This module is designed to help you develop your academic literacy, and research and communication skills in preparation for undergraduate study. It will also help you understand the institutional culture, practices, norms and expectations of British higher education. A subsidiary aim of this module is to ensure that you develop transferable skills of effective and professional communication to support ongoing study, as well as providing a basis to foster career and life-building skills. This module is benchmarked to the Common European Framework of Reference for Language Learning. Assignments for each of the four skills of academic reading, writing, speaking and listening are included in order to confirm that you meet the appropriate exit threshold in English language proficiency.
No previous experience is required for this module which will provide you with an introduction to practical ICT skills, providing you with a strong foundation for academic success. In this module, you will use industry standard office productivity software and techniques to produce presentations, written assignments and charts and tables in spreadsheets. Alongside gaining practical skills, you will learn about fundamental topics such as dark web, hacking, wearable technology and social media will be discussed, together with societal and ethical perspectives. This module will enable you to discuss the main challenges facing society and consider the implications of their use. By the end of the module, you will have sufficient mastery of the Microsoft Office productivity suite to allow you to plan and produce presentations, use functions and write formula to display, format and analyse quantitative data and produce written assignments to a standard appropriate to higher education.
This module aims to enable you to participate in and practice independent learning tasks for deeper thought and investigation as needed for Higher Academic pursuits. This module will help to teach you, reinforce, and practice your independent learning and critical thinking, as opposed to rote memorisation for success in University and professional life. This module aims to encourage your practice of relevant critical thinking skills. This module will be delivered to you in an openclass forum of discussion, to encourage your critical thinking skills within academic and professional-facing contexts. This module will enable you to invest in strategies that will deepen understanding and interpretation of processes, motives, argument, rationale, credibility, and possibilities which will then be applicable to a range of studies. During this module, you will participate in a Socratic Discussion based around Conspiracy Theories and Source Checking to encourage presentation and debating skills. You will also undertake research, based on an issue related to your degree programme, to review the main points of examining an argument in depth. You will then learn to create a personal response that analyses the content of the issue under study.
Foundation Maths for Science is a course that ensures if you are on the extended programmes for degrees in the departments of Life Sciences, Biomedical and Forensic Sciences, and Vision and Hearing Sciences, you will have the necessary basic mathematical skills required for entry to level 4. By the end of the course, you will be able to carry out the basic mathematical manipulations and understand the relevant key concepts required in order to progress on to your chosen degree course. Each mathematical concept will be introduced to you by a lecture, in which examples are given to you of how to use and apply the concept are demonstrated. You will then practise problems in a tutorial for each topic, using worksheets given out in advance of the sessions. The worksheets that you are given will include problems applied to the various degree pathways to which you will progress, to indicate the importance and applicability of mathematics to your future degrees. The subjects covered are a range of arithmetic skills, algebra, areas and volumes, trigonometry and basic statistics.
Maths for Engineers is intended for students progressing onto engineering and computing degree programmes. This module will give you an early introduction to the concepts of calculus, vector and matrix mathematics, which will allow you to stand in good stead when progressing to level 4.
This module will give you a suitable grounding in the physical sciences in order to prepare you for your level 4 studies on the Engineering/ Computing pathways. You will be taught using a combination of lectures, demonstrations and in-class exercises, you will also be assisted by online resources. Concepts will be introduced to you via online resources and re-capped in lectures, along with simple demonstrations and tasks. You will then complete numerical problems relating to the topic. By the end of this module, you will be able to analyse the motion of objects in 1 and 2 dimensions with constant acceleration. You will be familiar with friction and its effect in moving and static systems. You will also be familiar with simple statically determinant systems and able to calculate forces in equilibrium. Furthermore, you will be familiar with the concepts of conservation of mechanical energy and conservation of momentum, and will be able to apply them to simple situations.
