Construction Project Management with Foundation Year

This module will introduce you to the range of sectors and professions involved in the built environment sector. You will also gain an understanding of the role of the different professions, and begin to explore the concept of health and safety in industry.

The aim of this module is to provide you with an appreciation and understanding of architectural design and the factors that influence it. You will gain an understanding of architectural design in the context of the overall building procurement process, and be introduced to the role of ICT as an essential tool in built environment professional practice. Through this module you will begin to develop your expertise in commonly used built environment design representation software applications.

This module will introduce you to many of the reasons why we need buildings. It introduces and examines how we design buildings to both passively and actively modify the internally created built environment. The concept of whole building Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) is introduced in relation to thermal comfort, visual comfort, acoustic comfort and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) with the goal of instilling an understanding in the learner as to how aspects of good building design promote occupant comfort and wellbeing. Via an understanding of the physical properties of construction materials, basic scientific principles and building engineering services, you will gain an understanding of buildings in use, not just buildings under design or in construction.

The module is to introduce the concept of digitalisation in the built environment industry and allow you to apply different digital technologies. It will also introduce you to building materials and structure.

This module is designed to equip you with a set of skills, knowledge and personal attributes that ensure the student is likely to be successful in their chosen route of academic study on a course within the School of the Built Environment. You will develop the ability to understand what and how they are learning, and to review, plan and take responsibility for your own learning.

This module introduces the process of client/architect/engineer design briefs, and particular specifications in relation to a building’s internal environment, with particular attention paid to the specification of thermal, visual, acoustic and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) design variables. Building on the theory learned in the Introduction to Building Science module, this module moves on to the design and practical application of environmental design criteria based on the previously developed understanding of environmental comfort.

You will research into, and select, various design variables during the creation of project Room Data Sheets (RDS), used by engineering consultants to design passive and active approaches to the creation of an optimum internal environment for occupant comfort and wellbeing. The module then moves on to the determination of actual environmental conditions in numerous rooms and spaces in a variety of building types via the physical use of measuring equipment. By comparing theoretical and actual design values, you will then undertake observations and Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) surveys to determine real occupant opinions and perceptions as to their working environment, with the goal of assessing those areas of design with poor feedback and the proposal of corrective measures.

You will gain the necessary knowledge and skills to describe, explain, evaluate, compare and apply building construction techniques and materials used in typical low-rise, domestic type buildings, with a focus on contemporary construction techniques. You will develop a systematic understanding of the sustainable practices involved in building construction.

You will be introduced to English law and relevant statutory requirements for studying for vocational qualifications in the construction and property professions. The module also introduces you to the workings of the English legal system, to the law relating to contracts and to the regulatory framework affecting the use, management and development of land, in particular, planning, building control and the CDM regulations.

Through this module you will gain experience of relevant management and planning software tools through the application of industry specific ICTs such as Microsoft Project, Building Information Modelling and appropriate design delivery software CAD. You will be able to demonstrate the importance of the legislative environment, including the consequences of health, safety and welfare, and apply current management tools and techniques to mitigate relevant issues that may occur on a construction project. You will understand ethnic and cultural diversity issues and current codes of practice in the industry and their implications for ethical practice. You will appreciate the relevance of social, economic and environmental sustainability and recognise the impact of this on a building’s carbon emissions and ability provide a comfortable environment for the end user. This module will also enable you to engage with industry through a series of industrial guest lectures supporting and enhancing the project brief.

This module will enable you to identify and use appropriate learning-how-to-learn strategies that are applicable for the programme of study. You will be able to recognise and apply discipline specific knowledge and practice to solve discipline related project tasks on an individual and team basis. You will identify and apply ethical codes of behaviour appropriate to built environment professional practice. You will also gain experience applicable ICT technologies relevant to their field of study.

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge of basic economic concepts and principles of the economic environment in which the construction and property industry operates and knowledge of management theories in the construction context. You will be able to discuss the key role of the construction industry in the economy, current economic issues and management challenges in the construction and property context.

You will develop your knowledge and understanding of the interactions between a building and its internal and external environments. You will learn about the principles involved in building heat transfer, occupant thermal comfort, illumination and acoustics. You will explore the need for mechanical and electrical engineering services in the building envelope and develop an understanding of typical building services systems technology.

