Key Facts

Entry requirements

The minimum entry requirement is 2nd class Honours Degree in an Honours, Level 8 Civil Engineering programme (or equivalent).

Duration: One year full-time programme (September to June).
Available Places: 20
Weighting: 60 ECTS
Mode of Study: Taught
Closing Date: Early application may result in an early offer; see offer round dates
Next Start Date: September 2013

Programme Overview

NUI Galway is pleased to launch its new a one year taught masters (M.E.) in Civil Engineering. This is a full-time programme that is being offered for the first time in 2013, starting in September and running to June of the following year. It has a weighting of 60ECTS and the programme is at level 9 in the Irish qualifications system. It has also been designed to meet the educational requirements necessary for progression to Chartered Engineer with Engineers Ireland. NUI Galway has a long tradition of providing a high quality accredited bachelor degree (BE) in Civil Engineering. The new programme builds on this experience and the ME will see NUI Galway educate a new generation of Civil Engineers to even higher standards.

Programme Details

The ME in Civil Engineering, which has a particular emphasis on design, has three primary elements; (i) advanced core modules in Civil Engineering, (ii) an individual capstone project and (iii) modules on transferrable skills and personal development. The student will take a number of taught modules (40 ECTS) and these will be examined at end of semester examinations in December and April and/or through assignments and continuous assessment.

The individual project (20ECTS) is a key element of the programme and runs throughout the year with a submission date at the end of May. Projects will be available across all branches of Civil Engineering and a list to choose from will be provided at the start of the academic year. You may also wish to propose a project of your own and you are encouraged to do so. You will generally work with a single supervisor although there is scope for joint supervision, particularly if the project is multi-disciplinary. In addition to a final report, you will also be expected to prepare a poster presentation.

For your course work, you will be able to select from a range of core Civil Engineering modules. This course work is a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops, assignments and laboratories where you will have the opportunity to actively engage and to contribute your own opinions. Available modules include:
• Advanced Structural Analysis and Design: Advanced topics in structural analysis; elasticity; inelastic structural analysis; advanced concrete design
• Computational Methods in Civil Engineering: computer based methods for the solution of engineering problems; the finite difference method and the finite element method
• Design of Sustainable Environmental Systems: Design of complete water treatment systems; design of wastewater treatment systems; waste treatment
• Offshore Engineering: Engineering structures in the ocean; fluid structure interaction; wave induces forces and responses; wave energy devices
• Transportation Systems and Infrastructure: Pavement design and maintenance; junction design; environmental effects; computerized geometric design of highways (Novapoint)

Students will also carry out a Design Team Project module, and this will also reflect the strong design ethos of the programme.

You will also select from available modules in the area of transferrable skills and these include:
• Advanced Applied Mathematics for Engineers:
• Advanced Engineering Statistics:  
• Environmental Economics:
• Estimates and Costing:
• Financial Management:
• Research Methods for Engineers:
• Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship:
 

The Facilities

The new Engineering Building at NUI Galway was opened in 2011 and, at 14,200 sq.m, it is the largest engineering building in the country. As a student on the ME in Civil Engineering, you will be based in this building for your lectures and laboratories. Located to the north of the campus, and built to the most modern design, the building is equipped with the latest facilities, providing a living example for engineering students to study. Located on the west bank of the river Corrib, it houses the most modern of lecture theatres, classrooms, research facilities and break out spaces. It provides an inspiring environment where students can collaborate on projects and discuss the latest cutting edge developments in Engineering that they see around them.

The Lecturers

The majority of lecturers on this course are from the core Civil Engineering discipline and their details may be found here. Additional lecturing support will be provided by expert practitioners from industry and by staff from disciplines that are cognate to Civil Engineering.

Career Opportunites

This degree programme is ideally suited to the Civil Engineer with an honours (level 8) undergraduate degree who wishes to become more competent in advanced Civil Engineering topics. From 2013, the ME degree is required to satisfy the educational requirements for progression to chartered engineer status. Graduates of the programme will be capable of working in any sphere of Civil Engineering including consultancy and contracting. As a programme that is targeted for accreditation, it will have international recognition through the Washington Accord.

Selection Procedure

Selection is based on performance in your primary degree. An interview may also be held.

Duration of Programme

This is a one year full-time programme, starting in September and running until June of the following year.

Fees

The fees for this programme will be set in early 2013.

Application Procedure

You will need to apply online through the The Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC) only; although process has not yet opened. The PAC code for this programme will be assigned in early 2013 and you will be able to apply at that stage. Early application may result in an early offer; see offer round dates.

Find Out More

Additional information may be obtained from Dr. Piaras Ó hEachteirn (Programme Director) at piaras.oheachteirn@nuigalway.ie or from Ms. Brid Flaherty (Programme Administrator) at brid.flaherty@nuigalway.ie. The contact number is 353-91-492170.

New Programme…

Starting September 2013

The PAC code for this programme will be assigned in early 2013 and you will be able to apply at that stage.

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ME in Civil Engineering

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