Deep learning is a machine learning technique that teaches machines by example. Deep learning is a key technology behind driverless cars, voice control devices, disease early detection, investment modelling, among others. Deep learning achieves recognition accuracy at higher levels than ever before. This module will present students with a series of real-life deep learning applications. At the same time, it provides them with a solid foundation to start collaborating in related industries. This module recalls Machine Learning concepts to explain the fundamental models behind several deep learning applications. The deep learning applications module aims to remark the importance of this paradigm in our lives whilst providing students with the tools to understand its science.
Practical exercises and case studies will be integral to the learning process, allowing you to apply advanced theoretical concepts to real-world structural dynamics and earthquake engineering challenges. The incorporation of these practical exercises ensures that you gain hands-on experience, preparing you for challenges encountered in the field of civil engineering, particularly in seismically active regions.
This module develops transferrable skills crucial for careers in structural engineering, earthquake resilience design, and infrastructure assessment. You will gain expertise in seismic code compliance, structural monitoring techniques, and the use of advanced computational tools such as finite element analysis software (e.g., ANSYS, SAP2000). These skills are directly applicable to roles in structural consultancy firms, disaster risk management organizations, and research institutions specializing in earthquake engineering.
In addition to in-class tests, you will be assessed through a project that involves the application of advanced structural dynamics and earthquake engineering principles to real-world scenarios.
Note: To pass this module, Civil Engineering students must achieve a weighted average of 50% or above across all pieces of summative assessment, and a mark of 40% or above in each separate assessment.
You will examine relevant building regulations and legislation, health and safety, and up to date technical and manufacturers’ data. You will acquire knowledge in the areas of design for disability, sustainable design, sourcing and specifying materials to produce design solutions which are fit for purpose through lecturers and workshops. Building regulations approved documents which are, fundamental to mid to high-rise design and construction, will be implemented through individual research and evaluation methods with tutor and peer feedback. Using a holistic approach, you will produce coherent design and technical solutions meeting the client and user requirements.
You will be introduced to building surveying processes and learn procedures for carrying out building surveys. You will also learn how to produce detailed specifications for building components.
This module will be delivered using studio sessions supported by the tutors and industry practitioners where students will work on a project-based task focusing on the integration between the design and detailing of high-rise, commercial buildings. Independent guided study will be used to support students to research and develop the knowledge about up-to-date systems and technologies available for the high-rise buildings.
You are introduced to the characteristics of various materials, ranging from traditional and modern materials through modern materials to minerals, rocks, and geological structures. The exploration extends beyond a surface-level understanding, aiming to provide students with appreciation of how each material contributes to the structural and functional aspects of civil engineering projects while considering their environmental footprint.
A significant component of the module involves hands-on experience through testing procedures, where you will actively engage in experiments to evaluate the properties of materials. Importantly, sustainability metrics are integrated into these evaluations, ensuring that you gain insights into the environmental impact and life cycle considerations of the materials that you study.
Moreover, the module goes beyond the static understanding of materials, considering their dynamic nature during construction processes. Emphasis is placed on the workability of materials in their finished state, with a focus on sustainable construction practices. This involves accounting for the challenges and considerations associated with the utilization of materials in real-world construction scenarios, fostering an understanding of how choices made in material selection and applications can contribute to sustainable and environmentally responsible engineering practices. By intertwining sustainability principles with the study of materials, this module equips you to make informed decisions that prioritize both structural integrity and environmental consciousness in the realm of civil engineering and construction.
You will learn through lectures, seminars, examples classes, experimental laboratories and practical applications and will be assessed through project and laboratory activities. You will be introduced to risk assessments for safe working practices in laboratories.
This module develops key technical and analytical skills required in the civil engineering industry. Through laboratory testing and material selection exercises, you will gain practical experience in evaluating construction materials, an essential competency for careers in structural design, geotechnical engineering, and sustainable construction. The emphasis on environmental impact assessment will also prepare you for roles in sustainability-focused engineering fields. Additionally, the module fosters problem-solving and critical thinking abilities that are highly valued in both engineering consultancy and research sectors.