· Solution-Neutral Problem Statements · Functions and Embodiments · Requirements and Evaluation Criteria · Concept Selection · Conveying Engineering Information · Creative Problem Solving · Ethics and Professionalism · Sustainability · Group dynamics
You will be provided with an introduction to basic computer programming using a low level programming language (e.g. C), requiring no prior programming experience. Fundamental issues like constants, variables, data types, the structure of a program and the syntax of simple statements is discussed. You will use industry-standard tools and techniques to implement, test and document simple programs. This module will enable you to understand the main components of a high-level program, laying the foundation for subsequent modules requiring structured programming ability. It will emphasise the principles of good programming practice and introduce the techniques required to develop software that is robust, usable and efficient. By the end of the module, you should have sufficient mastery of C programming language to allow you to design, implement and test simple programs. You will be assessed through two staged assignments (log books), with feedback provided at each stage, in order to support the development of sound programming skills.
View the full module definitionThis module is intended to develop and appreciation and skills relating to simple site surveying skills, production of CAD drawings and the utilisation of BIM modules for a variety of purposes relating to your discipline. The module will introduce you to the necessary site related survey skills as you enter the construction industry. You will gain both a theoretical understanding as well as hands-on practice in the use of both traditional and contemporary instruments in order to set-up and control the most common elements of construction. You will be expected to display a hands-on competence to perform the basic calculations necessary to be able to prepare site/quality/survey documentation to satisfy specified tolerances and employer requirements. You will also be introduced to basic 2D drafting techniques using industry standard software. This will allow you to effectively produce and interpret technical drawing and give you the skills which can be applied to your specialist discipline area in later modules. BIM will be introduced and you will gain an appreciation of how parametric models can be used to produce a variety of information relating to your particular disciples.
View the full module definitionThis module is designed for students of construction and surveying with little and/or no prior knowledge of building construction, services and material properties. You will learn the common methods of construction of both new and traditional housing, by considering the functional requirements of each of the main elements of the buildings' structure and the materials used in their construction. You will also study the requirements of the internal environment, so as to understand how services installations contribute to user comfort. You will be introduced to some of the basic analytical concepts and processes involved in the design of structures. You will develop analytical skills which will allow you to carry out basic structural calculations and apply these to basic domestic design solutions. You will acquire knowledge related to domestic construction and be able to justify why different construction techniques and materials are used in the built environment on the basis of structural performance and sustainability. As well as improving your intellectual skills you will also develop communication skills both written and graphical.
View the full module definitionThis module will provide you with an introduction to the principles and application of management as they relate to the professional disciplines of the construction industry. You will gain understanding of management principles and their relevance to the processes of design, construction and maintenance of the built environment. You will also learn how these principles may be applied to the management of construction projects through case studies. The module will also consider the importance of an awareness of the well-being of those around you as well as your own well-being. You will consider the process of briefing, design, procurement, tendering and then setting up a site along with the importance of planning and organising work. Non-adversarial multi-discipline team working will be examined with reference to relevant procedural models such as the RIBA Plan of Work. The module provides you with opportunity to examine health and safety issues within the construction industry and their integration throughout the processes of design, tender award and construction. The roles of all parties involved are explored from both moral and legal viewpoints. Past and current attitudes will be discussed. You will consider the safety record within the construction industry and identify health and safety legislation aimed at reducing accident rates. The process of hazard identification and risk assessment will be explained and you will produce method statements following on from your risk assessments. Safe systems of work are identified enabling you to relate theory and practice.
View the full module definitionThis module introduces you to the structure and processes of the English legal system and to basic economic principles and how they impact on organisations and professionals in the Built Environment. You will be introduced to concepts and skills which they will need to address and use in later modules. This module provides the essential foundation to the development of the legal skills necessary in the provision of sound advice to clients in a your professional career. It will focus on civil law providing guidance to you on information, materials and sources to equip you 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. You will be guided to legal sources and materials and will be taught how to research law appropriate to your studies using published references. This module provides the underpinning knowledge and skills to enable you to appreciate the significance for your industry and profession of the economic environment. You will develop an appreciation of the importance and role of the economy for the Built Environment. There will be an exploration of basic microeconomic and macroeconomic principles and examination of how they impact on client organisations, construction projects and firms in the Built Environment. This includes evaluating how Government fiscal policy may impinge on the construction industry and the property market. You will use both textbook and on-line source materials to support your understanding of theory and its implications for the real world. A key aim of the module is to develop research skills, together with the ability to analyse research material, and to marshal material and facts into cogent advice and reports.
View the full module definitionThis advanced technology module is designed to develop your technical knowledge and the skills to apply that knowledge in the context of both new build and refurbishment work. The focus of this module leads on from domestic construction and provides a broad understanding of the way we build commercial and industrial buildings. The module will consider the functional requirements of single-storey industrial sheds and multi-storey framed structures in concrete and steel. In addition, the effects of the latest legislation in relation to fire and health & safety on the construction process are examined. The application of Building Regulations and the associated Approved Documents to both commercial and industrial buildings will be explored. You will compare different construction methods and analyse suitable applications for each method. In particular: frames, cladding systems, internal walls, structural flooring and roofing will form key areas of the module. This analysis will include considerations of buildability, pre-fabrication, value for money and whole life costs. Environmental performance and sustainability are a central part of this module and you will investigate how to ensure high levels of environmental performance through using insulation, maintaining airtightness and the installation of building services and controls. You will have the opportunity to compare the installation requirements of natural and forced ventilation systems and different methods of heating and cooling commercial and industrial buildings. The provision of high quality IT and communications infrastructure systems will also be investigated. You will be introduced to standard methods of assessing and measuring the environmental performance of buildings, such as Pasivhaus and BREEAM and be able to suggest improvements to building performance and sustainability.
View the full module definitionThis module will introduce you to the essential processes and documentation required by Building Surveyors to administer minor and intermediate building works in both private practice and the public sector. You will concentrate on traditionally procured contracts, where the client employs a professional to prepare contract documentation with which to appoint a contractor. This reflects the usual working practice of a Building Surveyor. You will also explore the current Building Regulations and other statutory controls, alongside the Construction Design and Management Regulations.
View the full module definitionThis module aims to facilitate the development of your knowledge and approach to management and to lay the foundations for the development of your approach to management. Management is a personal undertaking and every manager will manage differently based upon their knowledge, understanding, beliefs and experiences. The aim of this module is to encourage you to develop your own approach to management by establishing a solid foundation of management knowledge and practice, integrating these with your own values, experiences and goals, that will provide a basis for the life-long development of your management skills. The module focuses on developing the ability to apply theory to practice and top enable you to develop practical approaches to managing in a built environment. The module uses case studies to demonstrate the application of concepts and principles. The module is based on a sound understanding of the theories and practice of management, reinforced by examples of best practice drawn from a wide range of organisations and industries, together with an appreciation of the context and constraints that influence organisations and management. The module will consider the main activities of management from an integrating perspective, together with identifying and developing the qualities required to be a successful manager, including leadership. The module adopts a "middle of the road‟ approach to management, establishing a central point of reference that will allow you to critically evaluate alternative perspectives and theories in relation to each topic. You will acquire management skills and knowledge that will provide an essential element in your employability and career development. It will improve your analytical, problem-solving and communication skills, as well as developing your professional awareness and understanding of organisations.
View the full module definitionLearn how to manage and administer a building contract from a legal and economic standpoint. You will learn how contracts are constructed, interpret their contents and manage the more routine legal and financial aspects through the completion of a contract and its final account. Learn through problem solving and case study activity that simulates a live project and the likely circumstances that arise. We ensure what you learn has direct application to practice and will give you valuable employability skills.
