Introduction to the built environmentLaajuus (15 ECTS)

Objective

Learning Skills
After completing this course, students are familiar with their physical and social study environment. Students know the key guidelines, rules and study practices of Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences.
Students are familiar with the structure of the curriculum and know how they can plan their studies and the progress of their studies.
Students recognize their strengths and development targets and know how to develop their learning and studying skills.
Sustainability and group works: Students will become familiar with the concept of sustainability in constructions and the main topics involved in it. Students will experiment doing research work together with colleagues and present the results of it through slide shows, posters and written reports.
Basics of Construction Economics
The completed course prepares the student for understanding the players and the phases of the construction industry. The importance the building industry for society is also stressed. The basics of construction economics are stressed, and the terminology of building projects and construction economics presented.
CAD Technology
The student will be able to describe the principles and methods of CAD systems as well as explain the differences between different levels of CAD design (2D, 3D, 4D, product model, building information model). The student will be able to prepare official construction and other technical drawings and utilize CAD systems.
Basic Structures
The student will know the major players in the construction industry, the importance of symbols, working drawings, and the construction process, renovation, heat insulation, water insulation, fire protection and acoustic materials, accessibility requirements and building permits.
Building Service Systems
On completion of the course the student will have an overall insight of the building services systems in buildings, especially in single-family houses. The student will also be familiar with building services drawings and knows the devices in them. Furthermore, the student will recognise various demands that have an effect on the selection and operation of the building services system and will be able to compare various systems to each other.
Students are familiar with the student services as well as the key information systems of Metropolia.
Students are familiar with their career opportunities and know how they can improve their competence in international affairs.

Content

Learning Skills
Physical and social study environment, key guidelines and rules of higher education studies, study practices, curricula and planning of studies, learning and study skills, student services, for example Student Affairs Office, Student associations, well-being, library, IT services, international office
Sustainability and group works: Introduction to sustainability concept, sustainability in constructions, main topics and criteria of sustainability. Students will research a complex exiting project, analyse its achievements compared to expectations, and compare the adopted solutions/ approaches with latest trends. Group production of presentation materials: report, slide shows, and poster.
Basics of Construction Economics
Contents are economics of the construction industry, importance of the building industry to society, contracting, scheduling, quality control, purchasing, facilities management and terminology of building projects and construction economics presented.
CAD Technology
Computer aided design systems (CAD), user interface and principles of CAD applications, basics of 3D modeling as well as Building information modeling, introduction to different types of construction and technical drawings and their instructions, preparation of architectural, structural and technical drawings.
Basic Structures
Organisations in the construction industry, the Finnish Building Information Institute RT, working drawings and building permits, windows, doors, fireplaces and stairs. The student assignment is the drawings for a simple sauna building.
Building Service Systems
Requirements for buildings and building service systems; typical Finnish single-family homes, weather in Finland, eergy impact of buildings.
Thermal comfort; basics of heat transfer, principles of heat distribution, local and district heating, dimensioning of heating systems.
Indoor air quality; principles of natural and mechanical ventilation, dimensioning of the air flows, heat recovery, components of a ventilation system. Use of water; basics of flow dynamics, cold and hot water supply systems, dimensioning of the water supply systems.
Sanitary fitments and appliances; dimensioning of the waste water systems. Electricity use in homes, basics of electric circuits, electricity production and supply, electrical installations in houses. Zero energy buildings; energy efficient design, local renewable energy sources.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Learning Skills
After completing this course, students are familiar with their physical and social study environment. Students know the key guidelines, rules and study practices of Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences.
Students are familiar with the structure of the curriculum and know how they can plan their studies and the progress of their studies.
Students recognize their strengths and development targets and know how to develop their learning and studying skills. Students are familiar with the student services as well as the key information systems of Metropolia. Students are familiar with their career opportunities and know how they can improve their competence in international affairs.
Sustainability and group works: group works materials (slide show, poster and report) will be delivered in time and will prove a basic understanding of the assigned topic and its implementation in the study project.
Basics of Construction Economics
The student is able to resolve basic construction economics questions, recognize the importance of the construction industry to society, and actively explain the basic terminology of construction economics
CAD Technology
The student is able to prepare drawings according to the instructions and repeat the tasks described in Learning outcomes. All the assignments are returned and approved.
Basic Structures
The student can access building information sites, and use heat and water insulation materials and draw simple plans for a sauna building.
Building Service Systems
Can explain the basic function of residential heating, ventilating, water and sewage, and electrical systems. Recognises the most common HVACE symbols. Can explain the main factors of heating and ventilation loads of a residential building.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Sustainability and group works: group works materials will be delivered in time, will be accurate and demonstrate good understanding of the topic assigned. Students can get a better grade when they should prove better involvement and presentation skills than own colleagues.
Basics of Construction Economics
In addition to the requirements above, the student is able to explain the present position of the construction industry in society and offer options for future developments in the field
CAD Technology
The student is able to apply learned skills in new and similar tasks. All the assignments are returned in a satisfactory manner and in time.
Basic Structures
In addition to the requirements above, the student is able express the importance of renovation works, to use information cards, and set goals for personal future
Building Service Systems
In addition to (1), can design a draft lay-out of the heating, ventilating, domestic water supply and waste water systems in a single family house. Can explain the function of key components in the electrical system in a single family house. Can calculate the main factors of heating and ventilation loads of a residential building.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Sustainability and group works: can be achieved by students who will produce very good group works presentation materials and who will show involvement and very good presentation skills.
Basics of Construction Economics
In addition to the requirements above, the student has a deep understanding about the topics covered in the course and is able to apply them creatively and sensibly in different applications.
CAD Technology
In addition to foregoing skills the student is interested in and capable to increase the productivity and to develop new ways to complete the assignments as well as validate their solutions. Returned assignments evidence the expertise and proficiency.
Basic Structures
In addition to the requirements above, the student has a deep understanding about the construction industry and its future, apply the topics covered and is able to map out a working life future plan.
Building Service Systems
In addition to (3), can select the main components of heating and ventilation systems. Can explain the function of key components in the electrical system. Can design a draft lay-out of the electrical systems of a single family house.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

Learning Skills
After completing this course, students are familiar with their physical and social study environment. Students know the key guidelines, rules and study practices of Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences.
Students are familiar with the structure of the curriculum and know how they can plan their studies and the progress of their studies.
Students recognize their strengths and development targets and know how to develop their learning and studying skills.
Students are familiar with the student services as well as the key information systems of Metropolia.
Students are familiar with their career opportunities and know how they can improve their competence in international affairs.
Basics of Construction Economics
The student is able to resolve basic construction economics questions, recognize the importance of the construction industry to society, and actively explain the basic terminology of construction economics
CAD Technology
The student is able to prepare drawings according to the instructions and repeat the tasks described in Learning outcomes. All the assignments are returned and approved.
Basic Structures
The student can access building information sites, and use heat and water insulation materials and draw simple plans for a sauna building.
Building Service Systems
Can explain the basic function of residential heating, ventilating, water and sewage, and electrical systems. Recognises the most common HVACE symbols. Can explain the main factors of heating and ventilation loads of a residential building.