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Our programmes are designed for those with a strong foundation in Science, Maths, or Engineering who have a passion for fluid mechanics. Whether you're a recent graduate or an experienced engineer looking to specialise, this course will equip you with cutting-edge techniques and essential skills to tackle future challenges across the natural and built environment, energy, climate, transition to net zero, and sustainability. 

You'll gain expertise in theoretical concepts, problem-solving tools, advanced numerical methods, experimental techniques, and design principles, with a focus on Civil and Environmental Engineering applications in your chosen specialism (Coastal Engineering and Offshore Renewables, Energy and Environment, or Advanced Modelling with Data Science). However, the skills you develop will be highly transferable, opening doors across all engineering disciplines involving fluid mechanics.

Graduate prospects

Graduates will be well-prepared for diverse career paths in industry, government, or academia. Whether you choose to apply your expertise in professional practice or pursue a PhD, this programme will provide you with the knowledge and skills to excel and lead in the field of fluid mechanics.

Industry will play a large role in the programme, including:

• Delivering guest lectures
• Supervising the design projects (contributions have been made by Ramboll, Breathing Buildings, ARUP, Foster + Partners)
• Offering placements as part of the MSc research project
• Providing scholarships/sponsorships

We have also consulted Engineers within industry during the design of the programme itself, such that it helps meet their needs and also equips graduates will all the necessary tools for entering the work force.

Lectures will form a significant component of the teaching approach. They will be delivered by a mix of academics and external speakers from industry with relevant expertise. Tutorials will enable the students to test their understanding of the lecture material, ask specific questions and consolidate their knowledge. There will be a good balance of theory and practice throughout the programme. This is achieved with laboratory investigations and demonstrations as well as during the design projects. Finally, the research project will enable students to learn skills essential for independent research. The project may be undertaken at College or in collaboration with industry. The module content provided is indicative and is subject to annual update. 

For the 'Coastal Engineering and Offshore Renewables' and 'Energy and Environment' programmes, students must take all of the modules listed as 'compulsory'. 

For the 'Advanced Modelling with Data Science' programme, students must take all of the modules listed as 'compulsory', as well as elective modules. Two of the elective modules must be chosen from this list:

• Sediment Transport and Pollutant Dispersion (autumn term)
• Wave Mechanics (autumn term)
• Buoyancy Driven Flows (autumn term)

The remaining electives (equivalent to 15 ECTS) may be chosen freely. 

Some electives offered in the spring term have the pre-requisite of having taken a specific autumn term elective. These are indicated (*) in the table below. 

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Modules for this programme

The syllabus below is indicative and subject to change. Students should consult the programme specification for the confirmed list of modules in a given academic year.

Select a module from the list to scroll directly to its description.

 

Autumn term modules	Coastal Engineering and Offshore Renewables	Energy and Environment	Advanced Modelling with Data Science
CIVE70073 Fluid Mechanics Fundamentals	Compulsory	Compulsory	Compulsory
CIVE70074 Computational Fluid Dynamics: Application	Compulsory	Compulsory	Compulsory
CIVE70075 Sediment Transport and Pollutant Dispersion	Compulsory	Compulsory	Elective
CIVE70076 Wave Mechanics	Compulsory		Elective
CIVE70077 Buoyancy Driven Flows		Compulsory	Elective
CIVE70080 Hydrodynamic Loading for Offshore Structures	Compulsory
NEW1 Renewable Energy Systems		Compulsory	Elective
CIVE70123 Hydrodynamic Loading		Compulsory
NEW3 Coastal and Fluvial Processes *		Compulsory	Elective
CIVE70116 Statistical Modelling			Compulsory
CIVE70111 Machine Learning			Compulsory
CIVE70084 Design Projects	Compulsory	Compulsory	Compulsory
Spring term modules
CIVE70078 Ocean-Atmosphere Interaction Dynamics *	Compulsory	Compulsory	Elective
CIVE70079 Computational Fluid Dynamics: Principles	Compulsory	Compulsory	Compulsory
CIVE70081 Coastal Processes	Compulsory
NEW1 Renewable Energy Systems		Compulsory	Elective
NEW3 Coastal and Fluvial Processes *		Compulsory
CIVE70083 Urban and Indoor Environments *		Compulsory	Elective
CIVE70124 Offshore Geotechnical Engineering	Compulsory
CIVE70082 Marine Renewable Energy	Compulsory
NEW2 Design of Coastal and Offshore Structures	Compulsory
CIVE70112 Data Engineering			Compulsory
CIVE70084 Design Projects	Compulsory	Compulsory	Compulsory
Summer term modules
CIVE70085 Research Project - Fluid Mechanics	Compulsory	Compulsory

