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BEng Civil Engineering

Academic Year 2018/19

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

ATAS Clearance Required

No

Mode of Study

Full Time

Type of Programme

Single Honours

Length of Programme

3 Academic Year(s)

Total Credits for Programme

360

Exit Awards available

INSTITUTE INFORMATION

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

Natural and Built Environment

Framework for Higher Education Qualification Level 
www.qaa.ac.uk

Level 6

QAA Benchmark Group
www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

Engineering (2015)

Accreditations (PSRB)

Joint Board of Moderators,Institutions of Civil Engineering (UK) and Structured Engineering (UK)

Date of most recent Accreditation Visit 03-04-14

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

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.

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 2 in 2009-10 or later, the module weighting will be equal to:
• 33·3% of the marks for modules at Stage 2 to include all compulsory modules; and
• 66·7% of the marks for modules at Stage 3 to include all compulsory modules.

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.


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.

Consideration of transfer — BEng to MEng and MEng to BEng

Students are considered for transfer from BEng to MEng programmes and from MEng to BEng programmes by the Civil Engineering Board of Examiners according to the progression rules of the programmes below;-

• Transfer between programmes
Students are considered for transfer between BEng programmes by the relevant Adviser of Studies in response to individual student requests. This includes transfers between sandwich programmes and non-sandwich programmes, and between BEng Stream A and BEng Stream B. Transfer decisions must take into account whether the student has completed any modules which are compulsory on the course in to which the student proposes to transfer.

Students wishing to transfer to the MEng Civil Engineering or MEng Environmental and 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.

To transfer from the BEng degree into the MEng pathway students must have attained an overall average of 55% on their current BEng pathway at the time of the transfer. Transfer may take place at the end of Stage 2 or at the end of 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.

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.

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; and

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

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

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;
b. design building and civil engineering works;
c. analyse, evaluate and interpret experimental data;
d. formulate and test concepts and hypotheses; and
e. interpret engineering drawings.

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;
b. use Information Technology (IT) software such as spreadsheets, word processors, the World Wide Web, and specialist packages;
c. demonstrate a capacity to learn;
d. plan, monitor and adjust a personal programme of work;
e. apply transferable skills; and
f. work in a team and understand professional responsibilities.

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;
b. demonstrate an awareness of constraints including environmental and sustainability limitations and the role of creativity and buildability in design;
c. demonstrate an ability to use computer applications in design and analysis;
d. demonstrate a wide knowledge and comprehensive understanding of the commercial and economic context of engineering processes;
e. demonstrate knowledge of technical literature and other information sources, codes of practice and industry standards; and
f. describe the role of the engineer in society regarding sustainable development of the environment.

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;
b. apply software and CAD skills to engineering projects and designs;
c. apply entrepreneurship, business, economic and professional skills required for management roles in industry;
d. prepare descriptive and interpretative technical reports;
e. use equipment and instruments competently and safely; and
f. demonstrate an understanding of the role of other professionals.

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 %
Surveying and Measurement 1 CIV1010 1 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 15% 45% 40%
Mathematics 1 CIV1015 1 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 20% 0% 80%
Solids and Structures 1 CIV1017 1 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 30% 20% 50%
Construction Materials CIV1018 1 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 50% 0% 50%
Hydraulics 1 CIV1021 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%
Site Layout and Design 2 EVP2007 2 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 50% 50% 0%
Geotechnics 2 CIV2017 2 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 30% 10% 60%
Hydraulics 2 CIV2018 2 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 20% 20% 60%
Architectural Design Studies 2 CIV2022 2 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Structural Mechanics CIV2062 2 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 20% 10% 70%
Design and Communications 2 CIV2064 2 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Mathematics and Coding 2 CIV2065 2 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 40% 0% 60%
Engineering Geology & Highways CIV2066 2 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 40% 0% 60%
Architectural Technology 3(i) ARC3001 3 10 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Design and Communications 3 CIV3007 3 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Project 3 CIV3006 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%
Hydraulics 3 CIV3063 3 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 20% 0% 80%
Structures 3 CIV3064 3 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 20% 0% 80%
Project Management and Engineering Data CIV3066 3 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 20% 0% 80%
Geotechnics 3 CIV3065 3 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 20% 0% 80%

Notes

Stream A: CIV2018, CIV2062, CIV2017, CIV2064, CIV2065, CIV2066 Stream B: CIV2062, CIV2017, CIV2064, CIV2065, CIV2022, EVP2007

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