Level 4 core modules

• Learning and Practical Skills Development

  Foundation Degree Students entering Higher Education will need specific study skills to enable them to maximise their learning potential and take advantage of opportunities available both in the academic setting and the workplace. The module is intended to be both preparatory and supportive building a strong foundation for learning and later development. Students will gain an appreciation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills for research, information management and presentation purposes. It encourages students to use contemporary ICT methods for research and for the production and presentation of reports, in a style suitable both for their university coursework requirements and in a commercial environment. The module will enable students to gain experience in applying the elementary surveying techniques of levelling and linear measurement, both for detail acquisition and setting out. The relevant mathematical skills will be introduced and developed contextually. Final survey drawings will be produced and annotated. Students will be introduced to basic 2D drafting techniques using a powerful set of tools. Skills in this medium are highly sought after in the construction industry. Students will develop and maintain a reflective learning log to support this module and their continuing studies, the reflective log to be used as the basis of their PDP submission.

• An Introduction to Technology and Design

  This module is designed for students of construction, surveying and architecture with little or no prior knowledge of building construction, services and material properties. Students will learn the common materials and methods of construction of both new and traditional housing, by considering in turn each of the main elements of the buildings' structures. They will also study the requirements of the internal environment, so as to understand how services installations contribute to user comfort. Other basic aspects such as the personnel involved, health and safety requirements and specialised terminology will be illustrated as appropriate to support this. The module is also designed to provide an insight into the behaviour and properties for a variety of materials commonly used in the construction of buildings and civil engineering projects. The behavioural properties and performance of these materials will be explored using basic scientific principles in order to develop the students' ability to make informed choices. Students will also gain an appreciation of the role of the designer in the construction process and have an understanding of the design process. An integrated learning system comprising course text book, weekly videos, and workbooks for students' home study, are used together with formal lectures and group tutorials. Students will also undertake a series of calculations culminating in a design exercise.

• The Built Environment Work Sector

  This module is intended to support the development of understanding of the nature of the work sector in the broadest sense including the environments in which the sector operates, its performance within these contexts and factors that influence the operation of organisations. Students will cover the generic work together as a whole group focusing on the role of the professions in the built environment sector and opportunities for employment and career progression. The students will then split into different subject specialisms. Students will examine man in his environment and his attempts to control the development of society politically, socially and economically through the medium of land use in both organic and planned terms from earliest civilisation to the present day. Multicultural perspectives and issues within Built Environment are discussed. The module introduces the student to the complications of the present day structure of the building and development industry including the roles of the leading participants and the development of the organisation by examining the historic growth of the systems up to the present day situation.

• Construction Economics

  Students will also gain an understanding of basic microeconomic and macroeconomic principles and how they impact on firms in the Built Environment. This allows students to develop an appreciation of the importance of the economy on the industry in which their careers are located. The learning experience combines formal lectures with workshops and tutorial discussion to provide a foundation of understanding. Students are also expected to read not only text material but also web-based source material to gain an appreciation of current issues and debates. Students should be able to demonstrate in their assessment that they have undertaken their own research following guidance from the module leader.

• Introduction to Civil Law and Legislation

  This module introduces surveying and real estate students to the structure and processes of the English legal system, to the sources of the law, and to those basic legal concepts and skills which such students need to address more detailed legal issues in later modules. It is the essential foundation to the development of the legal skills necessary in the provision of sound advice to clients in a student?s professional career. The module will focus in particular on the English Civil Law, as this is the branch of the law most relevant to students both in subsequent law modules and in professional careers after completing the surveying degree course. However, certain Criminal Law topics will be included where these are necessary to understand or draw a distinction between processes in the two branches of the law. The essential purpose of this module is to benefit students who may not have had the opportunity to study law previously. It will provide guidance to students on information, materials and sources to equip them with a basic understanding of the nature and structure of the English legal system, Parliament and law making, the court structure and precedent, legislation and case law, and legal terms and language. Students will be guided to legal sources and materials, and will be taught how to research law appropriate to their studies, using both published references and internet resources. A key aim of the module is to develop the students research skills, specifically in the field of legal issues affecting their work, together with their ability to analyse research material, and to marshal material and facts into cogent advice and reports. Whilst this introductory module will focus on the English law, it will provide an insight into the growing importance of the European context affecting English law

