This course covers a wide range of topics within architecture, structural engineering, and environmental and energy performance, providing an excellent grounding for you to work in any relevant sector of the industry. Theoretical aspects of the course are grounded in real-life problems to illustrate the subjects being studied.
Compulsory modules
Design Skills
The aims of this module are for students to:
- Enhance skills of observation, documentation and communication of characteristics of the material world that surrounds us.
- Demonstrate the use of a range of 2D and 3D manual and digital architectural representational techniques as a foundation to selecting appropriate forms of representation to communicate design intent in design studio.
- Engage in a series of design tasks to familiarise students with developing clear design concepts and narratives.
- Produce simple technical architectural drawings conforming to industry drawing conventions.
- Utilise a variety of visual and graphic methods of design analysis and synthesis to engender critical thinking and self-reflection.
A part aim for this module is to enable students to become aware of and develop their academic, professional and personal skills through Personal Best. Personal Best is a development programme available to all students at Loughborough University.
Structural Forms and Stress Analysis
The aim of this module is to develop understanding of commonly used structural forms and their qualitative behaviour, complex states of stress in solids, and potential failure of brittle and ductile materials.
Mathematical Modelling of Structures
The aim of this module is to develop mathematical tools to analyse the internal actions and deformations of widely used structural elements under external static loads.
Mechanical and Mathematical Principles of Fluid Mechanics
The aims of the module is to develop an understanding of fluid mechanical principles set within the context of the global hydrological cycle coupled to salient mathematical and statistical concepts.
Engineering Materials for Construction
The aim of this module is to understand the properties of civil, architectural and construction engineering materials and how this knowledge is applied to design, construction and maintenance, together with an appreciation of sustainability and buildability.
Professional Skills
The aim of this module is for the students to explore and reflect on the basics of academic and professional required for their learning development and employability in the architectural engineering sector.
Collaborative Practice in the Built Environment
The aim of this module is for the student to be introduced to collaborative practices and professional perspectives in solving design problems for the built environment, working in transdisciplinary teams and with emerging technologies in the construction sector, including exposure to digital methods of modelling and design.
Geomatics Engineering Surveying 1
The aim of this module is to begin to acquire the theoretical and practical skills required for a Junior Engineer involved with Land Surveying or Setting Out on a construction site.
Compulsory modules
Soil Mechanics and Geology
The aim of this module is for the student to understand and apply concepts of soil mechanics and engineering geology for the solution of geotechnical engineering problems and to be able to analyse and design exemplar foundation, slope and retaining structures.
Analysis & Design of Steel and Timber Structures
The aim of this module is to:
- Enable students to use practical concepts and elastic analytical techniques for determining internal forces and displacements in structures.
- Introduce the principles for designing steel and timber buildings using Eurocodes as an example.
Design of Concrete and Masonry Structures
The aim of this module is to:
- Provide the students with a solid background on the key concepts and process of the structural design of concrete and masonry structures.
- Develop their ability to apply such knowledge in the design process of a structure with concrete and masonry elements.
Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer
The aim of this module is to introduce students to the engineering topics of thermodynamics, electrical fundamentals, and heat transfer. The learning is designed to develop the fundamental knowledge and skills required to understand the design and real-world performance of buildings and their energy systems.
Indoor Environment
The aims of the module is to introduce the importance of the environmental quality of the indoor environment for occupant wellbeing, focusing on occupant thermal comfort, indoor air quality, visual and acoustic comfort, and the influence of building design in both domestic and non-domestic buildings.
Integrated Design Project 1
The aims for the students are:
- To build upon the skills and knowledge acquired in Part A and apply them to create conceptual design solutions that meet a range of requirements.
- To develop an understanding of the importance of adopting a holistic and sustainable approach towards design, integrating the science and art of construction within the current cultural and social context.
- To gain a habit of self-reflection and documentation as an important aspect of their personal and academic development.
- To collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, incorporating professional perspectives to test and develop design solutions that respond to brief requirements.
Compulsory modules
Contracts and Law in Architectural Engineering
The aim of this module is to create students' understanding of legal and contractual aspects of the Built Environment, the strategies which can be applied by architectural engineers to successfully manage construction projects, and the awareness of health and safety and the ability to apply the skills and knowledge obtained in the UK construction industry.