Level 4 modules are designed wherever possible to have a focus on preparing you for university life through various initiatives that foster growth. This module is designed to support you in your transition into Higher Education while developing essential skills to enhance success. There are a number of additional support initiatives which you can engage with, which include induction sessions, academic guidance tutors (AGT), student support coaches, mentoring programmes and various areas of digital support.
Note: To pass this module, Civil Engineering students must achieve a weighted average of 40% or above across all pieces of summative assessment, and a mark of 30% or above in each separate assessment.
The second component gives students an awareness of the skills required in drawing, manually using sketches and 2D/3D software and interpreting drawings. The third component will include learning fundamental techniques to accurately take-off from drawings and appropriately describe building elements and/or components in the take-off sheet. Basic concepts of Building Information Modelling (BIM) will be introduced using an existing model of a typical building/asset.
The drawing and measurement section will be delivered mainly via small group sessions where the underlying principles regarding building drawings and measurement will be presented. These sessions may include guest lecturers. The students will be supported by tutorial session, seminars and practical sessions, where students will work individually or in small groups. This will enhance student understanding of activities undertaken by quantity surveyors and construction managers.
The Construction Surveying is mostly delivered through fieldwork sessions, which are supported by lectures and tutorials. The correct utilisation of relevant technical instruments is a key component of the module, and emphasis is paid to the student gaining hands-on experience. Both individual and group work will be used in classroom and laboratory/field situations.
This module will enable you to learn standard architectural graphic conventions, structuring the drawings and techniques used in production of architectural drawings and appreciate the relationship between representations in plan, elevation and section. You will be given a project brief with the details of the development site, which will include a low rise domestic or commercial building.
You will be provided with a project brief for domestic or a low-rise building, and you will produce concept design with manual sketches and architectural drawings to a scale, using up to date information from textbooks, lectures, manufacturers and the Building Regulations using manual approaches. You will then use 2D or 3D CAD models using computer-aided-drawing (CAD) software and communicate these in a professional manner. The small group sessions will be held in the studio environment.
This module develops a range of transferable skills that are essential for careers in architectural design, technology, and construction. Through studio-based projects, students will refine their problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, and creative decision-making. By producing architectural drawings and models using industry-standard CAD software, students will gain technical proficiency applicable in professional practice. The emphasis on visual communication and teamwork prepares students for roles in architecture, urban planning, and building design consulting. Additionally, the integration of Building Regulations and legal compliance ensures that students understand the regulatory frameworks guiding the industry.
Level 4 modules are designed wherever possible to have a focus on preparing you for university life through various initiatives that foster growth. This module is designed to support you in your transition into Higher Education while developing essential skills to enhance success. There are a number of additional support initiatives which you can engage with, which include induction sessions, academic guidance tutors (AGT), student support coaches, mentoring programmes and various areas of digital support.
In addition to material behaviours, you will be introduced to cutting-edge material innovations, including advanced composites, smart materials, and nanotechnology. You will also be encouraged to foster an awareness of emerging materials that push the boundaries of traditional construction materials, providing new possibilities for structural design and performance.
You will be equipped with the skills to assess the embodied carbon and sustainability implications associated with different materials choices. You will also explore life cycle assessment methods to evaluate the environmental impact of materials throughout their life cycle, from extraction to disposal.
The module is designed to align with contemporary industry practices in materials selection and sustainability assessment. The incorporation of real-world case studies ensures that you are prepared to make informed decisions that balance performance, innovation, and sustainability in civil engineering projects.
The module will be delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, and workshop/laboratory sessions. Practical exercises, case studies, and exposure to industry practices will provide you with hands-on experience in assessing and selecting materials based on advanced behaviours and sustainability criteria.
You will be assessed through technical reports that involve the application of materials selection to real-world scenarios with sustainability criteria.
Note: To pass this module, Civil Engineering students must achieve a weighted average of 50% or above across all pieces of summative assessment, and a mark of 40% or above in each separate assessment.
Students will engage in both desk-based geotechnical studies and practical laboratory sessions. Emphasis will be placed on soil sampling techniques and the interpretation of site investigation reports and hands-on experience in assessing various soil properties under controlled conditions. Students will gain insights into the real-world implications of soil behaviour and its significance in Civil Engineering applications. The skills acquired in this module are directly relevant to the challenges faced in the field of geotechnical engineering, preparing students for future professional practice.