• Professional Surveying Practice

  The aim of this module is to provide an introduction to the roles and work of the Chartered Surveyor The module will be delivered by the Course Leaders for Building Surveying (BS), Real Estate Management (REM) and Quantity Surveying (QS). The module commences with an overview of the surveying professions. It will provide students with a general knowledge and understanding of the history and background of the surveying professions and the RICS, along with the types of organisations in which surveyors are employed. The roles of the surveyors will be explained, together with an outline of their main activities. The Module explores the roles and activities undertaken by the Chartered Surveyor throughout the development process. Teaching of the module will then be split into individual disciplines of Building Surveying, Real Estate Management & Quantity Surveying, thus enabling students to gain basic knowledge and skills specific to their chosen discipline. The assessment comprises two elements, namely, Term Assignment and Practical Timed Assignment. The term assignment will require students to research and explore the knowledge and skills of the Chartered Surveyor in their chosen surveying discipline.

Level 5 core modules

• Environmental Services and Construction Technology

  This module has been designed to give the students an insight into the scientific basis of the environmental performance and construction of buildings and their services. The main focus is on the introduction of modelling tools that can be used to simulate a building's performance and its affect on the environment. The main approach adopted is that of a scientific one, focusing on the analysis of a problem or set of problems, followed by the synthesis of a solution. Considerable emphasis is placed on the use of environmental criteria to assess a building's thermal, visual and aural performance. A number of scientific methods are explored and there will be a limited amount of practical experiment-based work. A number of technical solutions will be explored for lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning a building. The passive design features of a building are explored. This second level module is also designed to give students a broad understanding of the way we build our commercial and industrial buildings. It is intended to lead on from the study of domestic construction to considering the functional requirements of single-storey industrial sheds and multi-storey framed structures in concrete and steel. In addition, the affects on the construction process of the latest legislation in relation to fire and health & safety are examined. A great deal of guidance is give to students on skill development. The module is delivered by blended learning via WebCT, so good access to the internet is essential. The assessment is by a series of online multi-choice questions and a number of reports on the performance of buildings.

• Management Practice

  This management module is designed for stage 2 surveying students who may wish to gain an understanding of management concepts and their application in the construction industry. Its primary focus is to develop practical and conceptual approaches to managing in a built environment firm. Students will start the module by focussing on the principles and processes of management and apply the concepts learnt to a practical context through case studies. The module will then focus on construction markets and organisations, their culture and structure, looking at staff and functional relationships together with chain of command and span of control. Students will be expected to show how the theory relates to practice. Management techniques and their application are studied considering work planning, monitoring and progress control. Computer software will be used to solve construction related problems. The student will also consider the importance of quality standards applied to the construction process. Finance plays an important part in the construction industry. Students will be expected to have an understanding and working knowledge of budgets and cost control. They will be required undertake financial problems and present solutions. The module will also consider management within a professional setting and issues relating to the unique nature of practice within the Built Environment.

• Planning Procedures and Practice

  This module is designed to develop the student's awareness of the administrative and legal framework within which land use planning operates. As a real estate manager there is a need to advise clients in both the private and public sectors of potential development / redevelopment opportunities. In this respect the real estate manager needs to gain a fundamental understanding of the social and economic forces which lie behind the local authority plan making and development control functions. It also provides an opportunity for the student to explore the different roles of the modern day planner from strategic planning at national and regional level to development control issues at local level. Students will be introduced to the stages of the present planning system from application to determination by planning officers or planning committees. Students will also gain an understanding of the current planning appeals system to the Planning Inspectorate if there is a refusal to grant planning consent.The module provides an insight into land use decision-making and public participation within this process and the involvement of the real estate manager. Finally students will study the evaluation of planning strategy and the evaluation techniques employed. Modern planning practice will be explored together with an examination of latest government initiatives proposed to create a more effective and faster planning process. A variety of teaching strategies will be employed within this module from formal group lectures, seminars, group and individual tutorials to hone the skills necessary to undertake a professional report and fully contribute to the role-play exercise at the culmination of the module.

