Building|Energy and Environment|Sensors and sensing|Statistics

Module summary: This module deals with the principles and practice of building environmental analysis and the methods of assessing the environmental...

Methods of Environmental Analysis (BENV0032)

Module summary: This module deals with the principles and practice of building environmental analysis and the methods of assessing the environmental performance of existing and proposed buildings and their attendant services. It teaches the key methods of environmental analysis, such as surveying, monitoring, data processing, statistics, modelling and system dynamics and it interlinks with lectures on literature reviews and research ethics.

Module learning outcomes: 

This module will familiarise you with the key methods available for conducting building environmental analyses. You will learn to

Recognise the link between methods and evidence
	Identify, use and choose between discipline-specific methods
	Characterise similarities and differences between methods, including their applicability and limits
	Be aware of ethical dimensions of research
	Assess, retrieve and cite information
	Complete a research project
	Write about a research project
	Practice working individually and as a team
Deals with the principles and practice of building environmental analysis and the methods of assessing the environmental performance of existing and proposed buildings and their attendant services.

Module description 

This module provides an overview of the key sources, methodologies, and practical frameworks used in qualitative research in the fields of...

Critical Heritage Research Skills (ARCL0189)

Geophysical survey provides archaeologists with the ability to detect remains without excavation and is a key stage in the planning of field projects, or as a...

Geophysical Survey in Archaeology (ARCL0143)

Geophysical survey provides archaeologists with the ability to detect remains without excavation and is a key stage in the planning of field projects, or as a stand-alone research method in its own right.  This module will cover the four main techniques used in archaeological geophysical survey: Earth Resistance, magnetometry, magnetic susceptibility and Ground Penetrating Radar.  The course will cover the planning, execution, data processing, interpretation and publication of geophysical surveys.  The course consists of a mixture of lectures, computing practicals and field practicals.  By the end of the course students will be able to undertake projects of their own, and, importantly assess and critique published surveys.

The computing practicals will introduce the students to the main software packages including TerraSurveyor, GPR Slice, Google Earth and QGIS.

The field course will consist of two days in reading week at a site in Hertfordshire.  Students will be expected to get themselves to site, usually by train from Kings Cross or St Pancras.  Suitable clothing for the weather in mid-February will be required, and it is likely you will need to provide yourselves with a packed lunch.  Additional experience working alongside the Community Archaeology Geophysics Group may also be an option for those who wish to gain optional experience.

Formative assessments will be set based on the computing practicals.  The final assessment is a project processing, analysing and writing-up the survey undertaken in reading week, to which will be added some additional data.