How we will deliver your course in 2021: Civil and Environmental Engineering (postgraduate)

Programmes this information applies to:

MSc Project and Infrastructure Management
MSc Water Engineering
MSc Structural Engineering

1. Content of the course

There are no planned changes to the course content.

The life cycle of all the MSc programmes is 1-Year full-time, and so returning students are not generally expected.

2. Length of the course

There are no planned changes to the length of the 1-year course.

3. How your course will be delivered

New students

Lectures/seminars/tutorials/practical work: these will be delivered synchronously (on-line) and/or in-person on-campus. They will be supported by asynchronous online lectures (pre-recorded) to give students prior access to learning materials, enable them prepare for (or catch-up on missed) lectures, and to facilitate their independent self-study and learning. Across all practical modules, timetabling permitting, lab (computing and/or physical) sessions will take place in person on campus. If in-person lab sessions cannot be run on-campus, then virtual lab sessions and/or pre-recorded lab sessions will be provided.

The Department aims to deliver up to 50% of seminars/tutorials in-person across the programmes, giving each student the opportunity to attend at least one in-person on campus session per module per every fortnight (2 weeks), access to campus permitting and in accordance with the up-to-date social distancing requirements.

Field class/Site visit: For programmes that have site visits (and/or field work) embedded as part of the module delivery and assessment, such visits will take place under social-distancing rules. If the field class/visit cannot run physically, then virtual field trip(s) will be provided as an alternative.

Support resources: Online teaching activities will be delivered using online conferencing tools such as Blackboard Collaborate/MS Teams/Zoom. In-person delivery on campus will take place in our usual teaching rooms (access to campus permitting and in accordance with the up-to-date social distancing requirements). If computing labs cannot be delivered in-person on campus, then they will be offered online, where students will be provided with access to the required specialised software via the University “Horizon” system.

Assessments: These will be undertaken using a range of methods including in-person on campus exams, digital exams, take-home exam, on-line presentations, and written assignments with on-line submission (via BBL, Wiseflow). Revision sessions will be arranged for all students to help them prepare and complete their assessments.

4. Cost of the course

There are no changes to the cost of the course.

Access to a laptop or desktop PC is required for joining online activities, completing coursework and digital exams, and a minimum specification can be found here.
If you have any concerns about accessing a suitable device, please complete and return this form to enquire about the University’s loan laptop scheme.

5. Award

There are no planned changes to the qualification that is being awarded.

New students

All the programmes are accredited for 2021-22 by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) and/or Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM). There are no anticipated changes to this accreditation nor the qualifications to be awarded.

6. Feedback and consultation

Your module leaders and lecturers will be available, either in person or online, to talk about academic matters relating to your course. You can also use these opportunities to obtain and discuss feedback on assessment.

You can find lecturer/module leader’s availability hours on their office doors. You can also book a meeting by simply emailing them to arrange a time.

7. Personal tutoring

Your personal tutor (Course Director) is responsible for monitoring and supporting your academic and personal development both in your transition to university and progressing through the years. Your course director is someone to seek advice/support from, and whom you can discuss, in confidence, your academic progress with or any special requirements you may need.

Your personal tutor will organise tutoring sessions, or you can email to arrange a suitable time. The sessions can be run in groups or one-to-one with the tutor (in person or online), as might be appropriate.

8. Departmental communications and events

You can keep up with subject updates and events through Blackboard Learn. We will also send important messages and updates to your student email account, including announcements, monthly newsletter, etc., so please keep an eye on your emails.

We will organise formal and informal meetings occasionally for your class, where you can get updates and join in conversations with peers and your lecturers.

9. Student-led academic representation

Student reps are elected to represent the views of their course, department or college to improve the academic experience at Brunel. They gather views and opinions from students on things such as lectures, exams, assessment and feedback and then take a collective view to the University and Union in order to develop the student experience at Brunel.

We welcome feedback from our student community on matters relating to your experience through your student representatives or through your programme leaders.

Find out who your course rep is here. You’ll also receive an email from your programme leader who will confirm your contact.

10. Peer-to-peer opportunities

We have a Civil Engineering society (CivSoc) which we encourage students to join.

CivSoc is manned wholly by students who run interesting events (e.g., ICE talks, site visits, etc.), so you can join to get involved and benefit from these.

If you are interested, please enquire with the Union of Brunel Students.

You can join our social media groups to keep in touch with your peers and exchange knowledge. Find out how to do this by contacting your course rep.

Contact us

If you have any specific questions about the above information, please email: cedps-tpo@brunel.ac.uk

Disclaimer: We have used our best endeavours to plan for the coming academic year and to ensure the information on this page is correct at the time of publication. The information provided here is intended for the general guidance of students studying the University’s degree programmes listed above in the academic year 2021/22. The University will deliver the course of study as described unless there are changes outside of our control related to COVID-19. In such circumstances, the University will adjust the delivery of the course accordingly, and use its best endeavours to ensure equivalence.

Date of publication: 16.07.21