This module is specifically designed for Foundation Year students to provide a comprehensive linguistic and technical foundation in the fields of Architecture and Civil Engineering. The primary goal is to equip students with specialized industry terminology, practical business communication skills, and applied grammar necessary for international project environments. To make the learning process practical, the course simulates the entire lifecycle of a real-world project: the design and construction of a single-family home.
Learning Outcomes
 
By completing this course, students will be able to:
Master technical vocabulary related to building materials, structural systems, and energy efficiency.
Understand the professional roles and service phases defined by international standards like RIBA (UK) and HOAI (Germany).
Execute professional business tasks, including technical email writing, professional telephoning, and project coordination.
Gain an introductory understanding of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and its role in modern project management.
Deliver professional design presentations to clients using appropriate comparative language and visual aids.
 
Detailed Syllabus
Industry Foundations & Preliminary Research
Project Basics: An overview of the construction industry's economic impact, project team roles (Client, Architect, Engineers, Quantity Surveyors), and the evolution of the modern workplace from traditional drawing boards to digital tools.
Preliminary Enquiries: Defining project types (new build vs. refurbishment), conducting feasibility studies, performing site visits, and mastering technical measurements, SI units, and mathematical symbols.
Sustainability & Client Briefing
Sustainability: Exploring sustainable building paradigms, energy efficiency categories (Passive Houses, Net-Zero buildings), and the framework of Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) to evaluate environmental impact.
Briefing & Consultancy: Analyzing client needs through space-utilization schedules, appointing specialized consultants, and understanding the breakdown of building costs, including professional fees and contingency sums.
Technical Design & Structural Systems
Preliminary Design: Developing design concepts, understanding architectural proportions, and detailing building components such as roof shapes, door types, window glazing, and internal circulation (stairs and elevators).
Structural Design: A deep dive into superstructure and substructure, statics, types of loads (static vs. dynamic), forces (compression, tension, shear), and foundation systems (strip, isolated, and raft foundations).
Project Coordination & Professional Delivery
Final Design & BIM: Coordinating between various design team members, identifying and resolving conflicts, and utilizing BIM software to manage 3D modeling, time (4D), and cost (5D).
Professional Presentation: Preparing and delivering the final project proposal. Students learn to structure presentations with "Golden Slides," handle client Q&A, and use diplomatic language during negotiations and alterations.
Course Logistics & Assessment
Credits: 2 FY Credit Points.
Duration: 30 academic hours of interactive lectures and practical exercises.
Attendance Policy: A minimum of 80% attendance is required to qualify for the final examination.
Evaluation: The final grade is determined by a combination of homework assignments/class projects and a 90-minute written examination.
Learning Materials: All lecture slides, exercise task sheets, and supplemental materials are provided via the e-learning platform.
 
Instructor: Dr. Hua Tran Minh Tri
Email: tri.htm@vgu.edu.vn
This module is specifically designed for Foundation Year students to provide a comprehensive linguistic and technical foundation in the fields of Architecture and Civil Engineering. The primary goal is to equip students with specialized industry terminology, practical business communication skills, and applied grammar necessary for international project environments. To make the learning process practical, the course simulates the entire lifecycle of a real-world project: the design and construction of a single-family home.
Learning Outcomes
 
By completing this course, students will be able to:
Master technical vocabulary related to building materials, structural systems, and energy efficiency.
Understand the professional roles and service phases defined by international standards like RIBA (UK) and HOAI (Germany).
Execute professional business tasks, including technical email writing, professional telephoning, and project coordination.
Gain an introductory understanding of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and its role in modern project management.
Deliver professional design presentations to clients using appropriate comparative language and visual aids.
 
Detailed Syllabus
Industry Foundations & Preliminary Research
Project Basics: An overview of the construction industry's economic impact, project team roles (Client, Architect, Engineers, Quantity Surveyors), and the evolution of the modern workplace from traditional drawing boards to digital tools.
Preliminary Enquiries: Defining project types (new build vs. refurbishment), conducting feasibility studies, performing site visits, and mastering technical measurements, SI units, and mathematical symbols.
Sustainability & Client Briefing
Sustainability: Exploring sustainable building paradigms, energy efficiency categories (Passive Houses, Net-Zero buildings), and the framework of Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) to evaluate environmental impact.
Briefing & Consultancy: Analyzing client needs through space-utilization schedules, appointing specialized consultants, and understanding the breakdown of building costs, including professional fees and contingency sums.
Technical Design & Structural Systems
Preliminary Design: Developing design concepts, understanding architectural proportions, and detailing building components such as roof shapes, door types, window glazing, and internal circulation (stairs and elevators).
Structural Design: A deep dive into superstructure and substructure, statics, types of loads (static vs. dynamic), forces (compression, tension, shear), and foundation systems (strip, isolated, and raft foundations).
Project Coordination & Professional Delivery
Final Design & BIM: Coordinating between various design team members, identifying and resolving conflicts, and utilizing BIM software to manage 3D modeling, time (4D), and cost (5D).
Professional Presentation: Preparing and delivering the final project proposal. Students learn to structure presentations with "Golden Slides," handle client Q&A, and use diplomatic language during negotiations and alterations.
Course Logistics & Assessment
Credits: 2 FY Credit Points.
Duration: 30 academic hours of interactive lectures and practical exercises.
Attendance Policy: A minimum of 80% attendance is required to qualify for the final examination.
Evaluation: The final grade is determined by a combination of homework assignments/class projects and a 90-minute written examination.
Learning Materials: All lecture slides, exercise task sheets, and supplemental materials are provided via the e-learning platform.
 
Instructor: Dr. Hua Tran Minh Tri
Email: tri.htm@vgu.edu.vn