This course is made up of Eight units:
In Year 1:
The Construction Environment (15 credits)
The aim of this unit is to the roles and relationships of individuals and organisations in the construction sector beyond the traditional trades, you will gain an overview of the organisational and the personal ways in which the sector works to continue to improve the built environment and limit its impact on the environment, while maintaining economic sustainability and growth.
Construction Technology (15 credits)
In this unit, you will be introduced to the different technological concepts used to enable the construction of building elements, from substructure to completion, by understanding the different functional characteristics and design considerations that need to be borne in mind when selecting the most suitable technological solution.
Building Information Modelling (15 credits)
This unit aims to give you the background knowledge and understanding of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the context of the construction industry. You will be introduced to the drivers and benefits associated with BIM, as well as the terminology that surrounds it. The knowledge and skills gained in this unit will allow you to understand the importance of BIM in the context of current roles and responsibilities in the construction industry. You will also gain an understanding of how this may influence future choices in your professional career.
Digital Applications for Building Information Modelling (15 credits)
While BIM is, effectively, a process of information management through a project lifecycle, it is most often based on the use of digital applications to generate project data. In this, the model is central in the process of designing and producing information that will facilitate construction and, later, the operation of the built asset. In this unit, you will explore the key processes in using digital applications to produce data and construction information that will enable the BIM process.
In Year 2
Legal and Statutory Requirements in Construction (15 credits)
This unit introduces the different areas of law that are relevant to the construction industry throughout the development process. This includes applying for planning approval to undertake construction activities and using building control regulations to evaluate building design and alterations at the preconstruction stage. You will have the opportunity to explore the laws of occupiers’ liability, trespass and nuisance to manage construction activities on-site, and the legal aspects of the sale and leasing process involved in the disposal of buildings, using the law of contract and land law.
Digital Applications for Construction Information (15 credits)
Central to construction information is the production of construction drawings. These provide the geometric definition of a project through the use of graphic conventions. Most other forms of construction information will rely, to a greater or lesser degree, on reference to construction drawings. Therefore, the production of accurate and clearly defined construction drawings is a critical part of the overall construction information package. Digital applications play a key role in the production of construction drawings. They provide a way to manage drawing information and make changes with greater efficiency and can be shared readily through a variety of digital communication systems.
In this unit you will develop the skills to needed produce accurate and consistent construction information using industry-standard software. On completion of the unit, you will be able to produce a construction information package.
Principles of Refurbishment (15 credits)
There are buildings all over the world of different types, styles, ages and condition. Once a building has been built, there comes a need to maintain and update the property, to keep it fit for the intended purpose or prepare it for a new use. Refurbishment is a broad term that covers adaptation, alteration and extension. The value of refurbishment to the construction industry is significant, with nearly half of the total value of construction coming from work to existing buildings. With a reduction of available land, legislative change and a drive for increased sustainability, the need to understand refurbishment is increasingly important.
This unit will give you the opportunity to analyse the underpinning concepts of refurbishment and the options available. You will be able to use construction
knowledge from other units and apply it to a refurbishment project, taking into account the key factors that influence a scheme.
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to assess the suitability of a property for refurbishment, taking into consideration all applicable factors. The knowledge gained from the unit will be beneficial in all aspects of the industry as a successful refurbishment project requires skills from all disciplines.
Construction Design Project (15 credits)
The success of any project relies on the development of a good design and the technical information to allow the project to be built. The aim of this unit is to help you to appreciate and be aware of the design process and the information required to communicate the design itself, specify and quantify materials, provide instructions for the assembly and erection, and facilitate precise costing and project management.
Topics included in this unit are project phases; construction drawing; detailing; Computer Aided Design (CAD); Building Information Modelling (BIM); schedules; specifications; bills of quantities; information collaboration.
On successful completion of the unit, you will be able to analyse scenarios, make decisions and produce drawings and specifications to achieve appropriate, creative and innovative home design proposals.
