MRes Geoenvironmental Engineering

This class explores the complete sequence of site investigation and risk assessment of obstructed, derelict or contaminated land. Students will carry out a complete sequence of a site investigation, from desk study, sampling assessment, sample and survey design, data collection and, finally, analysis and reporting – which includes modelling and interpretation using risk assessment models.

In this class, dedicated to the MSc and MRes students in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, students will acquire familiarity with, and practice of, research techniques, and examine different ways of, and gain experience in, presenting research results. The course discusses the key principles, and practical exercises, on both quantitative and qualitative research methods, such as observation methods, survey methods, interviewing techniques and statistical methods. The course also includes discussion of ethical issues. Finally, the course covers writing skills and use of literature, which is relevant to all classes.

In this class, students will:

• gain an understanding of Hydrogeology as a discipline
• discuss and explore the physical mechanisms of water movement in the subsurface
• undertake experiments in the lab that demonstrate key principals of groundwater movement
• explore hydrogeological issues based on case studies

Within the background of land redevelopment (residential, industrial/commercial and gardens/parks), this class aims to provide insights into the remediation of contaminated land, including contaminant mobility and its impacts on contaminated land management and remediation; site-specific considerations; sampling and analysis; exposure and risk assessment; remediation processes; legislation and policy; and the regulatory framework. These issues will be explored in depth in case studies.

This class aims to introduce microbiology in a manner that is of practical importance in environmental engineering and public health.

Emphasis is placed on the microbial ecology and interactions in water, soil, and biological treatment process. Microbial physiology and biochemistry will be discussed in detail as it pertains to environmental systems. Both biodegradation and public health aspects of microbiology are included. The class combines theoretical and fundamental concepts in biology to provide a basic background in microbiology and biotechnology.

This module provides a thorough introduction to the field of Geographical Information Systems and spatial analysis. The course covers the key theoretical principles but it also provides many practical hands-on exercises using current state-of-the-art GIS software. By capturing, manipulating, integrating and displaying digital spatial data, a wide range of different analyses can be carried out, ranging from engineering (e.g. site selection, flood risk, transport planning, impact of construction), environmental science (e.g. soil erosion, health and disease, pollutant transport, hydrology, landscape visual impact assessment, wildlife preservation) to policymaking (e.g. urbanization, deforestation, spatial distribution of crime). The module demonstrates how GIS can be used for spatial query and analysis. Students will develop skills to apply GIS independently to real world datasets and problems.

This class aims to introduce advanced tools to analyse geotechnical structures at the ultimate limit state taking into account the effect of climate load.

This class aims to guide the student to:

• gain an understanding of Groundwater Flow Modelling as a discipline
• provide an introduction to MODFLOW, an industry-standard numerical code for groundwater flow modelling
• provide an introduction to MT3D, an industry-standard groundwater solute transport simulator
• develop groundwater flow modelling skills and understand how groundwater models can be used to refine and understand conceptual models
• learn how to use a Geographic Information System (GIS) to prepare and post-process groundwater flow modelling inputs and results respectively
• develop contaminant fate and transport modelling skills in order to simulate the movements of contaminants in the subsurface

Successful completion of this module should provide the student with an understanding of:

• hydrogeology and subsurface fluid flow
• well hydraulics and pumping tests
• contaminant transport in the subsurface
• real-world applications of hydrogeology

The class develops knowledge & skills regarding the science, engineering & management of environmental pollution control to protect public health.  These aims are addressed through study of the interface between environmental science and environmental engineering, including risk-based methods. The class includes industrial & government case studies in contemporary air quality management practice.  Student interaction is encouraged through directed reading, project work, student-led question sessions, and structured feedback.

Graduates increasingly need highly developed transferable professional skills to prepare for and to gain future employment. This course will allow students carrying out projects with industry to develop and refine these while gaining credits in the process. This could be for example the SME Carbon Audit that students carry out with training from Carbon Trust which involves 2 full-day training workshop, one 2-hour guided carbon audit of one SME, produce a Carbon Audit report for the SME that will be checked for quality by Carbon Trust before being released to the SME.

