Programme Specification [Postgraduate] Page 1 of 18 MSc Soil Mechanics Cluster This document provides a definitive record of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student may reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if s/he takes full advantage of the learning opportunities provided. This programme specification is intended as a reference point for prospective students, current students, external examiners and academic and support staff involved in delivering the programme and enabling student development and achievement. Programme Information Programme Title Soil Mechanics Soil Mechanics with Environmental Geotechnics Soil Mechanics with Engineering Seismology Soil Mechanics with Business Management Award(s) MSc Programme Code (1YFT) H2U3 H2UN H2U4 H2A4 (2YPT) H2U324 H2UN24 H2U424 H2A424 Awarding Institution Imperial College London Teaching Institution Imperial College London Faculty Faculty of Engineering Department Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Main Location of Study South Kensington Campus Mode and Period of Study 1 academic year (12 months), full-time or 2 academic years (24 months), part-time Cohort Entry Points Annually in October Relevant QAA Benchmark Statement(s) and/or other external reference points Master’s Degrees in Engineering Total Credits ECTS: 90 CATS: 180 FHEQ Level Level 7 EHEA Level 2 nd cycle External Accreditor(s) The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) Accreditation received: 2002
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MSc Soil Mechanics Cluster - Imperial College London · 2020-02-12 · All of the Soil Mechanics MSc courses share approximately 80% of the curriculum (core modules see side column),
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Programme Specification [Postgraduate]
Page 1 of 18
MSc Soil Mechanics Cluster
This document provides a definitive record of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student may reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if s/he takes full advantage of the learning opportunities provided. This programme specification is intended as a reference point for prospective students, current students, external examiners and academic and support staff involved in delivering the programme and enabling student development and achievement.
Programme Information
Programme Title
Soil Mechanics Soil Mechanics with Environmental Geotechnics Soil Mechanics with Engineering Seismology Soil Mechanics with Business Management
Award(s) MSc
Programme Code
(1YFT) H2U3 H2UN H2U4 H2A4
(2YPT) H2U324 H2UN24 H2U424 H2A424
Awarding Institution Imperial College London
Teaching Institution Imperial College London
Faculty Faculty of Engineering
Department Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Main Location of Study South Kensington Campus
Mode and Period of Study 1 academic year (12 months), full-time or 2 academic years (24 months), part-time
Cohort Entry Points Annually in October
Relevant QAA Benchmark Statement(s) and/or other external reference points
Master’s Degrees in Engineering
Total Credits ECTS: 90 CATS: 180
FHEQ Level Level 7
EHEA Level 2nd cycle
External Accreditor(s) The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) Accreditation received: 2002
Accreditation renewal: 2020 Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Accreditation received: 2002 Accreditation renewal: 2020 Institute of Highway Engineers (IHIE) Accreditation received: 2016 Accreditation renewal: 2020 The Chartered Institute of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) Accreditation received: 2016 Accreditation renewal: 2020
Specification Details
Student cohorts covered by specification 2017-18 entry
Person responsible for the specification Fionnuala NiDhonnabhain, PGT Courses Manager
Date of introduction of programme
H2U3: 1950 H2UN: 1972 H2U4: 1992 H2A4: 2003
Date of programme specification/revision February 2018
Programme Overview
Established in 1950 the MSc course cluster in Soil Mechanics remains the flagship in its subject. The course is designed to provide students with a solid technical basis in the key areas of Geotechnics through a coherent, coordinated and balanced degree programme, integrating core engineering science and recent research findings with practical application. All of the Soil Mechanics MSc courses share approximately 80% of the curriculum (core modules see side column), while the remaining 20% allow specialisation in the areas of Advanced Soil Mechanics, Engineering Seismology, Environmental Geotechnics, Sustainable Development and Business Management. Distinctive features of this programme include strong links with industry, emphasis on field-work, laboratory testing using state-of-the-art facilities and numerical analysis using in-house state-of-the-art software, and teaching by leading experts in the field of Soil Mechanics. The course comprises two terms of lectures, tutorials, laboratory classes and individual coursework assignments and one term devoted to a research dissertation. The lab classes offer first-hand experience of experimental soil mechanics in our modern, purpose-built teaching laboratories. The programme also includes three field trips; one weekend in each of the Autumn and Spring terms to investigate the engineering geology and geotechnical issues in two distinct areas of the UK and a one-week study tour in the beginning of the Summer term visiting several geotechnical and geological projects in Southern Europe. A year comprises two separate periods. The first includes lectures, tutorials and individual coursework assignments, the second consisting of a research
dissertation. The dissertation may be undertaken at College or in collaboration with industry. Other projects have involved a period of data collection or field study abroad. The combined cost of these trips will not exceed £1,000. The full-time programme is taken over 12 months, with a single entry point per year at the beginning of October.