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Module details and descriptions

Autumn term modules

CIVE70073 Fluid Mechanics Fundamentals

In order to build towards realistic Fluid Mechanics applications, it’s necessary to consolidate the fundamentals of the subject. This module will create a solid foundation in Fluid Mechanics upon which the subsequent modules will build. You will learn about the fundamental physics of fluid flows and appreciate a wide range of fluid properties and behaviours. This will include general conservation laws, steady and unsteady flow as well as Eulerian and Lagrangian descriptions. We will then go over the Euler and Navier-Stokes equations, laminar and turbulent flows, scaling and similarity, and finish by introducing turbulence.

• Assessment: coursework
• ECTS: 5; CATS: 10

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CIVE70074 Computational Fluid Dynamics: Application

This module is also offered in the spring term. 

This module brings fluid mechanics to life through simulation, equipping you with the practical skills needed to set up, run, and interpret computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses of real fluid flows. Special focus is put on consolidating the theoretical understanding required to make sound modelling choices. By combining hands-on computational work with the underlying principles of fluid mechanics and numerical modelling, you will learn how to use CFD tools critically and effectively, moving beyond simply running software to understanding what makes a simulation reliable, meaningful, and useful in engineering practice.

• Assessment: coursework
• ECTS: 5; CATS: 10

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CIVE70075 Sediment Transport and Pollutant Dispersion

The dispersion of pollutants within the atmosphere, rivers, lakes or oceans is of key consideration for controlling the release of contaminants and preventing environmental disasters.  Furthermore, the transport of sediments is essential in understanding erosion and accretion in rivers and coastal areas, both of which play a key role in managing the risk of flooding. This module will highlight the significance of transport processes in the areas of pollutant dispersion and sediment transport. In this module you will appreciate the physical processes that govern the transport of fluids, tracers and sediments. You will also formulate mathematical models that can describe these physical processes. In addition, you will understand the influence of turbulence and dispersion on scalar transport and how these can be modelled.

• Assessment: written examination and coursework
• ECTS: 5; CATS: 10

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CIVE70076 Wave Mechanics

In the offshore and coastal environments, ocean waves generate the largest forces on man-made and natural structures. This is due to the high density of water as well as the large velocities and accelerations generated by ocean waves. Consequently, a comprehensive understanding of wave mechanics is an essential skill for any Offshore or Coastal Engineer. This module will begin by teaching you the analytical waves theories that represent regular (or steady) waves. You will then be introduced to irregular (or unsteady) wave theories, which contain many frequencies and directions, and are therefore more representative of realistic sea states found in seas and oceans around the World. You will learn about the range of validity and accuracy of these theories and which situations require more advanced numerical models. This will be put into context of both recent research developments and the design requirements of the offshore and coastal engineering industries. This module is closely linked with the Fluid Loading and Coastal Processes modules that build upon the material introduced in this module.

• Assessment: written examination and coursework
• ECTS: 5; CATS: 10

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CIVE70077 Buoyancy Driven Flows

An abundance of flows in natural and man-made environments are driven or modified by density differences. Examples include ocean outfalls, dust clouds, pollution clouds, avalanches, volcanic eruption columns, mixing in reservoirs and ventilation driven by heated surfaces in buildings. This module will explain the complex and various influences of buoyancy by focusing on relatively simple models of canonical flows and their incorporation in practical engineering problems. We will study the behaviour of stratified environments, the effects of horizontal density gradients and of localised sources of buoyancy. A variety of flows will be considered in the context of building ventilation, in which the temperature distribution in a space plays a key role in determining comfort and ventilation. The development of integral models to describe buoyancy-driven flows will be underpinned by a thorough understanding of the physics associated with buoyancy, the energetics associated with mixing and assumptions that are typically made to simplify the governing equations.