Approval of students being able to take this course would be done on a case-by-case basis by MSc course leader as an individualised learning contract. Students will be selected by competitive application and CV. Other placements with industry are possible as long as a report needs to be produced for the industrial contact which can then be evaluated for assignment purposes.

This module aims to develop skills of working within a large cross-disciplinary group, on a substantial project over a sustained period of time. The group should consist of individuals at different stages of their studies and from different backgrounds working collaboratively on a common task.

In addition to the group working skills, the participants should apply and further develop specialist skills in their own discipline as well as gaining knowledge of another field. The research outputs should also emphasis and develop the student’s ability to conduct independent research to a high standard.

This class aims to explore the hydrological cycle and the influence of weather, climate and the key processes on the environment, and develop application of hydrological cycle for engineering analysis and design, including estimating:

• precipitation, including spatial distribution analysis techniques
• evaporation and evapotranspiration
• other hydrological losses, including infiltration

The class also aims to develop skills examining catchments using engineering hydrology approaches, including:

• analysing relationships between precipitation, runoff and storage
• analysing hydrographs
• examining the influence of urbanisation and land management practices
• introducing drainage design techniques and analysis
• sustainable urban drainage systems

This class aims to:

• explore the evaluation of the water environment using the natural abundance of stable and radio isotopes
• develop application of isotope hydrology principals including evaluation of precipitation sources with isotopes; evaluation of surface water with isotopes; evaluation of groundwater with isotopes
• develop skills examining water resources management using natural stable and radio isotopes, including: analysing relationships between precipitation, runoff and storage; analysing hydrographs; examining the influence of contaminants in the environment; using isotope hydrology within an earth science system analysis
• develop skills examining water resources management using atmospheric gases
• use stable and inert atmospheric gases (Ne, Kr, Ar and Xe) to understand the physical conditions under which groundwater recharge occurred (recharge temperature, excess air and degassing)
• relate dissolved concentrations of trace atmospheric gases to atmospheric mixing ratios using Henry’s Law (groundwater age)
• develop an understanding of groundwater age in relation to groundwater resource management (groundwater flow velocity, recharge rates and mixing)
• examine the susceptibility of a groundwater resource to contamination
• constrain groundwater flow models using groundwater age estimates

In this class, students will explore the controls of the chemical composition of the lithosphere and hydrosphere. Students will develop an understanding of geochemical thermodynamics, an understanding of different weathering processes and the impacts of environmental pollution on the lithosphere and hydrosphere.

The course aims to provide the fundamentals of health monitoring of civil structures, and includes the following topics:

1. the logic of structural identification based on sensor observations
2. an overview of sensor technologies for civil applications, with focus on accelerometers, strain gauges, thermocouples, fiber-optic sensors and wireless sensors
3. numerical methods for signal processing and data analysis
4. analysis of case studies, including bridges, buildings and heritage structures

Graduates increasingly need highly developed transferable professional skills to prepare for and to gain future employment. This module allows students to design and construct field scale civil engineering structures. Approval of students being able to take this module would be done on case-by-case basis by MSc course leaders as an individualised learning contract.

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) relates to the process of identifying, evaluating, and mitigating the biophysical, social, economic, cultural and other relevant effects of development proposals prior to major decisions being taken and commitments made. This class, run by the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering but open to all MSc and MEng students across the University, introduces the methods used to predict environmental impacts, and evaluates how these may be used to integrate environmental factors into decisions.

The class draws principally on the UK planning context of environmental impact assessment of individual projects (project EIA), but also takes account of EIA experience in other countries and international organisations. Participants evaluate the quality of Environmental Statements (or EIA Reports) and of the EIA process using the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) methodology.

The class discusses how EIA can be used a pro-active design tool for projects and how it can contribute to the enhancement of environmental, social and health issues. Students are also introduced to key principles of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and biodiversity net gain (BNG). Class has the contribution of key practitioners in the field and includes different case studies, such as proposed onshore and offshore windfarms.