LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY
Programme Specification
MSc Building Services Engineering
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of
the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be
expected to achieve and demonstrate if full advantage is taken of the learning
opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes,
content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each module can be
found in Module Specifications and other programme documentation and is online at
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/students/
The accuracy of the information in this document is reviewed by the University and
may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
Awarding body/institution;
Loughborough University
Teaching institution (if different);
Details of accreditation by a
professional/statutory body;
Name of the final award;
MSc, PD, PC
Programme title;
Building Services Engineering
JACS code;
K200
Date at which the programme
specification was written or revised.
Revised 25.6.07
1. Aims of the programme:
The principal aim of this programme is to provide a path for graduates of engineering
and other related disciplines to enter into a career in the Building Services
Engineering profession. The programme also aims to provide existing Building
Services Engineers with a programme that will deepen their understanding of
particular technical and managerial issues that are currently of foremost concern
within the industry. Incorporated into this are the following objectives:
1.
To provide a high quality, broad-based educational experience that furthers the
student's knowledge in the principal areas relating to building design and their
engineering services. This will include core engineering science based subjects
as well as optional technical and management based topics.
2.
To produce Building Services Engineers, with integrated building design
knowledge, that understand the science, engineering, management and
politically relevant issues associated with buildings and their systems, through
knowledge of: environmental issues; global warming; sustainability and the
impact of buildings upon these and the environment in general.
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3.
To produce Building Services Engineers capable of designing low energy
building solutions that provide comfortable, productive indoor environments for
the building occupants.
4.
To inculcate in students a client focused approach to the design of buildings and
the integration of the engineering systems within the building.
5.
To develop a strong approach to problem solving including resolution of
conflicting goals through a series of design project modules and the generation,
gathering and application of research knowledge.
6.
To provide, for students from related disciplines, specific cognitive skills in those
areas that are fundamental to the broad building services engineering discipline.
7.
To provide a programme that is flexible such that a stronger technical focus or
managerial flavour are possible, enabling students to tailor the programme to
suit their needs, while still experiencing a challenging and rewarding programme.
8.
To deliver a programme that is sufficiently flexible to adapt to part-time student’s
employment pressures and so allow them to integrate their study with their
workload in industry.
2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and internal
reference points used to inform programme outcomes:
External references:
 QAA Benchmark statements for engineering.

Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.

CIBSE Education guidelines (Member of group on CIBSE Education &
Learning Group).

Industrial Liaison Committee meetings provide industry input to steer the
programme content and delivery.
Internal references:
 University Learning and teaching initiatives.

Department of Civil & Building Engineering matrix of criteria for postgraduate
management programmes.
3. Intended Learning Outcomes
There is a degree of flexibility in the options that students may undertake. However,
there are fundamental core areas and the outcomes stated here are based upon the
most common route that a student would take through the programme.
Knowledge and Understanding:
The knowledge and understanding that a student will be expected to have upon
completion of the programme include:

a comprehensive understanding of building thermal performance and systems to
control the internal environment of occupied spaces;

a complete knowledge of those factors affecting human thermal comfort and air
quality and in-depth understanding of how these influence the design of a
building and its engineering systems to serve the occupants;

an understanding of Architectural form in relation to space and energy usage;
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
a developed personal awareness of research in the field and specific knowledge
within a chosen area, plus an understanding of how to research and of how to
apply this skill to help develop the industry;

an ability to apply, and to critically appraise the results of, computing methods for
the solution of problems;

a knowledge of how to apply management techniques in specific chosen areas.

