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MSc Modern Building Design units

Find out more about the units you'll study as a student on our MSc Modern Building Design.

Factsheet

Integrated delivery of low-carbon building

30 credits

Deliver optimised low-carbon building design solutions by integrating complex technical disciplines with sustainability targets. You’ll explore BIM, building physics, dynamic modelling, low-carbon building envelopes, and regulations, codes, and certification in depth. You’ll develop skills to manage the conflicting design challenges and tensions found in professional practice. You’ll also compare BIM design processes vs traditional approaches and evaluate building envelope solutions.

This unit spans:

  • year 1: semester 1
  • year 1: semester 2

Principles of construction project management

10 credits

Explore the complexities and uncertainties of managing multidisciplinary projects in the construction industry. You’ll cover all stages of a project, from start (strategy, planning, cost and risk) to end-of-life (reuse and recycle). You’ll develop management and technology skills to apply to a range of design and construction applications. You’ll also learn how to communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders on projects where there’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution.

This unit spans:

  • year 1: semester 1
  • year 1: semester 2

Professional and research skills for the construction industry

10 credits

Learn a range of professional skills and research techniques valued in the construction sector including communication, planning, and critical and professional evaluation. You’ll propose and plan a solution to a research question you identify. Then you’ll conduct theoretical or practical research to evidence your ability to problem solve and critically analyse results. Finally, you’ll reflect on your thinking and learning processes to develop knowledge and awareness beneficial to teamwork.

This unit spans:

  • year 1: semester 1
  • year 1: semester 2

Multidisciplinary project

10 credits

Work effectively with students on different construction-related MSc courses to develop the design of a building. You’ll communicate your design to a professional client, considering site and project needs, planning, and architectural design solutions. You’ll develop an element of the building design in detail and investigate aspects related to your course in depth. You’ll also consider sustainable and resilient design, operation, and management while working to regulations and standards.

This unit takes place in semester 2.

Dissertation

30 credits

Conduct fundamental or applied research into a topic relevant to your course. This will be supervised by one of our academic experts in the field and supported by other staff as appropriate. You’ll critically evaluate the research approach and effectively communicate the outcomes of your research. Your dissertation should show originality, insight, and critical analysis.

This unit spans:

  • summer
  • year 2, semester 1

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