This module evaluates the innovative methodologies and approaches for adopting cutting-edge Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to address the myriad of issues related to the fragmented nature of Architecture/Engineering/Construction (AEC) industry. The module seeks to extend knowledge of ICT integrated practices and approaches in terms of innovative transdisciplinary solutions such as advanced manufacturing technologies, the transportation/assembly of components, and intelligent decision making support.

This class will provide you with an understanding of the concepts of sustainability and sustainable development. The social, environmental and economic impact of development strategies will be identified and the mitigation of negative impacts discussed. The class will cover:

• Shifting world views
• Green politics
• Green Perspectives
• Climate change
• Sustainable development
• Limits to growth

This module focuses on the field of construction technology and innovative research and development (R&D) into the construction of buildings and infrastructures. It also covers the continuous enhancement of professional competence.

This module aims to develop students’ professional skills to address important issues on the management of built assets including buildings and infrastructures in connection with technical aspects on three domains covering clients and professionals, service products, and management processes.

This module provides students with an understanding of the major issues of law embraced by construction projects. It enables students to analyse professional liability and evaluate methods of extending/limiting liability and to assess the extent of liability outside the contractual relationship. The module also aims to give students an in-depth understanding of the issues related to construction disputes and the various commonly used methods of dispute resolution.

The module examines the effects of project risk allocation on the procurement process and how the choice of procurement method can impact on the subsequent phases of the project cycle; procurement theories together with examples of past and current practices; and how construction procurement is affected by and can be used to affect the wider economy.

This class provides structured introduction to the design management process, issues and tools. It includes:

• organisation structures for effective design 
• design models, approaches and methods 
• the importance of costs and good design 
• innovation in design management 
• design performance

You'll gain project management skills with particular emphasis on the effective and efficient use of resources. The class will cover:

• project management techniques and project control
• project teams; project features; project constraints and resources; quality assurance
• presentation techniques as used in industry
• budgetary control including cash flow, financial borrowing and investment

This module seeks to encourage interdisciplinary collaborative learning between civil engineering and architectural students through examining role of the construction industry client. The assessment for this module requires students to complete a cooperative group project based on research involving a local / national construction industry client. The module takes inspiration from a former President of the Institution of Civil Engineers:

The principal duties of an engineer in all the branches are to safeguard the interests of the client or organization for whom he is working and to ensure a sound engineering job at a reasonable cost. One of the first tasks of the consulting engineer is the study of the client and his organization. How does the client operate; how should one organize one’s own practice to fit in with the client’s requirements, which can vary to a considerable extent? (Sir Thomas Angus Lyall Paton, ICE President 1970-1971).

The aim of this module is to provide the students with insight about main concepts and principles of Building Information Management (BIM), vis-à-vis processes, protocols, and enabling technologies. The module is mainly concerned with recent paradigm shift within the Architecture/Engineering/Construction (AEC) industries worldwide to implement BIM Level 2 and target BIM Level 3 in all public projects as well as encouraging it in private projects. This module is also heavily inspired by the UK Government's BIM mandate to adopt BIM technologies and processes on all public sector projects from 2016. 

You'll work collaboratively with students from different themes utilising various digital tools, BIM technologies and protocols to develop solutions for specific projects. These projects will address social, economic or environmental aspects of sustainability within a practice-based environment in association with an appropriate design or industrial organisation.

Field trips and regular progress reports are an important aspect of the project. Students present the outcomes of their group work at the annual student group project conference.

The module provides students with an understanding of the concepts and practices of construction management in order to provide value added services to clients. The module develops understanding of the management of construction stakeholders and how their needs can be co-ordinated, managed and delivered across all projects’ stages. This includes the principles of time-cost constraints, quality, sustainability, and health and safety management. The module will also enable students understand how the performance of the construction industry is assessed and critically analyse what is needed in order to improve this performance. 

This class provides an introduction to the methods used to predict environmental impacts, and evaluates how these may be used to integrate environmental factors into decisions.The class draws principally on the UK planning context of environmental impact assessment of individual projects (project EIA), but also takes account of EIA experience in other countries and international organisations.

The class introduces elements of financial engineering that are applied to reduce risk of business insolvency and enhance the financial robustness of business enterprises.Also covered are the essentials of financial engineering both as an academic discipline and as a strategy of financial and business risk management in the light of current conditions.

This class introduces the fundamental techniques of risk analysis and risk-informed decision making. You'll have the opportunity to learn the general principles of methods and their place in risk management, as well as the chance to develop skills in applying these methods to variety of engineering examples.

Under Health and Safety legislation, and under the wider European Post-Seveso Directives, it's mandatory for any industries to carry out risk assessments with the aim of showing that risk is “As Low As Reasonably Practicable”.

The dissertation project enables students to demonstrate independent research abilities and project development skills. You'll have the chance to investigate a research problem and write a thesis on a selected topic under supervision of a member of staff. You will be able to combine many of the aspects learned during other modules within a specific topic and a coherent body of work. The dissertation project should demonstrate a substantial theoretical argument, critically reviewing you own work and reflect upon specific theoretical and practical issues of construction practices.