• Valuations I

  This module provides the student an opportunity to explore the main valuation methods in order to solve various valuation problems across a wide range of property types. An examination will also be made of the various purposes of valuations or calculations of worth necessary to provide accurate advice to clients. The module is also designed to explore modern thinking and recent change within valuation practice to determine the most relevant and accurate valuation methodology to be employed in given situations. Students will be introduced to the workings of the property investment market at both local and national level. Practical examples will be studied to enable students to gain an underpinning knowledge of the investment process. Students will also examine the taxation systems as affecting the property and investment markets. Further studies will determine the importance of business rates, the roles of the Valuation officer and the appeals procedures. The module employs various teaching and learning strategies such as formal group lectures, seminars and tutorials with a series of class exercises to underpin knowledge and understanding. Site visits will be arranged to aid measurement and recorded documentation necessary to assist with accurate valuations.

• Property and Land Law

  This module provides the student with an opportunity to assimilate and consolidate legal principles required for practising surveyors. This module is also designed to examine the different types of interests - both legal and equitable within the built environment. This module employs various teaching and learning strategies such as formal group lectures, seminars and tutorials with a series of class exercises to facilitate knowledge and understanding. Students will gain a practical and valuable knowledge and insight into problems associated with the law of property.

• Building Inspection and Analysis

  The module aims to develop skills gained in the pre-requisite modules, An Introduction to Technology and Design and Professional Surveying Practice and adapt these skills to enable the completion of a typical condition survey (RICS Home Buyer Report). Emphasis will be placed upon property inspection, recognition of defects in residential property and related matters such as non traditional construction, assessing age of buildings, asbestos awareness and damage by trees to buildings. Students will also explore current health and safety legislation and how this affects the surveying of buildings together with an examination of data protection legislation and guidelines. The module provides a good grounding in undertaking modern condition surveys and of recognising defects in low rise residential buildings. By its very nature this module will demand a mixture of teaching strategies from formal group lectures, group and individual tutorials and practical condition survey workshops. In this respect students will require various items of personal protective equipment in order to undertake the practical sessions on site. Students will assess a range of residential buildings of traditional construction and prepare a condition survey in similar format to that required under the RICS Home Buyer Report. Supplementary information will be included that demonstrates a sound underpinning knowledge of time management, health and safety, communication and research analysis. As a result students will improve their communication skills by completing a condition survey report and analytical skills will be developed through the identification of building defects and by the rating of the defects into three conditions ratings.

• Architectural CAD

  This module is intended to give students and built environment practitioners an appreciation of the growing importance of three-dimensional CAD software. It will give hands-on training in some of the most up to date software complying with the latest British and European Standards. Many companies are now realising the benefits of developing a 'single model' of individual building projects within their CAD environment. This allows them to generate working drawings from the model - plans, sections and elevations - and to coordinate the construction in a 3D environment. They can then develop and refine the model over the life of the building, not only through the design and construction phases but also into the management phase. This leads to an increased level of data re-use and resolution of design issues at a much earlier stage. Recent developments in software have allowed building geometry to be represented by intelligent 'objects', making the goal of a single model environment all the more attainable. Instead of drawing a wall as a series of lines and inserting a graphic symbol to represent a door, this new technology allows users to draw 3D walls directly and to insert a component such as a door, which will automatically create a structural opening in the wall. The structure can be modified with a couple of mouse clicks to change the wall construction or to change the design of the door to a different style. Autodesk's AutoCAD Architectural Desktop is currently the cornerstone of this new technology and is being implemented in many companies worldwide. Based on and including all of the functionality of AutoCAD 2004, it provides a powerful set of tools designed to cover the complete building design process from concept stage through to final scheduling and documentation. In this module, intelligent object orientated design methods will be employed to create virtual models of traditional residential/commercial buildings. Students will gain an appreciation of the substantial benefits such systems can offer in terms of client visualisation and design flexibility.