an understanding of how to use oral and written presentation skills for the
promotion of solutions, and their effect on personal, professional and corporate
image;
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be
achieved and demonstrated:
Knowledge and understanding is delivered through a combination of lectures,
tutorials, laboratory work, computer laboratory work and other delivery
mechanisms such as seminars, videos, groupwork, visits to relevant buildings or
organisations and attendance at professional institution talks where appropriate.
In project work students undertake group and individual work and receive one-toone tuition through tutorials and informal critiques.
Assessment strategies involve unseen formal written examinations and
assessed coursework in the form of dissertations, laboratory reports, case
studies, essays and numerical assignments, plus oral assessment via formal
critiques and presentations.
Skills and other attributes:
a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should have developed the
following skills:

the ability to analyse, critically appraise and solve problems by the objective
evaluation of the validity and effectiveness of systems, procedures and
techniques used for design in building services engineering;

numeracy, through an understanding of how to solve numerical problems and
how to generate, collect, record and interpret numerical data;

initiative, independence of thought and adaptability in the approach to unfamiliar
situations and the solution of new and complex problems. Student centred
learning will aid growth of initiative, innovation, self-motivation, organisation and
intellect in the approach to problem solving;

learning, through identification of their own learning needs, planning to meet
such needs, evaluating the outcomes and then proceeding to do this in an
iterative manner;
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be
achieved and demonstrated:
Subject specific cognitive skills (intellectual abilities) are developed during the
process of inculcating students with an understanding of the subject area.
Therefore as they progress through the programme outlined in section 4
(programme structure) they learn to analyse systems, design, appraise and
assess operational efficiency.
Particular modules within the programme help to develop these skills more than
others by requiring students to: develop mathematical models of plant/buildings
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and simulate operation; analyse energy use in buildings to assess the efficiency
of systems; test operation under varying load conditions.
The design and research project modules specifically develop and assess the
students ability to: critically appraise their own work; think independently; provide
novel solutions; give proof of concept and to challenge the norm all through an
informed and logical decision making process. They also learn to evaluate and
organise their own workload.
Assessment of these skills is mainly through substantial coursework, involving
numerical modelling work, groupwork and individual project work, oral and poster
presentations, critiques, written reports and a dissertation, plus short paper.
b. Subject-specific practical skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should have gained the
following practical skills:

Technical competence skills, providing the student with the ability to discuss with
any other discipline the technical matter related to this field;

General design skills, problem solving and technical decision-making through
the integration of buildings and systems with environment and people;

Laboratory based skills gained from laboratory work;

Teamwork skills through contributions to group activity in major design projects;

Communication skills will be gained through most modules, though particularly
the main projects;

Communication & IT skills are predominantly supported through the two projects
which require data to be retrieved, stored, processed, presented and
communicated in a variety of ways;

Management: self management through the students own time management,
associated with most aspects of the course and in the case of part-time students
integration with their employers needs; organisational management skills will be
developed predominantly through the projects, but also in certain optional
management modules.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be
achieved and demonstrated:
Management and organisation skills are developed during the programme. Parttime students must manage their employers requirements in line with the
programme requirements and their personal life. The programme provides a
degree of flexibility so that students may design the structure around their needs
without overloading themselves in any year. This flexibility means making
choices and choice means decision-making.
Full-time students have similar self-management and organisation skills to
perform. They need to balance their input to the design and research projects
between the one-week block taught modules.
Additionally, the first design project module (taken in the second or subsequent
years for part time students) has a teamwork element where students must work
together yet divide all the tasks, technical or otherwise, between the group
evenly. Laboratory work helps to develop skills of communication, data
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collection, retrieval and analysis and reporting and these are further developed in
the design and research project modules.
The core assessment methods have been outlined in the previous two subsections. These methods test the technical competence and teamworking
effectiveness of the groups as well as of each individual member. Peer
assessment is also used in the design project groupwork element. Oral
communication and IT skills are paramount to delivering and explaining their
solutions and demonstrating 'proof of concept' and 'quality of the solution'. The
assessment is in stages as the year progresses, hence, students learn to make
improvements upon earlier efforts such that at the end of the year, the student
may learn to present work of a high standard.
c. Key/transferable skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

Communicate effectively and professionally using written, graphical and oral
skills:

Use IT effectively (WP, spreadsheets, presentations, email, WWW and specialist
software)

Use mathematical skills appropriate to that of a building services engineer;

Undertake critical appraisal of their own work and that of their peers;

Apply their problem solving capabilities to building services systems design, the
interface with buildings and problems involving human factors;

Demonstrate environmental awareness (re: energy use and environmental
implications).

