6B043E - Built Environment Project 01 Sep 2026 - 31 Aug 2032 | Version 0

Associated Module Information

Module Code: 6B043E
Module Title: Built Environment Project
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Built and Sustainable Environment
Faculty Sub Group: Built Environment
Module Leader: Thomas Lambourne
Module Team: Emmajane Mantle, Angela Morris
First Intended Intake: SEP 2026 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 30 Credit Level: 6
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100150 - construction and the built environment 100962 - research skills
HECOS Code Weighting: 50 50

Document Version Information

Version 0
Valid From 01 Sep 2026
Valid To 31 Aug 2032

Module Aims

  • Aim 1 – To design and execute an independent research project that addresses a contemporary issue within the built environment or related discipline. 

  • Aim 2 – To synthesise and critically evaluate existing academic literature aligned and primary or secondary data. 

  • Aim 3 – To develop reflective skills that enable professional awareness and the application of academic research across the degree programme. 

Content Summary

This module enables students to undertake an independent, industry-informed research or innovation project addressing a key issue within the built environment. Emphasising applied research and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and professional bodies, the module encourages exploration of topics with real-world relevance and impact. Examples of research areas include construction, infrastructure, sustainability, quantification, change management, cost planning, contract management, housing, urban planning, property management, valuation, and building information modelling.  

The module covers research design, project management, data collection and analysis, ethical considerations, critical literature review, and development of a coherent theoretical framework. Through this series, students receive targeted training in empirical research methods and academic integrity. Under academic supervision, students demonstrate autonomy and critical thinking as they carry out research activities. 

Finally, students develop critical self-reflection skills by completing a reflective log of their professional competencies to date. This case-study-led reflection enables evaluation of research skills developed through the project and the wider degree. Furthermore, this log can be used for professional body alignment and future recognition submissions. Alongside the project, it offers an opportunity to reflect on original insights and apply them to professional practice, policy, or innovation in the built environment and related disciplines. 

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Practical classes & Workshops 24
Groupwork 6
Project Supervision 6
Seminar 12
Active/Simulation 6
Formative Assessment - Scheduled 2
Formative Assessment - Independent 16
Summative Assessment 60
Direct Study 24
Independent Study 144
Total Hours Selected 300

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Critically execute an independent academic research project addressing an applied built environment issue.
LO2 Critically reflect on personal research skills and professional competencies in relation to industry and academic standards.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Practical Written Work Practical Written Work 0 4500 75 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Self-reflective Assessment Self Reflective Assessment 0 1500 24 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Practical Written Work
Self-reflective Assessment

Reading List

Alasuutari, P., Bickman, L. and Brannen, J. (2008) The SAGE handbook of social research methods. Los Angeles: SAGE. Black, T.R. (2002) Understanding social science research. 2nd ed. London: Sage.  

Boeije, H. (2010) Analysis in qualitative research. 1st edition. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications Ltd. Available at: https://app.talis.com/textbooks/9781446205402 

Booth, A. et al. (2022) Systematic approaches to a successful literature review. Third edition. London: SAGE. Available at: https://findit.southwales.ac.uk/permalink/44WHELF_USW/1df4iq7/alma9910085338730242 4.  

Brinkmann, S. (2017) Philosophies of qualitative research. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Byrne, David (2016) Research ethics. SAGE Publications, Inc.  

Cho, J. (2017) Evaluating qualitative research. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.  

Clark, T. et al. (2021) Bryman’s social research methods. Sixth edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.  

Farrell, P., Sherratt, F. and Richardson, A. (2017) Writing built environment dissertations and projects: practical guidance and examples. Second edition. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons Inc.  

Grbich, C. (2013) Qualitative data analysis: an introduction. 2nd ed. London: SAGE Publications.  

Hart, C. (2025) Doing a literature review: releasing the research imagination. 3rd edition. London: Sage Publications. Available at: https://findit.southwales.ac.uk/permalink/44WHELF_USW/1df4iq7/alma9910085337950242 4.  

Jegede, J. (2020) ‘Research questions and getting started on your dissertation (Chapter 3)’, in Writing successful undergraduate dissertations in social sciences?: a student’s handbook. Routledge, pp. 46–57.  

Love, K. (2012) Ethics in social research. 1st ed. Bingley: Emerald. 

Morgan, D.L. (1997) Focus groups as qualitative research. 2nd ed. London: SAGE. Available at: https://findit.southwales.ac.uk/permalink/44WHELF_USW/g0kpe7/alma9911743402424 

Naoum, S. G. (Shamil G.) (2019) Dissertation research and writing for built environment students. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.  

Neuman, W.L. (2014) Social research methods: qualitative and quantitative approaches. Seventh edition, Pearson new international edition. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited.  

Roberts, D. et al. (2022) ‘Practising ethics: guides for built environment research’, The Journal of Architecture, 27(5–6), pp. 673–707. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/13602365.2022.2143395 

Silverman, D. (ed.) (2020) Qualitative Research. Fifth edition. London: SAGE Publications, Ltd. (UK). Available at: https://bc.vitalsource.com/tenants/university_of_south_wales_explore/books/97815297379 81.  

Silverman, D. (ed.) (2021) Qualitative research. 5th edition. London: SAGE. Available at: https://findit.southwales.ac.uk/permalink/44WHELF_USW/1df4iq7/alma9910050969170242 4.  

Silverman, D. (2024) Interpreting qualitative data. 7E. London: Sage. Available at: https://findit.southwales.ac.uk/permalink/44WHELF_USW/1df4iq7/alma9910085338630242 4.  

Smith, K., Todd, M.J. and Waldman, J. (2009a) Doing your undergraduate social science dissertation. London: Routledge. Available at: https://findit.southwales.ac.uk/permalink/44WHELF_USW/g0kpe7/alma9910013828300242 4.  

Smith, K., Todd, M.J. and Waldman, J. (2009b) Doing your undergraduate social science dissertation. London: Routledge. Available at: https://findit.southwales.ac.uk/permalink/44WHELF_USW/g0kpe7/alma9910013828300242 4.  

Vitak, J. (2017) ‘Facebook as a research tool in the social and computer sciences (chapter 37)’, in The Sage handbook of social media research methods. Thousand Oaks, California: SAGE Publications Inc, pp. 627–644. Williams, Matthew (2020) Social media data and ethics in social research. SAGE Publications Ltd.