Learning Outcomes
The Imperial Graduate Attributes are a set of core competencies which we expect students to achieve through completion of any Imperial College degree programme. The Graduate Attributes are available at: www.imperial.ac.uk/students/academic-support/graduate-attributes
Knowledge and Understanding of:
A selection of the major topics in the subject, their recognition and underlying fundamental principles
Research techniques which might include information retrieval, experimental design and statistics, modelling and safety.
The essential facts, concepts, principles and theories relevant to the students’ chosen areas of research.
Management and communication skills, including problem definition, project design, decision processes, teamwork, written and oral reports, and scientific publications.
Intellectual/Thinking Skills
Analyse and solve problems using a multidisciplinary approach, applying professional judgements to balance costs, benefits, safety and social and environmental impact.
Integrate and critically evaluate information.
Formulate and apply appropriate solutions.
Plan, conduct and write-up a programme of individual research. Practical Skills
Plan and execute safely a series of experiments or computations.
Use laboratory methods or computer-based tools to generate data.
Analyse results, determine their strength and validity, and make recommendations.
Prepare technical and design reports.
Give technical presentations.
Use the scientific literature effectively. Transferable Skills
Communicate effectively through oral presentations, computer processing and presentations, and written reports.
Apply knowledge and modelling skills.
Management skills: decision processes, objective criteria, problem definition, project design and evaluation needs.
Integrate and evaluate information from a variety of sources.
Transfer techniques and solutions from one discipline to another.
Use Information and Communications Technology.
Manage resources and time.
Learn independently with open-mindedness and critical enquiry. Learn effectively for the purpose of continuing professional development.
Normally a 2.1 UK Bachelor’s Degree with Honours in a relevant subject (particularly in subjects such as Civil Engineering, as well as other branches of Engineering, Natural Sciences, Earth Sciences and other numerate disciplines) (or a comparable qualification recognised by the College).
Non-academic Requirements Applicants with relevant industrial and professional experience may also be considered.
English Language Requirement Standard requirement IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each element or equivalent.
Applicants may be invited to interview with one or more members of staff, or to undertake additional entry assessments as appropriate.
The programme’s competency standards document can be found at: http://www.imperial.ac.uk/media/imperial-college/faculty-of-engineering/civil/public/msc/Competency-Standards.pdf
The following are the mechanisms in place for providing prompt feedback to students on their performance in coursework and examinations and processes for monitoring:
GTAs, specifically trained in the marking of coursework and minor project elements are used to ensure return of marked work within the two-week specification.
Marked and annotated coursework is returned to students.
Some academic staff provide verbal feedback in class, others distribute written overviews.
Feedback on performance in the mock test undertaken in the final week of the autumn term is provided in the beginning of the spring term.
Provisional feedback on examination performance is provided to the students in July by Personal Tutors.
