Civil, Structural & Environmental Engineering - Teaching

Most structures rest on the ground, and therefore need foundations. Vehicles rely on pavements, runways or rails as their foundations, which are strongly influenced by environmental conditions such as groundwater. Engineers working with architects need to rise to the challenge of sustainable design using novel materials in striking configurations, and providing congenial internal environments with high energy-efficiency. Those devising major schemes need to understand the issues of brownfield development, flood risk, infrastructure management, and the creation and utilisation of underground space for transport, for example. And those engineers working in resource management may need to understand aquifers and oil reservoirs, or the offshore winds, waves and currents that determine the design of offshore power facilities including windfarms.

Third Year

Intending Civil, Structural or Geotechnical Engineers are advised to study the broadest possible range of relevant courses, and to take all or almost all of the modules listed below.

Number and title of module
3C7		Mechanics of solids
3C9		Fracture mechanics of materials and structures
3D1		Geotechnical engineering I
3D2		Geotechnical engineering II
3D3		Structural materials and design
3D4		Structural analysis and stability
3D5		Water engineering
3D7		Finite element methods
3D8		Building physics and environmental geotechnics
4D8		Pre-stressed concrete
4D16		Construction and management

Students intending to qualify in this Engineering Area must include at least six of the modules listed above. They should note that there are many other synergies between these modules, which will make them easier if they are taken as a group - for instance module 3D2 will help to provide further clarification of material presented in 3D1.

Area activity: Surveying (2.5 day course in Cambridge at the end of either Michaelmas or Lent term)

Fourth Year

Students intending to qualify in the Civil, Structural or Geotechnical Engineering Area in the fourth year must include four modules from the list below:

Number and title of module
4D4		Ground engineering
4D5		Foundation engineering
4D6		Dynamics in civil engineering
4D7		Concrete and masonry structures
4D8		Pre-stressed concrete
4D10		Structural steelwork
4D13		Architectural engineering
4D14		Contaminated land and waste containment
4D15		Sustainable water engineering
4D16		Construction and management
4D17		Plate and shell structures
4M9		Surveying field course
4M14		Sustainable development
4M15		Sustainable energy