Work effectively, both independently or in a team environment;

Manage workloads and time effectively;

Work with limited or contradictory information;
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be
achieved and demonstrated:
The development of key transferable skills is seen as critical to successful
student learning on the programme. They provide the student with skills to
further their future career by self-learning and so progress upwards in
organisational structures.
Through formal lectures and project work students will learn about practical
aspects of teamwork, leadership, effective time management, structured problem
solving, working with limited / contradictory information and IT applications. The
more technically based modules assess the students numerical/mathematical
skills and awareness of environmental concerns. Some of the above key
transferable skills are assessed through end of semester examinations, though
in particular:
 Most of the modules and especially those requiring data to be analysed and
presented (ie Projects and experimental and PC lab based coursework) are
used to develop and improve students IT skills.
 Group project work and laboratories are used to improve and assess key
transferable skills such as teamwork, leadership, group effectiveness and
communication.
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 Individual coursework, especially the individual research project and latter two
Design Project modules, are used to improve and assess key transferable
skills such as working independently, communication, presentation, time
management, critical appraisal and problem solving.
 Coursework is also set to develop and assess students' ability to work with
limited and/or contradictory information and solve problems in a logical and
systematic manner.
 Oral presentation skills are developed and assessed largely through the
project modules, design and research.
 Students are provided with a programme and assessment schedule at the
start of each semester and are expected to plan and control their workloads
accordingly. The part time students need to plan workloads in conjunction
with their employers needs, graduate training requirements and their
personnel life. The full time students need to plan their workload to run
concurrently with design and research project work through the year and also
their personnel life.
 Life-long learning skills are developed throughout the programme and,
through such techniques as staged submissions, informal critiques and peer
assessment, students are encouraged to develop a reflective approach to
their learning.
4. Programme structure and requirements, levels, modules, credits and
awards:
The programme is the responsibility of the Department of Civil and Building
Engineering and leads to the award of either a MSc, a Postgraduate Diploma or a
Postgraduate Certificate. The MSc programme is offered in both a one-year full time
mode and a part-time mode over a 2-7 year period. The PGCert and PGDip
programmes are offered in part-time mode only, over 1-3 year and 2-5 year periods
respectively.
4.1 Structure
The programme is delivered and study undertaken in one-week intensive blocks with
individual project work and private study between.
The Research Project runs for one calendar year from October to September. For
part time students this will be taken in the second or subsequent years. Full time
students will spend some of the time between modules on their research project, but
the whole of the summer will be devoted to this individual piece of research work.
Postgraduate Certificate Level
Study is for a minimum of two semesters part-time, devoted to taught modules with a
total weighting of 60 credits. The maximum period of study is 3 years. Students
undertake modules worth 60 credits to include at least 40 credits from the
compulsory modules listed. Students enrolled for the Certificate will not be permitted
to register for either of the Design Project modules CVP072 and CVP073, or the
Research Project (CVP052 or CVP068).
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Postgraduate Diploma Level
Study is for a minimum four semesters part-time, devoted to taught modules with a
total weighting of 120. The maximum period of study is 5 years. Students undertake
120 credits to include 30 credits from the Design Project modules (CVP071, CVP072
and CVP073) and 9 x 10 credit taught modules, of which no more than 40 credits
should be from management type modules. Students enrolled for the Diploma will not
be permitted to register for the Research Project (CVP052 or CVP068).
Postgraduate Masters Level
Study is for a minimum of four semesters part-time or one-year full-time, devoted to
taught modules with a total weighting of 120 credits (30 from the Design Project
modules CVP071, CVP072 and CVP073, and 9 x 10 credit taught modules, of which
no more than 40 credits should be from management type modules), plus a personal
Research Project (CVP052 or CVP068) with a weighting of 60 credits. Submission of
the research project is mid September, as advised by the Programme Director.
Postgraduate Masters and Diploma students
Part time Masters and Diploma students must undertake CVP072 and CVP073 in the
same year. Students registered for module CVP072 must have taken, or be
registered for, modules CVP071, CVP060, CVP061, CVP064 and CVP070. Students
registered for module CVP073 must have taken, or be registered for module
CVP072.
4.2 Content
There are compulsory and optional taught modules and compulsory project modules.
Taught modules are of a technical or managerial nature and each is weighted 10
credits. Not all modules will be available in any one academic year, though
candidates may choose to take modules from other postgraduate programmes within
the Department or Faculty where appropriate and feasible, subject to the approval of
the Programme Director.
Details of modules studied are given in the programme regulations at
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/lps/progreg/index.htm
4.3 Awards
Awards are based on accumulation of credits. Credits are awarded for passing a
module and the pass mark at postgraduate level is 50%. There is also a minimum
performance level, which is set at not less than 40% of the module assessment.
In order to pass the MSc students must:
 take modules with a total credit weight of 180, to include the research project
module;
 obtain 150 credits, with 60 credits from the research project module;
 pass modules with a further credit weight of 30 at the minimum performance level
or above.
In order to obtain a distinction in the MSc, students must obtain 180 credits and have
a weighted average assessment score over all offered modules of at least 70%.
In order to pass the PGDip students must:
 take modules with a total credit weight of 120;
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