• Assessment: written examination and coursework
• ECTS: 5; CATS: 10

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CIVE70080 Hydrodynamic Loading for Offshore Structures

Calculating fluid loading is a key component in the design process of structures in the offshore, coastal and built environments. In these environments the fluid loading is typically generated by winds, waves and/or currents and both steady and unsteady flows can be encountered. A good understanding of fluid-structure interaction is essential for accurately calculating loading. In this module will you explore various flow regimes, the associated fluid loading and gain an understanding of the physics that govern these loads. You will be taught the simplifying assumptions on which design solutions are based and you will appreciate the accuracy of these simple solutions and when they are appropriate. You will consider fixed structures as well as dynamically-responding bodies and systems. This module will also cover physical model testing and the relevant scaling parameters. 

• Assessment: written examination and coursework
• ECTS: 5; CATS: 10

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NEW1 Renewable Energy Systems

This module runs over both the autumn and spring terms. 

The module provides a general overview of energy physics and systems, covering multiple renewable energy generation principles and technologies such as solar (thermal and photovoltaic), waves, wind, hydropower, geothermal (shallow and deep) and hydrogen. The content covers a range of technical considerations, calculations and techniques, especially related to fluid mechanics design but offering a holistic perspective on their strengths and fits within energy systems.

• Assessment: written examination and coursework
• ECTS: 10; CATS: 20

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CIVE70123 Hydrodynamic Loading

The purpose of this module is to provide a comprehensive course in the fundamentals of hydrodynamic loading relevant to structures in an offshore environment. The module (i) introduces you to commonly applied linear and non-linear wave theories used in design standards, (ii) explains the theory that underpins them, (iii) highlights their range of validity, (iv) estimates their associated accuracy and (v) emphasizes those situations in which the underlying physics dictates their application. Having introduced these wave theories and models, the module then provides a fundamental understanding of the resultant fluid loading on structures.The content will (i) provide you with a fundamental understadning of fluid loading, (ii) explore the various flow regimes within which different loads arise (iii) explain the esential physics that govern the application of these loads, (iv) help you appreciate simplifying assumptions on which commonly applied design solutions are based and (v) teach you how to assess the accuracy of calculated loads.

• Assessment: written examination and coursework
• ECTS: 5; CATS: 10

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NEW3 Coastal and Fluvial Processes

This module is also offered in the spring term.

This module equips you with a strong grounding in the flow and sediment processes that govern coastal and fluvial environments. It covers non-uniform flow in rivers, together with the morphological processes that drive the evolution of river channels and floodplains. The module also examines the nearshore behaviour of waves, currents, and tides, and provides the analytical tools required to quantify hydrodynamic processes in the coastal zone, including compound river–coastal flood hazards. 

• Assessment: coursework
• ECTS: 5; CATS: 10

* Pre-requisite: to qualify for this module, students must also take the following modules: 'Sediment Transport and Pollutant Dispersion' and 'Wave Mechanics'

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CIVE70116 Statistical Modelling

This module will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of statistical modelling fundamentals from a theoretical and applied viewpoint. It will develop the relevant theory, methodology and computational techniques required for you to formulate and implement statistical models to represent real-world phenomena. The course will also teach you how to program statistical models in the R programming language using both R and the RStudio graphical user interface (GUI). A pre-requisite for this course is that you must have a sufficient background in mathematics, including algebra, matrix algebra, and multivariate calculus.

• Assessment: written examination and coursework
• ECTS: 5; CATS: 10

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CIVE70111 Machine Learning

This module will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of machine learning concepts and their application to civil engineering applications. It will cover the three principal subfields of modern machine learning, (i) supervised learning, including regression and classification, (ii) unsupervised learning methods, such as clustering, Markov Chain Monte Carlo, and Bayesian networks; and (iii) reinforcement learning and its applications in uncertain and sequential problem contexts. Application examples will be drawn from a broad range of civil engineering applications. The module will also teach you how to implement machine learning models using the Python programming language, using common numerical analysis libraries (such as NumPy), and specialised tools, such as skikit-learn and PyTorch.

• Assessment: written examination and coursework
• ECTS: 5; CATS: 10

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CIVE70084 Design Projects

This module is also offered in the spring term. 

This module will prepare you for entering industry by teaching design principles and best practices in Fluid Mechanics. It will consist of 2 design projects that bring together and consolidate all aspects of the taught material. The design brief will be formulated with help from industry members, who will also make up the client panel for judging the projects. You will work in small teams and during these projects you will be taught industry-standard tools/software as required. At the end of each project you will hand in a design report and give a group presentation to the client and your peers. This module emphasizes design principles, team working, writing and presentation skills as well as consideration of health and safety, risks, finance and sustainability. There will be a project in two of the following areas: Offshore Engineering, Coastal Engineering, Environmental Flows, Built Environment.

• Assessment: coursework
• ECTS: 5; CATS: 10

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Spring term modules

 

CIVE70078 Ocean-Atmospherec Interaction Dynamics

The interaction of the ocean and atmosphere through wind and heat forcing plays an enormous role in driving fluid flows relevant to offshore and coastal engineering design, weather forecasting and climate modelling. Ocean waves are a direct result of momentum and energy transfer from the wind to the ocean and air-sea heat fluxes help drive our weather patterns, provide the fuel for hurricanes and help drive the overturning circulation of the global oceans. This module draws upon the fluid flow fundamentals associated with turbulent buoyancy-driven flows and wave mechanics and applies that knowledge to the coupled ocean-atmosphere system. During this module we will cover topics related to vertical variability in wind speed over the ocean, spectral wave modelling, energy dissipation by breaking waves, turbulence in the upper ocean and the effect of the Earth’s rotation on ocean currents. The incorporation of a hands-on practical will allow you to collect and analyse a wind-wave interaction dataset in order to apply the theoretical knowledge gained during the formal lecture course.

• Assessment: written examination and coursework
• ECTS: 5; CATS: 10

* Pre-requisite: to qualify for this module, students must also take the following module: 'Wave Mechanics'

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CIVE70079 Computational Fluid Dynamics: Principles

With the advent of high performance computing and sophisticated algorithms, the computational analysis of fluid flow has entered a new era.  Direct simulation and the numerical analysis of the equations governing fluid motion yield insights and quantitative information parallels and complements laboratory observations. This module provides the foundations of a thorough understanding of simulation and analysis techniques that can be employed in engineering design problems. These techniques include the variety of ways in which a system of partial differential equations can be represented in a discrete form by a computer. We will discuss the implications of various approaches to discretisation, including accuracy and stability. The module will discuss numerical methods for free-surface flows, confined and unconfined turbulence and complex geometry. This is a `hands-on’ module in which practical engineering design problems will be modelled and solved in class using a wide variety of numerical techniques. 

• Assessment: coursework
• ECTS: 5; CATS: 10

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CIVE70081 Coastal Processes

90% of the World’s trade is exported by sea, and all these vessels need to dock at ports and harbours to offload their cargo. In addition, recent winter storms in the UK wrecked havoc by causing major coastal flooding. As such an appreciation of nearshore processes is necessary for engineers to design ports, harbours and coastal defences.  This module will teach you the key coastal processes and equip you with the necessary tools. The subject will build on the Wave Mechanics module and complement the material of the Fluid Loading module. You will first be taught about the key wave transformations such as shoaling, refraction, diffraction and wave breaking. This will be followed by the introduction of coastal structures such as sea walls and breakwaters. The module will then present the importance of water level and the influence of tides and storm surge. You will then learn about the processes very close to the shore such as surf-zone hydrodynamics and sediment transport. Finally, you will learn the fundamentals of designing state of art coastal protection techniques.

• Assessment: written examination and coursework
• ECTS: 5; CATS: 10

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CIVE70082 Marine Renewable Energy

With the expanding global population, the demand for energy is increasing whilst simultaneously our traditional, finite energy supplies are reducing. As such, there is a strong push towards sustainable solutions and Fluid Mechanics has a central role to play in generating, harnessing and consuming energy. This module will provide you with a broad overview of energy systems and the role of thermodynamics in assessing solutions. You will examine energy demand, supply, resources and usage. The specific applications will consider marine renewables (wave, tidal and offshore wind), hydroelectric power and solar energy. You will critically assess these technologies and their key advantages and disadvantages in conjunction with the overall economic and policy setting. This will allow you to apply the knowledge introduced throughout the MSc course to realistic energy systems. It provides a perfect link to the 4 design projects and industry application that you’ll need once you enter the work force.

• Assessment: written examination and coursework
• ECTS: 5; CATS: 10

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NEW2 Design of Coastal and Offshore Structures

This module equips you with the knowledge required to design and assess marine infrastructure for real-world engineering practice. The module focuses on the loads, failure modes, design constraints, and performance requirements governing structures such as coastal grey and nature-based solutions, and offshore structures. You will learn about constructability aspects, materials, risk, and relevant design standards for coastal and offshore structures.

• Assessment: coursework and practical
• ECTS: 5; CATS: 10

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CIVE70083 Urban and Indoor Environments

More and more of us are living in cities. Currently, the number stands at 3.97bn and this number is expected to rise to 6.42bn (66% of the world population) in 2050. This will exert significant pressures on the air quality, energy consumption, noise levels, biodiversity and general well-being of the population. These pressures are exacerbated by the expected increase in the frequency of extreme weather events such as storms and droughts that climate change will bring. In order to overcome these challenges, it is crucial to understand and model the flow of air, heat, water vapour, water and pollutants, both outside and inside buildings. The module is designed to bring you to the forefront of the current knowledge in modelling the built environment. It will cover the exchanges of the city with the atmosphere and the urban heat island effect, air quality, indoor climate and building energy performance. The module will cover strategies to make urban areas both sustainable and resilient to climate change and the challenges that need to be overcome to make these happen.

• Assessment: written examination
• ECTS: 5; CATS: 10

* Pre-requisite: to qualify for this module, students must also take the following module: 'Buoyancy Driven Flows'

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CIVE70124 Offshore Geotechnical Engineering

In this module you will cover: Week 1: Introduction - The offshore environment. Week 2: Offshore geophysical surveys, site investigations and geohazards Week. 3: Behaviour of seabed sediments. Week 4: Pipelines, flowlines, cables and riser geotechnics. Week 5: Mobile jack-up platforms / spudcans. Week 6: Gravity base or shallow foundations. Week 7: Piled foundations and pile driveability. Week 8: Anchoring systems. Week 9: Suction caissons. Week 10: Land reclamation and environmental aspects. This module will delve into the current techniques used in site geotechnical and geophysical exploration, soil characterisation, and basic design approaches for a number of foundation elements often used in offshore structures, such as suction caissons, piles, anchors and spudcans, as well as elements of pipeline geotechnics.

• Assessment: examination
• ECTS: 5; CATS: 10

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CIVE70112 Data Engineering

In this module you will cover: Introduction to machine learning in the Python programming language; Applications of standard machine learning libraries to solve civil engineering problems; Reinforcement learning; Computer vision principles; Developer environments, version control and cloud-based computing; Visual analytics and data modelling; Database development. This module will provide you with practical experience in constructing and validating models and algorithms and the necessary advanced computational skills to enable you to apply this knowledge to solving a range of complex civil engineering problems. The module includes: (1) construction, implementation, and validation of machine learning algorithms; (2) deployment of advanced machine learning libraries to solve complex problems from a broad range of civil engineering applications; (3) coverage of different machine learning approaches; (4) the operation of developer environments; (5) database development; and (6) advanced data manipulation and data visualisation techniques. The module will be taught using the Python programming language and will build upon a broad range of established modelling libraries.

• Assessment: coursework
• ECTS: 5; CATS: 10

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Summer term modules

 

CIVE70085 Research Project - Fluid Mechanics

During this module, you will undertake research with one (or more) of the leading academics within the Fluid Mechanics section. You may also choose to undertake this research project in the form of an industry placement. You will submit a literature review, a dissertation and give a final presentation at the end-of-year student conference. This module will emphasise independent work, literature review, technical writing, oral presentation, time management and forming and defending hypotheses. See the project titles for some of our previous students: 2017/18, 2018/19. 

• Assessment: coursework
• ECTS: 5; CATS: 10

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Contact the Education Office

For current students, prospective students, applicants, and offer holders regarding: questions and advice relating to MSc application, basic eligibility, supporting documentation required, and information on entry to our postgraduate taught (MSc) programmes, and general information pre-registration.

Tel: +44 (0)207 594 5932
Email: ci-msc-admissions@imperial.ac.uk  

Contact the Programme Director (Dr )

For all queries related to the academic content of the programme.  

Email: d.valero@imperial.ac.uk 

Contact the Programme Administrator (Rebecca Naessens)

For all other queries.

Tel: +44 (0)207 594 5990
Email: rebecca.naessens@imperial.ac.uk