University of Plymouth
Faculty of Science and Engineering
School of Engineering
Programme Specification
MSc Civil Engineering – 2367
September 2020
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1. MSc Civil Engineering
Final award title: MSc Civil Engineering
Level 7 Intermediate award title(s)
Postgraduate Certificate (minimum of 60 credits)
Postgraduate Diploma (minimum of 120 credits)
UCAS code: N/A
HECOS code: 100148
2. Awarding Institution: University of Plymouth
Teaching institution(s): University of Plymouth
3. Accrediting bodies
The specific content and standards of the degree programme is decided in
consultation with industrial representatives and with our professional bodies
through accreditation process managed by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM).
The JBM comprises The Institution of Civil Engineers, The Institution of Structural
Engineers and The Institute of Highway Engineers and The Chartered Institution
of Highways and Transportation.
The MSc Civil Engineering exit award is accredited as MSc (Technical), meeting
the further learning requirements for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) who has
already acquired an Accredited CEng (Partial), BEng(Hons), or an Accredited
IEng (Full) BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree.
This programme is accredited for the 2019-2020 and 2020-21 academic
years. Re-accreditation is due in 2021 at the next JBM visit.
See [Link] for further information and details of Further Learning
programmes for CEng.
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4. Distinctive Features of the Programme and the Student Experience
The programme offers the opportunity to:
a) graduate with an MSc in Civil Engineering
b) develop knowledge at an advanced level in civil engineering principles
c) develop advanced level technical capability in structural analysis and design
aspects of civil engineering.
d) learn about management and professional practice at advanced level
e) carry out a substantial research project on a topic of choice, relating to civil
engineering.
f) engage in research in the Plymouth University laboratory facilities, including the
Brunel ‘Structures’ laboratory, and the Marine Building ‘COAST’ laboratory
g) carry out project work with research active staff
h) achieve an MSc in Civil Engineering that meets the requirements of a ‘Technical’
MSc with the accrediting body, the Joint Board of Moderators
i) achieve the required further learning towards Chartered Engineering status (note
that this requires an appropriate first degree).
The Programme delivery is underpinned by the University of Plymouth Education
and Student Experience Strategy 2018-2023, specifically:
a) to be externally recognised for the high quality of our educational provision.
b) to support and inspire our students to achieve their potential and ambitions.
c) to nurture a sustainable and collaborative community of scholars recognising the
significance of research and evidence-based pedagogy.
d) to provide an infrastructure and inclusive learning environment that supports our
students and staff.
5. Relevant QAA Subject Benchmark Group(s)
The QAA Engineering Subject Benchmark statement defines the academic standard
expected of graduates with an engineering degree. Master’s Degree Characteristics
are provided by the QAA.
The programme is designed to meet learning outcomes that fulfil the ‘JBM
requirements for MSc programmes and Programmes of Further Learning’ to give the
academic component required for students working towards CEng (see
[Link] ).
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The programme is designed to meet learning outcomes that fulfil the requirements of
those published by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional
Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC): "The Accreditation of Higher Education
Programmes (2014)- 3rd Edition".
6. Programme Structure
The one-year programme consists of 180 credits of study at Level 7 and will require students
to study over the Summer vacation.
Full-time students would be expected to complete the programme within 12 months. The
programme allows for part-time study (in full-time mode), with a recommendation that a
minimum of 40 credits is studied in any one academic year and that the dissertation project
is completed within 12 months. The maximum period of registration allowed will bethree
years for full-time students, andfive years for part-time students.
To complete the programme, students must achieve 6 x 20-credit modules and a 60-credit
dissertation project. To satisfy JBM regulations for the award being ‘Technical’ students must
complete a dissertation which is technical in nature.
Code Module Credits Technical Semester
Advanced
STAD506 Structural 20 Technical S1
Engineering
Engineering
Research Methods
ENGR501 20 S1
and Professional
Development
Advanced
HYFM501 Hydraulic 20 Technical S1
Engineering
Advanced
MATH511 Engineering 20 Technical S2
Analysis
Project
ENBS542 Management &
20 S2
Professional
Practice
Interdisciplinary
PRCE508 Design Project 20 Technical S2
PROJ517 MSc Dissertation 60 Technical AY
Totals 180
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7. Programme Aims
The programme is intended to:
a) Provide an opportunity to study technical aspects of civil engineering at an
advanced level, in order to meet the requirements for a Technical MSc.
b) Develop students competencies in the technical components of structural
analysis and design
c) Develop the students awareness and capability relating to the management of
civil engineering projects
d) Develop students capability in research and critical analysis relating to a
specific aspect of civil engineering
e) Provide a Further Learning opportunity for appropriately qualified graduate
entrants seeking to complete the academic base required for Chartered
Engineer status.
f) To develop a commitment to professional and social responsibility, ethical
codes, and sustainability.
g) Provide a research-led postgraduate qualification of benefit to those seeking a
more research-focused career.
