Advanced Geotechnical Engineering MSc - 2023/4
Awarding body
University of Surrey
Teaching institute
University of Surrey
Framework
FHEQ Level 7
Final award and programme/pathway title
MSc Advanced Geotechnical Engineering
Subsidiary award(s)
| Award | Title |
|---|---|
| PGCert | Advanced Geotechnical Engineering |
| PGDip | Advanced Geotechnical Engineering |
Professional recognition
Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT).
Accredited by CIHT as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer under the provisions of UK-SPEC for candidates that have already acquired a CEng accredited BEng(Hons) undergraduate first degree.
Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE).
Accredited by IHE as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer under the provisions of UK-SPEC for candidates that have already acquired a CEng accredited BEng(Hons) undergraduate first degree.
Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).
Accredited by ICE as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer under the provisions of UK-SPEC for candidates that have already acquired a CEng accredited BEng(Hons) undergraduate first degree.
Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE).
Accredited by IStructE as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer under the provisions of UK-SPEC for candidates that have already acquired a CEng accredited BEng(Hons) undergraduate first degree.
European Accreditation of Engineering Programmes (EUR-ACE)
This Programme is accredited by the European Accreditation of Engineering Programmes (EUR-ACE)
Modes of study
| Route code | Credits and ECTS Credits | |
| Full-time | PFB61024 | 180 credits and 90 ECTS credits |
| Part-time | PFB61025 | 180 credits and 90 ECTS credits |
| Distance Learning | PFB61026 | 180 credits and 90 ECTS credits |
QAA Subject benchmark statement (if applicable)
Engineering (Master)
Other internal and / or external reference points
UKSPEC
Faculty and Department / School
Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences - Sustainability, Civil & Env Engineering
Programme Leader
IMAM Boulent (Sust & CEE)
Date of production/revision of spec
20/04/2024
Educational aims of the programme
- A comprehensive understanding of some of the challenges faced during the analysis, design and construction of foundation and geotechnical structures.
- The ability to select and apply most appropriate analysis methodology for problems in ground engineering including advanced and new methods.
- The ability to design foundations in a variety of ground conditions
- A working knowledge of the key UK, European and some International standards and codes of practice associated with the analysis and design of foundations and the ability to interpret and apply these to both familiar and unfamiliar problems.
- The necessary technical further learning towards fulfilling the educational base for the professional qualification of Chartered Engineer.
- To develop skills that enable active participation in the digital, connected discipline of geotechnical engineering
- To develop individual, interpersonal and professional skills, relevant to the professional field of geotechnical engineering.
- To develop competencies to engage effectively with people from different backgrounds in ways that respect the interests of cultural groups and individual rights
- To create the conditions in which students become resourceful and resilient
- Recognize issues related to sustainability in the domain of geotechnical engineering and develop skill to manage the associated complexity
Programme learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | Awards | Ref. | |
| A knowledge and understanding of the key UK, European and International standards and codes of practice relating to ground engineering | K | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| A knowledge and understanding of the construction of different types of geotechnical structure on different ground conditions | K | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| A comprehensive understanding of the principles of engineering mechanics underpinning ground engineering | K | MSc | |
| Upon completing this programme students will have: The ability to understand the limitations of ground analysis methods | K | PGDip, MSc | |
| Upon completing this programme students will have: The knowledge and understanding to work with information that may be uncertain or incomplete | K | PGDip, MSc | |
| A knowledge and understanding of ground engineering in a commercial/business context | K | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| Knowledge and understanding of sustainable development related to ground engineering | K | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| A knowledge and understanding of the common and less common materials used in ground engineering | K | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| An understanding of construction management | K | PGDip, MSc | |
| A critical awareness of new developments and research needs in ground engineering | K | MSc | |
| The ability to apply fundamental knowledge to investigate new and emerging ground engineering problems | C | PGDip, MSc | |
