Masters Degrees in Geotechnical Engineering, Ireland

This is a one year full-time or two year part-time postgraduate course designed to provide graduate engineers with specialist understanding in one of: Environmental Engineering; Structural Engineering; or Transport Engineering. In addition, the course offers students the opportunity to obtain knowledge in complimentary subject areas within Civil Engineering.

Course Organisation:

The MSc course can be undertaken as either a one year full-time or a two-year part-time postgraduate course.

The degree programme is divided into three parts: two semesters of taught courses (September - April inclusive) with an average of 12 lectures per week. A major dissertation is undertaken during the second half of the course (April - September inclusive).

It is possible to work full-time and do the course as a part-time option, providing you have the agreement of your employer.

Course Content:

Candidates must take eleven modules, namely the three mandatory modules (M1, M2 and M3) together with at least four of the modules in their chosen specialisation and four other modules, which in total amounts to 90 ECTS.

In the first semester, candidates pursuing the course full time must take modules M1 and M2 along with four other modules selected from options (including at least two from their selected specialisation), listed below. In the second semester, candidates pursuing the course full time must take module M3 along with four other modules selected from options (including at least 2 from their selected specialisation), also listed below:

Mandatory

M1. Civil Engineering Management (10 ECTS)

M2. Research Methodology (10 ECTS)

M3. (Environmental / Structural / Transport) Engineering Dissertation (30 ECTS)

Environmental Engineering

E1. Engineering Hydrology (5 ECTS)

E2. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment (5 ECTS)

E3. Environmental Processes and Technology (5 ECTS)

E4. Waste and Environmental Management (5 ECTS)

E5. Water Quality and Hydrological Modelling (5 ECTS)

E6. Water Resource Planning ( ECTS)

Structural and Geotechnical Engineering

S1. Geotechnical Engineering (5 ECTS)

S2. Advanced Structural Analysis (5 ECTS)

S3. Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering (5 ECTS)

S4. Bridge Engineering (5 ECTS)

S5. Advanced Concrete Technology (5 ECTS)

S6. Soil-Structure Interaction (5 ECTS)

S7. A Unified Theory of Structures (5 ECTS)

S8. Concrete Durability and Sustainability (5 ECTS)

S9. Advanced Theory of Structures (5 ECTS)

Transport Engineering

T1. Transportation Engineering ( ECTS)

T2. Transport Modelling (5 ECTS)

T3. Highway Engineering (5 ECTS)

T4. Applied Transportation Analysis (5 ECTS)

Common

C1. Renewable Energy 1 (5 ECTS)

C2. Renewable Energy 2 ( ECTS)

C3. Modelling of Civil Engineering Systems (5 ECTS)

C4. Facade Engineering (5 ECTS)

C6. Construction Innovation and Research (5 ECTS)


Some of the module options in either semester may be withdrawn from time to time and some new modules may be included, subject to demand. In addition to passing the prescribed examinations, each student must submit a dissertation on an approved topic relating to their chosen specialisation.

Part Time Option:

For candidates taking the course part-time over two years, during the first year, candidates take seven modules, namely: the mandatory modules M1 and M2 along with five of the module options (including at least two from their chosen specialisation) which amounts to 45 ECTS. During the second year, candidates must complete the compulsory M3 module together with three other module options (including at least two from their chosen specialisation) which amounts to 45 ECTS. During the second year, candidates must complete the compulsory M3 module together with three other module options (including at least two from their chosen specialisation) which amounts to another 45 ECTS. By the end of the course, part-time candidates must have completed at least four of their specialisation module options and four of the other options, amounting to a total of 90 ECTS credits. The part time option runs in parallel with the full time course. Full and part time students attend the same lectures which are typically scheduled Monday-Friday, 9-5pm. During the teaching periods, students taking the part time option are typically required to attend 9-12 hours per week during year 1 and 3-6 hours during year 2.

Assessment:

Examination of course modules and completion of a Major Dissertation.

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This one-year postgraduate course is designed to enable graduate engineers obtain a sound knowledge of important aspects of highway, traffic and geotechnical engineering. The course is particularly suited to engineers involved in the provision, preservation and operation of highways, but it is open to all those holding a degree or equivalent in Civil Engineering or any other relevant branch of engineering.

The topics covered include: transportation economics; highway planning and programming and route selection; survey methods and instrumentation; computer applications in local authorities; construction law; transportation modelling; theory of traffic flow; impacts of road traffic facilities; traffic: methods for planning, capacity analysis and design; traffic control and management; design of flexible and concrete pavements; pavement maintenance and rehabilitation; surface and sub-surface drainage; bridge design and management; quality assurance plans for road schemes; descriptions of soils and rocks; earthworks technology; stability of fills, slope stability; construction of embankments on soft ground; procurement of civil engineering works; road asset management plans; environmental impact assessment.

Lectures are normally held on Friday evening and Saturday morning each week throughout the two semesters (September to April).

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