View the full module definitionIn this module you'll build on your learning from 'An Introduction to Technology' and 'Design and Professional Surveying Practice' using your skills to complete a typical condition survey (RICS Home Buyer Report). We'll focus on 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. You'll 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.
View the full module definitionAssimilate and consolidate legal principles required for practising surveyors and examine the different types of interests, both legal and equitable, within the built environment. You’ll enjoy a range of teaching and learning strategies, such as formal group lectures, seminars and tutorials with a series of class exercises. You’ll gain practical and valuable knowledge and insight into problems associated with the law of property.
View the full module definitionRuskin Modules are designed to prepare our students for a complex, challenging and changing future. These interdisciplinary modules provide the opportunity to further broaden your perspectives, develop your intellectual flexibility and creativity. You will work with others from different disciplines to enable you to reflect critically on the limitations of a single discipline to solve wider societal concerns. You will be supported to create meaningful connections across disciplines to apply new knowledge to tackle complex problems and key challenges. Ruskin Modules are designed to grow your confidence, seek and maximise opportunities to realise your potential to give you a distinctive edge and enhance your success in the workplace.
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. Employability skills Students will assess a site for future development opportunities in a manner that satisfies a potential client's need in terms of financial reward, design, procurement, management and cost in use or final disposal of the completed project. Students will improve their communication skills both in terms of report writing and oral presentations to their peers and tutors. Analytical skills will be developed through employment of financial appraisal and risk management strategies.
View the full module definitionThis module is designed to introduce the you to the management of risk, value and environmental impact of construction projects. You will be able to distinguish between risk and uncertainty and the influence these issues may have on the technological, managerial and financial aspects of the project life cycle. You will be introduced to Value Engineering techniques along with the concept of Value management workshops and how these can be used throughout the project life cycle, case studies will be used to enhance your understanding along with identifying the key issues relating to the use of Value Engineering throughout the project life cycle. You will be introduced to the concept and use of the risk management workshop, and how these workshops are used to identify and distribute project risks to members of the project team throughout the project life cycle. You will also be introduced to the importance of reducing and managing the environmental impact of construction projects during the design and construction phases as well as through the whole project life-time. Legislation and other pressures for the protection of the environment are considered, including pollution control and environmental impact assessment. The module is of a practical nature using case studies to enhance the student experience and provide a greater understanding and appreciation of Risk, Value and Environmental Impact over the project life cycle.
View the full module definitionThis module will develop your understanding of inspection and reporting procedures for schedules of dilapidations on commercial premises. In this context 'dilapidation' is a legal term relating to the law of 'waste' and applies in situations where a party has an obligation (for example under the terms of a lease) to keep a property in good repair. The case law and legislation pertaining to all dilapidation activities will also be covered in this module. We'll identify a suitable building for you to inspect and prepare a schedule of dilapidations as part of your assessment. You'll develop your analytical skills, to identify the causes of defects and the necessary remedial action required. You'll also learn to prepare a detailed dilapidation schedule for the use of clients and their legal advisers in situations where the client already leases or has a lease of the building. Health and safety considerations for the building surveyor is another important aspect of our module both in terms of building inspection and advising the client on compliance with relevant health and safety legislation including CDM Regulations.
View the full module definitionThis module will develop your understanding of inspection and reporting procedures relating to building surveys (sometimes known as ‘structural surveys’), party wall awards and alternative dispute resolution methods commonly used by the building surveyor. We'll identify a suitable commercial building for you to inspect and prepare a building survey as part of your assessment. You'll develop your analytical skills to identify the causes of defects and the necessary remedial action required. You'll also learn to prepare a detailed building survey report for the use of clients and their legal advisers in situations where the client wishes to purchase or lease a building. Professional guidance on party wall work both in acting for the ‘building owner’ or ‘adjoining owner’ as indicated under the Party Wall Act 1996 will be studied, and you'll examine the relevant duties under the act and become familiar with the different types of party wall upon which advice may be necessary. We'll also investigate excavations near neighbouring buildings, and alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation and use of an independent expert.