| A critical awareness of new developments in the field of ground engineering | C | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| The ability to critically evaluate ground engineering design principles and concepts | C | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| The awareness of the commercial, social and environmental impacts associated with foundations | C | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| An awareness and ability to make general evaluations of risk associated with the design and construction of foundations including health and safety, environmental and commercial risk | C | PGDip, MSc | |
| The ability to interpret and apply the appropriate UK, European and some International standards and codes of practice to foundation design for both familiar and unfamiliar situations | P | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| The ability to apply fundamental knowledge to investigate new and emerging technologies. | P | PGDip, MSc | |
| The ability to apply the appropriate analysis methodologies to common ground engineering problems as well as unfamiliar problems. | P | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| The ability to collect and analyse research data | P | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| The ability to tackle problems familiar or otherwise which have uncertain or incomplete data | P | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| The ability to use theory or experimental research to improve design and/or analysis | P | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| The ability to generate innovative foundation design | P | PGDip, MSc | |
| The awareness of professional and ethical conduct | P | MSc | |
| Oral and written communication (presentation skills) | T | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| Synthesis and graphical presentation of data | T | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| 3D spatial awareness | T | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| Use of sketching and engineering drafting | T | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| Use of word processor, spreadsheet, drawing/presentation | T | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| Technical report writing | T | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| Independent learning skills | T | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| Ability to develop, monitor and update a plan | T | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| Reviewing, assessing, and critical thinking skills | T | PGDip, MSc | |
| Teamwork, leadership and negotiation skills | T | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| Time management | T | PGCert, PGDip, MSc |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Programme structure
Full-time
This Master's Degree programme is studied full-time over one academic year, consisting of 180 credits at FHEQ level 7. All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
- Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)
Part-time
This Master's Degree programme is studied part-time over three to five years, consisting of 180 credits at FHEQ level 7. All modules are worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
- Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)
Distance Learning
This Master's Degree programme is studied part-time/distance-learning over three to five years, consisting of 180 credits at FHEQ level 7. All modules are worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
- Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)
Programme Adjustments (if applicable)
N/A
Modules
Year 1 - FHEQ Level 7
Module Selection for Year 1 - FHEQ Level 7
Students must take all four compulsory modules from the Geotechnical Engineering group, one module from the Digital Civil and Environmental Engineering Group, and a further three from the other groups listed below. For the main and subsidiary awards there are restrictions on the choice of modules within each module group.
Structural Engineering Group:
ENGM042 Steel Building Design
ENGM053 Structural Mechanics & Finite Elements
ENGM041 Concrete Building Design
ENGM054 Earthquake Engineering
Bridge Engineering Group:
ENGM031 Prestressed Concrete Bridge Design
ENGM033 Durability of Bridges & Structures
ENGM032 Steel & Composite Bridge Design
Infrastructure Engineering Group:
ENGM263 Infrastructure Financing
ENGM264 Infrastructure Interdependencies and Resilience
ENGM265 Sustainability and Infrastructure
ENGM266 Infrastructure Asset Management
Water Engineering Group:
ENGM035 Water Treatment
ENGM304 Wastewater Treatment
ENGM055 Applied Chemistry & Microbiology
ENGM057 Water Resources Management and Hydraulic Modelling
ENGM289 Global Challenges in Water and Health
ENGM303 Nature Based Solutions in Environmental Engineering
Geotechnical Engineering Group:
ENGM269 Advanced Soil Mechanics
ENGM270 Energy Geotechnics
ENGM048 Soil-Structure Interaction
ENGM272 Deep Foundations and Earth Retaining Structures
Digital Civil and Environmental Engineering Group:
ENGM281 Building Information Modelling
ENGM285 Geographical Information Science and Remote Sensing
Unstructured (3-5 years) PT - FHEQ Level 7
Module Selection for Unstructured (3-5 years) PT - FHEQ Level 7
Students must take all four compulsory modules from the Geotechnical Engineering group, one module from the Digital Civil and Environmental Engineering Group, and a further three from the other groups listed below. For the main and subsidiary awards there are restrictions on the choice of modules within each module group.
