CE3CLP-Construction Live Project

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: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Timothy Lees
Email: t.j.lees@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
Through a live construction project, this module provides students will the opportunity to experience the challenge of managing and building a real construction project. The module is a two-week intensive project in which students work with young professionals from the partner contractor and their supply chain Over the two-week experience, supported by a team of academics and staff from the partner contractors, the student teams plan, schedule, cost, manages the health and safety and finally builds a scaled version of an iconic build or building. The first week is an on campus project-planning week. The second week is an on-site project build week. The experience provides an exciting, dynamic project to link the world of academic theory with onsite experience.

Aims:
The module aims to provide students with an opportunity to: have a $£hands on' authentic experience of the construction process; plan a real construction project; work closely with industry to gain an insight into professional practice and to expand their industrial network; create a point of reference for reflection that draws on a wide body of technical, practical and academic knowledge; share in a unique activity that will enrich their student experience; undertake teamwork which breaks the traditional silos created by academic years.

Assessable learning outcomes:
At the end of the module it is expected that student will:
' be able to effectively plan, monitor and control a small-scale construction project in a team environment.
' produce a completed building within the parameters set out by the client at the start of the project.
' be able to prioritise tasks, and allocate limited resources, against a project goal.
' evaluate the project team's performance and approach to problem solving.

Additional outcomes

Additional outcomes:
The student will be given an opportunity to:
' enhance their potential employability on graduation.
' experience a live construction site.
' develop their ability to work with others in team environments.
' consolidate the relationship between student academic studies and their application in practice.
' build their personal self-confidence, sense of responsibility and inter-personal skills.

Outline content:
The construction live project course runs for ten days. Five days spent on campus planning the project (the $£project planning week') and five days on site, on a full-time residential basis building the project ($£the construction week'). Over the two weeks students lead a team, supervised by academics and professionals, through a real construction project to produce a scaled version of a well know build or building for example a 9m tall steel and concrete replica of the Barcelona Communication Tower.

In the project-planning week students are introduced to the complexity generated by the scale and scope of even a modest construction build. The range of roles needed to successfully execute the build mirror those on a commercial build. Students are challenged with the question 'How will this work on site?' with the knowledge that on the Monday morning of the construction week they will find out!

Global context:
This experience is firmly rooted in producing a building in the UK context. It provides a very useful point of reflection for how practice might be different in other regions.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Students will experience a $£live project' environment. They will be given a goal and as such have freedom to create an approach to meet this goal. Throughout students will be supported by academic and industry staff.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Supervised time in studio/workshop			45
Fieldwork			45
Guided independent study:			10
Total hours by term			100
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Project output other than dissertation	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:
Not applicable

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Formative assessment methods:
During both the project planning and construction week students will have access to guidance by both academic and industry staff to inform their decision-making and project output.

Penalties for late submission:

The penalties for the late submission of this coursework assignment will be in accordance with University policy. The Module Convenor reserves the right to confirm with the employer that the student has completed the work placement satisfactorily.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A minimum mark of 40% based on the submitted portfolio

Reassessment arrangements:
Submission of a 3,000 word report

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: 30 March 2023