Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering

About You

This course will be particularly attractive to you if you are interested in the application of scientific and technical knowledge to the solution of real world problems.

Why Study Civil Engineering at UL?

The Civil Engineering programme at UL is fully accredited by Engineers Ireland and uses a student-centered approach to teaching, using techniques such as problem based learning and active learning. In year one (common entry programme) , you will develop your ability to work as part of a team, to plan and present, to undertake research and to apply your knowledge.Entry route to Mechanical Engineering at UL is via LM116 Engineering Common Entry.

Civil engineering is a broad field of engineering dealing with the design, planning, construction and maintenance of fixed structures or public works as they are related to earth, water, or civilization and their processes. Most civil engineering today deals with structures, roads, bridges, railways, water supply, transportation and traffic, waste water, protection of the environment, flood control and power plants.

Three short videos describing the programme are available at www.ul.ie/civileng 

Civil engineering at UL is built around a ‘learning-by-doing’ process and focuses on three areas:

- Water and the Environment

- Energy in Civil Engineering

- Buildings & Infrastructure

When you join the civil engineering team at UL, you learn to be an engineer from day one. Working in small teams, you will solve interesting problems. The challenges presented are open-ended and increase in complexity as you progress through the years. Your ingenuity and creativity are required to explore many viable solutions. Drawing from what you have learned and with the shared knowledge of your team, you will design, analyse and (in many cases) test your creations. Lectures are provided along the way to fill in gaps in your knowledge.

In year one you will be part of the LM116 Bachelor of Engineering Common Entry programme where you will develop broad engineering skills while receiving insights into the different engineering disciplines. In the spring semester students interested in Civil Engineering will undertake a ‘learning by doing’ project where you will be tasked with providing a safe means for a person to cross a waterway. Starting with a blank whiteboard you will work in teams to develop your ideas which you will then build and test at the end of the semester.

In year two you will learn how to design and construct earthen dams to protect structures from flood waters or detain rainwater to supply the university campus with an environmentally friendly supply of water. Heritage and cultural interests are incorporated at every opportunity. You will learn about the history of King John’s Castle as you design and construct timber siege towers in a re-enactment of the 1690 Siege of Limerick.

In year three you will get a real experience of being an engineer when you take a multi-storey library (or similar structure) and engineer the design of the foundations and reinforced concrete frame, based on the results of your structural analysis. This project involves interaction with the design architect, land surveying, health safety issues and forms the core of the first semester in year three. The project is followed by an eight-month Co-op placement with an engineering contractor/ consultant in Ireland or abroad.

In year four you will learn about energy efficient buildings, wind energy and how to design water treatment systems. A unique feature of the programme is learning from the engineering mistakes of the past; in doing so, you will investigate actual engineering failures in collaboration with law students. As a student engineer, you will act as an expert witness in a moot court (simulation) and have your expert opinions tested through examination and cross-examination by the student lawyers.

Your final year project allows you to specialise in the area of civil engineering that intrigues you most. Clear and effective communication is an essential skill for the civil engineer and is carefully fostered in every project throughout the programme. You will develop verbal, written and poster presentation skills in addition to creating video documentaries, participating in a moot court and ethical debates, and you will also act as a technical guide to creative arts students on special projects.

Applicants are required to hold at the time of enrolment the established Leaving Certificate (or an approved equivalent) with a minimum of six subjects which must include: Two H5 (Higher Level) grades and Four O6 (Ordinary Level) grades or four H7 (Higher Level) grades. Subjects must include Mathematics, Irish or another language, and English.

In addition, applicants must hold a minimum grade H4 in Mathematics and grade O6/H7 in one of the following: Physics, Chemistry, Physics with Chemistry, Engineering, Technology, Design & Communication Graphics/ Technical Drawing, Biology, Agricultural Science, Applied Maths, Construction Studies.

A Special Mathematics Examination will be offered at UL following the Leaving Certificate results for those students who did not achieve the Mathematics requirement. We welcome applications from mature students. Mature applicants must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1 February.

For Further information and sample exam papers, click here

Careers open to you with a degree in Civil Engineering include;

• Civil/Structural Engineer
• Design Engineer
• Environmental Engineer
• Traffic/motorway Engineer

The details of a career path can vary depending on market forces and the preference of the graduate. In some fields and in some firms, entry-level engineers work primarily monitoring construction in the field, serving as the eyes and ears of more senior design engineers; while in other areas, entry-level engineers perform routine analysis or design tasks.

The flexibility offered by the breadth and structure of the course will produce graduates with the diverse skills necessary to adapt to the demands and challenges of civil engineering practice in the 21st century. Career opportunities exist in areas of infrastructure, building, water resources, environmental and government agencies.

Follow-on Study

Graduates may elect to pursue further studies by undertaking master or doctoral degrees at the University of Limerick.

Want to find out more about possible careers with this degree? Click Here