In this interview, we speak with Programme Director, Dr Panagiotis Mergos from the MSc in Civil Engineering Structures.
Academic interests and expertise
Can you tell us about your academic and research background?
I graduated with a Diploma in Structural Engineering from the Department of Civil Engineering of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh). I subsequently obtained MSc Degrees in structural design from AUTh and the University of Pavia, Italy. I obtained my PhD from AUTh on the seismic assessment of reinforced concrete buildings. I have also contacted research at the Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan and the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland. My research interests lie in the areas of reinforced concrete structures, nonlinear finite element analysis, structural optimisation, earthquake-resistant design and sustainability in structural engineering.
How do you see your field evolving over the next decade?
Structural engineering is often considered a conservative scientific field. However, it is poised for important advancements over the next ten years driven by a combination of technological innovations and a growing need for sustainability. Key trends include, but are not limited, to the application of AI to facilitate and optimise structural design, the use of digital twins, the development and use of novel carbon-neutral or even carbon-negative materials, the integration of technologies such as 3D printing, drones and robots for construction as well as the use of circular economy principles in construction projects.
What do you enjoy most about teaching and mentoring students?
I see teaching and mentoring students as the most efficient ways to share knowledge and train the next generation of structural engineers. My own love for structural engineering was shaped by exceptional professors in this field, and now I feel blessed that I can inspire young engineers in a similar manner.
I particularly enjoy interacting with students, who have always interesting things to say and teach you. I have also found that teaching helps me to gain a deeper appreciation of the subject I teach. However, the most important is this great feeling of helping students to discover new knowledge and of making a positive difference to their lives by enabling them to reach their dreams and goals.
Why this course?
What makes this postgraduate programme unique within its field?
Our programme is a highly technical MSc which gives graduates a high level of expertise in Structural Engineering that easily satisfies accreditation requirements and prepares graduates for a career with major structural design consultancies. The programme is accredited as a technical MSc by JBM which is the accreditation body for Civil Engineering programmes in the UK.
We are also proud for our modern teaching facilities and the Heavy Structures Laboratory, where our students can have a first-hand experience of conventional and novel structural engineering solutions of both small and large scale. However, the unique feature of our MSc programme is that all the above are located at the heart of the most vibrant city of the world, London. Our students can benefit from networking activities with leading construction firms and design offices, visit professional institutions and observe innovative infrastructure projects that are all literally next door.
What support is offered to help students transition from undergraduate to postgraduate study?
We are very proud to attract students from different undergraduate programmes in Civil Engineering around the world. Hence, it is essential that we offer a smooth transition to their postgraduate study. The first teaching weeks of our programme are designed to serve this goal.
For example, the module on Advanced Structural Analysis and Stability of Structures starts with a revision of the basic principles and methods in structural analysis. Furthermore, the design modules on Steel and Reinforced Concrete Structures begin a revision of the Eurocodes and basic design principles. In addition, we provide a wide range of online resources to help students to fill their knowledge gaps. Last but certainly not least, we follow an open access to academic staff policy including opportunities for one-on-one consultations, where we can support students based on their individual academic needs.
Are there opportunities for students to tailor the programme based on their specific academic or career interests?
Indeed, our programme contains both compulsory and elective modules. The latter are chosen by our students based on their specific academic or career interests. More particularly, we offer three elective modules that are Bridge Engineering, Blast and Earthquake Analysis of Structures and Information Management and BIM in construction. Students can select two out these modules that address quite diverse aspects of structural engineering.
In addition, our students can tailor the programme on their interests during their Dissertations. Students can select the subject of their dissertation from a wide variety of topics proposed by our academics or even make their own suggestions. Furthermore, we strongly encourage dissertation topics, where students select to collaborate with industry partners.
Career paths
How does the programme help students develop skills for their future careers, whether in academia or industry?
We use a full range of assessment methods to help students develop skills for their future careers. For example, for design projects, students work in groups and present design solutions in a way like professional practice.
Apart from detailed solutions, we help students to develop critical thinking, conceptual design skills and social responsibility. Furthermore, our students exercise their knowledge on real-life applications in the Heavy Structures Laboratory. Moreover, we have incorporated in our syllabus the use of widely adopted commercial software packages such as SAP2000, ANSYS, Abaqus, StaadPro, MATLAB and others to bridge the gap between industry and academia. Last but not least, we offer cutting-edge dissertation topics, often supported by industry partners, that give our students the opportunity to develop research skills and apply them to real-world applications gaining a competitive advantage in the job market.
What career paths have graduates from this programme typically followed?
Graduates have a variety of employment opportunities as civil engineering consultants and as managers in construction as well as working for public bodies. In the past our graduates have pursued their careers with general contractors, bridge engineering consultants, infrastructure specialist designers and others.
We are proud that our graduates have been successful in securing employment with leading construction firms such as Arup, Ramboll, AECOM, AKT II, Grimshaw Architects, Costain and Skanska. Many have found employment with research institutes and government agencies or pursued doctoral studies in the UK and internationally.
Tips for offer holders
If you could highlight one thing that students should look forward to in this programme, what would it be?
MSc studies can be the best periods in our lives. We get the opportunity to become experts in our scientific fields. To gain and develop specialized knowledge and skills boosting our career prospects. Furthermore, we get the opportunity to make new friends and connect with like-minded individuals.
University life offers a vibrant social scene where students can build lasting relationships, support each other academically, and expand their social networks. However, in my opinion, the highlight of our MSc programme is the dissertation. This is often the last opportunity our students get to conduct independent scientific research on a topic that fascinates them, challenge existing knowledge and make novel contributions. This is a unique and invaluable experience.
What advice would you offer to offer holders as they prepare to join this course?
Generally, our offer holders do not need to make additional preparations for our course. As discussed previously, we make special arrangements within the course to guarantee a smooth transition from undergraduate to postgraduate study. However, if an offer holder feels the need to do so then I suggest that he contacts me as a programme director to discuss how to best prepare for the course.
Depending on their needs, I may recommend revising fundamental concepts in structural analysis and design or even reading a core textbook in structural engineering. Having said this, I still believe that the best approach for our incoming students is to get a good rest and charge batteries so that they get the most out of our course.