TESE - Fundamentals of the Building Environment - EN

Understanding the Technical, Economic, Social, and Environmental Challenges of the Building Sector

This programme is intended for students who have completed three years of study in civil engineering, construction, architecture or a related field and who wish to develop an in-depth understanding of materials, structures, construction law, project management, and the environmental impacts associated with buildings.

Over 4.5 months, students will receive instruction from more than 50 international experts, combining theoretical courses, practical work, engineering projects, and technical visits.

Programme Objectives

Analysing the environmental impact of buildings and integrating the principles of sustainable development
Understanding the design and management of reinforced concrete, prestressed concrete, steel, and composite structures
Developing expertise in construction economics, including contract law and cost management
Applying advanced geotechnical methods for foundation design and soil stabilisation
Mastering environmental regulations and certifications in the construction sector
Working on real-world projects involving research laboratories and technical visits

This programme emphasises a multidisciplinary and hands-on approach to meet the current and future needs of the building sector.

Why Choose This Semester at BUILDERS School of Engineering?

A unique multidisciplinary programme:
Integrating construction techniques, economics, law, and environmental aspects.

High-quality teaching:
Delivered by more than 50 international experts from partner universities and industry.

A professional, hands-on approach:
Including real-world projects, technical visits, and laboratory work.

Immersion in an international environment:
Encouraging intercultural exchange and academic collaboration.

A strong career asset:
Developing cross-disciplinary skills that are highly valued in the building and infrastructure sectors.

Campus: Caen
Applications: Open to French and international students.

Semester autumn semester from September to January

Teaching Programme - Semester 7 (S7)

UE1-1 - Energy and Soil

Duration: 6 h

Prerequisites
- Basics in thermics and hydro-geology.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Evaluate the geothermal potential of a site.
- Compare ground-coupled heating/cooling systems.
Indicative content
- Shallow/deep geothermal concepts, heat storage.
- Environmental constraints and monitoring.

UE1-2 - Deep Foundations

Duration: 9 h

Prerequisites
- Soil mechanics & bearing capacity basics.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Analyse and design pile foundations per EC7.
- Plan testing and quality control.
Indicative content
- Batteries (axial/lateral), groups & settlement.
- Integrity tests, PDA/SLT, negative skin friction.
SDG 9

UE1-3 - Geotechnics for Construction

Duration: 9 h

Prerequisites
- Site investigation & lab/insitu testing.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Read and interpret a geotechnical report.
- Choose an appropriate soil model for design.
Indicative content
- Soil parameters, constitutive models.
- From investigation data to design values.

UE1-4 - Earth-Retaining Structures

Duration: 9 h

Prerequisites

Earth pressure theories; stability checks.

Expected Learning Outcomes

Compute earth pressures and design sheet-pile/retaining walls (ULS/SLS).
Prevent hydraulic failure and heave.

Indicative content

Active/passive pressures, anchors, struts.
Excavation phasing and drainage.

UE1-5 - Soil Reinforcement

Duration: 9 h

Prerequisites

Shear strength & deformation of soils.

Expected Learning Outcomes

Describe common soil-reinforcement techniques.
Design a reinforcement solution for a given context.

Indicative content

Nailing, geosynthetics, columns, grouting.
Serviceability, durability, monitoring.

EU1-6 - Slope Stability

Duration: 12 h

Prerequisites

Limit-equilibrium methods; seepage notions.

Expected Learning Outcomes

Analyse & design embankments and slopes.
Define mitigation measures against failure.

Indicative content

Stability methods, rainfall & pore-pressure effects.
Reinforcement, drainage, protection and monitoring.

UE2-1 - Construction Technology - Infrastructure Facilities

Duration: 9 h

Expected Learning Outcomes

Describe methods & sequences for key infrastructures.
Identify major risks and mitigation actions.

Indicative content

Earthworks, utilities, pavements.
Quality, H&S, environment on site.

UE2-2 - Construction Technology - Linear Infrastructure

Duration: 6 h

Expected Learning Outcomes
- Explain construction constraints specific to linear projects.
- Plan logistics/phasing for lines and corridors.
Indicative content
- Road/rail pipelines, traffic management.
- Interfaces & temporary works.

