Sustainable Building: Performance and Design - 2012 entry

The teaching and learning methods reflect the wide variety of topics and techniques associated with sustainability, low-carbon and resource efficient design. Staff-led lectures provide the framework, background and knowledge base, and you are encouraged to probe deeper into the topics by further reading and review. Analysis, synthesis and application of material introduced in the lectures are achieved through professional and staff-led workshops, group and one-to-one tutorials, student-led seminars, case studies, and practical work that anticipates the design project.

The course is distinctive in a number of ways. It offers a complete module in post-occupancy evaluation based on our groundbreaking research in this area. Our international standing as research leaders in thermal comfort is directly reflected in our teaching of building design. We offer a sustainable design module focusing on a bioregional approach and our low carbon building technology modules uniquely combine strategic decision making with practical application. The synoptic design project and dissertation towards the end of the programme give the opportunity for application and expansion of the material generally presented in the programme through independent research.

The course attracts students from a diverse range of ages, backgrounds, gender and nationalities. This offers opportunities for interdisciplinary, globally-aware teaching and learning. Students are exposed to a variety of cultural perspectives and issues through the use of international case studies and draw on their diverse strengths through peer learning and group work.

An annual field trip is an opportunity to directly experience some of the very best of sustainable design projects in another culture. Previous field trips have been to Germany, Scotland and Denmark

The subject spectrum draws on the research strengths of the teaching staff and enables research to inform the teaching modules. You are encouraged where possible to take part in staff research projects. We attract some of the best students in the field, drawn by the integrating basis of the programme and its solid theoretical foundation on expertise within the university.

The course content is informed by research conducted through OISD, which has a world-renowned reputation for excellence.

The key staff members teaching on the course are:

• Dr. Paola Sassi, Programme Leader and Senior Lecturer. Author of Strategies for Sustainable Architecture (Taylor and Francis 2006), specialist in ecological closed loop material cycle design and partner of Sassi Chamberlain Architects.
• Dr Rajat Gupta, Reader in Climate Change and Co- Director of the Oxford Institute for Sustainable Development: Architecture Unit (OISD:A). Specialist in carbon-counting and post-occupancy evaluation.
• Mary Hancock, Senior lecturer in Environmental Design. Expert in passive thermal design and monitoring of building performance.
• Chris Kendrick, Senior Lecturer and researcher in OISD:Technology unit. Expert in building modelling, sustainable construction, material performance.
• Maria Rita (Maita) Kessler, Associate Lecturer, architect and urban planner. Expert in sustainable urban planning and building design.
• Professor Michael Hutchins, Associate Lecturer and Head of the Solar Energy Society. Specialist in advanced glazing materials, electrochromic devices and spectrophotometric optical properties measurement techniques, solar energy, solar heating and cooling, windows and day lighting.
• Professor Michael Humphreys and Professor Fergus Nicol, guest lecturers. International leaders in the field of thermal comfort.

Graduates will possess an advanced understanding of the key sustainability issues related to buildings enabling them to strategically influence feasibility and design processes within the built environment. They will be familiar with a range of models, tools and methods with which to quantify, predict, evaluate and manage building performance with the ability to use these and switch to other tools based on an understanding from first principles.

Drawing on a working knowledge of how to minimise energy, carbon emissions and resource consumption in buildings through the various stages of their life cycles, they will be able to take account of changing, incomplete and uncertain information related to the environment. They will also have well developed skills in auditing, analysis, reporting and presentation and a thorough understanding of the interdisciplinary subject area.

Students from this course have gone on to work in a wide range of occupations from architectural and engineering practices and research consultancies to development work, furniture design, owning and operating electricity utilities, and even carbon trading.

We make  one major field trip. In 2011-12 we anticipate visiting Scotland where there is a  wealth of sustainable buildings. Our itiniary will include ......Our intention is to give you the opportunity to experience and talk to building owners and operators of low energy buildings so that you understand some of the practical difficulties and rewards of achieving very sustainable buildings. It is anticipated that the field trip will run from Thursday 27 October for five nights. We expect to staty in Youth Hostels or similar low price accommodation and anticipate that the all inclusive cost of the trip (coach, building visits, accommodation) will be less than £500.

Free language courses are available to all full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students who are studying any course on our Headington (including Marston Road), Harcourt Hill or Wheatley Campuses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.

English language requirements for visas

If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Border Agency's minimum language requirements as well as the university's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.

We offer a range of courses to help you meet the entry requirements for this course and also familiarise you with university life. You may also be able to apply for one student visa to cover both courses.

• Take our Pre-Master's course to help you to meet both the English language and academic entry requirements for your master's course
• Take our University English course to help you to meet the English language requirements of your master's course

You apply for this course through UKPASS.

When you accept our offer you agree to the conditions of acceptance. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.

Oxford Brookes operates the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). All postgraduate single modules are equivalent to 10 ECTS credits, double modules to 20 ECTS credits, and treble modules to 30 ECTS credits. A full master's course will carry 90 ECTS credits. More about ECTS credits.