CEM250: Building Information Management and Socio-technical Change

Module code: CEM250

Module provider: School of Construction Management and Engineering, School of Built Environment

Credits: 20

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Laura Maftei, email: l.maftei@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Martin Green, email: m.s.green@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 27 June 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The module introduces and explores approaches of implementing socio-technical systems in the built environment. In analysing and unpacking the emergence of digital technologies in the built environment, the module focuses on Building Information Modelling (BIM) as an important socio-technical system that helps to manage information throughout the delivery and operation of buildings and infrastructures. The module addresses how the potential for BIM to be a collaborative process rests on understanding how socio-technical systems are supported by a range of technologies, standards, and strategies of management.

Aims:

• To gain an understanding of major theoretical approaches to socio-technical systems and to their use in understanding and implementing socio-technical systems in the context of the built environment.
• To understand the rationale and role of BIM processes in professional work across design, construction and operation.
• To recognise the range of processes, standards and approaches which can constitute BIM.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Apply theoretical approaches to realistic case studies in construction;
2. Understand and apply distinct analytical and theoretical approaches to understanding socio-technical systems - their research base, points of difference and where they complement each other;
3. Understand, articulate and demonstrate structured processes for sharing and interrogating design, construction and operation information in a collaborative project team;
4. Identify socio-technical systems including, software packages appropriate to professional work within a BIM environment dependant on type of project and task.

Module content

• The history of and rationale for using BIM in the UK and internationally;
• Benefits and challenges of using BIM across design, construction and operation;
• Using BIM processes, standards and tools in collaborative work for design, construction, operation and cost management;
• Socio-technical research in new technology and information systems in architecture, engineering and construction;
• Introduction to alternative approaches to understanding socio-technical systems, such as: technological determinism, innovation studies, multi-level perspective, institution theory, social constructivism, actor-network theory, critical/political perspectives;
• Discussion of case studies of new technology and information systems in construction teams, projects, firms and/or sectors to illustrate and apply theoretical content.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The course will consist of a mixture of lecture based presentations, seminars and hands-on activity including group work. Practical work will involve learning about socio-technical systems through digitally-mediated, collaborative activities in small teams. 

Structured preparation will support your learning during the week, and Blackboard will provide details of additional resources, software tutorials and training that you can use to develop skills.

Study hours

At least 24 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The below information applies toall full time and flexible modularstudents on taught PGT programmes in SBE

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Q&A sessions at the end of each lecture-based session. Feedback will be given throughout the project work, with informal reviews and advice and input on the activities of each team.  Generic feedback on hands-on activities will be provided to provide formative input into the development of individual work.

Reassessment

Additional costs