Building Surveying - BSc (Hons) drafted draft

Program Overview

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The degree programme in Building Surveying provides the specialist knowledge and skills necessary to enter the Building Surveying profession at graduate level with a view to completing the Assessment of Professional Competence to gain professional membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Course content is aimed at providing an understanding of the roles and purposes of building surveying and its relationship with other disciplines within the industry. In addition to core areas of technology, maintenance management and building conservation, professional practice skills are further developed through integrated project work in all years of the programme.

The course is actively supported by a team of professionally and academically recognised teaching staff.

Mr Ken Boston is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and a member of the Building Surveying Professional Practice Group. He has been appointed by the Environment Minister to the ‘Historic Buildings Council of Northern Ireland’. In addition, he has been appointed by the DOE / NIEA to the ‘Joint Council of Industrial Heritage of Northern Ireland’.

Dr Trevor Hyde has an internationally recognised profile for research in advanced glazing and renewable energy technologies. He has received several Local, National and International research grant awards and has worked widely with industrial partners on product research and development.

Mrs Joanne Wright is a member of the Chartered Association of Building Engineers and is an educational and training advisor for the region.

Dr Chapman has a PhD in the ‘Non destructive testing of timber’ and was extensively involved with the partner colleges offering Built Environment programmes.

Attendance

This part-time course is normally of 6 years duration, however, depending on previous experience and qualifications gained, some level of exemption may be available.

Each academic year comprises 2 semesters with 60 credit points taught in each academic year, normally 3 modules of 20 credit points. Each credit point represents ten hours of study with approximately 25% being in the form of lectures/tutorials/directed study, the remaining time being used for independent study.

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Start dates

September 2023

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Teaching, Learning and Assessment

The programme incorporates a range of teaching methods to encourage students to adopt a knowledge seeking attitude; to build up confidence in their own ability to learn to make reasoned judgements based on available evidence and to incorporate a practical-based dimension to their studies. The teaching and learning methods are designed to offer both academic and subject progression from Level 4 through to Level 6. In conjunction with the respective learning methods at each level, students are encouraged to adopt a student centred approach to their learning, through directed reading and individual research of projects and case studies.

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Academic profile

The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 59% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.

Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (25%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (20%) or Lecturers (55%).

We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic staff (81%) are accredited fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advanced HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.

The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise.  The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff.  This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.

Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.

Figures correct for academic year 2021-2022.

Program Outline

Careers & opportunities

In this section

1. Graduate employers
2. Job roles
3. Career options
4. Professional recognition

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Graduate employers

Graduates from this course are now working for:

E C Harris

Malcolm Hollis

MLM Building Control

Moore McDonald

VB Evans

W H Stephens

Northern Ireland Housing Executive

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Job roles

With this degree you could become:

Building Control Surveyor

Building Surveyor

Contracts Manager

Development Officer

Estate Surveyor

Graduate Surveyor

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Career options

Most graduates are employed in professional surveying practices, government or commercial organisations.

This course also provides an ideal foundation for graduates who wish to undertake postgraduate study or research within the Ulster University or other academic institutions.

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Professional recognition

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Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

Accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) for the purpose of graduate membership.

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Modules

Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.

Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.

In this section

1. Year one
2. Year two
3. Year three
4. Year four
5. Year five
6. Year six

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Year one

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Introduction to the Built Environment

Year: 1

Status: C

The module presents a wide-ranging overview of the impact of public & private development, statutory legislation, procurement, building design and construction on UK industry and society. It presents the background to the development of professional and industry norms and also challenges a number of orthodoxies.

Module study includes a review of the roles and responsibilities of property and construction professionals in a complex sector, as well as the nature of professionalism in an era of climate emergency.

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Domestic Building Technology

Year: 1

Status: C

This module provides a general introduction to construction technology with specific emphasis on the sustainable construction of small-scale, low-rise buildings.

The module also introduces the factors that affect and systems that control the internal environment of domestic buildings.

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Law, Governance and Society

Year: 1

Status: C

This module introduces students to the fundamental principles of governance and the legal framework in contemporary society. Students examine the interrelationship between governance actors, the legal system and social policy for advancing sustainable development and improving social, economic and environmental well-being.

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Year two

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Building and Land Measurement

Year: 2

Status: C

This module develops a range of the professional skills of a building surveyor working in the Built Environment. The theory and principles of the measurement of land and buildings are established. The practices of building and land measurement, along with the procedures for recording, manipulation and presentation of measured data are developed which will equip the learner with the skills required in a practice based environment.

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Digital Construction and Communication

Year: 2

Status: C

The modern day built environment professional is required to communicate effectively utilising electronic tools with the rest of the project team. This has been mandated by the UK Cabinet Office Construction Strategy, by European Commission procurement regulations and is being followed across the world. This module develops an understanding of the key drivers and barriers to fully implementing Level 2 BIM and points towards the development of level 3 BIM working in the near future. The module develops the foundational skills for internationally recognised BIM Level 2 for the contemporary and future built environment professionals.

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Materials and Structures

Year: 2

Status: C

This module will provide students with a basic understanding of fundamental material science and a comprehensive understanding of the composition, microstructure, and engineering behaviour of materials used in construction applications. The module will also allow students to identify and describe the form and function of various structural elements, to understand the requirements for strength, stability and performance of structures and structural materials and gives an introduction to the design of structural elements.

