COURSE CURRICULUM

ME Civil Engineering program at University College Dublin consists of six core modules delivered during the Autumn Trimester, totaling 30 ECTS credits. These core modules include Innovation Leadership, Civil Engineering Systems, Geotechnics 3, Design of Structures 2, Applied Hydrology, and Quantitative Methods for Engineers, providing students with a strong foundation in key civil engineering principles. Following the Autumn Trimester, students choose between two pathways for the Spring and Summer Trimesters: a Professional Work Experience placement worth 30 ECTS, which spans both trimesters and offers practical industry experience, or a combination of a 10 ECTS Design Project and 20 ECTS of optional modules. The optional modules cover diverse topics such as Advanced Air Pollution, Environmental Engineering, Transport Modelling, Bridge Engineering, and more, allowing students to tailor their learning to their interests.Students aiming for the Professional Work Experience must initially register for the relevant module and actively seek placements through competitive interviews supported by Internship Managers. Those unable to secure a placement must follow the alternative option route, selecting the Design Project alongside four additional modules in the Spring Trimester to meet credit requirements.Stage 2 takes place at Columbia University in New York, where students select courses from one of six specialised areas of study or concentrations: Construction Engineering & Management, Engineering Mechanics, Environmental Engineering & Water Resources, Forensic (Structural) Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, or Structural Engineering. This stage accounts for 60 ECTS credits over 12 months and is designed in consultation with Columbia faculty advisors to deepen students’ expertise in their chosen specialisation, complementing their UCD education with global exposure and advanced technical knowledge.