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Study information

Structural Engineering with Management (2020)

1. Programme Title:

Structural Engineering with Management

NQF Level:

7

2. Description of the Programme (as in the Business Approval Form)

Today, Structural Engineering is more than just design. Expert consultants are needed globally with a complete skill set; the ability to design, manage and maintain structures, but also to enable existing civil infrastructure to operate under changing loading and environment.

Alongside the core engineering modules, you will study two management modules taught by the Business School which will help you develop transferable professional management skills that will enhance your study experience and improve your career prospects.

The course will integrate strengths of the newly established structures and dynamics group who have internationally leading expertise in structural health monitoring, structural dynamics and control with expertise in related themes of infrastructure management, systems and informatics.

This course aims to equip you with specialist skills rarely taught to civil engineers but increasingly demanded by employing infrastructure consultants, contractors, operators and government agencies.

Course lecturers have practical experience and extensive industrial links both as researchers and consultants and will use their experience on structures in the UK and overseas in case studies.

The programme prepares you for a career in structural engineering or for progression to a PhD for those interested in pursuing a research pathway.

3. Educational Aims of the Programme

The MSc degree programme is designed to deliver all of the required learning outcomes as set out in UK-SPEC for a Masters (Further Learning) degree and hence aims to contribute towards graduates becoming professionally qualified engineers in the UK, with international recognition. This programme is accredited as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for candidates who have already acquired an Accredited CEng (Partial) BEng (Hons) undergraduate first degree. Graduates may apply for CEng registration through membership of an appropriate Professional Institution following an assessment of their subsequent professional development and experience.

This programme is delivered in collaboration with our Business School and is aimed at aspiring structural engineers with a desire to develop a solid foundation of business knowledge as part of their Masters degree. You will undertake Management modules as part of the programme and will study these alongside Business School students in a rewarding and dynamic learning environment.

You will be provided with advanced knowledge of structural analysis, design and assessment methods relevant for 21st century structural engineers.

You will develop enthusiasm for structural engineering in practice and the relationships of design to performance and form to function advanced by exposure to real-world problems.

You will be involved in an industrially relevant and intellectually stimulating experience of learning and scholarship.

To develop your research skills, personal skills and core academic skills that will prepare you for a wide range of employment opportunities.

To prepare you for further research in the area of Structural Engineering.

4. Programme Structure

Your MSc Structural Engineering with Management programme is a 1 year programme of study at National Qualification Framework (NQF) level 7 (as confirmed against the FHEQ). This programme is divided into 1 ‘Stage’.  The programme is also divided into units of study called ‘modules’ which are assigned a number of ‘credits’. The credit rating of a module is proportional to the total workload, with 1 credit being nominally equivalent to 10 hours of work.

Exit Awards

If you do not complete the programme you may be able to exit with a lower qualification.

Postgraduate Diploma: At least 120 credits of which 90 or more must be at NQF level 7.

Postgraduate Certificate: At least 60 credits of which 45 or more must be at NQF level 7.

5. Programme Modules

The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme. Details of the modules currently offered may be obtained from the College web site

https://intranet.exeter.ac.uk/emps/

You may take Option Modules as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module. Descriptions of the individual modules are given in full on the College web site.

https://intranet.exeter.ac.uk/emps/

Stage 1

Code Title Credits Compulsory NonCondonable
ECMM149Linear Systems and Structural Analysis15YesNo
ECMM150Structural Design15YesNo
ECMM153Conceptual Design of Buildings15YesNo
ECMM158Active and Passive Structural Control 15YesNo
ECMM159Structural Health and Performance Monitoring15YesNo
ECMM164MSc Dissertation60YesYes
ECMM171Programming for Engineering15YesNo
ENGM023Sustainable Manufacturing15YesNo
Select one of the following:
BEMM068Managing Competitive Strategy15NoNo
BEMM118Strategic Innovation Management15NoNo
For the full time MSc you will take all modules except BEMM118 or BEMM119 which you must choose between.
 
For the Diploma (120 credits) you take all modules except ECMM154.
 
For the Certificate (60 credits) you will complete 60 credits which must include ECMM171 and ECMM149.
 

6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning & Assessment Methods

On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be accommodated & facilitated by the following learning & teaching and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

A Specialised Subject Skills & Knowledge

A Specialised Subject Skills & Knowledge
1. Develop computer programming (coding) skills in ECMM171 as a basis for the mathematical and software skills developed for simulating and studying static and dynamic performance of structures..

