MEng, BEng Architecture

Year 4

(Award available for year: Master of Engg & Bach of Engg)

Learning outcomes

On completion of the year/programme students should have provided evidence of being able to:

- Generate design proposals using understanding of a body of knowledge, some at the current boundaries of professional practice and the academic discipline of architecture;

- Apply a range of communication methods and media to present design proposals clearly and effectively;

- Demonstrate an understanding of the alternative materials, processes and techniques that apply to architectural design and building construction;

- Evaluate evidence, arguments and assumptions in order to make and present sound judgments within a structured discourse relating to architectural culture, theory and design;

- Demonstrate knowledge of the context of the architect and the construction industry, and the professional qualities needed for decision making in complex and unpredictable circumstances; and

- Identify individual learning needs and understand the personal responsibility required for further professional education.

Students will also have:

Knowledge and Understanding of:

- The mathematical principles necessary to underpin their education in architecture, building physics and structural engineering and to enable them to apply mathematical methods, tools and notations proficiently in the analysis and solution of multidisciplinary building design challenges; (AHEP4 M1, M2)

- Properties, behaviour and use of relevant materials in architecture, building physics and structural engineering in the context of building design; (AHEP4 M13)

- Management techniques which may be used to achieve architectural and structural engineering objectives within that context; (AHEP4 M9, M15)

- The role of professional body/learned society guides and codes of practice in design; (AHEP4 M5, M11)

- Principles and implementation of advanced design techniques specific to architecture and structural engineering; (AHEP4 M5, M6)

- Mathematical and computer models relevant to architecture and structural engineering, and an appreciation of their limitations; (AHEP4 M3)

- The role of the professional architect and structural engineer in society, including health, safety, environmental, sustainability, ethical issues and risk assessment; (AHEP4 M7, M8, M9)

- The wider multidisciplinary architectural and engineering context and the associated underlying principles;

- Developing technologies related to architecture and structural engineering and the ability to develop critiques of them; (AHEP4 M4)

- The framework of relevant requirements governing architectural and structural engineering activities, including personnel, health, safety, and risk issues; (AHEP4 M10, M14)

- Advanced design processes and methodologies and the ability to adapt them in unfamiliar situations. (AHEP4 M5)

- Place the global challenges of the Climate Emergency, the 17 UNSDGs and cultural change central to their material selection, design and construction thinking (and develop ability to carry out an embodied-carbon check on a design, and then to reduce this carbon footprint while retaining the key elements of the brief). (JBM design/sustainability thread)

Ability to:

- Demonstrate self-learning and competence in identifying, defining and solving architectural and structural engineering design challenges; - (AHEP4 M18)

- Function as an individual, and as a member or leader of a team. Evaluate effectiveness of own and team performance (AHEP4 M16).

- Use practical laboratory and workshop skills to investigate problems and aid understanding (AHEP4 M12).

- Apply appropriate mathematical and computer-cased methods for modelling and analysing architectural and structural engineering problems and appreciate their limitations; (AHEP4 M2)

- Extract data pertinent to an unfamiliar problem, and apply its solution using computer based architectural and engineering tools where appropriate; (AHEP4 M3)

- Evaluate and integrate information and processes in

Transferable (key) skills

1. Technical skills (e.g. CAD/BIM/etc.)
2. Decision-making
3. Communication
4. Systems thinking
5. Anticipatory/future thinking
6. Integrated problem solving
7. Planning and Organisation/Time management
8. Group working and collaboration
9. Strategic practice
10. Relationship development
11. Ethical
12. Information searching

Assessment

Students are assessed through a range of approaches, including assessments that closely match the type of work and tasks they might undertake in a professional work environment and be involved with as part of becoming a qualified chartered engineer. This will include assessment through project work and written examinations (both open and closed book), and through coursework in the form of reports, projects, presentations and posters. Assessments are designed to support students in developing key transferable skills. Most submissions will be submitted digitally.