Year one
Introduction to the Built Environment
Year: 1
The module presents a wide-ranging overview of the impact of public & private development, statutory legislation, procurement, building design and construction on UK industry and society. It presents the background to the development of professional and industry norms and also challenges a number of orthodoxies.
Module study includes a review of the roles and responsibilities of property and construction professionals in a complex sector, as well as the nature of professionalism in an era of climate emergency.
Creating Development
Year: 1
This module is designed to develop the student's understanding of the real estate, planning process and architectural design through the creation of a domestic development project. Students will be given the opportunity to think creatively and develop presentation skills through the production of feasibility and planning packages. The module embraces a broad range of factors that need to be incorporated into the design while accommodating client and end-user needs, and planning policy and context. Students will use digital technologies to record and share a presentation of their design proposals and then produce a final package of the design drawings and supporting planning report.
Domestic Building Technology
Year: 1
This module provides a general introduction to construction technology with specific emphasis on the sustainable construction of small-scale, low-rise buildings.
The module also introduces the factors that affect and systems that control the internal environment of domestic buildings.
Digital Construction and Communication
Year: 1
The modern day built environment professional is required to communicate effectively utilising electronic tools with the rest of the project team. This has been mandated by the UK Cabinet Office Construction Strategy, by European Commission procurement regulations and is being followed across the world. This module develops an understanding of the key drivers and barriers to fully implementing Level 2 BIM and points towards the development of level 3 BIM working in the near future. The module develops the foundational skills for internationally recognised BIM Level 2 for the contemporary and future built environment professionals.
Materials and Structures
Year: 1
This module will provide students with a basic understanding of fundamental material science and a comprehensive understanding of the composition, microstructure, and engineering behaviour of materials used in construction applications. The module will also allow students to identify and describe the form and function of various structural elements, to understand the requirements for strength, stability and performance of structures and structural materials and gives an introduction to the design of structural elements.
Technical Development
Year: 1
This module aims to provide a general introduction to the technical design process for a low-rise domestic building. The module also introduces practical skills associated with undertaking a measured survey, generating drawing outputs and checking for compliance against statutory guidance.
Year two
Technology, Structures and Environment 3
Year: 2
Architectural Technologists must develop the capacity to develop technically sound designs for buildings while responding to a variety of performance criteria. This module examines the influences of technical and regulatory requirements in the five areas of heat transfer and thermal comfort, acoustics, lighting, building services, and fire provision and performance. It aims to deepen the student's knowledge in practical aspects of these elements and give them opportunity to apply the associated fundamental principles. It also nurtures their competencies in using industry standard software (Autodesk Revit) through the production of a building information model and associated working drawings, specification and details.
Technical Design Factors
Year: 2
The module will explore different types of structural systems, components and building technology for a medium sized public building, and develop the student's understanding of architectural design concepts associated with these. In addition, students will develop their knowledge of site analysis and the factors influencing the planning, landscaping and servicing of a small to medium sized public building.
Advanced Building Technology
Year: 2
The intention of this module is to help develop an appreciation of the integrative nature of technical and design decision making, along with construction techniques, for a range of non-domestic building types, and how this has evolved over time.
Structural Concepts and Services
Year: 2
This module highlights the challenges in providing structural solutions to non-domestic buildings and the integration of building services within such buildings for the health, safety and wellbeing of the building occupants and users.
Construction Law
Year: 2
This module defines the legal framework within which the operation and administration of building contracts is undertaken. The legal system, the law of contract and the law of tort as they relate to the production of the building project are described and examined. Statutory and regulatory legislations, contract strategy and contractual procedures are analysed and discussed. The rights, duties, liabilities and obligations of the parties to the building contract as dictated by a standard form of building contract are evaluated to enable professional contract management.
Year three
Professional Practice - Architectural Technology
Year: 3
This module provides undergraduate students with an opportunity to gain structured and professional work experience, in a work-based learning environment, as part of their planned programme of study. This experience allows students to develop, refine and reflect on their key personal and professional skills. The placement should significantly support the development of the student's employability skills, preparation for final year and enhance their employability journey.
Year four
Professional Practice and Management
Year: 4
The module encourages reflection and evaluation, and the development of knowledge, understanding and application around the core areas of designing, managing, practising and developing (self) which, for Architectural Technology professionals, is a requirement for both professional progression and to become an accomplished industry professional.
Research Project
Year: 4
The research module provides an opportunity for personal exploration and in-depth study of an area of particular significance relating to the course of study. Students are responsible for collating the necessary information for the selection and execution of the research. They are required to critically evaluate the practicality, availability of reference material and access to individuals or records. Clear aims and objectives must be formulated leading to appropriate methods to meet these objectives. The module fosters and develops analytical and evaluation skills, logical thought, and the ability to communicate effectively using verbal, visual and written forms.
Technical Design Project
Year: 4
This module provides the student with a series of architectural technology and design projects covering a range of scale and complexity, and with a requirement to research and apply design and technical data to project solutions. Design development and technical resolution will be as per legislation for town planning and building control in Northern Ireland though project contexts may vary. Work stages will align to RIBA Plan of Work 2020 Stages 1 through Stage 4 to produce technical drawings and reports at Stage 2, 3 and 4 respectively. The student will develop their expertise in information management and BIM processes by applying computer model development to drawings that reflect an understanding of digital data management, drawing conventions, and layer/lineweight and type managment in final outputs.
Conservation and Adaptation
Year: 4
This module will provide the student with theoretical and practical knowledge of the processes involved in the ethical, efficient, innovative, and future-looking challenges for conservation, regeneration, conversion and adaptation of the existing built environment to preserve and enhance function, heritage, socio-cultural and economic value as well as produce robust, safe, comfortable, and sustainable buildings for future generations. Building visits and case study analysis will review design strategies, policy, and best practice for conservation, conversion and refurbishment, and adaptation and extension of buildings to focus on upgrades to existing building fabric and adding new to old, the integration of services, and use of appropriate materials and construction detailing to preserve, enhance, and extend the life and use of buildings with a lessened impact on carbon emissions and climate change.
Green Building Design
Year: 4
This module will allow students to understand and critically appraise the factors affecting energy consumption in buildings enabling them to explore a wide range of low energy options in both domestic and non-domestic buildings. This will enable them to reduce the auxiliary energy load of any renewable energy solutions that may be considered while appreciating the main hazards to health in modern building designs.
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