2. Design skills and concepts will be delivered in ECMM150 and ECMM153. ECMM153 will cover broad principles of design for life cycle, addressing sustainability, resilience and management. The relationship of superstructure to substructure and foundation effects will be covered. Design will be taught both specifically – following Eurocodes, and conceptually – e.g. for exceptional structures and to understand the relationship between design and real world performance.

3. Discover how to avoid common pitfalls in managing innovation in BEMM118. In BEMM119 ..

4. The programmes taught modules finish with specialist modules on structural control and monitoring in ECMM158 and ECMM159. ECMM158 concerns active and passive systems for controlling dynamic performance, while ECMM159 concerns technologies for instrumentation, data acquisition, data mining and the consequent condition assessment and structural health/performance monitoring for decision support.

 

Learning & Teaching Activities

The modules will be delivered by a mixture of formal lectures and tutorial classes.

Simulation software will be provided for use in ECMM158.

Example sheets and other assignments will be set and marked by the module lecturers.

You will be expected to read the assigned texts, and assistance will be given during tutorials and office hours.

Dissertations (ECMM164) will be individually supervised, with a weekly meeting (typically one hour) supervisor and student.

The learning process in 2nd tern modules in particular will reference SDG’s portfolio of monitoring and assessment projects in the UK and overseas. These are taught by internationally field leading experts in structural health monitoring, vibration engineering, instrumentation and asset management through supervision by field-leading experts. The dissertation ECMM164 will provide opportunities for fieldwork and engagement with SDG’s research team with excellent opportunities for subsequent publication of research outcomes in international journals.

Assessment Methods

Modules will be assessed by, coursework, written examination or a combination of a written examination and coursework. The dissertation (ECMM164) will be graded both by the supervisor and a second independent marker.

B Academic Discipline Core Skills & Knowledge

5. Identify, formulate, analyse and solve complex problems in structural engineering relating to performance and management at full-scale. Develop designs to implement the solutions.

6.  Integrate theory and applications.

7. Develop a working knowledge of software tools and experimental methods for predicting, measuring and analysing structural performance.

8. Critically assess research results.
 

Learning & Teaching Activities

5. From the beginning, modules will build mathematical principles and show these being applied for developing solutions. These can be followed through to design through specific modules such as ECMM153/8.

6. The programme revolves around linking analysis and research to practice. All theory has direct relevance to real world problems as will be shown through numerous case study examples drawn from lecturer’s practical experience.

7. Software tools such as MATLAB and ANSYS will be used where appropriate. You will be provided by in-house developed software for simulating dynamic performance for understanding and designing for dynamic loads.

8. The dissertation module ECMM164 will include an intensive literature review and will require you to assess your own research results by cross-validation.

Assessment Methods

Modules will be assessed by, coursework, written examination or a combination of a written examination and coursework. The dissertation (ECMM164) will be graded both by the supervisor and a second independent marker.

C Personal / Transferable / Employment Skills & Knowledge

9.    Apply improved skills for independent learning.

10.    Write good technical reports and deliver clear presentations.

11.   Deploy improved IT skills.

12.    Work well within a team.

13.    Manage time effectively.

14.    Plan career and personal development effectively.

Learning & Teaching Activities

(9) and (10) will be developed primarily during the dissertation and partially through ECMM153 design modules.

(11) This will be developed in Modules using computer software.

(12) Will be developed in ECMM153 which will incorporate elements of group work for design.

Further, the dissertation may provide opportunities for students working on related projects to team up for more effective study.

(13) and (14) will be developed throughout the programme where submission of coursework and teamwork is required. Each student will have personal tutorial advice to achieve (13) and (14).

Successful launch into relevant employment is particularly important and the deliberate aim of the programme is to develop skills necessary for both industry and academic careers with as much exposure as possible to real world practice.  SDG lecturers have extensive industrial links and every opportunity will be taken to deliver expert talks both by professionals from industry. Where possible in dissertations, you may have a chance for direct engagement e.g. during field testing/investigations of structures.

Assessment Methods

The dissertation ECMM164 is most relevant means of assessment through the written report and various presentations. Time management will be assessed through coursework submission.

7. Programme Regulations

Credit

The programme consists of 180 credits. The pass mark for award of credit in an individual PG module is 50%.

