Architectural Engineering

The course integrates creative and technical knowledge in architecture, structural and building services engineering, all delivered within one School. This is reinforced by our strong involvement with research and practice, with creative design issues being explored in practical, real world project settings.

All degree courses within the School share a common first year of six compulsory modules. These expose you to the range of programmes offered within the School and provide a firm basis on which to specialise in later years – as well as giving you the flexibility to switch between these courses.

In Year 2 you’ll consolidate your technical knowledge of structural design and analysis, materials, water engineering, geotechnics and building physics. You’ll also develop a more academic approach to architectural history & theory, which is delivered in collaboration with the School of Fine Art, History of Art & Cultural Studies. As with the first year, the design studio is the core through which you develop your learning in architectural engineering design projects.

You’ll enhance your engineering knowledge in structures, geotechnics, materials and building physics and demonstrate an integrated understanding of creative and technical building design in your design studio work. You’ll also select two additional modules from a list of options to help you to broaden your studies.

If you take the MEng, BEng course, your final year will be focused on the design studio. Your design projects will be linked to research-focused modules in architectural history & theory and building physics, and you’ll learn more about structures, geotechnics, and the context of the construction industry in management, practice and law.

In Semester 2, you’ll concentrate on a sophisticated architectural design project where significant parts of the brief, development and execution are largely set by you. Your project will demonstrate a fully integrated architectural design including structures and building services, to a high standard of visual communication skills.

Projects

Find out more about the project work you will get involved in.

Engineering ethics

You’ll study engineering ethics as part of your course, with lectures and/or seminars in each year of your study. Visit our engineering ethics webpage to find out more.

Course structure

These are typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

Modules Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Architecture and Environment 20 credits
• Engineering Surveying and Construction Technology 20 credits
• Structural Design and Analysis 20 credits
• Properties of Materials: Water, Soil, Steel and Timber 20 credits
• Engineering Mathematics and Modelling 1 20 credits
• Integrated Design Project 1 (inc Design Studio 1) 20 credits

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Structural Design 1 20 credits
• Architectural History and Theory 2 10 credits
• Civil Engineering Materials II 10 credits
• Structural Analysis 1 10 credits
• Water Engineering and Geotechnics 20 credits
• Engineering Mathematics and Modelling 2 20 credits
• Building Physics 1: Fundamental Principles 10 credits
• Design Studio 2 20 credits

Year 3

Compulsory modules

• Structural Design 2 20 credits
• Architectural History and Theory 3 10 credits
• Structural Analysis 2 10 credits
• Water Engineering 10 credits
• Foundation Engineering Fundamentals 10 credits
• Building Physics 2: Services Design 10 credits
• Design Studio 3.2 30 credits

Optional modules

• Construction Site Fieldcourse 10 credits