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Year three

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Advanced Building Technology

Year: 3

Status: C

The intention of this module is to help develop an appreciation of the integrative nature of technical and design decision making, along with construction techniques, for a range of non-domestic building types, and how this has evolved over time.

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Structural Concepts and Services

Year: 3

Status: C

This module highlights the challenges in providing structural solutions to non-domestic buildings and the integration of building services within such buildings for the health, safety and wellbeing of the building occupants and users.

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Built and Environmental Conservation

Year: 3

Status: C

This module highlights the challenges that exist within the construction industry regarding environmental conservation and illustrates how these challenges can be met. Emphasis is placed on developing student awareness of how traditional building and construction activities need to be altered to respond to the new emerging sustainability and natural resource agendas facing surveyors.

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Year four

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Professional Practice and Project

Year: 4

Status: C

This module introduces the student to the role of Chartered Building Surveyors in the Property Cycle, together with the RICS Regulatory framework therein associated. It introduces building survey principles for residential and commercial buildings. It also introduces the student to legal issues and procedures associated with property ownership, occupation and disposal.

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Hygrothermal Building Performance

Year: 4

Status: C

Heat, air and moisture transport and storage in buildings has the potential to impact significantly on the operational performance of buildings and durability of building fabric as well as the comfort and wellbeing of the building occupants. This module will establish how heat, air and moisture is transported in buildings and through building fabric and theoretical and practical methods which are used for assessing and its movement. The consequences for poor control of heat, air and moisture movement are evaluated in terms impact to the building structure and the resulting defects and how the retrofitting and adaptation work to buildings and particularly historic buildings required careful design.

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Property and Construction Law

Year: 4

Status: C

This module will consider the fundamental principles and rules of the law of real property. Specifically, the module will consider: the distinction between real & personal property; co-ownership; leases & business tenancies; licenses & estoppel; trespass & control of access to land; adverse possession; private planning & freehold covenants; easements & incorporeal hereditaments and mortgages.

Factors associated with the form and selection of contract in procuring building work

associated with property will be detailed.

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Year five

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Green Building Design

Year: 5

Status: C

This module will allow students to understand and critically appraise the factors affecting energy consumption in buildings enabling them to explore a wide range of low energy options in both domestic and non-domestic buildings. This will enable them to reduce the auxiliary energy load of any renewable energy solutions that may be considered while appreciating the main hazards to health in modern building designs.

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Financial Management and Economics

Year: 5

Status: C

The module is designed to provide students with an understanding of the procedures and techniques used in the financial control and management of construction projects. It also explores the synergy between the economy and the construction industry and the implications on critical decision making with relation to design and cost planning of construction projects. There is a key focus on value engineering of projects to achieve best value design facilitated with modern design thinking with regards to building occupation and the whole life value of the project.

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Building Pathology

Year: 5

Status: C

This module will provide students with the practical knowledge and understanding of the processes involved in building surveying, analysis, repair and conservation of existing buildings of all types.

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Year six

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Research and Dissertation A

Year: 6

Status: C

This module enables the student to identify and undertake an independent in-depth research study of an area of particular significance relating to the course of study. With guidance, students are responsible for developing research aim and objectives, critically evaluating reference material, and selecting the appropriate methods to achieve the research aim. This module is a mechanism that underwrites and supports evaluative skills, logical thought, and the ability to communicate effectively in terms of verbal and written material. The remainder of the research and dissertation is carried out during a semester 2 module, Research and Dissertation B (BEN511).

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Research and Dissertation B

Year: 6

Status: C

This module follows BEN510 and facilitates students in developing creative, critical evaluative and analytic research skills to enable students to undertake empirical data collection, perform appropriate data analysis, critically discuss findings that will lead to justifiable recommendations and conclusions based upon contemporary research and professional practices.

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Building Surveying Project

Year: 6

Status: C

This module provides an opportunity for the building surveying student to utilise skills, techniques, knowledge and information drawn from other modules of both the building surveying and quantity surveying programmes and to apply these in a structured manner to the investigation and resolution of work based scenarios and related problems. Student will develop practical knowledge and understanding of the processes involved in the evaluation of existing buildings for conversion and adaptation within the property cycle. The student will develop core building surveying skills associated with the re-use of existing buildings by conversion to new uses.

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Testimonials

“During my placement year I worked for a major Health Trust. I found the year to be incredibly beneficial in terms of both my personal development and the exposure to a range of problem solving activities presented in maintaining the portfolio of buildings.”

Fintan (Final Year)

“My placement role has had a profound effect on me. The skills and knowledge I have acquired have been incredibly beneficial for my final year studies and my future career as a Chartered Building Surveyor.”

Adam (Final Year)

“The course allowed me to embark on a great career and find the right job. The stresses of University and the subsequent search for employment are worth it in the end. You have to find the job. The job won’t find you. BE PROACTIVE”

Stephen (Graduate Project Leader, Houses of Parliament)

“The Building Surveying degree is so varied it opens up so many opportunities in all facets of the construction industry”

Daniel (City & Country, Graduate Building Surveyor)

“Achieving a good degree in BSc Building Surveying gave me the platform to continue to Postgraduate Study, which allowed me to specialize in an area of Surveying I perhaps could not have done otherwise.”

David (Surveyor, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Africa & Asia Pacific Area)