Sustainable Development CPD Course with 15 Credits at SCQF level 11

Program Overview

This online short course explores sustainable development in the construction industry, focusing on climate change and its impact on the built environment. It covers principles, challenges, and industry efforts towards sustainability, including sustainable buildings and practices. The course is delivered through online discussions, study guides, and learning materials, and is assessed through an individual report.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This short course provides an understanding of sustainable development within the construction industry, specifically focusing on addressing climate change and the challenges it poses to the built environment. It explores the connection between climate change and the construction industry, and how the industry is striving to meet the sustainability agenda, both in terms of sustainable buildings and sustainable practices.

Objectives:

• To provide a critical understanding of the principles and issues surrounding sustainable development within the construction industry.
• To analyze the challenges of developing and enhancing the built environment responsibly with respect to the environment, society, and communities.
• To explore the relationship between climate change and the built environment, and the industry's efforts to achieve sustainability goals.

Outline:

Content:

The course covers key ideas behind sustainable development in the construction industry, including:

• Introduction to the terms and concepts of sustainability
• Factors affecting human settlement, climate, microclimate, topography, and infrastructure
• Buildings in time and place, considering urban and rural contexts
• Human factors like health, social interaction, and comfort
• Resource and energy conservation, waste management, environmental and social impact, and net zero carbon
• Methods to reduce carbon emissions, embodied carbon, and life cycle assessment
• Water management, sustainable urban design, and sustainable communities

Structure:

The course is delivered online, part-time, and spans 12 weeks. Students learn through weekly online discussions, study guides, and access to learning materials and resources via CampusMoodle.

Course Schedule:

The course does not appear to be divided into individual modules.

Assessment:

• Assessment Method: The course is assessed through a submission of an individual report.
• Criteria: Specific assessment criteria are not provided in the context.

Teaching:

• Teaching Methods: Learning takes place through:
• Online discussions
• Study guides
• Online learning materials and resources via CampusMoodle
• Weekly opportunities to participate in online discussion forums.
• Faculty:
• The course is delivered by the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment, one of the three oldest schools of its kind in the UK.
• Dr. Whitney Bevan, a lecturer in Construction Management, is involved with the course.
She has research experience in the delivery of sustainable buildings and has worked on new build and retrofit projects incorporating energy-efficient measures and renewable technology.
• Unique Approaches:
• The course benefits from the expertise of tutors with research interests in project management, innovative practice in online course delivery, and sustainable building delivery.
The context does not mention potential career paths, opportunities, or outcomes associated with completing the course.

Other:

• The University regularly reviews its courses and course content and structure may change over time.
• The course has been awarded Accredited Centre status by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).
• The course is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE).
• The course is offered as part of the MSc Construction Project Management program.
• RGU has invested heavily in its campus, facilities, and support networks to enhance the student experience.

For Academic Year 2023/2024 All students: £840