CIVIL ENGINEERING PRACTICE - 2023/4

Module Overview

This module provides students with an appreciation of the nature of civil engineering practices and the role of a Civil Engineer.  An introduction is provided on the fundamental principles of sustainability and practices of health and safety in design and construction.  Case studies  delivered by external lecturers are introduced to illustrate the principles and practices within the profession. Also, different media for graphics communications in civil engineering including freehand sketching, computer aided design (CAD), geographic information system (GIS) and configuration processing are introduced. These will be used in several different modules later in the programme including Integrated Design 1 (ENG1077), Engineering Surveying, Health and Safety (ENG2105) and Individual Project (ENG3135).

Module provider

Sustainability, Civil & Env Engineering

Module Leader

BEHNEJAD Alireza (Sust & CEE)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 4

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

Civil Engineering Practice

• Introduction to architectural and structural forms.


• Introduction to the principles and practices of health and safety and sustainability within the construction industry and provide cases studies to illustrate good practice.


• Civil Engineering project case studies - provided by invited speakers from civil engineering consultants, contractors and specialists.


• Insight to the potential graduate experience in the Civil Engineering profession – provided by invited alumni.


• Physical model making (hand made and 3D printed) in groups to explore structural forms.

• Introduction to freehand sketching including the basics of perspective.


• Insight into 2D engineering drawing production using AutoCAD. This will include the use of basic commands, precision input, use of relative, absolute and polar coordinates, object snapping, editing commands and controlling drawings with use of layers, drawing templates and dimensioning..


• Introduction to geographic information system (GIS) .


• Introduction to formex configuration processing and geometrical data generation for design and construction of structures.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

Individual essay for cardboard bridge. Individual report for configuration processing.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment in this module consists of the following 6 units:

1- Design and make a cardboard bridge in small groups, as well as a short report to justify the design. (LO 4)

2- An essay on a selected subject from the available list on different aspects of civil engineering. Also, a set of engagement reports for the site visits and invited lectures should be submitted together with the essay. (LO 1-3)

3- A short individual report on the application of Geographical Information System for site analysis. (LO 6)

4- A report on configuration processing in small groups to create a selection of 3D configurations for structural forms, as well as 3D printed samples of created configurations. (LO 5 & 7)

5- AutoCAD class test for two hours to prepare a set of drawings. (LO 5)

Formative assessment and feedback

Feedback on the essay, GIS report and configuration processing will be provided on the submitted coursework. Also, overall performance of the students will be discussed with the entire cohort.

A bridge testing session will be organised towards the end of semester were constructive comments on the good designs and rooms for improvements will be provided to the entire cohort. This usually culminates with presenting students who produced the best bridge models with Prizes and Commendations presented by a representative from industry.

Students submit AutoCAD drawings during the semester as work in progress and group feedback on submitted drawings will be given to the cohort during the AutoCAD tutorials.

Module aims

• Provide students with an appreciation of the nature of civil engineering profession and its range of activities.
• Provide students with an awareness and appreciation of different types of projects that civil engineers undertake and the way in which the profession operates.  This is illustrated via presentations delivered by professionals from the industry.
• Introduce the principles of sustainability within the construction industry and provide case studies to illustrate good practice.
• Introduce the concept of structural forms (bridges and spatial structures) and its role in civil engineering design.
• Introduce graphics communications for civil engineers including freehand sketching, computer aided design (CAD), geographic information system (GIS) and configuration processing.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy for this module is designed to provide FHEQ Level 4 students with an appreciation of the nature of civil engineering practices and the role of Civil Engineers in the profession.  An introduction is provided on the fundamental principles of sustainability and practices of health and safety in design and construction.  Case studies delivered by professionals from the industry are introduced and presented to illustrate principles/practices within the profession.  The bridge model making group exercise is used to introduce the students to the concepts of structural forms and behaviour.  Also, an introduction is provided on the freehand sketching, Computer Aided Design (CAD), Geographic Information System (GIS) and configuration processing throughout lectures and tutorials. Also, different visits will be organised which may include completed civil engineering projects, live construction sites and engineering offices.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: ENG1074

Other information

Digital Capabilities will be developed through the use of different software packages such as AutoCAD, Formian-K and ArcGIS.

Students will make physical models and work on a configuration processing report in small groups, contributing to their Employability, as well as Resourcefulness and Resilience.

Case studies from different parts of the world will be discussed to raise the Global and Cultural Capabilities.

Basic principals of Sustainability will be introduced and students should discuss this in their individual essay.

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2023/4 academic year.