MSc Engineering Geology

Programme Manager: Dr Bill Murphy

Introduction

The course equips students with the knowledge and skills required to pursue a career in ground engineering. The course has a near 100% employment record for its graduates, although a small number of students have chosen to pursue doctoral research in the field. Salaries have seen a steady annual increase since 2001. The course has a long history of involvement with the civil engineering industry and many senior members of the profession are graduates. The course is respected worldwide, with former students finding employment in locations as distant as New Zealand , Malaysia and Hong Kong . Career prospects remain excellent with many candidates holding two or three job offers by the end of the degree programme.

Entry requirements

To be admitted to the course you should hold, or expect to attain, a minimum of an upper second class honours degree or the overseas equivalent in geology or a related cognate discipline. Lower entry requirements may be accepted with sufficient industrial experience and/or outstanding references. Recently, applicants have held degrees in geology, civil, mining and mineral engineering as well as physical geography. While we do not have a requirement for candidates to hold 'A' level mathematics, it is advantageous to have studied maths at this level. Applicants with relevant industry experience are given preference for admission. The course has NERC Advanced-course studentships available for UK students (or EU students with 3 or more years UK residency).

Eligible applicants who wish to be considered for NERC studentships need to apply for the course by 31st May 2010.

Programme specification

The course modules cover subjects as diverse as strength of soils and rocks, tunnelling, dam design, geohazards, Quaternary geology, soil and rock mechanics and hydrogeology. There are six taught modules all of which are compulsory. The taught course amounts to 120 of the 180 credits required for the award of the MSc. The remaining 60 credits is the dissertation. The dissertation project is normally carried out in collaboration with colleagues in the geotechnical industry. This allows students the opportunity to develop relevant skills for professional practice. Candidates who wish to pursue more research orientated careers are given the opportunity to carry out research projects related to staff interests. Project topics vary across the Engineering Geology field and often include projects focused on overseas problems. Recent overseas projects have investigated landslide problems in the Philippines and road engineering in Ethiopia . Projects in the British Isles include tunnelling, landslides and contaminated land issues.

Programme and Module Descriptions for the MSc Engineering Geology are available on the University Taught Postgraduate Catalogue.

Industry links

The course boasts excellent links with the Civil Engineering industry. Workshops and seminars are frequently given by colleagues from professional practice. Site visits allow students to see current practice in the field.

Career prospects

Graduates typically find employment with major civil and geotechnical consultants and contractors. Salaries normally start from c. £20,000pa depending on experience.

"The School of Earth and Environment at Leeds is modern, well equipped, and world renowned for its teaching and research. Although the course schedule is very intensive there are still opportunities for making new friends and joining university societies and clubs and attending relevant industry led talks."

David Boon, British Geological Survey

"Overall I would recommend the course as it has provided me with an excellent theoretical and practical background which I am now building on with experience in my employment. It also introduced me to a number of friends in the same industry who I remain in close contact with."

Richard Clark, Cementation Foundations Skanska

For more information click here.