Course Catalogue

Civil Design Project M ENG5283

  • Academic Session: 2026-27
  • School: School of Engineering
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 1
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

This course involves a design project or feasibility study performed in small groups, currently based around an options appraisal exercise for a Severn Tidal Barrage. Each group must consider: alternative barrage alignments; alternative modes of operation of the barrage; design of barrage components (turbines, generators, sluices, caissons, embankments, ship locks, fish passes); optimisation of turbine characteristics; calculation of energy outputs and water levels; costing; optimisation of barrage location and turbine numbers; discounted cash and energy flows and unit cost of energy; other positive and negative impacts (carbon savings/consumption, water quality, sediment movements, changes to ecosystems, fish populations, bird populations, flooding, shipping, leisure and amenity activities, employment).

Timetable

1 three hour session per week

Requirements of Entry

Mandatory Entry Requirements

None

Recommended Entry Requirements

None

Excluded Courses

Civil Design Project 4 (ENG4050)

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

80% Report

20% Oral Assessment & Presentation

Course Aims

The aims of this course are to:

■ set students the challenge of tackling a feasibility study and optimisation exercise for a large multi-disciplinary project;

■ require students to apply knowledge and techniques from their civil engineering courses but also to seek out and apply new knowledge;

■ encourage initiative and a professional approach to problem-solving and reporting.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ work in a group to tackle open-ended problems;

■ plan and undertake a design or feasibility study of a large multi-disciplinary project involving a wide range of technical issues and also broader environmental, economic and socio-political issues;

■ undertake critical appraisal of alternative options;

■ undertake calculations of discounted cash and energy flows and hence determine unit cost of energy, including sensitivity to discount rate;

■ present the outcomes of their work both orally and in writing in a professional manner.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions