BSc (Hons) Architectural Technology Bachelor's degree at Birmingham City University

This module introduces, for all of the built environment professions, a range of concepts relating to the technology of construction. It provides you with an understanding of modern and sustainable methods of construction. We use the example of low rise residential construction as it is relatively straightforward and allows us to introduce and explore these issues appropriately.

Digital construction is an integral component of contemporary design, development and maintenance of modern residential development. Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology is at the forefront of the progressive movement towards total digitalisation of the built environment. Against this backdrop, this module aims to provide a foundation for you to successfully execute the BIM process, facilitate its adoption and achieve interdisciplinary integration on a single project that simulates a

Environmental and materials science is an important area of study for all disciplines involved with the design, planning, developing and management of the built environment. This module encourages you to consider how the properties, structures and performance of materials influence why buildings and structures function. You will be encouraged to consider how these properties impact construction from a design and practical use perspective. This module will therefore enable you to develop innovati

This module begins your journey into architectural design, building technical knowledge and developing design related skills. In this module, you will be given a project brief and your goal is to develop a comprehensive conceptual design that responds to the project brief.

This module advances your skills in architectural design and technical knowledge. You will work towards developing a spatially coordinated architectural design based on a client brief and conceptual drawings. You will create suitable solutions for the brief and explain the technical aspect of your design such as construction materials, building structure with the use of architectural drawings and artefacts.

This module builds on your foundation of knowledge gained around residential technology in the Built Environment Technology 1 module at Level 4 (or any other accepted prior learning) and develops your understanding of commercial construction techniques and methods, it will also provide you with an understanding of modern and sustainable methods of commercial construction. Relevant Building Regulation, Health Safety and Welfare legislation will also be reviewed concurrently.

The benefits of automation and digitalisation have steered government reforms globally towards embedding digitalization throughout architecture, engineering, construction and operations sectors. For example, the UK government's strategy 'Digital Built Britain 2025' is an ambitious plan to digitise these sectors. This strategic vision has similarly been enacted via the BIM Level 2 mandate to extend digitized design, construction and asset handover for commercial developments.

This module develops your ability to assess the needs of clients. It provides a broad based study of Architectural Technology (AT) and Building Surveying (BS); combining the personal qualities of observation, analysis, judgement and their ability to communicate effectively using appropriate technical language and drawings associated with professional practice.

This module introduces students to fundamental concepts of structural systems in buildings and their graphical representation. In the first part of the module, students will explore different types of structural systems and how they carry gravity and lateral loads, with a focus on the role of structural elements within the overall load path.

This practical module is focused on designing an industry-standard commercial building. In this module, you will work towards addressing the requirements of an industry-focused commercial project. Following a creative and logical design process, you will analyse site features and precedents and incorporate influential parameters (economic, social, contextual, environmental, and legal) to shape a design proposal.

This practical module is focused on the technical and technological aspects of designing a sustainable commercial building. In this module, you will work towards developing building technology aspects (including building services and systems, building structure, sustainability and building performance) of a commercial project.

This module is designed to provide you with the opportunity to undertake a credit bearing, 40-week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Undergraduate Degree. The purpose of the Professional Placement is to improve your employability skills which will, through the placement experience, allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market. Furthermore, by completing the Professional Placement, you will be able t

For this module you will be investigating a named site; using common research methods discussed in class you will gather data on various elements of the site and impacting on the site. This module dovetails with the Design Project module: the site for that module and this will be the same. This will ensure the applicability of the research you do for Research in Practice. During the module, contemporary issues of sustainability in the built environment will also be covered, as potential elements

This module will focus on extending and providing appropriate evidence of your professional skills and development. Within an applied socially responsive framework, you will examine a range of issues related to the client, the site, planning, financial/development appraisal, design technology, legal and regulatory, health and safety etc. These will be covered in conjunction with other professional courses or your own discipline as appropriate, given that all built environment professions and rec

This module introduces students to integrated urban design at the city and district scales, with an emphasis on analytical rigour, strategic thinking, and design integration. Students will develop the ability to critically evaluate and synthesise complex site information through multi-layered urban analysis grounded in contemporary urban design theories and principles. Building on this analytical foundation, the module guides students in formulating innovative, context-responsive urban design pr

The purpose of the module is to enable you to undertake a sustained, in-depth and research-informed project exploring an area that is of personal interest to you. In agreement with your supervisor, you will decide upon your topic which will take the form of a practical outcome (artefact) with accompanying contextual material. The main consideration when choosing your topic is that it must be aligned to the programme you are studying, and you should consider the relevance of this topic to your fu

This module will provide you a critical perspective on the nature, and several essential aspects of construction projects together with the approaches and techniques to manage them.