A postgraduate degree offered by the Graduate School of the Environment at the Centre for Alternative Technology in collaboration with the School of Art and Design at University of Wales Institute, Cardiff

Environmental change will affect many aspects of society including the working practices and research agendas of the built environment professions.

Responding to this change, a new and innovative Masters degree will commence in 2012 with the following features:

• The first module of this programme explores and examines the implications of environmental change and the adaptations needed to deliver a sustainable future
• Further modules then focus on buildings and the built environment, covering approaches to energy efficient low carbon design, computer modeling, building assessment methods, environmental monitoring and building physic’s analysis
• Optional modules allow further specialization including practice based projects
• This programme will appeal to students who wish to work in the area of environmental building design and analysis
• Assessment is by portfolio at three points during the programme
• There are six modules (each of six days) for a Professional Diploma plus the dissertation module for the full MSc
• Available Full Time (1 year) or Part Time (2 years)

This MSc programme has three foci: theory, research and practice, which together provide a firm background to those wishing to proceed onto a doctoral degree or further practice-based research. Students may proceed directly onto the Professional Doctorate programme (Doctor of Ecological Building Practices) delivered collaboratively between CAT and UWIC after successful completion of six modules.

Aims

The aim of the programme is to provide students with the theoretical knowledge and the research and practical skills to be able to operate effectively within their chosen field of the Built Environment, while responding to environmental change. This programme (the first of a number of pathways planned) is specific to buildings and the built environment and is intended for architects, builders, planners, engineers, surveyors, researchers, academics and other built environment professionals and experienced individuals.

Programme content

Core modules:

• Environmental contexts and planning
• Building science and the environment
• Systems and strategies
• Building assessment and evaluation
• Research methods and design
• Dissertation (unless proceeding directly onto Professional Doctorate)

Optional modules:
Plus a further optional module from:

• Renewable energy in buildings
• Environmental change and practice project
• Materials and construction

Module aims, objectives and content:

Environmental contexts and planning

This module aims to provide a wide overview of global environmental change issues in relation to world resources, social, economic and political impacts, adaptation planning, resilience building, vulnerability assessment, legislation, transportation, sustainable energy provision, the built environment, concepts related to sustainability, and basic scientific principles. Therefore the module introduces all the main themes of the programme that may be explored in more depth in the optional modules following.

After completing the module you will be able to:

• Develop a synthesis of the global environmental and energy issues
• Appraise selected theories related to concepts of sustainability, mitigation, vulnerability, resilience, adaption and sustainability
• Use deductive argument to form cogent conclusions about the implications of and uncertainties within the current environmental change debate
• Formulate an analysis from critical thinking about the provision of well being
• Evaluate the significance of the relationships and interactions that exist between all the aspects of consideration related to environmental change and adaptation planning
• Apply theoretical principles;Deliver a structured and coherent presentation

Indicative content of module: climate change, sustainability, carbon reduction, population and urbanization, adaptation, mitigation, vulnerability, resilience, health and well being, land use, water management, social, political and economic frameworks.

 

Building science and the environment

This module aims to introduce the main theoretical aspects of building science in relation to building environmental performance and wider environmental issues. It develops the ability to analyse this performance through knowledge of the role of the building in providing thermal, visual and acoustical comfort to its occupiers, and of its resulting energy use.

After completing the module you will be able to:

• Identify and describe the main relationships and interactions between humans, climate and buildings
• Describe the theoretical principles of the thermal, lighting and acoustic performance of buildings and apply these principles to analysis of contemporary practices
• Compare and contrast the theoretical energy flows occurring in buildings in different climates, and appreciate how these may vary in practice
• Classify concepts and strategies for heating, cooling and ventilating buildings in different climatic regions
• Select and justify the most appropriate analyses, interpret the results, and write up the results accurately and completely
• Demonstrate awareness of relationships between the built environment and ecological and environmental issues

Indicative content of module: global and local climate, energy, heat transfer, thermal comfort, hygrothermal mechanisms, heating, cooling, ventilation, heat storage, daylight, artificial light, acoustics, building environmental performance, modeling techniques.

 

Systems and strategies

The module aims to give students knowledge of water, waste and energy supply systems, and introduces renewable energy systems. Strategies in response to climate change are considered, both at the level of individual buildings and at the wider scale of the built environment, including an examination of the challenges of renovation and refurbishment. The module also explores the relationship between buildings and ecological systems.

After completing the module you will be able to:

Classify concepts and strategies in buildings and in the wider environment for responding to climate change;
Demonstrate a knowledge of the function of renewable energy systems in the built environment and in individual buildings;
Critically evaluate alternative approaches to water treatment and supply;
Critically evaluate alternative approaches for removal of waste and processes for waste;
Describe the theoretical principles and concepts that relate buildings to ecological systems;
Select and justify the most appropriate analyses, interpret the results, and write up the results accurately and completely;
Demonstrate awareness of links between the built environment and environmental and ecological issues.

Indicative content of module: passive and active strategies, biosystems, water, waste, Energy supply systems, renewable energy – thermal and electric, renovation and refurbishment, adaptation, mitigation and resilience strategies, biodiversity, models of low environmental impact.

Building assessment and evaluation

This module aims to enable the student to develop and practice the skills required for the assessment and evaluation of the environmental performance of buildings; during the design, construction and operation stages. This will include students using, analyzing and comparing data from dynamic thermal modeling software. In addition, students will use and analyse data from monitoring equipment used during the construction and building operation stage, that records external climatic conditions and internal environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, daylighting levels, energy consumption, heat loss/gain, air tightness and ventilation. In addition, students will be introduced to undertaking and analyzing occupant attitudes and behavior towards buildings in use. The module therefore brings together theory and practice and reinforces and develops research skills.

After completing the module you will be able to:

• Demonstrate a broad knowledge of the environmental assessment and evaluation of buildings with regard to their environmental performance
• Synthesise practical and theoretical aspects of environmental assessment and evaluation of buildings in order to critically analyse building environmental performance
• Assess the critical issues that would effect the validity of results obtained from computer and monitored based analysis of building environmental performance
• Select and justify the most appropriate analyses, interpret the results and write up the results accurately
• Identify appropriate environmental assessment and evaluation tools for various types of analysis and evaluate their limitations
• Explain the potential benefits to be gained, from an environmental point of view, from using environmental assessment and evaluation in building design

 

Indicative content of module: models and modeling, computer based simulation (dynamic thermal, lighting, computational fluid dynamics, hygrothermal), climatic monitoring, standard pressurisation tests of building air-tightness, thermographic surveys, measurement of internal and external environmental conditions, energy and water use, post occupancy evaluation.

 

Renewable energy in buildings

This module aims to give the student a wide overview of renewable energy technologies and systems, and their potential in buildings and in the wider environment. Theoretical considerations are reinforced through consideration of practical design issues through a systems design exercise. Renewable energy resources are generally thought to be beneficial to the environment but this does mean that they will supply all of societies needs. In addition, there are various impacts on the environment of the renewable technologies, and so this module will look both at the potential advantages and disadvantages.

After completing the module you will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of renewable energy systems
• Critically evaluate, analyse and select appropriate systems
• Design a renewable energy system for a building from a limited range and justify the decisions taken
• Understand the implications of renewable energy systems towards the environment
• Identify and select appropriate technical information resources on the internet
• Demonstrate awareness of relationships between the built environment and ecological and environmental issues
• Deliver a structured and coherent presentation of a cogent argument

Indicative content of module: photovoltaics, solar hot water, wind power, biomass, hydro, heat pumps, the grid, hydrogen and future systems, RE system design.

Environmental change and practice project

This module aims to give the students the opportunity to design and undertake an individual environmental change and practice project using some or all of the theory and experimental techniques introduced and practiced in earlier modules.

