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How we will deliver your course in 2021: Flood and Coastal Engineering (undergraduate)

Programmes this information applies to: 

  • Flood & Coastal Engineering FdSc
  • Flood & Coastal Engineering BSc Level 6 top-up

1. Content of the course 

There are no planned changes to the course content.

New students 

There are no changes to the content of the course, but please note that we may not be able to arrange extracurricular site visits or field work where this is not a formal requirement of the programme.

Returning students 

There are no changes to the content of the course, but please note that we may not be able to arrange extracurricular site visits or field work where this is not a formal requirement of the programme.

2. Length of the course 

There are no planned changes to the length of the course.

3. How your course will be delivered 

New students 

Lectures/seminars/tutorials/practical sessions: Lectures will be delivered either synchronously online or in-person on campus, if situation permits. Asynchronous (pre-recorded) material may be made available online for students to support the lectures, and as part of a self-directed and independent learning activity. If feasible, some tutorials/seminar and practical sessions will be delivered in-person on campus, otherwise they will be delivered synchronously online (live), or asynchronously through the provision of pre-recorded video materials.

As in previous years, the BSc top-up is “block taught”, that is, modules are taught intensely over a few specific weeks of each term which enables students to manage their work and study commitments. The foundation degree is ‘conventional taught’, that is, modules are taught weekly continuously throughout the whole teaching terms.  Students can expect to attend at least 6 hours per block (BSc top-up) or 3 hours per week (Foundation degree) of in person on campus seminars/tutorials/practical sessions (access to campus permitting and in accordance with the up-to-date social distancing requirements).

Fieldtrips and site visits: These activities will take place with social distancing rules followed. If an activity cannot run in-person, then a virtual activity will be provided. 

Summer school: A residential five-day summer school at HR Wallingford is scheduled to run in June 2022. If COVID restrictions prevent the Summer School from taking place, students will be given an alternative assessment to complete.

Placements: The FdSc programme includes a six-month placement, which is expected to go ahead as planned.

Support resources: Online teaching and learning will use conferencing tools such as Blackboard Collaborate/MS Teams/Zoom. If computing labs need to be delivered online, then students will be provided with access to the specialised software required via the University “Horizon” system.

Assessments: Will be undertaken using a variety of formats as appropriate, including on-campus in-person exams, digital exams, on-line presentations, written reports with on-line submission. Revision sessions will be conducted to help students prepare for and complete the assessments. 

Returning students 

Lectures/seminars/tutorials/practical sessions: these will be delivered either online or in-person on campus. Asynchronous (pre-recorded) material may be made available online for students to support the lectures, and as part of a self-directed and independent learning activity. If feasible, some tutorials/seminar and practical sessions will be delivered in-person on campus, otherwise they will be delivered synchronously online (live), or asynchronously through the provision of pre-recorded video materials.

The Department aims to deliver up to 50% of seminars/tutorials/labs 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.

Fieldtrips and site visits: These activities will take place with social distancing rules followed. If an activity cannot run in-person, then a virtual activity will be provided.  

Placements: The FdSc programme includes a six-month placement, which is expected to go ahead as planned.

Support resources: Online teaching and learning will use conferencing tools such as Blackboard Collaborate/MS Teams/Zoom. If computing labs need to be delivered online, then students will be provided with access to the specialised software required via the University “Horizon” system.

Assessments: Will be undertaken using a variety of formats as appropriate, including on-campus in-person exams, digital exams, on-line presentations, written reports with on-line submission. Revision sessions will be conducted to help students prepare for and complete the 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 

Accreditation for these programmes covers up to 2022 intakes and is expected to be renewed in 2022. We do not anticipate any change to qualifications awarded.

Returning students 

Accreditation for these programmes covers up to 2022 intakes and is expected to be renewed in 2022. We do not anticipate any change to qualifications awarded.

6. Feedback and consultation

We provide set times where you can talk to your lecturers and module leaders about academic matters relating to your course. You can also use these opportunities to obtain and discuss feedback on an assessment. You can find these hours on Blackboard Learn and in your module booklets.  

You can book your slot by emailing your lecturer. We will be holding these virtually until it is safe to hold these appointments on campus.

7. Personal tutoring

Your personal tutor is responsible for monitoring and supporting your academic and personal development both in your transition to university and between years. It is someone you can discuss, in confidence, your academic progress with or any special requirements you may need. 

If you are a first year student, these sessions will be included in your timetable every other week. 

If you are a second year, final year, or postgraduate student you can request to have a session at a time that is convenient for you.  

You can attend our virtual ‘drop-in’ sessions which are advertised on Blackboard Learn, or request a session by emailing your personal tutor.

8. Departmental communications and events

You can keep up with subject and module updates through Blackboard Learn. We will also send important updates to your student email account, including a newsletter once a term, so please keep an eye on your emails. 

We host department assemblies where you will receive department updates and get to hear from lecturers and your peers. These take place at least once a term and you’ll receive an email invitation. 

Our programmes feature a range of opportunities including trips and visits, once it is safe to do so we will resume these.

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

You can join our student societies, we have one for each subject area including Politics, History, Sociology, and Anthropology. You can join these societies through the Union of Brunel Students or contact your course rep to find out more. We have Facebook groups for these societies too.

Our department also has a Postgraduate Research society, if you would like to join this please contact your PGR Director.

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