For a taster of what you can expect to study on our Construction Engineering Management degree, take a sneak preview of some of the modules you may have the opportunity to study below.
Compulsory modules
Professional Skills
The aim of this module is for the student to explore and reflect on the academic, professional and personal skills required for their learning development and future employability.
Principles of Law and Economics for the Built Environment
The aim of this module is to provide the student with a foundation of law and economics as they impact the built environment. The principles of English public and private law and economic theory will be introduced including: tort, contract, planning, supply and demand, elasticity, market structures and the macroeconomy.
Construction Technology 1
The aims of this module are for students to understand the technological aspects of simple and framed buildings including their elements and components, their functional and performance requirements and options available for onsite and offsite construction.
Design and construction practice
The aims of this module are:
- For the student to understand the processes involved in producing the built environment and to recognise the skills required of a manager in the construction sector in a broader construction industry context.
- For the student to be introduced to collaborative practices and professional perspectives in solving design problems for the built environment.
An important part of the learning will be through a challenging and supportive 'live site' environment, the module will introduce students to the practical skills associated with the construction of a mini-project, producing site documentation and undertaking health and safety briefings, utilising various written and oral communication and presentation skills.
Site Surveying and Measurement (CEM)
The aim of this module is:
- To introduce students to the basic principles of measurement under the NRM2 method of measurement.
- For students to acquire appropriate skills and knowledge of land surveying for application to building and civil engineering works.
Project Initialisation
The aims of this module are:
- To help students understand how construction projects are instigated, organised, and procured from the construction supply network via a tendering process.
- To help students appreciate the wide variety of information types that define construction projects, where they come from, how they relate to each other, where they are used, and why they must be carefully managed long after the project has finished.
- To introduce students to standard construction project procurement routes; to introduce students to the strategies, rules and procedures of project tendering (from the perspective of the procuring client).
- To help students understand the importance of precise and defined Contract Documents; to explain the need for revision and document control when accommodating change during project progression.
- To help students recognise and understand the role of contract law and statute law in creating the need for project information to be retained long after the conclusion of construction activity.
Materials and Structures
The aims of this module are:
- To help students understand the principles of structural design and to appreciate how they are related to architectural form and construction materials.
- To help students develop knowledge and understanding of the materials commonly used in construction.
- To help students appreciate the conditions these materials are expected to accommodate and their consequences for the sustainability of the built environment.
Compulsory modules
Construction Technology 2
The aim of this module is to provide the students with:
- An understanding of the practical technologies involved in civil engineering and infrastructure construction processes.
- An understanding of typical ground engineering problems and solutions that can be applied to civil engineering works.
Planning, Estimating and Cost Management
The aim of this module is to develop students' understanding of planning and estimating techniques and how and when these techniques are applied within a typical construction project lifecycle. The module will also develop students' understanding of commercial management, cost management and decision-making to support bidding for construction projects. The module also aims to introduce students to collaborative practices and professional perspectives in solving project planning and construction risk for the built environment and to allow students to work in cross disciplinary teams to plan and deliver a project.
Sustainable Building Design
The aim of this module is for the student to understand the relationship between the building architectural form and its systems, energy consumption and sustainable performance; and appreciate the importance of sustainable building design in reducing impacts on human health and the environment for the entire lifecycle of a building.
Construction Project Delivery
The aim of this module is for the student to integrate knowledge of primary elements of construction project and apply this knowledge across the build process from award to handover.
Building Services Technology
The aim of this module is for the student to understand the function, technology, design and operation of selected building services systems typically deployed in medium to large (i.e. high-rise) commercial, non-domestic buildings. They are also to understand the principles considered in the development of environmental management strategies, sustainability considerations in the design and operation of selected services systems, and the provisions required in building design to accommodate those systems.