obtain 100 credits;
pass modules with a further credit weight of 20 at the minimum performance level
or above.
In order to obtain a distinction in the Diploma, students must obtain 120 credits and
have a weighted average assessment score over all offered modules of at least 70%.
In order to pass the PGCert students must:
 take modules with a total credit weight of 60;
 obtain 60 credits;
In order to obtain a distinction in the Certificate, students must have a weighted
average assessment score over all offered modules of at least 70%.
Full details can be found in the Programme Regulations at:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/lps/progreg/year/1112/index.htm
5. Criteria for admission to the programme:
The minimum entry requirements for the MSc are:
 a good honours degree in a science, engineering or related discipline
 a chartered professional qualification
Every applicant is considered on their individual merit and relevant experience and
other qualifications may also be considered. For up-to-date information please refer
to the programme web site and Regulation XXI at the following web addresses:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/mscbse
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/
6. Information about assessment regulations:
Students are assessed in most modules using a combination of coursework and
examination. Some modules are assessed by coursework only. Both individual and
group work is used as part of the coursework assessment. Examinations are taken at
the end of each semester, though some management module examinations are
taken at the start of the next module of the same type. The individual research
project is submitted by mid September of the academic year that the student
registered for the project.
A Review Board is held at the end of Semester 2 and reassessment is in accordance
with Regulation XXI such that candidates can be reassessed in the University's
Special Assessment Period.
7. What makes the programme distinctive:
The programme is designed to be flexible and the modules are delivered through a
one week delivery mechanism. The focus of the programme is conversion and
advancement. It is designed to meet the needs of graduates from other disciplines
who wish to undertake a career as a professional Building Services Engineer as well
as existing Building Services Engineers who wish to further their career by gaining
particular expertise in specific technical or managerial areas.
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Career prospects in the industry are exceptionally good. Significant changes to
legislation mean that the industry is seeking a new generation of Building Services
Engineer, people who have a broader vision and a wider range of skills than in the
past. The industry shortage of well-qualified Building Services Engineers means that
there is a wide range of exciting career opportunities for graduates, both nationally
and internationally.
The programme is approved by CIBSE and is included in their published list of
course providers.
8. Particular support for learning:
Please refer to
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/templateshop/notes/lps/index.htm
9. Methods for evaluating and improving the quality and standards of learning:
The University’s formal quality management and reporting procedures are laid out in
its Academic Quality Procedures Handbook, available online at:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/policy/aqp/index.htm
These are under the overall direction of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching).
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Appendix
LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY
Regulations for the Postgraduate Degree Programme in
Building Services Engineering (Full-time)
These regulations refer to the conduct of this Programme in the Session 20082009 and are subject to change from time to time. Notice of change will be
given in subsequent editions of these regulations. Students should enquire as
to the up to date position when they need to know.
These Regulations are to be read in conjunction with Regulation XXI and the
relevant Module Specifications.
1.
Structure
1.1 The programme is the responsibility of the Department of Civil and Building
