Geotechnical / Structural Engineering Joint Programme

Master of Engineering

Course Details

Course Code	SG_EGEOT_M09
Level	9
Duration	2/3 years
Credits	90
Method of Delivery	Online
Campus Locations	Sligo
Mode of Delivery	Part Time

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Course Overview

-MEng in Geotechnical Engineering with Structural Engineering

-MEng in Structural Engineering with Geotechnical Engineering

This part-time online MEng provides postgraduate training for Level 8 degree qualified professional and graduate Civil Engineers who require up-skilling and higher education in the areas of Geotechnical and Structural Engineering. The programme is also attractive to experienced Civil Engineers who are seeking to move from a different area of expertise into the Geotechnical and /or Structural Engineering domains.

Graduates of the programme can work as design or site engineers in the areas of Geotechnical / Structural Engineering at a level of responsibility appropriate to the increasingly complex and technical roles currently required by industry.

The programme has two primary aims:

To provide upskilling to existing civil engineers working or intending to work in the Geotechnical / Structural Engineering domains,
To provide a means for graduate engineers to meet the educational requirement for Chartered Engineer membership of Engineers Ireland, while at the same time developing advanced skills in Geotechnical and Structural Engineering. This is particularly relevant to Level 8 Civil Engineering graduates already in employment who wish to become Chartered Engineers.

The programme is delivered part-time online over two stages.

Stage one of the programme consists of six taught modules, delivered over one academic year (September to May). The taught modules examine key aspects of Geotechnical Engineering and Structural Engineering. A particular focus of the taught modules is on soil – structure interaction and the use of numerical methods in Geotechnical and Structural Engineering.

Stage two consists of a research project which is designed to develop a real and tangible research project, relevant to academic requirements, the students career aspirations and/or their employers needs. The student can choose to complete Stage 2 of the programme over one or two academic years. Students will be able to propose their own project areas, subject to agreement with their supervisor. Work related projects are encouraged, again, subject to agreement with their supervisor.

On completion of the programme the student will be awarded an MEng in Geotechnical Engineering with Structural Engineering if their research thesis is primarily focused on Geotechnical Engineering or an MEng in Structural Engineering with Geotechnical Engineering if their research thesis is primarily focused on Structural Engineering.

The programme is unique in so far as:

It is the only part-time online MEng in areas of Geotechnical and Structural Engineering in the country,
It is part-time and delivered online, and therefore attractive to engineers in full-time employment,
It has a major research component that will enable learning while undertaking a project of direct interest to the student, their employer and clients.

Potential Funding Opportunities

Sligo Chamber Skillnet may be able to partially fund programme fees for you or your employees – for further details please contact gcourtenay@sligochamber.ie

Course Details

Year 1

Semester	Module Details	Credits	Mandatory / Elective
1	Research Methods This module will provide the learner with the necessary research skills to undertake a level 9 research project. The learner will: Study the different paradigms and methodologies of the research study. Study the different methods of data collection and data analysis associated with the chosen approach. Learn how to analyse research publications. Disseminate research in terms of reports and journal publications. Effectively communicate their research outcomes. Learning Outcomes 1. Critically evaluate existing knowledge and its application to the student’s chosen research area. 2. Develop a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, generally informed by the forefront of research in their chosen area. 3. Analyse paradigms of research enquiry and explicate where chosen paradigms fit within their research area of interest. 4. Expertly identify, discuss and propose a range of data collection and analysis tools and techniques relevant to their study. 5. Demonstrate a critical understanding of appropriate project management skills to ensure successful completion of level 9 research project. 6. Communicate effectively their research outcomes.	05	Mandatory
2	MEng Research Thesis, Mode 3 Full-time In this module the learner will undertake an individual research thesis in a core area of the programme. The learner is required to demonstrate their ability in advanced research, designing and executing experiments/ numerical analysis/ analytical analysis, concept development and reporting. The learner will disseminate the research work and outcomes through an oral presentation, poster presentation, interview and submission of a dissertation. Learning Outcomes 1. Develop a research methodology and project plan for a research project. 2. Plan and implement self directed learning to further knowledge and understanding of an unfamiliar and/or ill defined engineering problem. 3. Design and implement appropriate mathematical/analytical/experimental/modelling methods and techniques to advance knowledge in a specific engineering area. 4. Interpret, critique and synthesise data with state of the art in a specific engineering area. 5. Synthesise the research work in the form of presentations, poster presentations, abstracts, executive summaries, technical papers and a minor dissertation. 6. Produce a minor dissertation that details and evaluates the work undertaken and justifies the conclusions reached. 7. Identify a potential peer-review conference/journal paper for the research work and how this work may contribute to furthering knowledge in the specific engineering field.	60	Mandatory

Recommended Study Hours per week

It is recommended that you should try to allow for 5-6 hours per week per 5-credit module to your studies.

Examination and Assessment

This programme is assessed via 100% continuous assessment/project work. The thesis module is evaluated using a presentation, a poster, the written thesis and an interview.

On-Campus Attendance Requirement

No on-campus attendance required.

Progression

Graduates of this award may apply to Doctoral Awards in ATU, or another Higher Education Institutes in the future.

Download a prospectus

Postgraduate Prospectus Online, Flexible & Professional Development Prospectus

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements are a second class honours (2.2) award in a professionally accredited (Engineers Ireland Chartered Engineer with further learning or equivalent) Honours degree (Level 8) in Civil or Structural Engineering.

Applicants with other qualifications and with relevant work experience may also be considered through ATU’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process. RPL is a process that may allow you to gain admission to a programme or to receive exemptions / credit from some parts of a programme based on demonstrated learning that you may have achieved through another programme of study or through your work and career. Further information is available through www.atu.ie/recognition-of-prior-learning which our dedicated RPL portal or by contacting our admissions team at admissions.sligo@atu.ie.

Graduates of the online Level 9 Postgraduate Certificate in Geotechnical & Structural Engineering are eligible to progress to the thesis component of the MEng.

Fees

Total Fees EU: €9000

Further information on fees

Careers

Graduates of the programme work as design and site engineers in the area of Geotechnical / Structural Engineering at a level of responsibility appropriate to the increasingly complex and technical roles currently required by industry.

Further Information

Who Should Apply?

This programme provides a means for graduate engineers to meet the educational requirement for Chartered Engineer membership of Engineers Ireland, while at the same time developing advanced skills in Geotechnical and Structural Engineering. The programme is also attractive to experienced Civil Engineers who are seeking to move from a different area of expertise into the Geotechnical and /or Structural Engineering domains.