Master Hydraulic Engineering (description by TU Delft)
Imagine a world where deltas flood unchecked, beaches vanish, and vital ports like Shanghai and Rotterdam can’t expand through land reclamation. Can we fathom a future without hydraulic engineering?
In the track Hydraulic Engineering, you’ll develop engineering solutions for complex problems in water systems like rivers, estuaries, coasts, and oceans. From modelling to design and analysis, you’ll address flood protection, navigation, ecology, and water quality amidst climate change and urbanization. You’ll gain expertise in wave physics, flow dynamics, sediment transport, and flood risk analysis to develop engineering solutions which balance environmental sustainability with societal needs in a changing world.
Key features
➨ Model hydrodynamic processes in rivers, estuaries and seas and develop engineering solutions for facing natural and human-induced challenges.
➨ Assess responses of rivers, coasts, and estuaries to natural and human-induced changes.
➨ Develop state of the art knowledge in wave dynamics, sediment transport, freshwater and water quality, nature-based solutions in deltas (rivers, coasts), advanced technologies and engineering applications in ports and waterways.
➨ Use and develop cutting-edge technologies for lab experiments, field measurements, and remote sensing in water systems.
➨ Work closely with industry, research institutes and governmental agencies.
Track Base Module: Hydraulic Engineering
In Hydraulic Engineering (CIEM 3000), you’ll delve into complexities of water systems, mastering modelling, design, and analysis for flood protection, navigation, and ecological sustainability. You’ll study wave dynamics, sediment transport, and flood risk to engineer interventions that balance environmental needs with societal demands amid urbanization and climate change. The module takes place over Q2 and Q3.
A-Module
In the A-Module, Hydraulic Engineering (CIEM 3110), you’ll model, design, and analyse water systems such as rivers, coasts, estuaries, waterways, and ports to ensure flood protection, navigation, and sustainable coastal management amidst challenges like urbanization and climate change. You’ll gain expertise in wave dynamics, sediment transport, and coastal protection strategies, enabling you to develop advanced engineering solutions that address environmental challenges effectively.
B-Module
In Q4, you choose one B-module to specialise further in the field. Each module includes a workshop on ethical responsibility of engineers, field visits, and lab experiments. There are two modules to choose from.
- Coastal Engineering
This module covers coastal engineering problems and interventions, focusing on impact assessment, advanced system knowledge, and tool application. You’ll study Coastal and Estuarine Systems, Coastal and Estuarine Modelling, and Shore Protection & Breakwaters. The module includes hands-on assignments, ethical considerations, and guest lectures, culminating in exams and projects. - River Engineering
This module is broken up into three units: Physics of River Systems (4 EC), River Functions and Management (6 EC), and Schematization and Modelling of River Problems (5 EC). You’ll learn river system physics, management, and problem-solving using modelling and assessment tools.
Master Hydraulic and Offshore Structures (description by TU Delft)
Picture a world powered completely by renewable energy from offshore wind turbines, a high-speed train between London and New York in a submerged tunnel, or floating cities on the ocean. Imagine preserving Venice from the constant threat of rising waters.
In this track, you’ll master structural, hydraulic, and soil mechanics enabling you to create resilient, sustainable structural solutions in hydro-dynamic environments. Learn to navigate risks, uncertainties, and ethical dilemmas as you tackle pivotal civil engineering challenges for climate adaptation and the energy transition.
Key features
➨ Learn to navigate complex, multi-disciplinary and cultural environments while managing risks and uncertainties.
➨ Design structures for extreme conditions while implementing novel technologies, and evaluate solutions against full life-cycle requirements.
➨ Apply expertise in fluid-structure and soil-structure interactions to real-world projects, including water defences and offshore renewable structures.
➨ Engineer economically viable solutions amidst diverse interests and ethical values.
➨ Identify knowledge gaps and design experiments to advance the field.
➨ Collaborate with industry, research institutes, governments, and NGOs.
Track Base Module
In the Track Base Module, Hydraulic and Offshore Structures (CIEM 4000), you’ll explore the fundamentals in structural, hydraulic, and geotechnical engineering needed to design, construct, and operate hydraulic and offshore structures in river, coastal, and marine environments. You’ll learn about fluid- and soil-structure interactions, structural mechanics, and uncertainty analysis, preparing you for complex interdisciplinary engineering challenges.
A-Module
Upon starting Q3, you choose an A-Module. Depending on your interest, you can either deepen your expertise in Hydraulic Structures or in Offshore Structures.
- Hydraulic Structures
This module focuses on designing common hydraulic structures, taking into account stability, strength, and constructability. You’ll further investigate hydraulic, geotechnical, and structural aspects, emphasizing environmental interaction, ultimate strength, fatigue, and ethical considerations. - Offshore Structures
In this module you’ll create conceptual designs for fixed offshore structures, focusing on ultimate strength and fatigue. This course combines lectures, workshops, and a group project, emphasizing structural, geotechnical, and reliability aspects.
B-Module
In Q4, you choose one B-Module, allowing you to further specialise within the field. Each module includes a workshop on ethical responsibility of engineers, field visits, and lab experiments. There are three options to choose from.
- Marine Renewables
In this module you’ll learn how to design fixed and floating offshore structures, such as wind and ocean energy farms, mastering ultimate strength and fatigue principles. Through hands-on design projects and real-world insights, you’ll evaluate, optimize, and refine structures while understanding their life-cycle impacts and operational feasibility. - Dams, Dikes and Breakwaters
This module focuses on designing hydraulic structures like breakwaters, dikes, and dams to protect against waves, currents, and high water levels. You’ll learn to create and evaluate solutions considering environmental and ethical aspects. - Floating and submerged structures
This module focuses on designing, monitoring, and assessing floating and submerged civil engineering solutions for infrastructural and urban development. You’ll learn to address aerodynamic, hydrodynamic, and soil interactions, emphasizing ethics, sustainability, and collaboration through project-based learning and hands-on activities.
