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Engineering, Mathematics and Science
130
The civil engineering specialism combines a unique set of skills
– analytical and practical, as well as creative and environmental.
Some professions, such as foundation and highway engineering
or water supply, will require you, as the engineer, to be the sole
expert or authority. Others, for example architecture, surveying
and computer-aided design, will use your input on those aspects
of the job that specifically relate to civil engineering design,
construction and environmental impact.
What will you study?
Junior Sophister (third year) subjects include:
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Structures
– the design and construction of all types of
structures.
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Surveying
– the science of taking measurements to
determine or establish the relative position of points above,
on, or beneath the surface of the earth.
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Geotechnics
– the study of the properties and behaviour
of the soil.
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Transportation
–the study of the design and maintenance
of sustainable transport systems.
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Materials
– the study of the properties and behaviour
of the materials used in civil engineering.
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Hydraulics
– the study of water movement and flow.
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Geology
– the study of the earth and how this affects
engineering.
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Highway engineering
– the design of road infrastructure.
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Computer-aided design
– the use of computers to create
designs.
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Group design project
– replicates all the key stages
in a real civil engineering project.
In the Senior Sophister (fourth) year you will take four core
civil engineering subjects and four optional subjects.
The core subjects include:
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Environmental engineering 1
– water quality
characteristics, natural processes, process design
concepts, wastewater treatment, air pollution.
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Hydraulics
– flow of water in circular and non-circular
conduits, pipe network analysis, pump characteristics.
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Geotechnical engineering
– soil strength and its
determination, slope stability, bearing capacity, earth
pressures and retaining walls.
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Structures 1
– reinforced concrete design, structural
steel: introduction to plastic theory, limit state design,
rigid, semi-rigid and simple design.
4th-year options include:
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Design of the built environment
– fire engineering,
new materials, planning.
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Advanced theory and design of structures
– reinforced
concrete, pre-stressed concrete, nonlinear analysis of
structures and design of tall buildings.
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Engineering geology and hydrogeology
– hydrogeology
and groundwater engineering; rock mechanics, including
slope and tunnel stability.
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Environmental engineering 2
– contaminant transport,
water resources engineering, especially in developing
countries.
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Transportation engineering
– transportation engineering,
transportation modelling, transportation systems.
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Materials
– origin, decay and preservation of stone,
mortar and block; clay and cementitious brick; concrete
investigation.
A significant amount of teaching takes place in the laboratory,
and the course involves a lot of project work. Students undertake
site visits to civil engineering works and areas of geological
interest nationally and there is also a one-week technical visit
to an international location. Recent trips have included visits
to Paris and Barcelona.
A group design project forms part of the Junior Sophister
(third year) programme. In the past, students have designed
a stadium, a cathedral and an opera house.
The Senior Sophister (fourth year) project will contribute
approximately 20% to your final-year marks. In recent years,
projects have included: Intelligent transport systems in Dublin;
Structural dynamics and e-learning; Vibrations due to traffic in
the Port Tunnel; Landslides in the Dublin/Wicklow region; Solar
energy for rural households.
The optional fifth year of the programme will allow students
to study toward the M.A.I. Master’s degree qualification with
more advanced level of treatment of the topics listed above.
There may also be the opportunity to undertake a
placement
in industry or with a research group
or to participate in the
Unitech or Cluster programmes in your penultimate year.
Study abroad
In their penultimate year, students get the chance to study in
Europe (France, Germany, Italy or Spain) as part of the Erasmus
programme.
Career opportunities
In addition to working in the traditional areas of engineering
such as construction, design and transport management, civil
engineers are often employed in the banking industry, in law
firms and in business areas. The numerical and problem-solving
skills and expertise that civil engineers have are broad based
and make them very attractive employees to many different
industries.
Further information
www.tcd.ie/civileng
Tel: + 353 1 896 1457