Module manager: Dr Xiaoan Mao
Email: x.mao@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
Entry requirements to UG programmes of the School of Civil Engineering
| CIVE2815 | Building Physics 1: Fundamental Principles |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module develops students’ understanding of the design of buildings, the building services systems and their appropriate use to achieve designs that provide suitable environments in a range of climatic contexts and types of occupant activity. The module builds on the foundational treatment of building thermal behaviour provided in the module CIVE2815 by, in particular, introducing the physics of dynamic thermal response. This enables students to further develop understanding of building fabric design and the relationships between choices of fabric properties and building performance – both in terms of thermal comfort and energy. This module also deals with essential servicing requirements such as hot and cold water and waste disposal. The fundamental treatment of the properties of air presented in the prerequisite module of CIVE2815 is extended to include the full range of psychrometric processes associated with cooling and humidity control found in non-domestic building types. Students develop understanding of the appropriate application of active systems and the implications for architectural design and sustainability constraints. Students’ ability to develop appropriate ventilation and energy strategies are advanced through introduction to low-energy approaches to system design and integration of renewable energy sources. In this module, students will develop analysis and problem solving skills to enable them to make design calculations with respect to heat gains and are introduced to computer modelling methods for assessment of heat and cooling loads and building dynamic performance. Appropriate use of such modelling methods and critical analysis of building performance and the relationships to building form and fabric are assessed through a design report. The understanding of building systems and fabric design provides a sound basis for making decisions about environmental design and sustainability requirements that is put into practice in the non-domestic designs explored by students working subsequently on the module, Design Studio 3.2 (CIVE3871).
The module will contribute to students' ability to create architectural designs that satisfy both aesthetic and technical requirements, including: understanding the environmental strategies and the regulatory requirements that apply to a comprehensive building design project; development of a conceptual and critical approach to architectural design that integrates and satisfies the aesthetic aspects of a building and the technical requirements of its construction and the needs of the user.
The module will contribute to the students gaining knowledge of physical problems and technologies and the function of buildings so as to provide them with internal conditions of comfort and protection against the climate.
The module will explore the principles associated with designing optimum visual, thermal and acoustic environments; systems for environmental comfort realised within relevant precepts of sustainable design; strategies for building services, and ability to integrate these in a design project.
On successful completion of the module students will be able to (contributing to the AHEP4 learning outcomes indicated between brackets and ARB competences in square brackets):
1. Select and apply appropriate computational and analytical techniques to model simple building physics problems, discussing the limitations of the techniques employed (M3) [CK6 part], understanding how modelling and post occupancy evaluation inform design [RE6 part];
2. Select and critically evaluate technical literature and other sources of information to inform building physics problems (M4);
3. Understand an integrated or systems approaches to the solution of building physics problems (M6) [CK6 part], including strategies for services, ventilation, thermal environment, lighting and acoustics that are appropriate to a project’s brief and context [D5 part];
4. Understand aspects of environmental and societal impacts of solutions to building physics problems (M7), including principles of climate change and biodiversity as relevant to design and construction [CK4 part];
5. Use practical laboratory and workshop skills to investigate building physics issues (M12);
6. Gain knowledge of appropriate materials, equipment, engineering technologies and processes appropriate for building physics, recognising their limitations (M13).
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills:
Work ready skills
- Communication
- Critical thinking
- Active learning
- Research
Digital skills
- Information, data and media literacies
- Digital creation, problem-solving and innovation
Sustainability skills
- Systems thinking
- Critical thinking
- Integrated problem solving
- Effective communication
- Information Searching
Academic skills
- Critical thinking
- Academic writing
- Information searching
- Academic integrity
- Referencing
Mechanical services: Heating systems, natural & mechanical ventilation, air handling plant, air conditioning, refrigeration, heat distribution methods.
Energy: Low carbon energy technologies; dynamic behaviour of building fabric
Water supply, drainage and sanitation.
Methods of assessment
The assessment details for this module will be provided at the start of the academic year
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consultation | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Lectures | 10 | 2 | 20 |
| Seminars | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Practicals | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| Private study hours | 70 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 30 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100 | ||
Problem sheets/quizzes and design reports
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team