The module will be delivered through a mix of lectures, laboratory sessions, case studies, problem classes and practical fieldwork. Guest lectures from industry experts may be included to provide insights into the practical applications of geotechnical engineering.
As global environmental concerns continue to shape the built environment, architects must develop a deeper understanding of sustainable design strategies and the impact of buildings on ecosystems. This module builds upon foundational knowledge gained at Level 4 and advances your understanding of environmental design principles, low-carbon technologies, and resource-efficient architecture.
The module aims to equip you with analytical tools to assess environmental performance, integrate sustainable systems into architectural projects, and critically evaluate the effectiveness of sustainable design strategies in contemporary architecture. You will be encouraged to engage with real-world challenges, exploring case studies of sustainable buildings, conducting environmental performance assessments, and applying advanced environmental strategies in your design projects.
SAIL
Students will learn to spot processes ripe for automation, quantify their cost in time and errors, and build practical solutions using industry-standard platforms. The focus is on real-world constraints: working with existing systems, managing data quality issues, and navigating approval processes that govern business automation.
Through hands-on experience with tools like Microsoft Power Platform, business process management software, and data integration platforms, students will develop practical skills that save organisations time and money. They will learn to communicate automation benefits to non-technical stakeholders, manage change resistance, and document solutions for sustainable handover.
Using industry-driven case studies, students will tackle genuine business problems that mirror what they will encounter in the workplace.
The System Administration module will help students understand the ins and outs of computer systems and networks and the hardware and software on which those networks operate. It will also enable them to troubleshoot system problems quickly and efficiently. This module is intended to provide students with expansive insight into how to ensure systems or networks are secured and compliant with institutional standards and maintain all gateway access to the organization's network. This module also introduces students to the foundations of system administration and promotes the concepts of both the technical and soft skills around system administration that aim to enable students to manage, troubleshoot, patch, and operate a digital system or network.
SAIL
This module covers three key themes: Estimating, Tendering and Financial Management. Theme 1 covers the principles of design economics, pre−contract estimating and cost control in a built environment context. The students will be introduced to pre-contract quantification of construction work and the skills required for the preparation of Bills and Quantities. An introduction to computerised techniques for computerised BQ production methods based upon the group method of take−off and the use of standard libraries of item descriptions. The interpretation of graphical and textual project information; mensuration techniques and conventional methods of booking and preparing dimensions.
Theme 2 covers the tendering practices, which will concentrate on the construction manager’s responsibilities at tender stage. A full review and analysis of a live project brief tender documentation pack will develop the skills required to produce a professional tender submission; focusing on the design proposals, method statements, tender programme, logistics planning and risk management to produce a comprehensive technical submission.
Theme 3 covers the financial management of construction business. Accounting concepts and conventions; objectives of financial statements and their uses. Analysis and interpretation of profit and loss accounts, balance sheets and cash flow statements; use of accounting ratios. Financial forecasting, budgetary control and cash flow analysis.
The underlying principles and theories of the module are presented in lectures, which may include guest lecturers. These are supported by tutorials, seminars and practical sessions, where students work individually or in small groups. They undertake learner-centered activities that are designed around the normal day-to-day activities of the quantity surveyor and construction manager.
Operating Systems builds on the foundation of the Systems and Cyber-Security theme delivered in Computer Systems by considering the software that operates computers. The module examines concepts of operating system design, structure, and operation, including the securing of computer systems. Operating Systems also introduces students to distributed application development via programming network sockets. The module will allow students to work with common operating system tools to allow computer management and will also allow students to develop simple operating systems of their own. The aim of Operating Systems is to strengthen students’ understanding of computer operation by moving beyond the hardware representation examined in Computer Systems to how computer resources are managed to provide services to users. The module will require students to work on the command line of the computer, as well as write their own tools and simple operating systems to understand how a computer operates to a standard user. At the end of this module, students should have a thorough understanding of the computer as a system and thereby the limitations and vulnerabilities thereof.