Module Details

Module Code: ENVI6004
Title: Environment-Climate Change & H
Long Title: Environment-Climate Change & Heat
NFQ Level: Fundamental
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2019/20 ( September 2019 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 5810 - Architecture & Urban Environment
Module Delivered in: 4 programme(s)
Module Description: This module introduces the student to society's dependency on fossil fuels, the causes and effects of climate change, the emergence of sustainable development and design in the built environment, basic heat loss calculations and passive solar design approaches applicable to the built environment.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Express the relationship between greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
LO2 Calculate an individual's carbon footprint.
LO3 Calculate U-values through various building elements (wall, floor & roof) for different types of building fabric.
LO4 Explore the potential of built form and passive solar design to reduce energy consumption in a domestic environment.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
The Climate Crises.
History and definition of Sustainable Development , sources of Climate Change and the effect on the planet, the greenhouse effect & GHGs, current dependency on fossil fuels to meet energy demands, peak oil & carbon footprints.
Thermal Dynamics
Introduction to Building Regulations Part L - Dwellings and heat loss through the building envelope. Thermal conductivity & resistance of common building materials and typical construction build ups. U-value calculations through walls, roofs and floors. The impact of building form (Surface Area/Volume) on heat loss.
Climate responsive design
Built form & passive solar design (PSD) principles including orientation, percentage of glazing, buffer zones, thermal mass and shading to reduce energy consumption in buildings.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework50.00%
End of Module Formal Examination50.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 25
Timing Week 4 Learning Outcomes 1,2
Assessment Description
Calculate personal carbon footprint, reflect on outcome and propose methods to reduce footprint and negative impact on the planet.
Assessment Type Open-book Examination % of Total Mark 25
Timing Week 8 Learning Outcomes 3
Assessment Description
U-value calculations through building envelope to satisfy current Building Regulations - Part L Dwellings.
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 50
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcomes 3,4
Assessment Description
Demonstrate knowledge of passive solar design principles and calculate elemental and overall heat losses.
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lecture based learning Every Week 3.00 3
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Completion of project assignment Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lecture based learning Every Week 3.00 3
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Completion of project assignment Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Heywood, Huw. (2012), 101 Rules of Thumb For Low Energy Buildings, RIBA Publishing, London, [ISBN: 9781859464816].
  • Juniper, Tony. (2016), What's really hapopening to our planet, 1st. Dorling Kindersley Ltd, London, [ISBN: 9780241240427].
  • Maslin, Mark. (2014), Climate Change, A Very Short Introduction, 6th. Oxford University Press, Oxford, [ISBN: 9780198719045].
  • Thorpe, David. (2018), Passive Solar Architecture Pocket Reference, 1st. Routledge, London, [ISBN: 9871138806283].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
  • DVD, (2007), The 11th Hour - Turn mankind's darkest hour into it's finest., Leonardo DiCaprio.
  • DVD, (2006), The Power of Community - How Cuba survived Peak Oil..
  • Building Regulations, Dept. of Housing, Planning & Local Govt.. (2017), TGD Part L - Dwellings, The Stationary Office..
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_CARCT_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Architectural Technology 1 Mandatory
CR_DINAR_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Interior Architecture 3 Mandatory
CR_TARCH_7 Bachelor of Science in Architectural Technology 1 Mandatory
CR_DIARC_7 Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture 3 Mandatory