This module will expose the students to characteristics of the construction market to build understanding of the legal framework, contractual relationships and obligations in the construction sector and to develop knowledge, skills and awareness of professional responsibilities for architectural engineers. This would offer the opportunity for the students to interpret the particular needs of different client groups and stakeholders, evaluate the application of relevant contractual procedures and health and safety strategies in the wider society. This will expand students' knowledge and understanding of the construction industries in the National and Global arenas.
Control, Modelling and Simulation
The aims of the module are to provide students with a fundamental understanding of the underpinning mathematical techniques used in control modelling and simulation buildings and systems.
Mechanical and Electrical Systems
The aim of this module is for the student to understand the principles behind the design and operation of mechanical and electrical systems for medium to large buildings.
Integrated Design Project 2
The aim of this module is to:
- Expand upon the knowledge and skills gained in Part A and B through projects of greater scope and complexity, offering a variety of programmes and contexts for student learning.
- To improve students' ability to translate ideas into design solutions by working on medium-scaled projects that specify certain brief requirements.
- To integrate architectural values with sustainable engineering practices within the field of building design.
- To develop structural, geotechnical and energy-efficient approaches that deliver integrated and sound engineering solutions.
- To create a routine of self-reflective practice and documentation as an essential part of their personal and academic development.
Research Dissertation
The aims of this module are for students to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the role of research to overcome knowledge gaps.
- Synthesise information from a number of sources in order to gain a coherent understanding of a complex problem.
- Undertake the process and methodology of research by defining and studying (on an individual basis) a complex problem in a specialised area relating to their degree.
- Present rational arguments and draw independent conclusions based on a rigorous approach to collecting, analyzing and interpreting data.
Compulsory modules
Integrated Design Project 3
The aims of this module are:
- To apply the knowledge and skills gained in Parts A, B, C, and I to projects of increasing scope and complexity.
- To enhance students' technical skills to produce a design for a medium to large-scale structure, complete with a sound understanding of the technical performance of the building in terms of energy efficiency, use and management.
- To enhance students' technical skills to produce a design for a medium large-scale structure, complete with a sound understanding of the structural systems, at primary and secondary levels.
- To enhance students' individual approach to architecture and its languages, establishing ownership of the design process through a comprehensive exploration of a design problem and the ability to organize a personal programme of work to meet deadlines.
- To integrate the above aspects in an innovative and functional building design to meet the current challenges and deliver a sustainable and holistic project.
- To integrate their design aspiration with conflicting social, economic and environmental demands in a global and local context in relationship to the client, user and public.
Thermal Modelling and 3D Building Information Modelling (BIM)
The aims of this module are for the student to:
- Understand the principles of building thermal modelling, building performance simulation and Building Information Modelling (BIM).
- Gain a perspective on the applications of these techniques to the design process of low energy buildings.
Principles of Design and Construction (15 credits)
The aim of the module is to provide students with the fundamental principles of managing a project during the design and construction phases.
Low Carbon Materials for Construction (15 credits)
The aim of this module is for the student to understand and explore the principles around use of low carbon materials in construction and civil engineering and how this knowledge can be applied to the design, construction and maintenance of buildings and infrastructure.
Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering (15 credits)
The module is aimed at developing students' knowledge and understanding of vibrational problems in structural engineering, and to provide them with the basic analytical and numerical tools to assess the dynamic response of structures, with special emphasis on the vibration-based structural health monitoring (SHM) and seismic design to Eurocode 8 (EC8).
Optional modules
Design Management (15 credits)
The aim of this module is to develop students' understanding of the principles of design management and techniques for cost and value management.
Disaster Risk Management (15 credits)
The aims of this module are to:
- Introduce general built environment professionals to sustainable, culturally sensitive, and inclusive Disaster Risk Management (DRM) activities (structural and non-structural) worldwide.
- Explore the links between engineering, architecture, and planning interventions, their impact on the socio-cultural, natural, and physical environment, and subsequent increases or decreases in disaster risk (within the context of the challenges posed by climate change).
The information above is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study. Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year. Please also see Terms and Conditions of Study for more information.