COURSE IN DEPTH
Year One
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
Introduction to the Built Environment
20 credits
This module explores how key ‘actors’, including professional bodies, landowners, developers, investors, politicians, members of the public, and the state, etc. influence the development of the built and natural environment.
Broader forces also influence development processes. This module therefore encourages you to explore how Politics, Economy, Society, Technology, Law and the Environment (PESTLE) all shape the built and natural environment. This module also offers an opportunity not only to look at past and current trends, but potential future trends that influence development, including significant issues such as governance, resource availability and climate change; and a chance to learn how development processes occur at different spatial scales and contexts.
Built Environment Technology 1
20 credits
This module introduces, for all of the built environment professions, a range of concepts relating to the technology of construction. It provides you with an understanding of modern and sustainable methods of construction. We use the example of low rise residential construction as it is relatively straightforward and allows us to introduce and explore these issues appropriately.
In particular, you will be introduced to everyday materials, construction methods, building services Building Regulation and Health, Safety and Welfare legislation. You will gain an insight into the properties of materials and the basic scientific principles that apply to them. The module will focus on construction materials in general and how they can be used in creating a construction element and/or component (e.g. a floor, an external wall, a roof). You will develop the ability to identify, describe and visualise these materials in terms of types, dimension, size and weight.
Law
20 credits
This module is delivered to all of the undergraduate programmes in the built environment disciplines and provides you with the basic legal concepts and principles you will need throughout your professional career
Integrated Digital Design: Residential
20 credits
Digital construction is an integral component of contemporary design, development and maintenance of modern residential development. Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology is at the forefront of the progressive movement towards total digitalisation of the built environment.
Against this backdrop, this module aims to provide a foundation for you to successfully execute the BIM process, facilitate its adoption and achieve interdisciplinary integration on a single project that simulates a residential project.
Professional Environmental and Materials Science
20 credits
Environmental and materials science is an important area of study for all disciplines involved with the design, planning, developing and management of the built environment. This module encourages you to consider how the properties, structures and performance of materials influence why buildings and structures function. You will be encouraged to consider how these properties impact construction from a design and practical use perspective. This module will therefore enable you to develop innovative solutions for more robust, resilient, safe and sustainable buildings and structures. It also gives you the opportunity to produce a professional cv and related documents which you will share with industry on your assessment day.
Innovation in the Built Environment
20 credits
The fast pace of development in the built environment has led to improvements in the design and management of projects in the built environment with the use of modern technologies, processes and techniques for delivering value for money on project. The successful introduction of new technologies or procedures into the built environment context is critical for the improvement of the industry. For the built environment professionals of the future, this means the need to master modern and innovative technologies and techniques for designing and building faster, using more sustainable materials and methods, and within reasonable cost.
Year Two
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
Procurement
20 credits
In this module you will cover core areas required in designing and setting up a contract. It is designed to give you an understanding of the procurement process and how it can deliver on a range of benefits to clients, contractors and other stakeholders involved with the development process.
During the module, you are required to develop your knowledge on issues that affect the choice of a procurement strategy by evaluating various projects and the best management and procurement approaches to be adopted. You will also learn about how the choice of procurement strategy will impact on time, cost, viability, quality and sustainability issues. Current issues influencing procurement, such as international markets, legislation and sustainable procurement, will also be covered.
Civil Engineering
20 credits
This module has been designed to enable you to use problem-based learning to understand the Technology of Civil Engineering and innovation now being applied by Construction Managers. You will expand your skills in interpreting information about project sites and you will develop a wider understanding of operational and constructional processes.
Built Environment Commercial Technology
20 credits
This module will explore the wider implications of the key factors which affect the selection of both traditional and new building methods and materials used in the construction of new build commercial and industrial buildings and introduce environmental and mechanical services systems which need to be installed in these buildings.
In particular you will gain an insight into the operational complexities involved in the construction of large-scale commercial and industrial buildings to ensure that projects are delivered in time and on budget to meet the required standard of quality.
