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AR40340: Professional studies: management, practice and law

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2019/0
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering
Further information on credits Credits: 6      [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Further information on notional study hours Notional Study Hours: 120
Further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Further information on teaching periods Period:
Semester 1
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: CW 100%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Office Based Assignment (CW 100%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites:
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:
To further the students' understanding of the strategies, processes and mechanisms that inform the practice of architecture and the procurement and delivery of architectural projects. To confirm the students' awareness and knowledge of the standards and principles required for the practice of architecture and to demonstrate an ability to manage individual learning needs to prepare for and maintain professional standards commensurate with qualification.

Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of this unit students will have demonstrated the following:
Understanding of:
* the nature of professionalism and the duties and responsibilities of architects to clients, building users, constructors, co-professionals and the wider society;
* the role of the architect within the design team and construction industry, recognising the importance of current methods and trends in the construction of the built environment;
The skills to:
* critically examine the financial factors implied in varying building types, constructional systems, and specification choices, and the impact of these on architectural design
* understand the cost control mechanisms which operate during the development of a project
Knowledge of:
* the fundamental legal, professional and statutory responsibilities of the architect, and the organisations, regulations and procedures involved in the negotiation and approval of architectural designs, including land law, development control, building regulations and health and safety legislation
* the professional inter-relationships of individuals and organisations involved in procuring and delivering architectural projects, and how these are defined through contractual and organisational structures
* the basic management theories and business principles related to running both an architect's practice and architectural projects, recognising current and emerging trends in the construction industry
Ability to:
* identify individual learning needs and understand the personal responsibility required to prepare for qualification as an architect.

Skills:
Candidates are required to demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the basic principles of professional practice and project administration in accordance with the RIBA criteria for Part II, to convey an ability to apply this knowledge in a relevant manner, and to demonstrate an understanding of the duties and responsibilities of the architect in practice.

Content:
The unit will develop the candidates' knowledge and understanding of the overall structure and management of professional practice and the legal and legislative matters that impact upon the practice of architecture through the appreciation of the ethical, legal, legislative and practical attributes required for practice and the administration of construction projects. The programme will deliver the following subjects:
* Professional Standards and Ethics: Professional duties and responsibilities; Professional Practice and the Codes of Conduct; the architect and the Employer; design team structure and organisation.
* Project procurement and administration: Types of contract, Procurement, Project Management, Project team structure and organisation, quality management and cost control. Information flow, programme monitoring and management.
* Constraints and Law: Legislation, Regulations, Risk management, control and the Duty of Care; Health and Safety and the principles of Construction Design and Management and their impact upon universal design for access as applied to the processes of design and construction.
* Professional Practice: Forms of Practice, administration, staffing and organisation; Project organisation and team structures; integrated project process and Risk management; Appointments and fees; Insurances, payment and financial control. Recognition of current and emerging trends in the construction industry.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

AR40340 is a Designated Essential Unit on the following programmes:

Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering
  • UEAR-ANM08 : MArch(Hons) Architecture with Thin sandwich placement(s) (Year 1)

Notes: