This MSc is made up of entirely core material, designed to equip you with essential knowledge and skills in advanced materials for sustainable infrastructure.
- Taught Modules: You'll complete 12 assessed modules, with six in the autumn term (October–December) and six in the spring term (January–March). Exams take place in early January and late April/early May.
- Research Project: Over the summer, you'll undertake an independent research project, culminating in a written dissertation, applying what you’ve learned to a real-world materials challenge.
A Structured Approach to Learning
This MSc is designed to support all backgrounds and develop well-rounded expertise:
- Autumn Term: Lays the foundation, introduces key concepts, and standardises knowledge across students.
- Spring Term: Builds on the fundamentals, advancing and enhancing your understanding.
- Summer Term: Dedicated to research, allowing you to apply your skills to an independent project.
A Balance of Theory and Practice
You’ll learn through formal lectures, interactive tutorials, and hands-on laboratory practicals, ensuring a strong grasp of both theoretical and practical aspects. Modules are designed to complement each other, covering key technical, analytical, and problem-solving skills essential for modern engineers.
Beyond technical expertise, you'll develop transferable skills in technical writing, oral presentations, and teamwork, preparing you for leadership in industry or academia.
Explore the module details further down this page. Please note that module content is indicative and is subject to annual update.
Syllabus
Modules by course
Select from the modules linked below to scroll directly to their description.
Module details and descriptions
Autumn term modules
CIVE70059 Sustainable Development
This module introduces sustainable engineering as the application of science and technology to improve societal well-being within the context of sustainable development. Closely related to industrial ecology, it adopts a transdisciplinary systems perspective to understand how the environment, cultural systems, technology, and the economy can be efficiently managed to achieve sustainability. Key industrial ecology methods, including life cycle assessment (LCA) and material flow analysis (MFA), are explored. As an introductory, project-based course, the module aims to provide a foundation for understanding sustainability and industrial ecology, inspire critical thinking using a systems perspective to navigate trade-offs across disciplines, and develop skills in applying qualitative and quantitative industrial ecology concepts and methods.
- Assessment: coursework
- EACTS: 5; CATS: 10
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CIVE70061 Materials Selection
This module provides an overview of the materials used in civil engineering, covering their classification into metals, ceramics, polymers, and hybrids, as well as the history of material evolution. It explores how design requirements are defined and translated into material properties, focusing on engineering properties such as mechanical, thermal, and mass transfer characteristics. Key topics include material indices, selection using property charts, shape factors, multi-criteria and conflicting-criteria decision-making, material life cycles, eco-selection, and the use of materials selection software. The module also features case studies to illustrate practical applications of materials selection.
- Assessment: written examination & coursework
- EACTS: 5; CATS: 10
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CIVE70062 Mechanics of Materials
This module covers the classification of mechanics, Saint Venant’s principle, and dimensional analysis, along with the motion description and kinematics of deformable bodies. Topics include types of motion, displacement and deformation, the strain tensor, force and traction, and the stress tensor, as well as plane stress and plane strain conditions. It explores eigenvalue and eigenvector problems, Mohr’s circle, and constitutive modelling of materials, including isotropic, anisotropic, and orthotropic behaviours. The module also examines failure criteria for brittle and ductile materials, plasticity modelling, stress-strain curves, and damage mechanisms such as fracture mechanics, fatigue, and creep. Additional topics include strength of materials, structural mechanics, beam design, column buckling, and the use of continuum mechanics models in practical applications, with insights into relevant research at Imperial College.
- Assessment: written examination
- EACTS: 5; CATS: 10
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CIVE70063 Characterisation of Materials
This module provides a broad understanding of advanced microscopic and spectroscopic techniques for characterising the physical and chemical properties of building materials. Through hands-on laboratory experience, you will learn the working principles, capabilities, limitations, and complementarity of these techniques, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to select the most appropriate method for analysing specific material properties. The module covers sample preparation, microscopy (optical and electron microscopy) and image analysis, X-ray analysis (XRD and XRF), thermal analysis (thermogravimetry and calorimetry), pore and surface area analysis (gas and vapour sorption, mercury intrusion porosimetry), vibrational spectroscopy (FTIR and Raman), particle analysis (laser diffraction), and applications of these techniques to building materials.
- Assessment: written examination & practical
- EACTS: 5; CATS: 10
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CIVE70064 Cementitious Materials
This advanced course in cementitious materials science focuses on cement and binder chemistry. It aims to: (1) introduce key cementitious materials, their properties, and production methods; (2) provide a strong foundation in chemistry relevant to these materials; and (3) equip students with the knowledge to apply chemistry principles in modelling material properties. The module covers the history and types of cements and binders, cement chemistry (including thermodynamics, phase diagrams, and equilibrium), Portland cement production and hydration, supplementary cementitious materials, alternative and low-carbon cements, alkali-activated materials and geopolymers, cement paste microstructure, and thermodynamic modelling.
- Assessment: written examination and coursework
- EACTS: 5; CATS: 10
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CIVE70065 Geomaterials
This module provides an in-depth insight into how materials from the ground—soils (clays, silts, sands, and gravels) and rocks (geomaterials)—are formed and quantified based on factors such as composition, strength, stiffness/compressibility, and durability. It covers their extraction, processing (where necessary), and practical applications in construction materials such as aggregates, concrete, and bricks. Topics include the origin of geomaterials, characterisation and engineering properties of rocks, soils, and minerals, and testing geomaterials both in situ and in the laboratory. The module also explores the use of aggregates in road construction and concrete, construction stone including masonry and heritage structures, and clay for ceramics, bricks, and tile production. Additionally, it covers ground improvement techniques, weathering, durability, and the sustainable use of geomaterials. A walk-over survey on the Imperial College campus provides a practical assessment of building stones.
