Civil Engineering  (NVS1)

This is an academic programme suited to students with an interest in both analysis and design. It will provide you with the confidence to develop optimal solutions to complex problems from a knowledge of science, technology and mathematics. Graduates usually progress to either the Bachelor or to the professionally accredited Masters programme in Civil Engineering but your numerate and transferrable skills also provide access to professional careers in other engineering disciplines, business, finance, policy development and project management amongst others. You will also understand the roles, responsibilities and ethical standards of your profession. You will have the ability to communicate with the engineering community and with society at large and to work as an individual and in group settings. You will have the ability to design civil engineering infrastructure and to undertake independent research.  The learning experience includes lectures, tutorials, laboratory practicals and group/individual project work. Assessment is by a combination of end-of-semester examinations and continuous assessment which takes the form of individual assignments, practical laboratory work exercises, and group projects. Our goal with this learning and assessment approach is to produce independent critical thinkers with the skills required to engage in self-directed learning throughout their varied careers.

1 - PO1. Knowledge and Understanding: Knowledge and understanding of the mathematics, sciences, data science, analytics, and other technologies underpinning civil engineering.
2 - PO2. Problem Analysis: The ability to identify, formulate and analyse engineering problems.
3 - PO3. Design: The ability to design solutions to civil engineering problems.
4 - PO4. Investigation: The ability to investigate, experiment and to conduct guided research.
5 - PO5. Professional and Ethical Responsibilities: Understanding of and commitment to professional and ethical responsibilities towards people and the environment in the practice of civil engineering.
6 - PO6. Teamwork and Lifelong Learning: The ability to work effectively independently and in diverse and inclusive teams, and to prepare for lifelong learning.
7 - PO7. Communication: The ability to communicate effectively on engineering activities to diverse audiences.
8 - PO8. Engineering Management: Knowledge and understanding of engineering management principles and financial decision-making relevant to civil engineering and an ability to apply these to one’s own work and to the management of projects.
9 - Students will be able to recognise the built environment and its interactions with the natural environment as a set of inter-related systems governed by scientific, mathematical and engineering principles.
10 - Students will be able to interpret, apply and use scientific, mathematical and engineering principles, data and models (both numerical and physical) to evaluate and solve defined problems.
11 - Students will be able to appraise and synthesise data and information from a variety of sources, including designed experiments, to produce solutions to problems.
12 - Students will be effective communicators, being able to i) communicate their ideas and solutions to colleagues, clients and the public using different media and ii) listen to the needs of clients, society and colleagues.
13 - Students will be able to work independently and alone when required as well as being effective team-members.
14 - Students will understand the responsibilities of their profession and the importance of high ethical standards in professional practice, along with the role and responsibilities of engineers in developing an inclusive and equitable society.
15 - Students will become independent, critical thinkers having used guided research and learning skills required to engage in self-directed learning throughout their careers.

Everywhere we go, the impact of civil engineering on society is all around us.

UCD Civil Engineering graduates may get involved in many aspects of developing the Earth's resources for the benefit of mankind. From early on in your careers you can work on projects such as:

- Designing bridges and building structures

- Providing an environment served by safe drinking water

- Designing and implementing strategies for treating wastewater and pollutants 

- Designing roads, railways, ports and airports

- Preventing flooding by civil engineering works on either large or small scales

- Designing foundations, tunnels and dams.

Later in your careers, you can engage in project management and some opt for a career solely in management.

STAGE 1
The first year of study is common to all the UCD engineering degree programmes. Civil Engineering is one of the choices available to students at end of that year. In Stage 1 you will study a number of core modules including Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Engineering Computing, Creativity in Design, Mechanics for Engineers, Energy Engineering and Electronic and Electrical Engineering.

STAGES 2 & 3
Here you will study subjects such as the Mechanics of Solids and Mechanics of Fluids as well as a broad range of subjects that prepare graduates to work in any of the main civil engineering sub-disciplines, such as:

- Structural Engineering - from buildings to bridges
- Water and Environmental Engineering - from pipelines to pumping stations
- Geotechnical Engineering - from undergrounds to tunnels
- Transportation Engineering - from roads to airports

STAGE 4
In Stage 4, the emphasis changes to design and you will be challenged to show your own creativity in solving engineering problems by applying a combination of your technical knowledge, logic, analytical tools, communication skills and a good flair for design. The highlight of the year is research on your final-stage project and presenting the findings to staff and fellow students.

Students have the opportunity in their third year to spend either one or two trimesters studying abroad in a partner University. There are options to study in countries such as France, Germany, Switzerland, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, Singapore.

Graduates can find employment in:

• Environmental industries
• Transportation engineering
• Structural engineering
• Water resource and hydraulic engineering
•  Management and project management
• Financial services
• Research

Graduates can apply for taught and research Masters degrees in UCD including Civil, Structural & Environmental Engineering, Water, Waste & Environmental Engineering and Engineering with Business. Graduates can also apply for positions in PhD research programmes.

UCD Engineering and Architecture College Office

Tel: +353 1 716 1916
e. katie.oneill@ucd.ie

Stage 2

Stage 2 Civil Engineering comprises 50 credits of Core Modules, and 10 credits of Elective Modules. Students should choose one Elective Module from each Trimester, to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. Alternatively, should students prefer to take modules from within Engineering rather than selecting electives, they can choose from the Additional Option Modules listed.

Stage 3

Stage 3 Civil Engineering comprises 50 credits of Core Modules, and 10 credits of Elective Modules. Students should choose one Elective Module from each Trimester, to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. Alternatively, should students prefer to take modules from within Engineering rather than selecting electives, they can choose from the Additional Option Modules listed.

See the UCD Assessment website for further details, including worked examples of how degree award GPAs are calculated

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Module Weighting Info