UE2-3 - Design & Construction Site Management

Duration: 9 h

Expected Learning Outcomes

Set up site organisation, scheduling and cost control.
Coordinate trades and manage documentation.

Indicative content

WBS, Gantt/Lean routines, QA/QC.
Risk register, method statements.

UE2-4 - Public Procurement Law

Duration: 3 h

Expected Learning Outcomes

Apply the basics of public procurement rules.
Identify key contractual clauses and their impacts.

Indicative content

Procedures, tenders, award, execution.
Ethics, competition, remedies.

UE2-5 - International Engineering & Business

Duration: 9 h

Expected Learning Outcomes

Explain roles & risks in international AEC business.
Prepare a simple business development plan.

Indicative content

Stakeholders, contract types, cultures.
Trade, finance, guarantees.

UE2-6 - Construction Management & Financial Control

Duration: 6 h

Expected Learning Outcomes

Track costs and cash-flow; report deviations.
Use earned-value basics for progress control.

Indicative content

Budgets, cost codes, production rates.
Invoicing, claims, EVM overview.

UE2-7 - Environmental Impact Assessment (RBR2020, LEED, BREEAM...)

Duration: 3 h

Expected Learning Outcomes

Outline EIA steps and documentation.
Relate EIA to design decisions.

Indicative content

Scoping, baseline, impacts/mitigation.
Certification frameworks overview.

UE2-8 - Construction Technology - Buildings

Duration: 6 h

Expected Learning Outcomes

Describe building-construction methods and sequences.
Identify critical interfaces and checks.

Indicative content

Envelopes, structures, services, logistics.
QA, safety, environment.

UE2-9 - Environmental Legislation, Certifications & Labels (HQE, BBC, BEPOS...)

Duration: 3 h

Expected Learning Outcomes

Identify key environmental standards and labels.
Explain implications for procurement and delivery.

Indicative content

HQE/LEED/BREEAM, RE2020, carbon metrics.
Documentation & verification.

UE3-1 - General Accounting

Duration: 18 h

Expected Learning Outcomes

Prepare basic financial statements.
Interpret key ratios for construction firms.

Indicative content

Balance sheet, P&L, cash flow.
Inventory, depreciation, provisions.

UE3-2 - Pricing

Duration: 12 h

Expected Learning Outcomes
- Estimate direct/indirect costs and unit prices.
- Build a simple BoQ and tender price.
Indicative content
- Cost build-up, production rates, mark-ups.
- Risk allowances and sensitivity.

UE3-3 - The AEC Sector in a Macro-Economic Context

Duration: 6 h

Expected Learning Outcomes

Explain AEC cycles and demand drivers.
Discuss policy impacts on construction markets.

Indicative content

GDP, inflation, interest rates, ESG.
Public investment & housing market.

UE3-4 - Contract Law

Duration: 6 h

Expected Learning Outcomes

Identify contract structures and liabilities.
Apply key clauses to common disputes.

Indicative content

Training, performance, remedies.
Subcontracting, variations, claims

UE3-5 - Project Management

Duration: 9 h

Expected Learning Outcomes

Build a schedule & basic risk register.
Track progress and report to stakeholders.

Indicative content

WBS, CPM, milestones, reporting.
Risk analysis and communication.

UE3-6 - Management Accounting

Duration: 12 h

Expected Learning Outcomes

Compute cost of work performed and profitability.
Support make/buy decisions with relevant costing.

Indicative content

Budgeting, variance, activity-based costing.
Dashboards and decision support.

UE4-1 - Research & Engineering Project

Duration: 30 h

Expected Learning Outcomes

Define a research question and plan a suitable method.
Collect/analyse data and write a scientific report.
Present and review work according to academic standards.

Indicative content

Problem statement, literature review, DOE.
Analysis, reporting, peer review & viva.

UE5-1 - Introduction to Structure Design Principles

Duration: 9 h

Expected Learning Outcomes

Explain the function of common structural elements.
Assess governing limit states for typical members.

Indicative content

Actions, combinations, ULS/SLS.
Load paths & bracing concepts.

