CE3CS1-Sustainability

Module Provider: School of Construction Management and Engineering, School of Built Environment
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2019/0

Email: k.hyde@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
The Sustainability Module challenges students studying Construction Management and Engineering to develop their understanding of the meaning of sustainability in the context of the built environment and the needs of sustainable cities and infrastructure. The Module prepares students for the day-to-day challenges of implementing innovative and sustainable building solutions, technologies and mitigation. Case studies are included in the Module

Aims:
The Aims of the Module are:

1) to explain the role of Sustainability within the sector and to explain the practise and application of Sustainability in construction and the built environment;
2) to enable students to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of Sustainability in construction:
3) to enable students to apply critical thinking and problem solving to their knowledge and understanding of Sustainability.

Assessable learning outcomes:
1. Explain the broad environmental, energy and sustainability requirements for construction, buildings and development, including the impacts of climate change;
2. Analyse and quantify the energy requirements for buildings, including domestic energy; explain the role of energy efficiency in buildings;
3. Examine and analyse, both qualitatively and quantitatively, environmental impacts and carbon emissions arising from buildings in-use and during construction; recommend measures for the control of pollution, and environmental mitigation during construction;
4. Evaluate and apply Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) methodologies;
5. Evaluate renewable energy systems and technologies for buildings, including their economic performance;

Additional outcomes:
1- Short written group assignment
2- Group teamworking.

Outline content:
1) General Introduction to the Sustainability Module; aims, objectives, learning outcomes
2) Introduction to the CE3CS1 autumn group assignment
3) Environmental Impact Assessment
4) Carbon Pricing: Principles, Methods and Applications
5) Climate Change
6) Pros and cons of Renewable Energy
7) Decarbonising the Electricity Grid
8) Sustainable Materials and Embodied Carbon in Construction
9) Code for Sustainable Homes and LEED
10) Microgeneration
11) Domestic Energy Use; Smart Metering, Resource Efficiency and Monitoring
12) Contaminated Land and Remediation
13) Water Efficiency in the Built Environment, and Greywater Systems
14) Water and Sustainable Urban Systems

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Lectures, Group work, Tutorials,Site work and associated Problem-Based Learning ( where relevant) , and private study

Summative assessment- Examinations:

2 hour examination in May/June. Three questions to be answered out of five questions.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Coursework: one group assignment.

If passing at first attempt, not re-assessed in August/September.

If failing at first attempt, an individual assignment in August/September having a similar theme to the group assignment. The individual assignment requires 80 hours of independent study and no group work. The supporting reference documents for the individual assignment are the same as for the group assignment.

Late submission attracts the standard University penalties.

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

Assessment requirements for a pass:
40% Overall

Reassessment arrangements:
One hour 2 hour examination in August/September

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 8 April 2019