After completing the module you will be able to:

• Identify important aspects of the wider environmental agenda in relation to the undertaking and testing of an environmental change and practice project
• Apply specialised knowledge in the context of an environmental change and practice project
• Think in an innovative and creative way
• Conduct critical evaluation of the project
• Be able to address particular theory, research and practice issues in a variety of mediums, within the context of the programme as a whole
• Develop an understanding of global environmental and energy issues as they relate to the change and practice project
• Demonstrate awareness of links between the built environment and environmental issues
• Make an oral presentation summarising and evaluating the results of the studies

The module content is determined through negotiation with the programme team.

Materials and construction

This module aims to give an overview of the functional adaptations, ecological assessments and work practice change implications related to the materials and construction techniques used for building under the general considerations of environmental change response planning and eco-system preservation.

After completing the module you will be able to:

• Develop a critical approach to the selection of construction materials on environmental sustainability grounds
• Identify and evaluate factors and properties of materials and their relationship to ecological and environmental health issues
• Apply theoretical principles about material properties to building design
• Critically evaluate a range of relevant literature
• Demonstrate awareness of relationships between the built environment and ecological and environmental issues
• Understand the need for and limitations of material performance (strength, heat regulation and moisture interaction) assessments to the building process
• Appreciate the limitations and implications of using environmentally sustainable materials on building design and building logistics

Indicative content of module: environmental impacts, health impacts and safety issues, assessment methods, natural fibre and synthetic insulations, straw bale, cementitious materials, hemp and binder, composite materials and boards, pre-fabricated building components, membranes and barriers, adhesives and sealants, fixtures and fittings, timber, earth and clay, modern methods of construction, renovation, material testing,  moisture handling properties.

Research methods and design

This module aims to provide students with knowledge and practice of a range of research methods and processes, including research design, data gathering and analysis for postgraduate research including preparation for doctoral level research applications and proposals; and to gain a wider understanding of research contexts.

After completing the module you will be able to:

• Evaluate alternative approaches to the research process and design
• Develop an understanding and practice of a wide range of methods of gathering, analysing and presenting data
• Assess the quality of research and show understanding of its limitations
• Select and justify the most appropriate analysis, interpret and document the results accurately
• Identify important aspects of the wider environmental agenda in relation to the design of research proposals

Indicative content of module: research and research processes, resources for research, quantitative and qualitative methods, developing research questions, data collection methodology, formulating and testing a hypothesis, critical analysis of published research, on-line and library research skills, writing and presentation skills, referencing procedures, time management.

Methods of assessment

There are three assessment points at which work is submitted by students. In between these formal assessment points there is continual feedback on the coursework being undertaken. This is intended to give students flexibility in terms of completing and submitting their coursework, and to give students the opportunity to improve their work before formal assessment.

Entry requirements

• Undergraduate degree (any discipline) or equivalent knowledge/experience.Please note that this programme includes technical material and students will need to employ advanced numerical skills for some of the coursework
• Evidence of English language ability e.g. TOEFL at 550 or an IELTS score of 6.5

Fees

UK/EU Citizenship:

• Course fee: £6,000 to undertake the programme full time
• Part-time students: £3,000 payable each year
• There is also the option of setting up an instalment plan and paying quarterly

Non UK/ EU Citizenship:

• Course fee: £12,000 p.a.
• Half the fee is due on application; the balance is due on registration

A quarterly budget plan is available on request.

Please refer to our fees policy for more information.

How to apply

Please complete the on-line application here.

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Contact Information

For more information please contact:

Programme Leader (CAT) Dr Simon Tucker: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tel: (UK) 01654 703065 ext. 24

Tel: (overseas):0044 1654 703065 ext 24

 

Programme Leader (UWIC) Dr John Littlewood: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tel: (UK) +44(0)2920 416676

Mob: 0+44 (0)771 4811404

 

Alice Read, Student Support Officer (CAT): This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tel (UK): 01654 704989

Tel (overseas):  0044 1654 704989

 

Angharad Jones, Student Support Officer (UWIC): This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tel: +44 (0) 29 2049 6636

Tel: +44 (0) 29 2049 6696

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Programme specification

A summary of the course on the University of Wales Institute School of Art and Design website