Building Surveying - MSc

Core module

contentBuilding Technology

15 credit points
Total contact hours: 36
Total non-contact hours: 114

• The aim of this module is for you to explore the most recent and traditional technological and philosophical aspects of construction techniques, and management processes across a range of building types. Strongly supported by case study examples and live projects, you'll be stimulated and motivated to undertake further analytical research into relevant topics.
• Your studies will primarily focus on the introduction of construction details and management processes, including sustainable and emerging technologies, and innovative forms of construction from inception to completion. This module will enable you to better know and understand modern and traditional technologies and management methodologies as applied to a wide range of building works.

Project and Contract Management15 credit points

Total contact hours: 36
Total non-contact hours: 114

• Project and Contract Management is the study of planning, designing, procuring, and administrating construction contracts. This module will develop your in-depth knowledge and understanding of issues such as the appropriate choice of procuring contractors and facilitating contractual arrangements for the chosen procurement route.
• You will study project management methodologies in addition to the design and construction of different industry standard forms of contract and assess the most appropriate mechanism for dealing with disputes.

Law for Surveyors15 credit points

Total contact hours: 36
Total non-contact hours: 114

• This module will help you to develop knowledge and understanding of key elements of a range of legislation and legal principles relevant to the work of Chartered Surveyors and professional advisers working in the real estate and construction professions.

Property Construction and Economics15 credit points

Total contact hours: 16-34
Total non-contact hours: 116-134

• This module will enable you to evaluate economic theory within the context of real estate and construction markets, and where necessary to propose the creation and application of alternative approaches to market analysis and evaluation.
• This module will also develop your ability to evaluate and analyse how the real estate and construction professions operate and interact within the industries.
• After studying this module, you will be able to identify and analyse industry-wide problems based on an understanding of the market structure, performance, and behaviour of the industry.

Building Pathology15 credit points

Total contact hours: 36
Total non-contact hours: 114

• There are two dimensions to the building surveying profession - the organisation of building work (mainly to maintain, extend, adapt or improve existing building) and the assessment of the condition of existing buildings. This module focuses on the diagnosis of building defects - and essential part of the second aspect of the building surveyor's work.
• The overall aim of this module is for you to learn the principles of structural failure, the structural properties of the main building materials, and how materials deteriorate as a result of various environmental factors
• You ill learn about various types of inspection that the building surveyor undertakes, in addition to considering the roles of the building surveyor in preparing schedules of dilapidations and acting as an expert witness.

Professional and Research Practice15 credit points

Total contact hours: 36
Total non-contact hours: 114

• The key aims on this module are to introduce you to forms of Built Environment research and analysis whilst providing the opportunity for you to integrate and apply the professional knowledge and skills that you will develop during the course of your MSc studies in to a real or simulated task or activity.
• The assessments that you will undertake will comprise of one individual and one group based element. The first assignment will enable you to develop your research skills whilst assessment two will take the form of a reflective report based on your own research and the practice based scenario. The practice based element may be informed and supported by a period of industry placement or work based experience, or residential field activity involving industry engagement.

Conversion, Adaptation and Care of Buildings15 credit points

Total contact hours: 36
Total non-contact hours: 114

• This module focuses on the organisation and project management of building work (mainly to maintain, extend,adapt or improve existing buildings
• Throughout this module you will develop the core knowledge and skill areas required to undertake this work, which are an understanding of a range of building technologies and an appreciation of design of maintenance, alteration, extension and refurbishment of buildings in order to satisfy clients' and occupiers' expectations and building performance.
• You will learn about adaptive reuse, extension, alteration, conservation, and maintenance of a range of buildings and the legislative framework surrounding planning and carrying out the works.

Heritage and Conservation15 credit points

Total contact hours: 36
Total non-contact hours: 114

• Focusing on the UK, but also drawing on increasing international paradigms, you will learn how to appraise culturally significant buildings and paces, consider relevant aspects of architectural history, identify construction forms, and appraise building condition.
• This module seeks to develop a greater understanding of the science of conversation materials and its relationship to building failure and appropriate repair strategies.
• Embedded within the module will be an underlying reference to the economic aspects of heritage management, together with a comprehensive understanding of the relevant legal, statutory and procedural controls

Year Three

Postgraduate Dissertation/Consultancy Project60 credit points

Total contact hours: 16
Total non-contact hours: 584

• You will be required to specify a research question, which will examine the connections between theories and principles, business or industrial practice and research in the context of your course. You'll own and manage your own significant independent academic enquiry, which will be reported in the form of a postgraduate dissertation.
• Alternatively, you may, with the agreement of the module leader, undertake a consultancy project. However, the work must still meet the learning outcomes of the module and demonstrate application of the methodological principles of research. An investigation for your consultancy project may have been pre-identified or pre-constructed in your work environment, and framed around an issue of organisational relevance. Key relevant data may be readily available within your workplace and the outcome of the enquiry may have direct relevance to your employing organisation, or to the real estate and/or construction profession. It is important to note that a consultancy project will still require a substantive critical literature review, and consideration of methodological choices and approach, and is not simply a typical commercial consultancy report that might be produced for a client.
• Normally you will implement your research proposal, which you will develop and hand in towards the start of this module. You will undertake a literature review appropriate to the selected topic and develop and apply a relevant methodology and research design. The results of your research will be described, analysed, evaluated and discussed with reference to the literature review. You will be required to draw conclusions and make recommendations for both professional practice and further research. You will not be required to make an original contribution to knowledge to succeed, but you will be required to demonstrate rigorous application of research processes to your selected topic.
• In addition to your final dissertation/consultancy project report, you will be required to prepare a critical and reflective commentary and evaluation. Your reflective commentary will encompass the experience gained throughout your research, development of your professional and academic skills arising from the dissertation/consultancy project, and assessment of your ongoing development needs; as part of this you should produce a personal professional and academic skills development plan.