CEM222: Building Simulation

Module code: CEM222

Module provider: School of Construction Management and Engineering, School of Built Environment

Credits: 10

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Emmanuel Essah, email: e.a.essah@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): This module is only available to flexible modular students who enrolled before January 2023. (Open)

Co-requisite module(s): (Compulsory)

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: No placement specified

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list:

Last updated: 19 September 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module introduces the theory of heat transfer and an overview of building simulations to equip students through training and demonstration of an Industry standard building simulation software, with skills in building computational modelling and simulation techniques. The module provides the basis to explore through modelling the mechanism and operational applications of buildings. The Software used is Integrated Environmental Solutions (IES - ).

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Produce building simulation models
2. Propose scenarios which affect energy consumption, refurbishment etc
3. Perform simulations using computer software packages
4. Analyse results and propose optimum solutions

Module content

This module is structured to be delivered in a one block week sessions developing the context and know-how through modelling of buildings and its building simulation. Contents of this module include:  

• Introduction to building simulation- theory  
• Developing a functional building simulation model  
• Evaluation and analysis of the data obtained including varied scenarios against potential benchmarks 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

This module is to be delivered through a brief lecture, series of practical class sessions.  Students will be provided with demonstration of the software and hands-on step by step training of how the software is used.

Study hours

At least 20 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Practice questions will be provided in the tutorial sessions in order to provide students with an opportunity to test their understanding of the topics discussed in lectures and prepare students for summative assessments. 

Reassessment

Additional costs