MSc Engineering in the Coastal Environment (1 year)
1 year FT, 2-3 years PT
The importance of the coastal zone is now widely recognised and appreciated at national and European level. Skilled engineers who can understand environmental issues in such sensitive areas are in demand.
This programme provides training in coastal engineering with equal emphasis on environmental and oceanographic matters and will interest both engineers and scientists. Academics from both Civil Engineering and the Environment and Ocean and Earth Science contribute to this programme.
Our approach to this area is changing rapidly, such as the move to soft engineering and strategic shoreline management, and there are long-term concerns such as sea-level rise. Our experience is that there is an increasing demand for individuals with this type of education both in Britain and abroad.
The overall goal is to educate you as technically-orientated coastal practitioners for suitable employment in coastal engineering, both in consultancies and relevant areas of government. To achieve this, you will develop a systematic understanding and critical awareness of coastal issues in order to simultaneously broaden and deepen your knowledge of this area. You will achieve this through lectures, seminars and team work. Your knowledge will be consolidated through a research project (dissertation) conducted with a partner in industry or government. As a result of this programme, you will be able to deal with complex issues systematically and creatively and make sound judgements within the field of Coastal Engineering and Environmental Management.
This MSc will form an element of the new Centre for Coastal Processes, Engineering and Management (CCPEM) which is developing applied coastal research across the University, nationally and internationally. The link to CCPEM will enhance the opportunities available to you both in terms of industrial involvement within the MSc, industrial links for dissertation work, and subsequent career development.
To Apply
You apply through the University of Southampton's online postgraduate application system. You can find out more here.
Contacts
For all enquiries, email: gsnocs@southampton.ac.uk, Tel: +44 (0)23 8059 6028
Programme leader (Civil Engineering): Professor R J Nicholls
Programme tutor (SOES): Professor Carl Amos.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Institution of Civil Engineers as contribution to full membership (MICE). Accreditation may also be awarded by Institution of Structural Engineers, Institution of Highways and Transportation or Institute of Highway Incorporated Engineers.
Programme Structure
Our students tend to come from either a scientific or an engineering background. To cater for individual needs, we offer modules designed to supplement your existing knowledge. Individual projects will be undertaken in collaboration with industrial partners currently working in the field of coastal engineering.
Career opportunities
This MSc programme has been highly rated by graduating students, many of whom now hold senior positions in coastal consultancies
Strong industrial links immediately enhance employment prospects
Widening opportunities with coastal engineering consultants, maritime local authorities, or the Environment Agency
Key facts
A unique teaching collaboration between the disciplines of Civil Engineering and the Environment, and Ocean and Earth Science.
A one year (full-time) multidisciplinary course of instruction, research and practical work
Research project is undertaken in collaboration with (and often based at) a company actively working in coastal engineering or related industry
Draws on world-class expertise from both Ocean and Earth Sciences, and Civil Engineering and the Environment at the University of Southampton
Typical entry requirements
Entry requirements
You will need a good (2:1) Honours degree in civil or environmental engineering or oceanography, geography, geology or the environmental and physical sciences. We assess applications on an individual basis and we encourage candidates with alternative qualifications and relevant experience in an appropriate field to apply. We will asess your general ability to undertake the degree programme and, if appropriate, candidates will be invited for interview. In all cases, you must provide evidence of a high degree of numeracy.
English Language requirements
If your first language is not English, we need to ensure that your listening, written and spoken English skills would enable you to enjoy the full benefit of your studies. For entry onto our programmes, you will need an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.5 or an equivalent qualification.
Selection process:
Intake: 20
Average applicants per place: 3
Applications are considered throughout the year. If you wish to be considered for a scholarship, we must have received your application by 31st May at very latest. Otherwise, your applications for October entrance should be submitted before July 31st of the same year, although we may still accept late applications. We may invite you for interview before making an offer.
Visit our International Office website or the NARIC website for further information on qualifications.
Typical course content
The structure shown below is for full-time students. Delivery for part-time students is agreed on an individual basis.
Year 1
The majority of modules are common to all students on this programme. Depending on your first degree subject, in Semester 1 you will take either CENV6128 (Marine Science graduates) or SOES6016 (Civil Engineering graduates). You will take a total of 4 modules in each semester, plus (for the MSc award) a research project.
Semester One
Compulsory:
- CENV6087
- Environmental Impact Assessment
- CENV6126
- Coastal Morphodynamics
- SOES3014
- Coastal sediment dynamics
- SOES6060
- Key skills and applied coastal oceanography
Optional:
Semester Two
Compulsory:
- CENV6123
- Coastal Flood Defence
- CENV6139
- Geographic Information Systems
- SOES6011
- Applied coastal sediment dynamics
- SOES6060
- Key skills and applied coastal oceanography
- CENV6143
- Research Project: Engineering in the Coastal Environment
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if s/he takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information can be found in the programme handbook (or other appropriate guide).
Knowledge and understanding
The programme aims to:
- Provide you with a focussed programme of study at the forefront of coastal engineering as a profession, affording a critical awareness of current problems from a coastal and environmental management perspective which is informed by the changing needs of the industry
- Enable you to develop a comprehensive understanding of the techniques applicable to coastal engineering, especially those related to coastal and environmental management
- Obtain relevant industrial experience through the dissertation research
- Develop a set of skills pertinent to the role of the coastal engineer that will enable you to develop decision-making and team-working skills in complex and unpredictable situations.
Teaching and learning methods
Taught Modules
The different subject matter of the modules lends itself to different teaching and learning techniques but these include lectures, tutorials, individual and group planning exercises and practical exercises. You are encouraged throughout to contribute your own professional experiences and thoughts to the learning of the whole class through a free exchange of ideas. One-to-one tutorials are arranged to compensate for individual learning differences, when required.
Many modules include assessed coursework assignments which require you to carry out a substantial study of selected topics, either as individuals or in groups, leading to considerable depth of understanding and specialist knowledge. Assessment is designed to show that you can rationally use taught material and have a fundamental understanding of the subject matter. Feedback on progress is given to students on all submitted work.
Research Project
Candidates wishing to obtain an MSc carry out a research project finishing with a dissertation. Research projects may concern any of the areas covered by the programme. The research project is intended to bring together the full range of skills in the programme and to provide you with an opportunity to build on all of the learning outcomes described above, while demonstrating in-depth knowledge and understanding of one or more of the areas covered by the programme. It involves information gathering and handling, critical analysis and evaluation, and presentation skills. The key requirement, however, is that the project must focus on a problem with an element of novelty requiring the application of new information and concepts.
On this programme, the research project is conducted with a partner in industry or government. This element draws on our existing network of contacts. Recent placements have included Hanson, Halcrow, ABPmer, Delft Hydraulics, Channel Coastal Observatory, Bournemouth Borough Council, Havant Borough Council, Canterbury City Council, and the Environment Agency, among others.
Assessment Methods
Testing of the knowledge base is through a combination of unseen written examinations and assessed coursework in the form of problem solving exercises, laboratory reports, design exercises, essays, and individual and group projects.
Analysis and problem solving skills are assessed through unseen written examinations and problem based exercises. Experimental, research and design skills are assessed through laboratory reports, coursework exercises, project reports and oral presentations.
The tutorial system
Every student is assigned a personal tutor when they start their university degree. Your personal tutor will meet you when you enrol, and you will see him/her several times during your studies for academic as well as pastoral support. He or she is accessible throughout your time in Southampton.
Administration
We have our own team of administrators who act as a point of contact for day-to-day advice and information for undergraduate students. They are also responsible for collecting assignments and issuing the documents and forms which are required during your period of study.