You will develop a critical awareness and understanding of the construction process, at all stages, from inception to delivery. You will gain a practical understanding of the methods and techniques used in the planning and production stages of a construction project and competence in their application. This module will enable you to develop a comprehensive understanding of how effective planning and control of resources impacts on the control of a construction project and the supply chain. You will be able to understand and evaluate the concepts of risk and value and examine and apply techniques for their control and consider and review environmental impact, health & safety and other constraints on the construction process.

Through this module you will be able to understand the role and responsibilities of the production manager in the context of the UK construction industry. You will develop knowledge and understanding of the key organisational management principles and issues involved in lean theory and its applications in design, production and operations. You will be able to demonstrate how risk management processes apply to production management practice. On this module you will evaluate current and future production processes and methods by which the production manager can control resource efficiency, quality, safety and environment. You will also develop knowledge and understanding of the implementation of offsite construction for an efficient and effective implementation of construction projects.

This project will provide you with an opportunity for discipline based project study on a range of built environment scenarios. You will develop detailed knowledge of discipline specific subject matter by applying relevant concepts and techniques to solve problems in project environments. You will also develop your project appraisal, collaborative team working, management, critical analysis and problem solving skills. This module will further develop and apply high-level communication and information technology skills to solve problems and present solutions to a competent standard appropriate for a built environment professional. You will also develop an understanding of the place of advanced ICT technologies within the sphere of the construction industry professional.

This project will provide you with an opportunity to work in multi-disciplinary teams and to enable them to perform in a role/discipline in the context of a team based project. It will promote reflection on individual and team working and the multi-disciplinary nature of built environment projects. You will practice and further develop both discipline based and generic key skills required by a built environment professional. It encourages self-reflection and enable you to further your personal development plan, that aligns the learning needs and career aspirations and the requirements of the business sector and the professional institutions. You will also further develop written/oral communication, team working and inter-personal skills.

You will enhance your knowledge and skills to describe, explain, evaluate, compare and apply building construction techniques and materials used in typical medium to large span single storey buildings and multi-storey industrial/commercial buildings. You will develop an understanding of both historic and contemporary construction techniques for medium to large buildings. You will learn to identify and critically review alternative construction technologies, and make informed decisions and recommendations.

This module enables you to explore and differentiate the principal types of procurement systems and associated contracts used in the UK, you will also explore the fundamental procedures related to contract administration.

You will develop your knowledge of good research practice through the completion of a written research proposal and a research document. You will also develop data analysis skills through the collection and critical appraisal of different sources of data.

Project management is an important and integral part of a business whether this is product or service based. This module will help you develop knowledge and critical understanding of the principles of effective project management in a global business context.  

We will look at various aspects of Project Management through a variety of means such as lectures and practical seminars with input from our industry connections and the latest in research. We will examine the subject using theoretical approaches as well as the industry-recognised tools and techniques for planning and controlling projects

You will examine the concept of the reflective practitioner, which looks at the alignment of personal and professional development with the future of professional practice.

The module aims to raise the level of awareness of major contemporary issues and developments in the built environment sector and to promote understanding of their significance and impact which will influence future professional conduct. It will encourage a deep level of understanding of corporate behaviour, the evolution of strategies and their implementation, and the significance for the built environment sector.

You will develop managerial skills and commercial acumen including the promotion of enterprise and innovation and its application in the built environment sector, and competencies in the research and interpretation of business information and accounting to assist business decision-making and objective setting.

You will also gain an understanding of the importance of the role of the professional in society, the relevance of ethical behaviour, and the social, economic, and commercial significance of corporate responsibilities, particularly in the context of the built environment.

You will develop knowledge and understanding of tools, techniques and key issues in construction project delivery using Building Information Modelling (BIM). On completion of the module you will be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of integrated project delivery and its impacts upon improved design co-ordination and information management and exchange amongst project stakeholders.  You will also be able to critically appraise the business need for integrated project design and delivery systems and the benefits and impacts of integrated project delivery upon project management practice, as well as describing and critically evaluate the use of BIM tools in relation to integrated design and delivery systems.

You will expand your knowledge of construction law, raise your commercial awareness and learn to consider risk management from a commercial perspective. You will explore the nature and causes of disputes between contracting parties and stakeholders in the construction industry, and the mechanisms for dispute avoidance and resolution.

You will develop comprehensive recognition of the principles of sustainable design and their application in the practice of construction. The module content aims to reinforce the relationship between sustainable design and construction processes.