DA4039 - Construction Technology & Sustainability

What will I learn on this module?

You will learn about the principles of sustainability and issues in projects across economic, social and environmental aspects. You will gain an understanding of different construction techniques and materials, the principles of design, and the most appropriate solutions for construction projects. You will explore topics such as:
• Social, economic and environmental principles of sustainability
• Sustainability issues in the construction industry overall
• Sustainability issues in connection to associated technologies and regulations
• Elements used to construct buildings and a range of civil engineering infrastructure
• Technologies used to construct buildings and civil engineering infrastructure

How will I learn on this module?

Most of your learning on this Degree Apprenticeship module will be in your workplace. You will gain a theoretical understanding of the topics through live (online or face-to-face) university sessions and online resources such as recorded lectures, videocasts, podcasts, electronic books, journal articles and websites. Your involvement in construction quantity surveying tasks will enable you to put the theory into context, thereby cementing your understanding. You will agree with your Workplace Mentor a Module Learning Plan (MLP) designed to achieve the Module Learning Outcomes via a series of directed workplace learning activities, such as shadowing a colleague, visiting a site or producing a poster. You will work in a small team to share your knowledge and experience of technology options with those working in other sectors, and explore sustainability issues in each other’s sectors.

The module will typically span 11 weeks, with scheduled or directed activities each week, and one piece of summative assessment submitted in week 12 or 13. This may also be supplemented with up to one day of face-to-face interaction, if appropriate, at Northumbria University or a regional hub. The module will include around 11 hours of ‘Seminars’ (synchronous classroom and online delivery via Blackboard Collaborate), 7 hours of ‘Lectures’ (asynchronous online delivery via Blackboard or Blackboard Collaborate), 2 hours of ‘Tutorials’ (1-to-1 support from Workplace Mentor and Workplace Coach), and 40 hours of workplace learning activities. The remaining hours in the Notional Student Workload for the module are attributed to independent learning, with the estimated ratio of tutor-guided to student independent learning at 1:1, as appropriate for a Level 4 module.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

Your Module Tutor(s) will deliver an online module induction session and lead live sessions that enable you to interact with your tutor and peers. They will provide and direct you to essential and recommended online resources available via the University’s eLearning Portal and University Library. Outside of live sessions, they will provide advice and respond to questions via the eLearning Portal.

Your Workplace Mentor will support you in developing your Module Learning Plan. You will be provided with a guidance document that outlines the principles of workplace learning and provides examples of a large and diverse range of potential workplace learning activities. You may also discuss your Module Learning Plan with your Workplace Coach.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:
MLO1: Demonstrate an understanding of the sustainability issues in projects across economic, social and environmental aspects

MLO2: Demonstrate an understanding of different construction techniques and materials and the principles of design


Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
MLO3: Demonstrate application of the principles of sustainability

MLO4: Contribute to the implementation of the most appropriate solutions for construction projects

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

None

How will I be assessed?

You will be formatively assessed by the completion of the workplace learning activities identified in your Module Learning Plan. You will receive informal, often verbal, formative feedback from your Workplace Mentor, and sometimes from other colleagues and your Workplace Coach. You will also have the opportunity for formative feedback from your module tutor(s), particularly during the and assessment guidance sessions.

Your summative assessment will provide you with the opportunity to translate your workplace learning into a coherent output that demonstrates that you have achieved the module learning outcomes.

This will be in the form of a 10-page portfolio, including drawings, demonstrating application of construction technologies and sustainability principles and practice in your sector.

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

This module is an integral part of your Degree Apprenticeship programme, designed in collaboration with employers to meet the requirements of the Construction Quantity Surveyor Apprenticeship Standard and provide a solid skills base for career progression and professional qualification in the construction industry.

You will learn about the principles of sustainability and issues in projects across economic, social and environmental aspects, and gain an understanding of different construction techniques and materials, the principles of design, and the most appropriate solutions for construction projects.

You will gain theoretical understanding through university sessions and online resources but as a Degree Apprentice, you will do most of your learning in the context of your role in the construction industry via a series of workplace learning activities agreed with your Workplace Mentor.

Course info

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 4 Years Part Time

Department Architecture and Built Environment

Location Various Locations

City Newcastle

Start September 2024

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

Your Learning Experience

Find out about our distinctive approach at 
www.northumbria.ac.uk/exp

Admissions Terms and Conditions
northumbria.ac.uk/terms

Fees and Funding
northumbria.ac.uk/fees

Admissions Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/adpolicy

Admissions Complaints Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/complaints