Structural Engineering Group:
ENGM042 Steel Building Design
ENGM053 Structural Mechanics & Finite Elements
ENGM041 Concrete Building Design
ENGM054 Earthquake Engineering
Bridge Engineering Group:
ENGM031 Prestressed Concrete Bridge Design
ENGM033 Durability of Bridges & Structures
ENGM032 Steel & Composite Bridge Design
Infrastructure Engineering Group:
ENGM263 Infrastructure Financing
ENGM264 Infrastructure Interdependencies and Resilience
ENGM265 Sustainability and Infrastructure
ENGM266 Infrastructure Asset Management
Water Engineering Group:
ENGM035 Water Treatment
ENGM304 Wastewater Treatment
ENGM055 Applied Chemistry & Microbiology
ENGM057 Water Resources Management and Hydraulic Modelling
ENGM289 Global Challenges in Water and Health
ENGM303 Nature Based Solutions in Environmental Engineering
Geotechnical Engineering Group:
ENGM269 Advanced Soil Mechanics
ENGM270 Energy Geotechnics
ENGM048 Soil-Structure Interaction
ENGM272 Deep Foundations and Earth Retaining Structures
Digital Civil and Environmental Engineering Group:
ENGM281 Building Information Modelling
ENGM285 Geographical Information Science and Remote Sensing
Unstructured (3-5 years) DL - FHEQ Level 7
Module Selection for Unstructured (3-5 years) DL - FHEQ Level 7
Students must take all four compulsory modules from the Geotechnical Engineering group, one module from the Digital Civil and Environmental Engineering Group, and a further three from the other groups listed below. For the main and subsidiary awards there are restrictions on the choice of modules within each module group.
Structural Engineering Group:
ENGM042 Steel Building Design
ENGM053 Structural Mechanics & Finite Elements
ENGM041 Concrete Building Design
ENGM054 Earthquake Engineering
Bridge Engineering Group:
ENGM031 Prestressed Concrete Bridge Design
ENGM033 Durability of Bridges & Structures
ENGM032 Steel & Composite Bridge Design
Infrastructure Engineering Group:
ENGM263 Infrastructure Financing
ENGM264 Infrastructure Interdependencies and Resilience
ENGM265 Sustainability and Infrastructure
ENGM266 Infrastructure Asset Management
Water Engineering Group:
ENGM035 Water Treatment
ENGM304 Wastewater Treatment
ENGM055 Applied Chemistry & Microbiology
ENGM057 Water Resources Management and Hydraulic Modelling
ENGM289 Global Challenges in Water and Health
ENGM303 Nature Based Solutions in Environmental Engineering
Geotechnical Engineering Group:
ENGM269 Advanced Soil Mechanics
ENGM270 Energy Geotechnics
ENGM048 Soil-Structure Interaction
ENGM272 Deep Foundations and Earth Retaining Structures
Digital Civil and Environmental Engineering Group:
ENGM281 Building Information Modelling
ENGM285 Geographical Information Science and Remote Sensing
Opportunities for placements / work related learning / collaborative activity
| Associate Tutor(s) / Guest Speakers / Visiting Academics | Y | |
| Professional Training Year (PTY) | N | |
| Placement(s) (study or work that are not part of PTY) | N | |
| Clinical Placement(s) (that are not part of the PTY scheme) | N | |
| Study exchange (Level 5) | N | |
| Dual degree | N |
Other information
Module requirements for Main and Subsidiary Awards are as follows:
Postgraduate Certificate
Advanced Soil Mechanics
2 further Geotechnical modules
1 module from any module group
Postgraduate Diploma
All modules in the Geotechnical module group
1 module from the Digital Civil and Environmental Engineering Group
3 modules from any module group
Master of Science
As for PGDip plus a Dissertation on a Geotechnical Engineering topic
On successful completion of this MSc programme students will be deemed to have completed the further learning necessary to combine with a suitable BEng (Hons) degree fulfilling the academic base for the professional qualification of Chartered Engineer.
Quality assurance
The Regulations and Codes of Practice for taught programmes can be found at:
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.