Engineering and leads to the award of MSc in Building Services Engineering.
1.2 The programme may be taken on a full-time basis only, with the majority of
modules delivered on a modular one week block basis.
1.3 The Programme registration is for a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 5
years.
1.4 The Programme comprises study for a minimum of two semesters devoted to
taught modules with a total weighting of 120 credits (including three 10 credit
Design Project modules), and a personal Research Project (CVP068) with a
module weighting of 60 credits. Submission of the research project is mid
September, as advised by the Programme Director.
2. Content
2.1 Modules and Assessment Weighting
1.
2.
Note:
Not all optional modules will be available in each academic year.
Optional Management modules are subject to timetabling and place
availability.
COMPULSORY MODULES
Module code
CVP060
CVP061
CVP064
CVP066
CVP070
Module
Control Systems
Building Thermal Loads and Systems
Thermal Comfort and Indoor Air Quality
Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow for Buildings
Building Thermal Plant and Systems
10
Weight
10
10
10
10
10
COMPULSORY PROJECT MODULES
Module code
CVP068
CVP071
CVP072
CVP073
Module
Postgraduate Research Project
Design Project: Architecture Scheme Design
Design Project: Building Services Design
Design Project: Detailed Analysis
Weight
60
10
10
10
OPTIONAL TECHNICAL MODULES
Module code
CVP062
CVP063
CVP065
Module
Low Energy Building Design & Analysis
Building Thermal Modelling & Simulation
Lighting and Power Systems
Weight
10
10
10
OPTIONAL MANAGEMENT MODULES
Module code
CVP005
CVP031
CVP044
CVP048
CVP053
Module
Construction Innovation and Site Strategy
Sustainability in the Built Environment
Strategic Management in Construction
e.Construction
Lean Construction
Weight
10
10
10
10
10
Candidates may also choose to take modules from other postgraduate
programmes within the Department or Faculty where appropriate and
feasible. These will be subject to the approval of the Programme Director.
2.2 Requirements
Candidates must undertake 180 credits, to include the compulsory Research and
Design Project modules and 9 x 10 credit taught modules, of which no more than
40 credits should be from management type modules.
2.3 Candidates with entry qualifications that include heat transfer and fluid flow
subjects are normally given exemption from the compulsory module CVP066,
subject to the approval of the Programme Director. Candidates receiving
exemption from any module must undertake other taught technical or
management modules with a total weighting equal to that of the exempt
modules, subject to the approval of the Programme Director.
3. Assessment
3.1 Each module will be assessed and credit awarded in accordance with the levels
of achievement specified in Regulation XXI.
3.2 Provision will be made in accordance with Regulation XXI for candidates who
have the right of re-examination to be reassessed in the University's Special
Assessment Period.
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LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY
Regulations for the Postgraduate Degree Programme in
Building Services Engineering (Part-time)
These regulations refer to the conduct of this Programme in the Session 20082009 and are subject to change from time to time. Notice of change will be
given in subsequent editions of these regulations. Students should enquire as
to the up to date position when they need to know.
These Regulations are to be read in conjunction with Regulation XXI and the
relevant Module Specifications.
4.
Structure
1.1
The programme is the responsibility of the Department of Civil and Building
Engineering and leads to the award of either MSc, a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip),
or a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert).
1.2 The programme may be taken on a part-time basis only.
1.3 The Programme registration is for a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 7
years.
1.4 The periods of study and registration for the programme are as follows:
Certificate - study for a minimum two semesters part-time, devoted to taught
modules with a total weighting of 60. The maximum period of study is 3 years.
Diploma - study for a minimum four semesters part-time, devoted to taught
