Course Summary
The MEng in Geotechnical Engineering with Structural Engineering and the MEng in Structural Engineering with Geotechnical Engineering are one-calendar year full-time postgraduate programmes for Honours/Level 8 degree qualified professional and graduate Civil Engineers who require up-skilling and higher education in the areas of Geotechnical and Structural Engineering. The programmes are also attractive to experienced Civil Engineers who are seeking to move from a different area of expertise into the Geotechnical and /or Structural Engineering domains.
The MEng in Geotechnical Engineering with Structural Engineering is for students who would like to conduct their research thesis in Geotechnical Engineering and the MEng in Structural Engineering with Geotechnical Engineering for students wishing to conduct their research thesis in Structural Engineering. The taught modules on both programmes are the same.
Graduates of these programmes can work as design or site engineers in the areas of Geotechnical / Structural Engineering at a level of responsibility appropriate to the increasingly complex and technical roles currently required by industry.
The programme has two primary aims:
- To provide upskilling to existing civil engineers working or intending to work in the Geotechnical / Structural Engineering domains,
- To provide a means for graduate engineers to meet the educational requirement for Chartered Engineer membership of Engineers Ireland, while at the same time developing advanced skills in Geotechnical and Structural Engineering. This is particularly relevant to Level 8 Civil Engineering graduates already in employment who wish to become Chartered Engineers.
Engineers Ireland will only accredit programmes once the first group of students has completed the programme. This is a new programme and IT Sligo will be seeking accreditation for this programme immediately after the first class has graduated in 2022. Engineers Ireland is a signatory to the Washington Accord, thus facilitating mutual recognition of accredited programmes among signatory countries.
The programme is delivered full-time over one calendar year (September – September).
Semester one of both programmes consists of six 5 ECTS taught modules, delivered between September and December. The taught modules examine key aspects of Geotechnical and Structural Engineering. A particular focus of the taught modules is the design of Geotechnical and Structural Engineering assets using numerical and analytical methods, combined with detailed consideration of soil – structure interaction. Click on the ‘Course Format’ tab to review details of the modules delivered in semester one.
Semester two, which runs from January to September, consists of a 60 ECTS research dissertation which is designed to develop a real and tangible research project, relevant to academic requirements, the student’s career aspirations and/or their employer’s needs. Students will be able to propose their own project areas, subject to agreement with their supervisor. Industry-related projects are encouraged, again, subject to agreement with their supervisor.
Examples of project thesis in Geotechnical Engineering:
- Numerical analysis of vibrations from sheet piling.
- A study on the use of geosynthetic reinforcement in integral bridge construction to reduce the impact of cyclic induced deformations.
Examples of project thesis in Structural Engineering:
- An investigation into the impact of a concrete core on the ability of a modular steel building to resist progressive collapse.
- A study of the transverse behaviour of masonry arch bridges through numerical modelling.
This a sister programme to the MEng in Structural Engineering with Geotechnical Engineering. Semester one is common to both programmes. In the MEng in Geotechnical with Structural Engineering the research thesis completed in semester two is primarily focused on Geotechnical Engineering, whereas the research thesis on the MEng in Structural Engineering with Geotechnical Engineering is primarily focused on Structural Engineering.
OTHER PROGRAMME OPTIONS IN GEOTECHNICAL & STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
The MEng can also be undertaken online part-time over two-three academic years: MEng in Geotechnical/Structural Engineering Joint Programme.
The online part-time Level 9 Certificate in Geotechnical & Structural Engineering is a one academic year (September – May) programme consisting of the taught modules (Stage one) from the MEng. Graduates from the Certificate are eligible to progress to the thesis component of the MEng.
Entry Requirements
Entry requirements for CAO courses at ATU Sligo are available for download below:
- Download Entry requirements for just Level 9 programmes
- Download Entry requirements for all programmes
The minimum entry requirements are a second class honours (2.2) award in a professionally accredited Honours degree (Level 8) in Civil or Structural Engineering. Other suitable applicants may be accepted on completion of a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process.
Professional accredited refers to accreditation of an honours degree by a recognised national engineering accreditation body. Ideally this would be a signatory organization to the Washington Accord. Applications from non-Washington Accord signatory countries would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the programme work as design and site engineers in the area of Geotechnical / Structural Engineering at a level of responsibility appropriate to the increasingly complex and technical roles currently required by industry.
Further Study
Graduates of this programme may apply for admission to PhD programmes at ATU Sligo or another Higher Education Institute.
Programme Fees
Course Format
Semester 1
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Geotechnical Engineering I | 05 |
| Soil - Structure Interaction | 05 |
| Design of Building Structures | 05 |
| Geotechnical Engineering II | 05 |
| Design of Bridge Structures | 05 |
| Research Methods | 05 |
Semester 2
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| MEng Research Thesis, Mode 3 Full-time | 60 |