Soil Mechanics and Business Management

These five MSc courses explore the properties of soils and soft rocks in relation to civil engineering, the theory of geomechanics and practical geotechnical engineering.

All our MSc courses are career-oriented and cover both theoretical background and practical design considerations. Lectures are given mainly by full-time staff but important contributions are made by visiting professors and guest lecturers who are eminent industrialists.

Many of our students continue their studies to undertake research towards a PhD.

All of our MSc courses last one calendar year, comprising two terms of taught examinable material followed by a research dissertation.

The courses share a core of topics covering fundamental and applied soil mechanics. Four compulsory field courses are also organised, in Kent, the Bristol area, and Southern Europe.

MODULES

• Advanced constitutive modelling
• Advanced soil properties
• Analysis and constitutive models
• Applied engineering geology coursework
• Consolidation and seepage
• Earth pressures
• Embankments and earthworks
• Engineering geology of soils and rocks
• Foundations
• Geotechnical processes
• Ground profiles and ground investigation
• Laboratory and field techniques
• Laboratory practical classes
• Partly saturated soil behaviour
• Rock strength and failure
• Stability of slopes
• Strength and deformation
• Fieldwork
• Dissertation

Business management

This module equips you with the skills needed to work in competitive business environments in the civil engineering industry. It is suitable for those who wish to combine a technical competence in their chosen field with a grasp of the principles of business management.

The module is designed to complement core material in the MSc courses. The course is divided into four units.

Applications are invited from undergraduates completing their first degree, as well as those with relevant industrial and professional experience.

Applications may be considered from those with degrees in other branches of engineering, natural sciences, earth sciences and other numerate disciplines.

The minimum entry requirement for consideration is a good degree from a UK university at Upper Second Class (2:1) or above, or an overseas equivalent.

Special cases, based on relevant experience, may be made in some circumstances.