Aims

The aims of this module are:
(i)       To, through an industrially led seminar series, expose the students to a wide variety of engineering geology and geotechnical case studies
(ii)       To enable students to gain experience of undertaking a substantial individual project which addresses a problem defined through liaison with a client, and which is executed within fixed time and resource constraints.
(iii)       To enable students to develop and extend their knowledge and understanding of a relevant engineering or construction related discipline.
(iv)       To enable students to develop and extend their research and problem solving skills in a relevant environmental or construction related discipline
(v)       To enable students to gain experience of peer-reviewing a substantial report in a critical and supportive fashion.

(vi)       To enable students to gain confidence in their ability to complete an individual investigation and to report their findings and interpretations to others.

Outline Of Syllabus

In semester 1, a suite of industrial seminars based on current ground engineering case studies will expose the students to a range of thematic areas within the discipline.
In semester 2, a design project will be launched through a charrette-style event and will be further supported by academic small group tutorials and lectures. The students will submit their design methodology and solutions in a report format. The design solutions developed will be showcased at a conference via poster presentations.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Exposure to a wide variety of case studies is achieved through industry led seminar series lectures. Workshops and design consultancy feedback meetings and lead the way in the development of a design solution to a client-led problem

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Firstly, a seminar series of case study will expose the student to existing design solutions and approaches. A seminar will be selected for assessment; submission will be via an online pro-forma to check engagement and understanding.

The interim presentations in semester 2 will provide feedback on their progress to-date in identifying the design problem and feed-forward support and guidance to be used in the final report and conference. A report detailing their approach to defining the problem and their decision process to selecting a solution will to be submitted prior to the conference. The conference event is to comprise poster presentations and face-to-face discussions with representatives from industry who will partake in marking.