8. Programme Intended Learning Outcomes
8.1. Knowledge and understanding
On successful completion graduates will have developed:
a) A comprehensive understanding of relevant scientific principles of Civil
Engineering;
b) A critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights much of which is
at, or informed by, the forefront of Civil Engineering;
c) Understanding of concepts relevant to Civil Engineering, some from outside
Civil Engineering, and the ability to evaluate them critically and to apply them
effectively, including in Civil Engineering projects.
8.2. Cognitive and intellectual skills
On successful completion graduates will have developed:
a) Ability both to apply appropriate Civil Engineering analysis methods for
solving complex problems in engineering and to assess their limitations
b) The ability to use fundamental knowledge to investigate new and emerging
technologies in Civil Engineering;
c) The ability to collect and analyse research data and use appropriate Civil
Engineering tools to tackle unfamiliar problems, such as those with uncertain
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or incomplete data or specifications, by the appropriate innovation, use or
adaptation of Civil Engineering analytical methods.
8.3. Key and transferable skills
On successful completion graduates will have developed:
a) Knowledge, understanding and skills to work with information that may be
incomplete or uncertain, quantify the effect of this on the design and, where
appropriate, use theory or experimental research to mitigate deficiencies
b) Knowledge and comprehensive understanding of design processes and
methodologies and the ability to apply and adapt them in unfamiliar situations
in Civil Engineering;
c) Ability to generate an innovative design for products, systems, components or
processes to fulfil new needs relating to Civil Engineering
8.4. Employment related skills
a) Awareness of the need for a high level of professional and ethical conduct in
Civil Engineering;
b) Awareness that Civil Engineers need to take account of the commercial and
social contexts in which they operate;
c) Knowledge and understanding of management and business practices, and
their limitations, and how these may be applied in the context of Civil
Engineering;
d) Awareness that Civil Engineering activities should promote sustainable
development and ability to apply quantitative techniques where appropriate
e) Awareness of relevant regulatory requirements governing Civil Engineering
activities
f) Awareness of and ability to make general evaluations of risk issues in the
context of Civil Engineering, including health & safety, environmental and
commercial risk.
8.5. Practical skills
On successful completion graduates should have developed:
a) Advanced level knowledge and understanding of a wide range of Civil
Engineering materials and components;
b) A thorough understanding of current practice and its limitations, and some
appreciation of likely new developments in Civil Engineering;
c) The ability to apply Civil Engineering techniques taking account of a range of
commercial and industrial constraints
d) Understanding of different roles within a Civil Engineering team and the ability
to exercise initiative and personal responsibility, which may be as a team
member or leader;
8.6 Additional general skills
Graduates should be able to:
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a) Apply their skills in problem solving, communication, information retrieval,
working with others, and the effective use of general IT facilities
b) Plan self-learning and improve performance, as the foundation for lifelong
learning/CPD
c) Monitor and adjust a personal programme of work on an on-going basis
(These Learning Outcomes are based on the JBM requirements for MSc
programmes and Programmes of Further Learning. See [Link] for further
information)
9. Admissions Criteria, including APCL, APEL and Disability Service
arrangements
A minimum of a lower second class BEng (Hons) degree (2:2) or an upper second
class BSc (Hons) degree (2:1) in a civil engineering or similar engineering subject is
required.
All applicants should possess a grade C in English Language at GCSE level or a
minimum score of 6.5 in IELTS.
Due to some overlap with Plymouth University MEng modules, Plymouth University
MEng Civil Engineering or MEng Civil and Coastal Engineering graduates would not
normally be accepted onto this MSc programme.
For APCL and APEL, please see University of Plymouth Academic Regulations –
Accreditation of Prior Learning 2018-19.
10. Progression criteria for Final and Intermediate Awards
The MSc in Civil Engineering award requires minimum of 180 credits at level 7 and is
categorised into grades:
Master of Science degree (MSc) A Masters degree will be awarded to a
student who has successfully completed
the appropriate modules worth a
minimum of 180 credits, all of which
must be at Level 7, and must include
the dissertation/major project module.
Master of Science degree (MSc) with A student will be awarded a Masters
Merit degree with Merit provided that s/he has
achieved a credit-weighted average
mark of 60% or above across all
modules (including the
dissertation/major project), and provided
that the mark for the dissertation/major
project is not less than 50%.
