degrees and the QAA Engineering Benchmark Statement as part of the academic requirements for Chartered Engineer status.

The BEng in Civil Engineering has the following core subjects:
*structures
*materials
*geotechnics
*hydraulics (Stream A only)
*architectural technology (Stream B only)
*surveying
*construction Management

In particular the course develops:

a.the intellectual, practical and managerial skills of the learner in the acquisition, analysis, interpretation and understanding of civil engineering principles in preparation for a career in the construction and engineering industry, for further study, for life-long learning, and an appreciation of the value of engineering to society;

b.the ability to apply critical and analytical problem solving skills across a broad range of subjects and transferable skills that relate to literacy, numeracy, computing, team-working and personal presentations and interactions to prepare graduates for more general employment;

c.concepts of sustainable development, economics, management, and business; and

For the individual project students will join a research cluster and will be assigned a supervisor who will offer guidance on their project. The School office is a source of general advice and information for all students. All students will receive access to a student handbook with information regarding regulations, marking criteria, responsibilities of students, points of contact within the School, key dates and deadlines, information about the use of Queen’s Online, external sources of help and assistance, and appeals / complaints procedures, etc.

Assessment is by a mixture of coursework, presentations, laboratories, class tests, and unseen written examination. Assessment criteria are linked to learning outcomes for each module. Supplementary examinations are held in accordance with University Regulations. Unseen written examinations comprise approximately 45% of the assessment for Stream A and approximately 34% of the assessment for Stream B.

Learning outcomes refer to the Engineering Council’s AHEP4 Learning Outcomes for Chartered Engineer accredited MEng and BEng degrees.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

a.plan, conduct, present and report an engineering project;(M5);
b.design building and civil engineering works;(M1, M5);
c.analyse, evaluate and interpret experimental data;(M1, M5)
d.formulate and test concepts and hypotheses;(M2) and
e. interpret engineering drawings.(M17)

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Student’s cognitive skills are developed through lectures, workshops, laboratory classes, individual project work, team-working exercises, and design exercises. Their cognitive skills will also be enhanced through independent study and the design and implementation of an independent research project and a major design report.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment is done primarily using coursework, in particular through the preparation of written reports and presentations.

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

a.make effective use of both oral and written skills (M17);
b.use general purpose software and specialist packages (M17);
c.demonstrate a capacity to learn relevant theories, concepts and methods (M18);
d.plan, monitor and adjust a personal programme of work (M18);
e.apply transferable skills (M17); and
f.work in a team and understand professional responsibilities (M6, M8, M16).

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The teaching of the majority of the transferable skills forms an integral part of the overall learning and teaching process on the degree pathway.

Methods of Assessment

The assessment of the majority of the transferable skills forms an integral part of the overall assessment of the degree pathway. Team-working skills, written communication skills, and oral communication skills are assessed directly. Practical skills in the use of Information Technology are not formally assessed, although the development of IT skills are integral to the learning and teaching process underpinning the degree programme and are assessed indirectly.

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

a.demonstrate an understanding of the scientific and mathematical principles underpinning civil engineering (M1, M2);
b.demonstrate an awareness of constraints including environmental and sustainability limitations and the role of creativity and buildability in design (M1);
c.demonstrate an ability to use computer applications in design and analysis (M1, M3);
d.demonstrate a wide knowledge and comprehensive understanding of the commercial and economic context of engineering processes (M15);
e.demonstrate knowledge of technical literature and other information sources, codes of practice and industry standards (M4, M5, M13); and
f.describe the role of the engineer in society regarding sustainable development of the environment (M7).

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students’ acquisition of core knowledge and understanding is achieved primarily through independent study supported by lectures, tutorials, laboratory and design classes, and workshops.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment is done using a mix of university examinations, class tests, laboratory reports, and coursework.

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

a.apply analytical and numerical techniques to a wide range of engineering problems (M1, M2, M4);
b.apply software and CAD skills to engineering projects and designs (M1);
c.apply entrepreneurship, business, economic and professional skills required for management roles in industry (M9, M14, M15);
d.prepare descriptive and interpretative technical reports (M14, M17);
e.use equipment and instruments competently and safely (M12); and
f.demonstrate an understanding of the role of other professionals (M1, M16).

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students’ subject-specific skills are developed through lectures, workshops, laboratory classes, individual project work, team-working exercises, and design exercises.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment is done primarily using coursework, in particular through the preparation of written reports and presentations.

Module Information

Stages and Modules

Module Title Module Code Level/ stage Credits

Availability

Duration Pre-requisite

Assessment

S1 S2 Core Option Coursework % Practical % Examination %
Solids and Structures 1 CIV1017 1 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES -- 30% 20% 50%
Mathematics 1 CIV1015 1 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES -- 30% 0% 70%
Construction Materials CIV1018 1 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES -- 50% 0% 50%
Design and Communications 1 CIV1022 1 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES -- 90% 0% 10%
Surveying and Measurement 1 CIV1010 1 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES -- 15% 45% 40%
Hydraulics 1 CIV1021 1 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES -- 50% 0% 50%
Geotechnics 2 CIV2017 2 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES -- 30% 10% 60%
Structural Mechanics CIV2062 2 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES -- 20% 10% 70%
Hydraulics 2 CIV2018 2 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES -- 20% 20% 60%
Architectural Space and Form CIV2067 2 40 YES YES 24 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Infrastructure Site Characterisation CIV2066 2 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES -- 60% 0% 40%
Mathematics and Coding 2 CIV2065 2 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES -- 40% 0% 60%
Design and Communications 2 CIV2064 2 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Design and Communications 3 CIV3007 3 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Architectural Design Studies 3 CIV3027 3 10 -- YES 12 weeks Y YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Project Management and Engineering Data CIV3066 3 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES -- 20% 0% 80%
Hydraulics 3 CIV3063 3 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES -- 20% 0% 80%
Architectural Technology 3(i) ARC3001 3 10 YES -- 12 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Project 3 CIV3006 3 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Structures 3 CIV3064 3 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES -- 20% 0% 80%
Geotechnics 3 CIV3065 3 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES -- 20% 10% 70%

Notes

Stream A: CIV3063, CIV3006, CIV3007, CIV3064, CIV3065, CIV3066
Stream B: CIV3006, CIV3007, CIV3064, CIV3065, CIV3066, ARC3001, CIV3027

Stream A: CIV2018, CIV2062, CIV2017, CIV2064, CIV2065, CIV2066
Stream B: CIV2062, CIV2017, CIV2064, CIV2065, CIV2067