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BSEN20010

Academic Year 2025/2026

Engineering and Surveying (BSEN20010)

Subject:
Biosystems Engineering
College:
Engineering & Architecture
School:
Biosystems & Food Engineering
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Rajat Nag
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module consists of two components: mechanics and surveying. In the mechanics section you will be introduced to mechanical concepts such as force, moments, bending moments, stress and strain, that are used in the design of structures and machinery. You will also be introduced to basic concepts in fluid mechanics. Using these concepts you will learn to solve some simple problems in statics. In the surveying section you will be introduced to the concepts and technologies of field surveying. Surveying methods and equipment such as chains, levels, theodolites and electronic distance measuring devices will be introduced and their use for land and building surveys will be studied. Finally you will be introduced to the calculation of areas and volumes from survey data.

This module is useful for anyone who may take BSEN30020 Buildings and Environment in stage 3 or 4.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should have acquired:
• knowledge and understanding of forces, both external and internal, including compression, tension, bending and shear;
• knowledge and understanding of moments and their use;
• knowledge and understanding of the concept of equilibrium in structures;
• knowledge and understanding of some basic concepts of fluid mechanics, including pressure, head, density and flow equations;
• skills in analysing simple structural problems using the principles mentioned above;
• skills in analysing simple fluid problems, both static and dynamic;
• knowledge and understanding of surveying techniques, including levelling, distance measurement and estimation of areas and volumes;
• skills in using surveying equipment;
• skills in analysing surveying data.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

20
Practical

4
Specified Learning Activities

15
Autonomous Student Learning

64
Online Learning

6
Total

109

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
To get the maximum out of this module a student should attend all lectures and take appropriate notes. Some of the notes are on Brightspace but these are not sufficient to pass the examination.

Students are expected to attend the practicals, which are assessed.

Students are expected to do the assignments. These are also assessed.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Exclusions:

This module is for students who are not studying Engineering

Learning Recommendations:

Prior knowledge of Leaving Cert Physics or any level 1 Physics module would be beneficial to students attending this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
BSEN20150 - Agricultural Eng Principles, CVEN20010 - Mechanics of Solids I, MEEN10030 - Mechanics for Engineers, MEEN20040 - Mechanics of Solids I


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Group Work Assignment: Assignment 3: Group assignment on Surveying with Total Station Week 8 Graded No
10
 Yes
Assignment(Including Essay): Assignment 4: Individual assignment on Bending moment and Shear force Week 10 Graded No
10
 Yes
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Assignment 5: Class test (40 minutes) Week 11 Graded No
10
 Yes
Assignment(Including Essay): Assignment 1: Individual levelling assignment Week 4 Graded No
10
 Yes
Exam (In-person): 2-hour End of Trimester Exam End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Graded No
50
 No
Practical Skills Assessment: Assignment 2: Individual assignment - Surveying practicals and reports Week 6 Graded No
10
 Yes

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 31, 32, 33 Fri 11:00 - 11:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 32, 33 Mon 10:00 - 10:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 14:00 - 14:50
Spring Field Trip Offering 1 Week(s) - 22, 24, 26, 30, 32 Wed 11:00 - 12:50
Spring Field Trip Offering 2 Week(s) - 23, 25, 29, 31, 33 Wed 11:00 - 12:50
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