View the full module definitionStudy a real-life building and investigate the principles of developing a holistic approach to the adaptive re-use of buildings. You will develop an understanding of user needs in relation to economic re-use of existing buildings by extending, adapting, altering and conserving buildings. You will need to be aware of the concepts of conservation, restoration and preservation along with the realities of extension, conversion and adaptation options for existing buildings in order to optimise long-term sustainable economic viability of buildings. You will consider appropriate and creative technology and their impact upon economic appraisals. You will complete an in-depth case study either individually or as a group. You will also study the impact of modern design concepts, landscaping, low energy, environmental and sustainability issues to meet enhanced user-needs. You will need to research and contextualise architectural history, together with the components and materials of construction previously incorporated, to consider and justify future life-cycle options. It will be important for you to acquire a range of analytical skills to measure existing and proposed building performance from a number of standpoints and be in a position to make recommendations after short-listing a range of re-use options to be considered by a building owner. Your case study will involve a real-life building (or range buildings) in need of economic regeneration and enhancement, in order to advise the ‘client’ on potential options through a written report, an illustrative portfolio and a succinct design-pitch to illustrate and justify your recommended design proposals.
View the full module definitionThis module brings together the practical and theoretical issues central to the role of the Building Surveyor within the Built Environment. An important aspect of the career specific skills of a building surveyor will involve consideration of building pathology - the principles of building defects, their analysis and diagnosis, and their required remedial action. Building diagnostics is therefore a combination of problem solving, decision making and critical thinking as at professional level for a practitioner building surveyor a holistic systematic approach is required rather than basic linear logic as introduced in earlier level 4 and 5 modules. The module is aimed in the main, at understanding the construction of residential low-rise dwellings, industrial and commercial buildings during the latter part of the 19th and the 20th Centuries with the focus on defects that occur to such buildings. This module however anticipates complexity in the inspection or identification such that advanced skills and techniques are triggered and are economic. Methods using drone technology within dilapidated properties will be explored with a view that you will be able to specify and brief the drone pilot for an inspection flight. You will not be expected to be the drone pilot however this module will complement practitioners who have undertaken pilot training with a view to defect inspection and analysis. Defects relating to historical buildings are also be introduced in order for the Building Surveyor to appreciate the diversity of materials and construction within UK buildings. The module will critically consider the difference and limitations in pathology approach that is required in a listed/conservation property compared to the standard methodology. The module will consider how advanced land survey techniques and 3D laser scanning can be deployed for structural monitoring purposes. This will consider how advanced survey can form part of a defect analysis exercise. This element will also consider movement monitoring as part of a subsidence insurance claim or neighbourly matters development scheme. The module will also examine the professional duties and obligations when undertaking various surveys types which a Building Surveyor will need to understand and comply with when embarking upon a career with this module being directly linked to the core RICS APC requirement of building pathology.
View the full module definitionThis module represents the culmination of your development through learning on your course. It provides an opportunity for you to demonstrate your ability to undertake a substantial original study to investigate a subject, issue, or problem and to produce a usable outcome. You'll carry out an original piece of work that may be either an expert study or a research study. Advice will be offered on choosing a research topic and producing a proposal in a briefing session delivered towards the end of the academic year prior to that in which you'll undertake the dissertation. You'll conduct your research under the supervision of an academic member of staff but the early part of the module in semester one is also supported by taught classroom sessions. These taught sessions enable you to develop research and study skills in respect of reviewing and analysing literature, developing a research question, collecting, presenting and analysing data, and managing the research process. In addition to the taught sessions, a minimum of four supervision tutorials will take place during the academic year in which the module is studied. It's your responsibility to make contact with your tutor to arrange appointments. 10% of the marks for the dissertation/major project are for attendance and performance at these tutorials which must be recorded in an appendix to the dissertation.
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