Re-sit Policy
In line with College policy, students who are unsuccessful in any of their examinations may usually be allowed an opportunity to re-sit at the discretion of the Board of Examiners. Specific information regarding re-sits for Taught Master’s degrees can be found in the relevant Academic Regulations available at: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/about/governance/academic-governance/regulations/
Mitigating Circumstances Policy
Students may be eligible to apply for mitigation if they have suffered from serious and unforeseen circumstances during the course of their studies that have adversely affected their ability to complete an assessment task and/or their performance in a piece of assessment. The College’s Policy on Mitigating Circumstances is available at: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/about/governance/academic-governance/academic-policy/exams-and-assessment/
The Soil Mechanics courses may be taken part-time, on a term-by-term basis only, as follows: http://www.imperial.ac.uk/civil-engineering/prospective-students/postgraduate-taught-admissions/geotechnics-cluster/term-release/
Written Examinations January [Business Management only] May
Coursework Assessments Continuous
Project Deadlines September
Practical Assessments Continuous
Assessment Structure
Marking Scheme [College]
The Geotechnics MSc cluster maintains an independent marking scheme, which is then converted to the Imperial College Marking Scheme. In line with the policy on assessment of advanced postgraduate courses provided by Imperial College London, no compensation will be given in assessments in which a candidate has achieved less than 40% in one or more of the examination papers or coursework components. The MSc degree is awarded to any student who achieves all of the following components according to the Imperial College Marking Scheme: An aggregate mark of 50% minimum in the three elements of assessment, which are: (1) written examinations; (2) all coursework; (3) the dissertation. Where a student is not attending or progressing to the satisfaction of the Course Director during the session, a note of warning may be sent to him/her, indicating that a failure to improve will result in a “six-week warning” being sent to them by the College Registry. This is equivalent to notice of withdrawal and may result in: (For Visa-dependent students) a report being sent to the UK-VI, and curtailment of the student Visa, and with this revoking the right to remain in the UK. (For sponsored students) a report being made to your sponsors. Pass:
A candidate must achieve: An aggregate mark of 50% minimum in the three elements of assessment, which are: (1) written examinations, (2) all coursework and (3) the dissertation. Merit: A candidate must achieve: An aggregate mark of 60% minimum in the three elements of assessment, which are: (1) written examinations, (2) all coursework and (3) the dissertation. Distinction: A candidate must achieve: An aggregate mark of 70% minimum in the three elements of assessment, which are: (1) written examinations, (2) all coursework and (3) the dissertation.
Page 8 of 18
Module Weightings
[Cross-reference with MSc curriculum on the following page]
Soil Mechanics and Environmental Geotechnics : Indicative Module List : Autumn Term
All modules to be taken
Page 17 of 18
Soil Mechanics and Environmental Geotechnics : Indicative Module List : Spring Term
All modules to be taken
Code Tile L&T
Hours Ind. Study
Hours Placement
Hours Total Hours
Written Exam
Practical Course- Work
FHEQ Level
ECTS
CI9-GEO-03 Embankments and Earthworks
21 42 0 63 Yes No No 7 3
CI9-GEO-04 Stability of Soil Slops 21 42 0 63 Yes No No 7 3
CI9-GEO-05 Foundations 21 42 0 63 Yes No No 7 3
CI9-GEO-06 Earth Pressures 21 42 0 63 Yes No No 7 3
CI9-GEO-12 Geotechnical Processes 21 42 0 63 No No Yes 7 2
CI9-GEO-15 Current Developments in Geotechnical Engineering
0 0 0 No No No 7
CI9-GEO-16 Partly Saturated Soil Behaviour
21 42 0 63 Yes No No 7 5
CI9-GEO-19 Geotechnics Fieldwork NA NA NA NA No Yes Yes 7
CI9-GEO-34 Contaminated Land and Groundwater
30 60 0 90 Yes No Yes 7 5
Soil Mechanics and Environmental Geotechnics : Indicative Module List : Summer Term
All modules to be taken
Code Tile L&T
Hours Ind. Study
Hours Placement
Hours Total Hours
Written Exam
Practical Course- Work
FHEQ Level
ECTS
CI9-GEO-21 Dissertation 0 600 NA 600 0 0 1 7 30
CI9-GEO-19 Geotechnics Fieldwork NA NA NA NA No Yes Yes 7 2
Page 18 of 18
Supporting Information
The Programme Handbook is available at: http://www.imperial.ac.uk/civil-engineering/prospective-students/postgraduate-taught-admissions/geotechnics-cluster/msc-soil-mechanics/
The Module Handbook is available at: http://www.imperial.ac.uk/civil-engineering/prospective-students/postgraduate-taught-admissions/geotechnics-cluster/msc-soil-mechanics/
The College’s entry requirements for postgraduate programmes can be found at: www.imperial.ac.uk/study/pg/apply/requirements
The College’s Quality & Enhancement Framework is available at: www.imperial.ac.uk/registry/proceduresandregulations/qualityassurance
The College’s Academic and Examination Regulations can be found at: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/about/governance/academic-governance/regulations
Imperial College is an independent corporation whose legal status derives from a Royal Charter granted under Letters Patent in 1907. In 2007 a Supplemental Charter and Statutes was granted by HM Queen Elizabeth II. This Supplemental Charter, which came into force on the date of the College's Centenary, 8th July 2007, established the College as a University with the name and style of "The Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine". http://www.imperial.ac.uk/admin-services/secretariat/college-governance/charters/charter-and-statutes/
Imperial College London is regulated by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) http://www.hefce.ac.uk/reg/register/