CIV5888 Advanced computational methods
Faculty of Engineering
CIV5888 Advanced computational methods is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Engineering, offered in 2026 in Semester 2 at Clayton and Suzhou (SEU). It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 2
- Clayton, Suzhou (SEU)
- Assessment
- Exam 30%
- and 4 other tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before CIV5888
Prohibitions
You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.
After CIV5888
No unit lists CIV5888 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.
Enrolment rules
You must be currently enrolled in a master’s course in engineering or related STEM and in a related discipline. The unit assumes that you have the necessary foundational knowledge.
Equivalent units
The same content under another code. Only one of them counts.
Overview
This unit provides you with knowledge and skills in advanced numerical analysis and computational techniques for solving complex problems in infrastructure systems. The unit will begin with an introduction to the finite element method and then progress to more advanced topics in numerical modelling, focusing on geotechnical engineering. In addition to the essential theoretical concepts, the unit will include practical examples to provide hands-on experience in applying the concepts to engineering practice. Finally, the management, visualisation and analysis of large quantities of data will complete the necessary skillset for you to manage 21st-century infrastructure systems.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
| Term 3 | Suzhou (SEU) | On campus |
Assessment
- Assignment 1WrittenThreshold hurdle20%
- Assignment 2WrittenThreshold hurdle20%
- Assignment 3WrittenThreshold hurdle20%
- QuizzesQuiz / TestThreshold hurdle10%
- Final assessmentExaminationThreshold hurdle30%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Analyse stresses in soils and solids using computational methods.
- 2
Understand and apply suitable constitutive models for different material types.
- 3
Explain the theoretical basis behind the Finite Element Method (FEM) and Smoothed-Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) method.
- 4
Apply FEM and SPH methods to practical problems in soil and solid mechanics.
- 5
Present, explain and interpret the computational analysis results to a technical audience.
- 6
Explain the suitable techniques for managing and visualising large quantities of data typical of infrastructure systems.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops24 hours
- Practical activities24 hours
- Teaching approachResearch activities
- Teaching approachEnquiry-based learning
- Teaching approachPeer assisted learning
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
- Teaching approachActive learning
The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 3-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-9 hours of independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.
Where it fits
CIV5888 is part of 1 area of study in the 2026 handbook.
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Thang Nguyen
- Dr Yangyang Li
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Thang Nguyen
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for CIV5888?
CIV5888 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is CIV5888 offered?
In 2026, CIV5888 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton and Suzhou (SEU).
How much work is CIV5888?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does CIV5888 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 30% of the final mark, alongside 4 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include CIV5888?
CIV5888 is part of Civil engineering.