Level 6 core modules

• Built Environment Major Project (Dissertation)

  This module enables students to carry out an original piece of research which will require a literature review of current knowledge in the chosen topic area, the formulation of a research question and the collection of primary data (by case study, interview or questionnaire, for example) in order to answer the research question. The research will be undertaken under the supervision of an academic member of staff but the early part of the module is supported by classroom sessions to explain the processes of reviewing literature, formulating a research question, and the collection and the evaluation of primary data. A minimum number of four supervision tutorials will take place during the academic year in which the module is studied. The dissertation will not only present the literature review and results of the research but will also describe and reflect upon the research process. Advice will be given on choosing a research topic in a briefing session delivered towards the end of the academic year in which the student undertakes their dissertation. Students will also identify their achievements and skills and provide a plan for progression.

• Valuations II

  This module provides the student with a detailed appreciation of the latest valuation techniques used to overcome specialist property valuations. The module is a natural progression from the introductory studies in Surveying Buildings and the exploration of traditional and modern valuation techniques studied in Valuations I. Hence these modules are considered to be pre-requisites for the study of this final Valuation module. The module is designed to examine both traditional and contemporary valuation techniques in a manner that critically analyses various approaches to solving more detailed valuation problems. The requirements of the RICS red book, Appraisal and Valuation Standards are explored particularly in relation to the valuation of company assets. The module also focuses upon the procedures and valuation applications that are required when compensation awards are assessed under various statues. These include the Landlord and Tenant Acts, Leasehold Enfranchisement, Housing Acts, Compulsory Purchase and Compensation, Town and Country Planning Acts and various Taxation and Finance Acts. The module employs varied teaching strategies such as formal group lectures, group seminars, and individual tutorials. Site visits will be arranged to relate valuation approach to 'real life' issues.

• Conversion and Adaptation of Buildings

  The key aim of studies in this module will be to develop an understanding of user needs in relation to economic re-use of existing buildings by extending, adapting, altering and conserving buildings. This module has been designed to enable students to use a typical building to demonstrate principles and criteria to be applied to achieve a holistic approach to the future treatment of a building over its whole life-cycle; enhancement and/or conservation of built environment; appropriate and creative technology and specialist economic appraisals. Students complete an in-depth case study either individually or as a group.The student will need to be aware of the concepts of extension, conversion and adaptation of existing buildings, and maximisation of economic viability of buildings together to enhance user needs, modern design concepts, landscaping, environmental and green issues together with low energy issues and sustainability. Students will need to study aspects of architectural periods and types of building including components and materials of construction commonly used in the types of building under study and life-cycle options. It will be important for students to acquire a range of analytical skills to enable them to measure existing and proposed building performance from a number of standpoints and be in a position to select a range of re-use options which can be employed by a building owner. Ancillary to this aim will be the acquisition of a critical awareness of the construction options available to a building owner seeking to maximise the economic viability of a building and be aware from detailed reading and research how new works, alteration and adaptation can enhance use of an existing building. Students will carry out individually or in groups a case study of a building (or range buildings) in need of economic regeneration and enhancement, advising a client on options available to a building owner, and producing a written report and one A1 display board per student illustrating their designs and proposals for future treatment, including materials, employing creative technology, taking into consideration landscaping proposals and issues of sustainability, life-cycle costings, energy efficiency and environmental requirements.

