Analysis and Design of Structures for Fire, Blast and Earthquakes

Advertisement

The MSc Analysis and Design of Structures for Fire, Blast and Earthquakes is for engineering graduates who wish to gain specialist knowledge in the behaviour of structures when subjected to such loading. Applicants working in the civil engineering industry may attend individual modules as short courses on a day-release basis.

Teaching

The course is taught by staff from the School of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, with some contribution from Industrial experts. Teaching is mainly in the form of lectures, but IT sessions and seminars are also used where appropriate. Modules are shared between two ten-week teaching terms running October-December and January-March. Although work for the MSc dissertation commences during the second term, most of the research work is carried out during the summer months.

The duration of full-time studies is 12 months. A part-time route is also available, where students spend either two or three years completing this programme. For completion following two years of study, part-time students attend lectures for up to two days each week. Alternatively, three year completion can be achieved by attending a single day each week.

Assessment

Assessment of theoretical modules is based on a combination of examinations and coursework. Examinations are shared between the January and April/May examination periods. Design oriented modules are normally assessed by coursework only, where students work both in groups and individually on challenging projects that are varied each year. For the MSc dissertation, students are required to attend a viva following submission of the final report.

Career Prospects
Our graduates have been very successful in securing employment with leading civil engineering practices, research institutes and government agencies and pursuing doctoral studies both in the UK and internationally.

The course covers advanced topics of structural engineering and places particular emphasis on the special requirements necessary for the analysis and design of structures to withstand hazardous loading caused by earthquake, blast, impact and fire. The core modules of the course cover theoretical aspects of advanced structural engineering.

The electives primarily aim to develop design skills. The course offers a blend of theory and practice at postgraduate level, designed to enhance the career prospects of both recent graduates and mid-career structural engineers.

Course Structure
Core modules:

* Advanced analysis and stability of structures
* Structural dynamics
* Finite element methods
* Structural reliability and risk
* Shock and earthquake analysis
* Design of concrete and steel structures exposed to fire

In addition, two elective modules are selected from:

* Design of concrete structures
* Design of steel and composite structures
* Bridge engineering.

The standard entry requirement is an Honours degree (lower second class minimum) in civil engineering or another appropriate subject, plus evidence of good academic performance in relevant subjects (equivalent to lower second class or higher).For those students whose first language is not English or have not previously attended studies in English, one of the following qualifications is also required: * IELTS: 6.5, including 6.5 in the writing category * TOEFL (internet based): 90 English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 TOEFL iBT® test: 90 IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa. The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.