Construction Project Management with Building Information Management MSc

What you'll study

The modules on our Construction Project Management with Building Information Modelling MSc programme are designed to deliver a high quality educational experience that develops and sustains your knowledge, skills and aspirations in the further advancement of your career within the construction industry.

• Semester 1
• Semester 2
• Summer

Semester 1

Research Methods (15 credits)

Research Methods (15 credits)

The aims of this module are for you to become familiar with and comprehend the wide range of research methods and skills needed to investigate, understand, communicate and execute a research project.

Topics covered will likely include:

• research process
• research approaches
• research designs
• research methods (qualitative and quantitative)
• research philosophy and methodology
• critical analysis and literature reviews
• data analysis techniques
• research ethics.

You will learn through guided independent study, lectures, practical classes and workshops and seminars.

Assessment will be via a presentation detailing the research plan and a literature review.

Principles of Project Management (15 credits)

Principles of Project Management (15 credits)

The aim of this module is to provide you with an understanding of construction project management principles and techniques.

Topics covered are likely to include:

• project management principles
• project quality and improvement
• construction mega projects
• understanding project failure
• investment appraisal
• sensitivity and risk analysis
• corporate and project finance
• entrepreneurship, motivation, incentives, behaviour and leadership.

You will learn through guided independent study, lectures, fieldwork and tutorials.

Assessment will be via a group report, an individual report and an in-class test.

Principles and application of BIM (15 credits)

Principles and application of BIM (15 credits)

This module will introduce you to fundamental building information modelling (BIM) principles and present a wide range of BIM tools and technologies. On completion of the module, you will demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of information management, modelling and BIM technologies and processes in construction, as well as their application within construction organisations/projects.

Topics covered will likely include:

• information management
• object-oriented modelling
• project information flows
• emerging technologies
• building information modelling technologies
• collaborative data environments.

You will learn through guided independent study, lectures, practical classes and workshops, and tutorials.

Assessment will be via a BIM proposal, a presentation on the proposal, and an exam.

Digital buildings in a global design context (15 credits)

Digital buildings in a global design context (15 credits)

The aim of this module is to use building information management to design and manage the whole life cycle performance of complex intelligent buildings. Students will develop team skills through working in design groups, to understand resilient design and to generate schematic concepts before developing the best. Students will work with 3D architectural and engineering BIM models using appropriate software to further develop their concepts individually.

You will learn through guided independent study, lectures, seminars, external visits, and practical classes and workshops.

Assessment will be via a group presentation and report, and an indivisual report.

Semester 2

Design Management (15 credits)

Design Management (15 credits)

This module aims to develop your understanding of the principles of design management and techniques for cost and value management.

Topics covered will likely include:

• managing the design team
• value management
• briefing
• roles and workings of conceptual, schematic and detail design phases
• process protocol
• process mapping techniques
• dependence structure matrix
• design economics.

You will learn through guided independent study, supervised time in studio/workshop, lectures, demonstrations, practical classes and workshops, and tutorials.

You will be assessed via a design management report, a design planning report, a design management in-class presentation, and an exam.

Federated Building Information Modelling (15 credits)

Federated Building Information Modelling (15 credits)

The creation, deployment and use of aggregated and integrated (level 2 and 3) models are key goals of collaboration through BIM. This module aims to deliver hands-on practical skills on the use of BIM technologies (i.e. design software and collaboration tools) for real-time collaboration of federated/aggregated 3D BIM models. The theories of group working, workspace awareness, and shared situational awareness within design teams/processes will be explored.

Topics studied will likely include:

• theory of group working
• collaboration processes and technologies
• aggregated BIM models containing various specialty 3D content (Architecture, Structures and MEP)
• coordination of BIM models based on client brief, site conditions, cost targets and time constraints, and code compliance
• real-time collaboration
• clash detection/avoidance
• BIM data standards and protocols
• common data environments.

You will learn through guided independent study, supervised time in studio/workshop, and lectures.

Assessment will be via a report, a presentation, and an in-class test.

Building performance evaluation and monitoring (15 credits)

Building performance evaluation and monitoring (15 credits)

This module aims to enable you to:

• understand and close the Performance Gap and implement ‘Soft landings’ in practice.
• monitor and commission high performance buildings
• work towards becoming a BREEAM Accredited Graduate.

Topics covered will likely include:

• local loop control, supervisory control (including optimum start control, control of natural ventilation and night cooling strategies)
• performance gap
• ‘soft landings’ in practice
• commissioning high performance buildings
• monitoring building performance and occupant evaluation data
• mining performance and informing the design process
• RIBA stage 7 – implications for building performance engineers
• building energy management system (BEMS)
• commissioning of mechanical and passive systems.

You will learn through guided independent study, lectures, a tutorial, external visits.

Assessment will be via a team report, an exam, BREEAM coursework, and a BREEAM in-class test.

Optional modules (choose one)*

Management of Construction Processes and Techniques (15 credits)

Management of Construction Processes and Techniques (15 credits)

This module develops your knowledge of cutting-edge contemporary management concepts and innovations and how these contribute to successful construction projects. It covers site strategy, risk management, innovation, building process, off-site production, and logistics.

Strategic Management for Construction and Engineering (15 credits)

Strategic Management for Construction and Engineering (15 credits)

The aim of this module is to introduce you to the fundamental concepts of strategic management and the tools for formulating and implementing strategies within the construction sector. The module will provide an introduction to strategic management within a construction context.

Topics covered will likely include:

• the development of organisational plans
• an introduction to strategic management concepts
• strategy formation and implementation
• external and internal environment analysis
• financial strategies
• decision and analytical tools
• corporate strategic events
• strategic risk management
• leadership and decision-making (the role of team charters and framework agreements)
• corporate social responsibility
• case analysis of corporate strategy.

People and Teams (15 credits)

People and Teams (15 credits)

This module will introduce you to the range of techniques and strategies for managing people and teams within the context of the construction sector, and will enable you to apply this knowledge within individual and team-based exercises.

Topics studied will likely include:

• challenges of managing people in construction
• overview of organisation and management theory
• introduction to organisational behaviour (individuals and teams)
• motivation
• leadership styles and skills
• teamwork and team development
• human resourse management theory
• strategic human resource management approaches
• conflict management
• culture and ethics.

Construction Law and Contract Management (15 credits)

Construction Law and Contract Management (15 credits)

This module will introduce you to and provide an in-depth knowledge of current and emerging practices of the quantity surveyor in the following areas:

• fulfilling client needs and ensuring that project criteria are satisfactorily achieved
• ensuring the validity of contract documentation
• management of the final account.

Daylight Design and Simulation (15 credits)

Daylight Design and Simulation (15 credits)

This module will cover the key principles of daylighting/lighting design for high performance buildings and the techniques of climate-based daylight modelling. You will learn how to effectively use current/emerging daylight metrics to evaluate and refine building designs in order to optimise performance based on multi-factorial criteria: daylight provision, visual comfort, and well-being.

Teaching is informed by examples based on world-leading case studies carried out by pioneers in the field, such as daylighting the New York Times Building.

*Optional module choice is subject to availability and timetabling.

Summer

Research Dissertation (60 credits)

Research Dissertation (60 credits)

The aim of this module is to provide you with experience of the process and methodology of research by defining and studying (on an individual basis) a complex problem in a specialised area relating to your programme of study.

You will define a research topic and problem relating to new or emerging technologies or processes, and define a project to explore this.

Asessment will be via a final report of approximately 15,000 words.