• Project Management

  This module is designed to develop the students? knowledge of basic management theories, and to demonstrate their relevance and application in the planning, organisation and control of construction projects. Students will be encouraged to research appropriate theories, skills and competencies related to the life cycle of a project from the client's conceptual vision, through the project identification and definition stages, applying appropriate project implementation, execution and control processes to effect successful closure of a project. The module aims to change the students vision from a contract administration viewpoint to the broader perspective required in the project management approach. For many students this will involve standing back from their everyday role on a project, and to consider the holistic integrated nature of the project management role on a construction project. Thus, whilst recognising the value of many of the skills acquired by students in the contract administration modules, the module will develop the specialist techniques which question the usual functional and organisational boundaries. Students will be encouraged to develop an appreciation of the strategic relevance of project management, and the unique features of project management which distinguish it from other forms of management. Students will be required to research and develop operational techniques used in the planning, scheduling and control of projects to demonstrate that they understand the processes and mechanisms necessary to ensure the effective delivery of the project objectives.

• Facilities Management

  This module is designed to enable students to obtain an awareness and understanding of the role of facilities organisations and its function in the support of business in achieving the key business objectives. During the programme, studies will concentrate on the development of an effective facilities management organisation. The module will investigate how large organisations develop an effective property strategy and implement planned and preventative maintenance programmes. The module will also examine whole life asset management and the production of facilities audits. A range of teaching strategies will be employed throughout this module. Such strategies will include formal group lectures, tutorials, seminars and workshops depending upon the nature of the subject matter. Some of the formal lectures will be delivered by visiting lecturers to provide currency of operating systems.

• Project Evaluation and Development

  The module provides the student with the opportunity to explore the various issues that need to be evaluated when considering a building development from inception until final completion and retention and / or disposal of the building. The context and content of this module integrates knowledge and skills obtained from previous management and design modules. It examines them in a holistic manner and explores their complex inter-relationships. Issues related to the client, the site, planning, financial appraisal, design technology, legal, health and safety and environment will all be examined within a theoretical and practical framework. The module develops the student's ability to comprehend the totality and implications of the development process and to make reasoned value judgements as to its potential feasibility. This is achieved by a detailed examination of local planning policies for the site coupled with a financial analysis of the proposed scheme by use of traditional and modern forms of valuation techniques. The module also focuses on project appraisal, pre construction processes, construction and post construction processes, marketing disposal and evaluation. The module is project based with studio teaching which is undertaken by various strategies such as formal group lectures, group seminars and individual tutorials. Site visits are arranged where appropriate to underpin student knowledge and understanding of practical issues. Joint staff and student criticisms and presentations occur throughout the delivery.

• Property Marketing and Management

  This module is designed to develop the student's awareness of the nature and role of property management and then to analyse the rationale and character of the principle types of estates and factors underlying their management. Students will explore the need for efficient management of real estate in terms of lettings, maintenance and repair and landlords obligations. The module will also investigate the detailed statutory and contractual setting of landlord and tenant in respect of the management of both commercial and residential property. Students will examine how the formulation of estate policy leads into positive management practices and the means by which the real estate manager can exercise the requisite skills necessary to demonstrate competence in this field. Students will also study the basic types of building contract used within the UK construction industry in order to determine the correct type of contract for various property maintenance, repair and dilapidation matters. Students will develop an awareness of the contribution that information technology has made within property management and will explore some of the typical management software available to ease the burden of administration. By studying this module students will gain some understanding of the need for and implementation of effective property marketing and to gain an appreciation of the underlying principles of estate agency practice as affected by legislation namely The Estate Agents Act 1979, The Estate Agents (Accounts) Regulations 1981 and The Property Misdescriptions Act 1991. A mix of teaching strategies will be employed that includes both formal group lectures although greater emphasis will be placed upon individual tutorials to provide student guidance upon research and information necessary to compile a detailed evaluative report. Time will also be devoted to an examination of potential management software currently in use within real estate practices.