modules with a total weighting of 120 (including three 10 credit Design Project
modules). The maximum period of study is 5 years.
Masters - study for a minimum of four semesters part-time, devoted to taught
modules with a total weighting of 120 credits (including three 10 credit Design
Project modules) and a personal Research Project (CVP052 or CVP068 for
those registered in or after October 2003) with a weighting of 60 credits.
Submission of the research project is mid September, as advised by the
Programme Director.
5. Content
5.1 Modules and Assessment Weighting
Note:
Not all optional modules will be available in each academic year.
Optional Management modules are subject to timetabling and place
availability.
5. * Students registered prior to 2003-4 will take CVP052 Research Project.
Students registered in or after 2003-4 will take CVP068 Research Project.
3.
4.
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COMPULSORY MODULES
Module code
Module
CVP060
Control Systems
CVP061
Building Thermal Loads and Systems
CVP064
Thermal Comfort and Indoor Air Quality
CVP066
Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow for Buildings
CVP070
Building Thermal Plant and Systems
COMPULSORY PROJECT MODULES
Module code
Module
CVP052*
Postgraduate Research Project
or
CVP068*
Postgraduate Research Project
CVP071
Design Project: Architecture Scheme Design
CVP072
Design Project: Building Services Design
CVP073
Design Project: Detailed Analysis
Weight
10
10
10
10
10
Weight
60
60
10
10
10
OPTIONAL TECHNICAL MODULES
Module code
Module
CVP062
Low Energy Building Design & Analysis
CVP063
Building Thermal Modelling & Simulation
CVP065
Lighting and Power Systems
Weight
10
10
10
OPTIONAL MANAGEMENT MODULES
Module code
Module
CVP005
Construction Innovation and Site Strategy
CVP031
Sustainability in the Built Environment
CVP044
Strategic Management in Construction
CVP047
Value Engineering
CVP048
e.Construction
CVP049
Lean Construction
Weight
10
10
10
10
10
10
Candidates may also choose to take modules from other postgraduate
programmes within the Department or Faculty where appropriate and
feasible. These will be subject to the approval of the Programme Tutor.
2.2 Requirements
Certificate Level (Part Time)
60 credits to include at least 40 credits from the compulsory modules list.
Students enrolled for the Certificate will not be permitted to register for either of
the Design Project modules CVP072 and CVP073, or the Research Project
(CVP052 or CVP068).
Diploma Level (Part Time)
120 credits to include 30 credits from the Design Project modules (CVP071,
CVP072 and CVP073) and 9 x 10 credit taught modules, of which no more than
40 credits should be from management type modules. Students enrolled for the
Diploma must undertake CVP072 and CVP073 in the same year and will not be
permitted to register for the Research Project (CVP052 or CVP068).
Master's Level (Part Time)
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Candidates must undertake 180 credits, to include the compulsory Research and
Design Project modules and 9 x 10 credit taught modules, of which no more than
40 credits should be from management type modules. Students enrolled for the
MSc must undertake CVP072 and CVP073 in the same year.
2.3 Candidates with entry qualifications that include heat transfer and fluid flow
subjects are normally given exemption from the compulsory module CVP066,
subject to the approval of the Programme Director. Candidates receiving
exemption from any module must undertake other taught technical or
management modules with a total weighting equal to that of the exempt
modules, subject to the approval of the Programme Director.
2.4 Students registered for module CVP072 must have taken, or be registered for,
modules CVP071, CVP060, CVP061, CVP064 and CVP070.
2.5 Students registered for module CVP073 must have taken, or be registered for
module CVP072.
6. Assessment
6.1 Each module will be assessed and credit awarded in accordance with the levels
of achievement specified in Regulation XXI.
6.2 Provision will be made in accordance with Regulation XXI for candidates who
have the right of re-examination to be reassessed in the University's Special
Assessment Period.
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15