Content and Structure of the new MSc programmes

What is the biggest difference between the current and the new MSc programmes?

  • The new MSc programmes are built upon modules. In the first year, students start in Q1 with a broad and common faculty module Modelling, Uncertainty, and Data for Engineers (MUDE). This module is identical for all three master’s programmes. During Q1 and Q2 of the first year, students also follow the core programme module. Depending on the programme students will start to follow their own track / discipline in Q2 or Q3. In Q3 they can choose one of the associated A-modules, and in Q4 they take track B modules for applying knowledge from Q1 and Q2.

  • The following image explains how the programmes are built upon modules:

  • In the second year, Q1 is an elective quarter in which students can opt for a JIP, MDP/internship, exchange, or courses at TU Delft or other universities. In Q2 of the second year they choose crossovers based on research/design themes in which students from our faculty join. Students can also opt for two in-depth courses. This way, students will have the freedom to design their own personalised programme.

  • Students make a well-informed choice for a track within Civil Engineering (CE) or Environmental Engineering (ENV) or for a discipline within Applies Earth Sciences (AES), after the MUDE module and the core programme module. These two modules contain fundamentals for the entire programme but also more generic topics which are relevant for all following modules.

  • The admission will be per master’s programme. There are no additional requirements for tracks or disciplines.

What will be the relation between practical and theoretical subjects?

There is a good mix between theory and application. In each programme students start with gaining more theoretical knowledge that leads to application in the later stages of year 1. Furthermore, the programmes are using many projects and examples from practice to illustrate the theory.

Which tracks are available within the new MSc programmes?

  • The MSc programme AES will consist of four disciplines:
    • Climate & Weather
    • Earth Observation
    • Geo-Resource Engineering
    • Geo-Energy Engineering
  • The MSc programme CE has six tracks:
    • Structural Engineering
    • Construction Materials
    • Hydraulic Engineering
    • Hydraulic and Offshore Structures
    • Traffic and Transport Engineering
    • Geotechnical Engineering
  • The MSc programme ENV offers three tracks:
    • Resource and Waste Engineering
    • Water Resources Engineering
    • Atmospheric Environment Engineering

How are the current tracks of AES related to the new disciplines?

The MSc programme AES will consist of four disciplines. The content of the current tracks Geo-Energy and Geo-Resources will correspond with the disciplines of the same name. The current track Geoscience and Remote Sensing will be divided in disciplines Earth Observation and Climate & Weather.

The new MSc programme ENV will include the track Water Resource Management. How is this different from the current track Water Management?

Both the track Water Management and the Environmental Technology specialisation are fully reflected in the Water Resources track.

The specialisation Environmental Science is partly reflected in the Atmospheric Environment Engineering track when it comes to air quality and urban climate. Global climate and climate modelling are part of the MSc programme AES.

How are the current tracks of CE related to the new tracks?

  • The current Building Engineering and Structural Engineering track will be restructured into one new Structural Engineering track. Construction materials is a specialisation within the current Structural Engineering track, but will be a new separate track. It also needs to be noted that this current specialisation focuses on materials and environment, whereas the new track construction materials will put more emphasis on materials and mechanics.
  • Hydraulic and Offshore Structures will be a newly developed track, including elements that can be found in the current programme as well.
  • The current CE Water Management and Environmental Engineering tracks will be discontinued and these parts transfer to the new ENV programme.
  • The track Geoscience and Remote Sensing will be discontinued within CE but parts of sensing and monitoring will be included in the CE tracks and in the starting module MUDE. The largest part of this track will be incorporated in the new AES disciplines Earth Observation and Climate & Weather.

 

What will happen with the European Mining Course?

The European Mining Course will be replaced by the discipline Geo-Resource Engineering within the AES programme, which will be fully carried out by TU Delft.

Will Applied Geophysics continue to exist?

Yes, Applied Geophysics will continue to exist as an unmodified track in the AES master programme at least until 2022, but we are working towards changing the joint master Applied Geophysics into an independent master programme that should start in 2023. This change will not incur any changes in the content of the programme or its organisation.

Is the track Geo-Engineering still available to AES students?

As of September 2022, the track Geo-Engineering will be embedded in the track Geotechnical Engineering of the CE programme. AES bachelor students who are interested in the field of Geotechnical Engineering will therefore have to continue their studies in the MSc CE. For these students a bridging programme will be offered which fits in the 180 EC of the AES bachelor. The content of this bridging programme will be communicated later this year.

Why do BSc AES students who are interested in the track Geo–Engineering (part of CE as per September 2022) need to take a bridging programme?

Students in the new master programmes will not be admitted to specific tracks, but to an entire MSc programme, regardless of the track they eventually choose. The content of the new Geo-Engineering track will be included in the new CE master's programme as per September 2022. Because the BSc AES offers insufficient basis for the entry requirements of the MSc CE, a bridging programme will be offered. Further information on this will follow.

Will current students of the European Mining Course and Applied Geophysics still be able to do their thesis in Delft?

Current students of the European Mining Course and Applied Geophysics will continue their study as planned and will still be able to do their thesis in Delft.

Will the specialisations within the current MSc's programme be retained?

No. There will be no specialisations in the new MSc programmes.

However, within the tracks/disciplines, students can choose from various A and B modules, allowing them to develop in a particular direction. Also, by selecting specific projects, electives (Year 2, Q1) and by choosing an MSc thesis topic (Year 2, Q3 and 4), students can tailor their individual programme to their own needs and interests.

Will it be possible to switch between different MSc programmes and different tracks?

Tracks are pre-set programmes within a master programme. Tracks are approved by the Board of Examiners. Therefore, it is not possible to combine modules of different tracks within a track. Students who want to take modules from other tracks, can do so as an extracurricular addition to their programme.

Students who want to make use of the possibility to compose a free and individual programme (TER CE, Annex Art 19, TER AES, Annex Art 14) need prior approval from the Board of Examiners. The BoE will assess whether the final attainments of the proposed individual programme are met.

When do I have to decide which track I want to follow?

At the end of Q1 students will choose a track (CE and ENV) or a discipline (AES).

Is an internship possible in the new programmes?

  • In the MSc AES an internship is not possible.
  • In the MSc CE and ENV an internship of 15 EC is possible in year 2, Q1.

Can I take track modules or electives before passing MUDE?

Yes. Students can take track courses or electives before passing the common module MUDE.

Is it possible to choose electives from other universities?

Yes. It is possible to choose electives from other universities in year 2, Q1.