Professional Practice 2
This module aims to introduce students to principles of contract law relevant to the procedures typically enacted in standard forms of construction contract; introduce students to the use of different forms of contract within a contract suite to assemble construction project relationships. Focusing on the JCT SBC/Q standard form of contract as an example and approaching it from the perspective of the client's consultant quantity surveyor, the module also aims to: introduce the central tenets of effective contract administration focused on the management of cost, time, and change; and to make students familiar with the methods by which the client's quantity surveyor prepares financial reports and cashflow forecasts, interim valuations, and final accounts.
Collaborative Design Management
The aim of this module is to provide students with knowledge about collaborative design management in AEC (Architecture, Engineering and Construction) projects. The module will enable students to understand the fundamentals of working collaboratively and effectively within multi-disciplinary temporary project organisations. The focus is on people, how they interact and work towards a common project goal, using face-to-face as well as electronic communication and collaboration technologies.
Digital Construction Management - CEM
The module aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of digital tools, processes, and strategies in construction management. It focuses on the application of Building Information Modelling (BIM), digital twins, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve construction project planning, execution, and maintenance. The module will explore the integration of digital technologies in construction project management. The module's emphasis is on collaboration, sustainability, and innovation.
Compulsory modules
Research Dissertation
The aims of the module are to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the role of research in overcoming 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 and analysing data.
Integrative Project
The aim of this module is to integrate the knowledge and skills building from the programme of the study into the application of real-live project scenario. This module will combine individual and group work across disciplines to tackle tasks relating to the project scenario.
Modern Methods of Construction and Conservation
The aims of this module are for the student to develop an understanding of modern methods of construction (MMC), offsite and modular construction, construction innovation, advanced construction techniques, technologies, and materials, including the management and technological aspects of large scale complex contemporary construction projects. Understand modern approaches to conservation, the technology used in old buildings, common forms of defects in buildings and repair techniques used. The strategies and techniques used in maintaining, converting, and refurbishing buildings will be explained.
Teamwork and Leadership
The aim of this module is to provide the student with an opportunity to develop and deepen their knowledge of, and connections between: management theories, practice and competencies.
The module is a unique combination of developing and deepening students understanding of their own management competencies, theoretical grasp of theory (leadership, teamwork, motivation, power and communication) and a fantastic opportunity to engage in experiential learning over three very challenging, problem solving days within an outdoor environment. Developing and then combining knowledge of management competencies, theory and practice with the opportunity to experience and self-reflect upon their connections is unique within this module.
Cost Planning and Management
The aims of this module are: to help students understand the concept of cost estimating and planning as pre-contract activities, and as defined by NRM1 and other relevant standards; to help students appreciate the principles, practices and resulting actions informed by whole life costing, including life cycle costing, all as defined by NRM3 and other relevant standards; and to help standard appreciate the interplay of construction costs, renewal costs, operating costs, maintenance costs, and end of life costs, including the balancing actions that may be required between these cost centres in built asset design, operating and disposal strategies.
Management Finance
The aim of this module is for the student to understand a range of accounting and financial topics important to managers in the construction and related industries.
Pre-construction BIM Coordination
This is a practical module designed for students to develop the skills required for efficient planning, risk management, and coordination using Building Information Modelling (BIM) tools and processes and digital tools for visualisation.
Students will learn about BIM Execution Plans (BEP); assess the quality of 3D design of moderate complexity using native authoring tools, plan, simulate, coordinate and communicate in a common data environment (CDE) in accordance with ISO 19650. Students will also learn to produce and dynamically associate the required 4D BIM (schedule) and 5D (cost) data; and be exposed to coordination, simulation and communication technologies required by ISO19650.
Optional modules
Construction Law and Contract
The aim of this module is for the student to develop knowledge and understanding of the substantive and administrative provisions of the NEC4 ECC standard form of construction contract in the context of English common law, case law and statute.
Digital Design, Construction and Operation - CEM
The aim of this module is for students to acquire the knowledge and practical skills necessary to select and deploy appropriate digital technologies to support the effective and sustainable design, construction and operation of buildings and infrastructures from the lifecycle and multi-stakeholder perspectives.
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.