UE5-2 - Reinforced Concrete

Duration: 9 h

Expected Learning Outcomes

Design RC elements per EC2 (stairs, cantilevers, walls).
Detail for serviceability and durability.

Indicative content

Flexure, shear, punching, crack control.
Anchorage, cover, exposure classes.

UE5-3 - Steel Structures

Duration: 18 h

Expected Learning Outcomes

Design steel beams/columns per EC3.
Check simple bolted/welded connections.

Indicative content

Resistance of members, stability, buckling.
Connections and global bracing.

UE5-4 - Composite Structures

Duration: 15 h

Expected Learning Outcomes

Explain composite action and its impact on behaviour.
Design composite decking per EC4.

Indicative content

Composite floors, shear connectors.
Deflection, vibration, detailing.

UE5-5 - Pre-stressed Concrete

Duration: 12 h

Expected Learning Outcomes

Describe pre/post-tensioning principles and components.
Design simple prestressed members per EC2.

Indicative content

Losses, anchorages, deviators.
Serviceability & pathologies.

UE6-1 - Building with Nature / Human Impact Assessment

Duration: 12 h

Expected Learning Outcomes

Explain interactions between natural and built systems.
Outline a basic impact-assessment approach.

Indicative content

Green/blue infrastructures, ecosystem services.
Impact pathways and mitigation hierarchy.

EU6-2 - Introduction to Ecosystems & Biodiversity

Duration: 6 h

Expected Learning Outcomes

Define biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Relate biodiversity to urban planning decisions.

Indicative content

Key concepts, indicators.
Impacts of construction & protection measures.

EU6-3 - Life Cycle of Facilities

Duration: 6 h

Expected Learning Outcomes

Identify life-cycle stages and performance metrics.
Discuss O&M implications and resource use.

Indicative content

Durations, costs, energy/water usage.
Maintenance & end-of-life options.

EU6-4 - Climate Analysis

Duration: 3 h

Expected Learning Outcomes

Read climate files and basic indicators.
Explain the implications for design choices.

Indicative content

Meteo data, degree-days, charts.
Comfort & passive design levers.

EU6-5 - Construction Materials & Products

Duration: 6 h

Expected Learning Outcomes

Characterise basic materials and their impacts.
Relate products to life-cycle performance.

Indicative content

Concrete, steel, timber, bio-based.
Standards, EPDs, resource efficiency.

UE6-6 - History of Construction

Duration: 6 h

Expected Learning Outcomes

Describe the historical development of the built environment.
Discuss links between society, infrastructures and current transitions.

Indicative content

Milestones, techniques, materials.
Heritage & innovation.

EU6-7 - Hygrothermal Comfort

Duration: 3 h

Expected Learning Outcomes

Explain comfort categories and drivers.
Propose passive solutions to improve comfort.

Indicative content

Heat/moisture transfer, ventilation.
Standards and simple checks.

UE6-8 - Urban & Land-Planning Laws and Policies

Duration: 12 h

Expected Learning Outcomes

Summarise planning processes and actors.
Discuss how regulations steer the built environment.

Indicative content

Planning systems, permits, stakeholders.
Environmental/heritage constraints.

International semester TESE - Fundamentals of the Building Environment

Contents

Understanding the Technical, Economic, Social, and Environmental Challenges of the Building Sector

Programme Objectives

Why Choose This Semester at BUILDERS School of Engineering?

Teaching Programme - Semester 7 (S7)

International semester TESE - Fundamentals of the Building Environment

Understanding the Technical, Economic, Social, and Environmental Challenges of the Building Sector

Programme Objectives

Why Choose This Semester at BUILDERS School of Engineering?

Teaching Programme - Semester 7 (S7)

UE1 - Applied Geotechnical Engineering 54 h - 5 ECTS

UE2 - Construction & Procurement 54 h - 5 ECTS

UE3 - Construction Economics 63 h - 5 ECTS

UE4 - Research & Engineering Project 30 h - 5 ECTS

EU5 - Structure Design 63 h - 5 ECTS

UE6 - The Natural & the Built Environment 54 h - 5 ECTS

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