 

Condonement

This programme is accredited by a PSRB under licence from the Engineering Council. Therefore, the latest Engineering Council regulations on condonement apply to this programme. Please find further details in the TQA Manual here: http://as.exeter.ac.uk/academic-policy-standards/tqa-manual/specialprovisionsforprogrammeswithaccreditationlicencedbytheengineeringcouncil/

 


Assessment and Awards

The award will normally be based on at least 180 credits of which 150 or more must be at NQF level 7

Classification

The marking of modules and the classification of awards broadly corresponds to the following percentage marks:

Postgraduate Degrees

Distinction   70%+

Merit            60-69%

Pass            50-59%

 

Full details of  PGT programmes assessment regulations can be found in the Teaching Quality Assurance Manual (TQA) on the University of Exeter website.  Generic marking criteria are also published here.

Please see the Teaching and Quality Assurance Manual for further guidance.

8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning

In accordance with University policy a system of personal tutors is in place for all students on this programme.  A University-wide statement on such provision is included in the University's TQA Manual.  As a student enrolled on this programme you will receive the personal and academic support of the Programme Coordinator and will have regular scheduled meetings with your Personal Tutor; you may request additional meetings as and when required. The role of personal tutors is to provide you with advice and support for the duration of the programme and extends to providing you with details of how to obtain support and guidance on personal difficulties such as accommodation, financial difficulties and sickness. You can also make an appointment to see individual teaching staff.

Information Technology (IT) Services provide a wide range of services throughout the Exeter campuses including open access computer rooms, some of which are available 24 hours, 7 days a week.  Help may be obtained through the Helpdesk, and most study bedrooms in halls and flats are linked to the University's campus network.

Additionally, the College has its own dedicated IT support staff, helpdesk and computer facilities which are linked to the wider network, but which also provide access to some specialised software packages.  Email is an important channel of communication between staff and students in the College and an extensive range of web-based information (see https://intranet.exeter.ac.uk/emps/) is maintained for the use of students, including a comprehensive and annually revised student handbook.

The Harrison Learning Resource Centre is generally open during building open hours. The Centre is available for quiet study, with four separate rooms that can be booked for meetings and group work. Amongst its facilities, the Learning Resource Centre has a number of desks, four meeting rooms with large LCD screens, and free use of a photocopier. Also available are core set texts from your module reading lists, and undergraduate and MSc projects from the past two years.

Online Module study resources provide materials for modules that you are registered for, in addition to some useful subject and IT resources. Generic study support resources, library and research skills, past exam papers, and the 'Academic Honesty and Plagiarism' module are also available through the student portal (http://vle.exeter.ac.uk).

Student/Staff Liaison Committee enables students & staff to jointly participate in the management and review of the teaching and learning provision.

10. Admission Criteria

All applications are considered individually on merit. The University is committed to an equal opportunities policy with respect to gender, age, race, sexual orientation and/or disability when dealing with applications. It is also committed to widening access to higher education to students from a diverse range of backgrounds and experience.

Entry requirements for this programme can be found on the Postgraduate Study Page.

Candidates must satisfy the general admissions requirements and English Language requirements of the University of Exeter.

11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards

Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.

The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice.  See the University's TQA Manual for details.

12. Indicators of Quality and Standards

Certain programmes are subject to accreditation and/ or review by professional and statutory regulatory bodies (PSRBs).

The MSc Structural Engineering with Mangement is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM)*.

The accredited MSc will meet, in part, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Accredited MSc graduates who also have a BEng (Hons) accredited for CEng will be able to show that they have satisfied the educational base for CEng registration.

It should be noted that graduates from an accredited MSc programme that do not also have an appropriately accredited Honours degree, will not be regarded as having the exemplifying qualification for professional registration as a Chartered Engineer with the Engineering Council; and will need to have their qualifications individually assessed through the Individual Case Procedure if the wish to progress to CEng.

*JBM incorporates the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), the Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT), and the Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE).

14 Awarding Institution University of Exeter
15 Lead College / Teaching Institution College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences
16 Partner College / Institution The Business School
17 Programme accredited/validated by
18 Final Award(s) MSc
19 UCAS Code (UG programmes) M111
20 NQF Level of Final Awards(s): 7
21 Credit (CATS and ECTS) 180 credits (90 ECTS)
22 QAA Subject Benchmarking Group (UG and PGT programmes) Engineering
23 Origin Date November 20th 2019 Last Date of Revision: November 26th 2020