Structural Design and Construction Management MSc

Facts about Structural Design and Construction Management

Qualification	MSc
Duration	Full-time: 1 year Part-time: 2 years (January and September start dates)
Attendance	Full and part time: varied delivery
Assessment	Coursework and/or exams; research thesis (MSc)
Course structure

Choose Kingston's Structural Design and Construction Management MSc

If you are a structural engineer who has developed your career in a consulting capacity but are aspiring to senior management positions in both design practice and the management of construction projects for clients, this course is ideal. It will provide you with a strategic overview of construction management issues as well as a knowledge of advanced structural engineering. This combination will enable you to perform at a managerial level in both design and contracting organisation.

What will you study?

You will learn to analyse standard and innovative structures and gain the necessary knowledge to advise on the type of structure and materials used in construction. You will study the financial, legal and contractual problems associated with the construction process, and learn how to apply your knowledge of management techniques and contract administration in the supervision of construction projects. You will also develop your design skills.

The optional European module exposes you to working in a multinational team and allows you to gain experience of analysing how different European countries approach construction.

The MSc research thesis enables you to conduct a sustained, in-depth, original research related to complex theoretical arguments within the field of the construction industry.

Further Learning Programme – MSc (technical)

This degree is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators, which includes the Institution of Civil Engineers and the Institution of Structural Engineers, under licence from the Engineering Council, as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for candidates who have already acquired a Accredited CEng (Partial) BEng(Hons) or an Accredited IEng (Full) BEng/BSc(Hons) undergraduate first degree.

See www.jbm.org.uk for further information.

Accreditation is a mark of assurance that the degree meets the standards set by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC). Some employers recruit preferentially from accredited degrees, and an accredited degree is likely to be recognised by other countries that are signatories to international accords.

Please check the Engineering Council course search for more information.

Links with industry

Studying this course means you'll have opportunities to be involved with organisations outside the University. Our excellent industrial links have developed over many years and throughout many countries.
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Course structure

Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list.

Core modules

Reinforced and Pre-stressed Concrete Design
Reinforced and Pre-stressed Concrete Design

In this module you will:
- examine and explain the principles and technical requirements set in Eurocode 2 for the design of concrete structures;
- learn to carry out routine as well as innovative conception, analysis and design of common and specialist structures and structural elements in accordance with standard procedures; and
- explain the impact of sustainability in designing and detailing concrete structures.
Design of Concrete Structures Subjected to Seismic Actions
Design of Concrete Structures Subjected to Seismic Actions

In this module you will:
- study concepts of seismology and structural dynamics, covering holistic design solutions, special considerations in seismic regions etc for concrete structures;
- explore earthquake and concrete engineering;
- examine and explain the principles and technical requirements set in Eurocode 8 for the design of concrete structures subjected to seismic actions; and
- learn to carry out routine as well as innovative repair and long-term assessment of concrete structures subjected to earthquakes.
Substructure Design in Reinforced Concrete
Substructure Design in Reinforced Concrete

In this module you will:
- learn how to carry out conceptual and detailed design of shallow and deep foundations;
- evaluate practical and technical issues in soil/structure interaction investigations;
- gain detailed understanding of earthquake effects on geotechnical engineering; and
- gain an appreciation of the impact of sustainability to foundations.
Design of Steel Structures
Design of Steel Structures

In this module you will:
- examine and explain the principles and technical requirements set in Eurocode 3 for the design of steel structures;
- learn to carry out routine as well as innovative conception, analysis and design of common and specialist structures and structural elements in accordance with standard procedures; and
- explain the impact of sustainability in designing and detailing steel structures.
Conditions of Contract
Conditions of Contract

In this module you will:
- gain confidence in making judgements on matters concerning the standard forms of contract used in the construction industry;
- demonstrate a depth of knowledge across the specialised area of construction standard forms; and
- independently evaluate problems that can arise and deal with the complexity of the conditions of contract.
Estimating, Purchasing and Cost Control
Estimating, Purchasing and Cost Control

In this module you will:
- learn how design and construction work is priced;
- gain in-depth knowledge of how these prices are used to control the costs for the firms involved; and
- gain an appreciation of the role of the client, the contractor, the quantity surveyor, the estimator, and the techniques used to estimate and price construction works.
Project and Risk Management
Project and Risk Management

In this module you will:
- gain an understanding of management of projects, and then go very deeply into the technical aspects of Project Network Techniques;
- use modern project management software for various types of analyses such as resource analysis, costing and earned value analysis; and
- carry out risk analysis and assess effects of risk on a project.
Legal Obligations
Legal Obligations

In this module you will:
- acquire an understanding of the legal rules governing the law of contract, the law of tort and the administration of the English legal system;
- apply the tort of negligence, duty of care, breach of duty and remoteness of damage; and
- evaluate and critically analyse how a contract is discharged and identify how a contract is performed and breached.
Individual Research Dissertation
Individual Research Dissertation

In this module you will:
- formulate a research hypothesis in a construction related subject area;
- learn how to conduct research;
- carry out in-depth research in your selected area; and
- present your research findings in the form of a research paper, an oral presentation and a substantial written dissertation.