- Assessment: written examination and coursework
- EACTS: 5; CATS: 10
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Spring term modules
CIVE70066 Concrete Materials
This module provides an advanced understanding of cementitious materials science, focusing on cement and binder chemistry. It introduces important cementitious materials, their properties, and production methods while building a solid foundation in chemistry topics relevant to these materials. Students will develop the ability to apply this chemistry knowledge to cementitious materials, particularly in modelling their properties. The module covers the history and types of cements and binders, cement chemistry including thermodynamics, phase diagrams, and equilibrium, as well as the production and hydration of Portland cement. It also explores supplementary cementitious materials, alternative and low-carbon cements, alkali-activated materials and geopolymers, cement paste microstructure, and thermodynamic modelling.
- Assessment: written examination and coursework
- EACTS: 5; CATS: 10
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CIVE70067 Masonry, Timber and Glass
This module provides a detailed understanding of the microstructure, properties, and applications of three key infrastructure materials: masonry, timber, and glass. Delivered by leading researchers and industry experts, it covers fundamental concepts alongside new developments, applications, and ongoing research challenges. The masonry section explores its history, main types, mortars, structural behaviour, wall design and analysis, material and structural defects, durability, sustainability, and relevant codes and standards. The timber section examines the physical and mechanical properties of wood, engineered wood products, rheological behaviour, construction practices, fire resistance, sustainability, and regulations. The glass section covers different production techniques, mechanical properties in relation to microstructure, flaws and fracture behaviour, toughened and laminated glass, safety considerations, design approaches, and industry standards.
- Assessment: written examination
- EACTS: 5; CATS: 10
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CIVE70068 Metals
This module focuses on developing an understanding of metallic materials, with an emphasis on their deformation, fracture, and structural behaviour. It provides a general overview across various scales, ranging from the atomic level to the macroscopic continuum. The degradation of metals under extreme conditions or in the presence of harmful environments is also explored. Topics covered include an overview of metals and alloys used in civil engineering, the manufacture of steels, metallurgy and microstructure, fracture mechanics of metals, corrosion, stress corrosion cracking, and hydrogen embrittlement. The module also delves into practical applications of metallurgy, steel technology in construction, quality control, the use of standards for tension, compression, bending, connections, and elevated temperatures, welding technology and its effects, metal 3D printing, and relevant research at Imperial College.
- Assessment: written examination
- EACTS: 5; CATS: 10
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CIVE70069 Polymers and Polymer Composites
Module Overview and Content This module aims to provide you with a deep understanding of a range of advanced topics within the field of polymers and polymer composites, including type of polymers, fibers, physical and mechanical properties, characterization techniques, manufacturing methods, composite mechanics, civil engineering products and applications, retrofitting and reinforcement design, durability and recycling. A major emphasis is on understanding how to analyze and design polymer composites as reinforcements for retrofitting or strengthening of concrete structures, and how the properties of composites are related to matrix and reinforcement architecture. This will equip you with the knowledge and skills to apply polymer composites in civil engineering sector.
- Assessment: written examination and coursework
- EACTS: 5; CATS: 10
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CIVE70070 Assessment, Monitoring and Repair of Structures
This module aims to provide you with a deep understanding of a range of advanced topics on assessment, monitoring and repair of structures, including structural pathologies, frequently used monitoring and assessment methods in practice, typical sensors and signal processing methods, and structural repairing methods. A major emphasis is on understanding the structural health monitoring (SHM) strategies and selecting the most appropriate assessment and repairing methods. This will equip you with the knowledge and skills to assess and monitor structures in service and carry out retrofitting or repairing work when needed.
- Assessment: written examination and coursework
- EACTS: 5; CATS: 10
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CIVE70071 Numerical Modelling of Materials
This module aims to develop an understanding of computational tools for modelling the mechanical behaviour of materials. It covers the theoretical foundations and numerical applications of computational solid mechanics techniques, with a focus on the finite element method. The module builds on theoretical knowledge to use finite element analysis for gaining insight into advanced problems in structural and material mechanics. Topics include the purpose of modelling and the types of models, including their use in design; continuum mechanics concepts; finite element modelling, including the use of commercial packages; the underlying mathematical foundations of numerical methods; basics of programming; multiphysics modelling, including heat transfer and mass transport; multiscale modelling, including an introduction to atomistic and meso-scale methods; discrete element methods; and case studies, including geomaterials and structural analysis. The module also explores relevant research at Imperial College.
- Assessment: written examination and coursework
- EACTS: 5; CATS: 10
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Summer term modules
CIVE70072 Research Project - Materials
You will be supervised by at least one member of academic staff within the Materials section of the Civil & Environmental Engineering Department. Some students may be co-supervised by external parties or may have the opportunity to undertake their research project as part of an industry placement. You can either choose from a list of projects provided or propose your own topic in agreement with the relevant member of staff. The research project may be analytical, theoretical, experimental, or numerical in nature, or a combination of these. You will be required to work full-time on the project, which will commence in the summer term immediately following the completion of the MSc examinations and continue through to mid-September. You will also be required to attend a research project induction, which provides training on health and safety and risk assessment, conducting literature reviews, formulating research problems, research design, data collection and analysis, database searching and reference management, use of Turnitin, technical writing, and presentation skills.
- Assessment: coursework
- EACTS: 30; CATS: 60
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