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Master of Science degree (MSc) with A student will be awarded a Masters
Distinction degree with Distinction provided that
s/he has achieved a credit-weighted
average mark of 70% or above across
all modules (including the
dissertation/major project), and provided
that the mark for the dissertation/major
project module is not less than 60%.
The following additional intermediate awards are awarded when the minimum of 180
credits are not achieved.
Post Graduate Certificate (PGCert) Requires the successful completion of
modules worth 60 credits at level 7
Post Graduate Diploma (PgDip) Requires the successful completion of
modules worth 120 credits at level 7
11. Non Standard Regulations
In the MSc Civil Engineering programme the following modules cannot be
compensated: STAD506, ENGR501, HYFM501, MATH511, ENBS542, PRCE508,
PROJ517 (and CIVL500, which replaces MATH511 from Sept 2021 and is also non-
compenstable)
The pass mark for a module at Level 7 is 50%. Where the module assessment
involves more than one element, students must achieve at least 40% in each
element to satisfy accreditation requirements,
12. Transitional Arrangements
PROJ517 replaces PRCE505 from Sept 2020. Any student needing to repeat
PRCE505 should take PROJ517.
From Sept 2021, ‘CIVL500’ module will replace MATH511. CIVL500 meets the
same programme learning outcomes as MATH511.
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Appendices
Programme Specification Mapping (PGT)
The mappings below show the mappings of (a) learning outcomes and (b) assessment elements for the year 2020/2021.
Below this, further tables shows the mapping for 2021 onwards (c, d). (The difference between 2020 and 2021 is that in 2021, module CIVL500 will replace MATH511).
a) Programme Specification: mapping of Programme Learning Outcomes (for 2020)
Award Learning Outcomes contributed to (for more information see Section 8)
Core/Elective
Module
Credits
(C/E)
8.1 Knowledge & 8.2 Cognitive & 8.3 Key &
8.4 Employment related skills 8.5 Practical skills 8.6 Additional
understanding intellectual skills transferable skills
General Skills
(a) (b) (c) (a) (b) (c) (a) (b) (c) (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (a) (b) (c) (d) (a) (b) (c)
STAD506 20 C A A A A A A
ENGR501 20 C A A A A A A A
HYFM501 20 C A A A
Learning Outcomes
A A A A A A A A A A A A
60 credits
MATH511 20 C A A A
ENBS542 20 C A A A A A A A A A A A
PRCE508 20 C A A A A A A A A A A A A A
Learning Outcomes
A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
120 credits
PROJ517 60 C A A A A A A
Learning Outcomes
A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
180 credits
Confirmed Award LOs A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
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b) Programme Specification: mapping of Assessment Elements (2020)
Element Code
Core/Elective (C/E)
Compensatable
A1 Assessment
C1 Coursework
P1 Practical
Module
Credits
E1 Exam
T1 Test
(Y/N)
STAD506 20 C 50% 50% N
ENGR501 20 C 100% P/F Y
HYFM501 20 C 70% 30% N
MATH511 20 C 100% Y
ENBS542 20 C 85% 15% N
PRCE508 20 C 100% N
PROJ517 60 C 100% N
P/F=Pass/Fail
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c) Programme Specification: mapping of Programme Learning Outcomes (from 2021)
Award Learning Outcomes contributed to (for more information see Section 8)
Core/Elective
Module
Credits
(C/E)
8.1 Knowledge & 8.2 Cognitive & 8.3 Key &
8.4 Employment related skills 8.5 Practical skills 8.6 Additional
understanding intellectual skills transferable skills
General Skills
(a) (b) (c) (a) (b) (c) (a) (b) (c) (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (a) (b) (c) (d) (a) (b) (c)
STAD506 20 C A A A A A A
ENGR501 20 C A A A A A A A
HYFM501 20 C A A A
Learning Outcomes
A A A A A A A A A A A A
60 credits
CIVL500 20 C A A A
ENBS542 20 C A A A A A A A A A A A
PRCE508 20 C A A A A A A A A A A A A A
Learning Outcomes
A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
120 credits
PROJ517 60 C A A A A A
Learning Outcomes
A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
180 credits
Confirmed Award LOs A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
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d) Programme Specification: mapping of Assessment Elements (from 2021)
Element Code
Core/Elective (C/E)
Compensatable
A1 Assessment
C1 Coursework
P1 Practical
Module
Credits
E1 Exam
T1 Test
(Y/N)
STAD506 20 C 50% 50% N
ENGR501 20 C 100% P/F Y
HYFM501 20 C 70% 30% N
CIVL500 20 C 100% N
ENBS542 20 C 85% 15% N
PRCE508 20 C 100% N
PROJ517 60 C 100% N
P/F=Pass/Fail
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