Integrated Digital Design for Complex Structures
20 credits
Building Information Modelling (BIM) is an intelligent 3D model-based process that provides built environment professionals with the insight and tools to help plan, design, construct, and manage buildings and infrastructure. In this module, you will be encouraged to explore the potential of BIM in helping to understand the social, economic and environmental benefits associated with co-ordinated infrastructure and complex structure development.
You will be given a real construction project in which you will become increasingly aware of your own impact on the environment and communities we work within. Through group work, reporting writing and presentations you will develop the self-confidence to critically reflect upon your own leadership and problem solving skills via an integrated project delivery.
Money Matters in Construction
20 credits
This module aims to develop and enhance the student’s knowledge and understanding of economic theories and high level external influences impacting the construction industry.
This module will broaden your knowledge on early estimating processes linked in to the RIBA Plan of Work and different costs involved in a construction project and encompasses cost considerations from early feasibility, final account stage, to life cycle costs. You will develop commercial management skills in construction through a theoretical and practical understanding of the monetary processes of a construction project from the initial brief through to the occupation or use of the project.
Operational Management
20 credits
This module aims to deliver both knowledge and technical skills required to plan and program activities for a construction project and to manage resources on site to achieve project success.
The module delivers a breadth of knowledge on major areas of the construction process. This includes site set up activities, resource management, practical aspects of health and safety, accountancy of risks and risk assessment, planning and programming, data and information management, communication and management theories, and the role of CDM regulations within a construction project.
Year Three
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
Contract Practice
20 credits
Further deepening your knowledge and understanding of contract law and procurement, this module will provide you with the hands on experience of designing and executing a contract, which is a core requirement of you, as a construction professional.
This module will introduce you to the various forms of contracts and the responsibilities of the people involved in executing a contract.
We will pay particular attention to roles of the key people and clauses in FIDIC, JCT and NEC3 contracts. Issues such as clauses on the provisions for extension of time, managing change, and resolution of disputes arising in the execution of contracts will be covered.
Services and Energy Performance
20 credits
The module explores and applies architectural engineering principles to the construction, planning and design of buildings / structures in order to create a built environment that is energy efficient and environmentally friendly.
Through the study of the structural integrity of buildings and energy management issues, the module seeks to promote the construction management process as a part of a creative, practical and interdisciplinary / collaborative approach, with involvement from the earliest stages of the design process, to consider new and evolving demands from all stakeholders and the use of new materials and assembly techniques based on the need for more sustainable buildings.
Individual Honours Project
40 credits
The purpose of the module is to enable you to undertake a sustained, in-depth and research-informed project exploring an area that is of personal interest to you. In agreement with your supervisor, you will decide upon your topic which will take the form of a practical outcome (artefact) with accompanying contextual material. The main consideration when choosing your topic is that it must be aligned to the programme you are studying, and you should consider the relevance of this topic to your future academic or professional development.
At this level, you will be expected to work independently but you will receive additional one-to-one support from your supervisor, who will be familiar with your chosen topic area. As you progress on the module, extra support will be available and this may take the form of group seminars, workshops and online materials that will help to develop your project.
Project Management
20 credits
This module will provide you a critical perspective on the nature, and a number of essential aspects of construction projects together with the approaches and techniques to manage them.
The module will establish construction projects as an organisational entity, and highlight the two main approaches to the management of projects. The first one is the functional management approach which is largely based on structured techniques and methods, and the second one is the organisational management approach which sees management as an ongoing social and organisational process. You will be introduced to both approaches, and shown how to use them in a balanced way for the successful management of construction projects. While the organisational management approach to project management will provide you the intellectual skills that you need for project management, the functional management approach will equip you with the technical skills.
Professionalism and Citizenship
20 credits
This module will focus on extending and providing appropriate evidence of your professional skills and development. Within an applied socially responsive framework, you will examine a range of issues related to the client, the site, planning, financial/development appraisal, design technology, legal and regulatory, health and safety etc. These will be covered in conjunction with other professional courses or your own discipline as appropriate, given that all built environment professions and recent reports such as the Farrell Review place increasing stress on interdisciplinary understanding and working.
