Undergraduate Prospectus 2009

Why study Civil Engineering at Bath?

Civil Engineers play an essential role in advancing human society. In doing so, we must combine a rigorous understanding of the challenges facing us, make efficient use of resources, and give equal regard to the needs of future generations as to those of our own generation. This requires not only considerable technical competence, but the ability to imagine creative solutions to both old and new problems. As society becomes increasingly aware of the short and long term benefits of excellent design, so design ability is becoming more important.

As a joint Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, we use the design of the built environment as the focus for the development of a broad range of design skills, all underpinned by issues of sustainability.

We have been at the forefront of interdisciplinary design education for very many years and the resulting ability of our graduates to work creatively with other professions has led to them being in demand across a wide range of civil engineering disciplines, from water resources to project management, as well as the structural, geotechnical and environmental design of buildings.

We offer courses in both Civil Engineering (BEng or MEng) and Civil and Architectural Engineering (MEng only), the latter having a focus on the engineering which goes into the design of buildings. All our courses are accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators of the Institution of Civil Engineers and the Institution of Structural Engineers.

Teaching in the Department is mainly through lectures, tutorials, laboratories and fieldwork, with substantial design projects carried out in purpose-built studios. All degree programmes contain a suitable assessment mix of examinations, project work and course work.

The placement year

All degree programmes can be taken as sandwich courses where students find employment within the construction industry. This forms a valuable part of the student’s education, allowing them to implement the skills they have developed whilst at University and absorb design and construction practice. We maintain links with over 200 companies who employ our graduates and placement students both in the UK and worldwide.

Career opportunities

www.bath.ac.uk/careers/destinations/intro.html

• Engineering design consultancy
• Civil engineering contracting
• Construction management
• Local Authorities
• International opportunities

We encourage students to develop considerable enthusiasm for civil engineering design, and this is reflected in the fact that our Civil Engineering graduates are some of the most sought after in the UK, and an unusually high proportion of over 80% of our graduates enter the civil engineering profession each year. The remaining 20% enter related employment or postgraduate study.