KA4027 - Professional Practice

You will learn this module through a combination of lectures, and independent learning.. You will learn through a combination of lectures, seminars, practical and I.T. based workshops, and presentations. Lectures will be used to reinforce and focus key issues, concepts, techniques, tools and topics, in effect acting as a framework for professional surveying practice. Seminars and workshops will get you engaged with practical activities related to lecture content. Lectures, seminars and workshops will be supported by elements of directed reading and tutor guided on-line activities via the University’s eLearning Portal (eLP)/ Blackboard. The subject matter lends itself to practical exercises and real life projects and you will therefore be able to apply the knowledge and skills obtained to the surveying practice. You will also be encouraged to conduct independent learning through self-study activities. The learning and teaching approaches adopted in this module will intend to commence the development of your ability to study independently and increase your capacity to be life-long learners.

You will receive academic support on this module mainly via formative feedback provided by the tutors during the seminars and workshops. You will be encouraged to ask questions and to take part in discussions during the seminars and workshops allowing your tutors to provide formative feedback to you for the exercises carried out in these sessions. Your peers will also be encouraged to support you by taking part in the discussions. In addition, you will receive support through drop-in sessions and one to one meetings held outside of the designated teaching times. Further, the eLP/Blackboard offers remote access to a range of useful materials and aids for reinforcing your learning and also, virtual discussion boards to pose any questions related to the module. These virtual discussion boards allow your tutor to respond to the questions on the same discussion board facilitating your peers also to benefit from the discussions posted.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
• MLO1: You will demonstrate study skills including collecting and using appropriate information, referencing academic work and work planning.
• MLO2: You will demonstrate an awareness of the key focus of the student’s chosen professional programme area.• MLO3: You will produce a response to a brief that requires application and integration of knowledge gained from modules studied during the year.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• MLO4: You will research and evaluate data, identify solutions, demonstrate judgement and communicate findings.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• MLO5: You will develop and apply a reflective approach to learning and personal development.

Summative Assessment: Your knowledge and comprehension of this module will be assessed by one summative assessment component; a portfolio of 3000 words or equivalent that contains two elements. The two elements will be:
1. A 1500 words or equivalent written report on the role of the surveyor of the chosen discipline including the importance of the technical skills that will be taught on the module in performing the role. This will be an individual submission that will also require you to submit a reflective summary of skills and knowledge acquired on the task.
2. A 1500 words or equivalent document prepared based on the technical skills obtained such as sketch drawing, taking off and valuation. This document will be a group submission and you will work in small groups of 3 or 4 students in your discipline to produce it.



The portfolio will assess MLO1, MLO2, MLO3, MLO4 and MLO5 and will contribute to 100% of the overall module assessment.

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This module aims to introduce you to your discipline of profession , prepare you for other modules to be studied across level 4 of the programme and introduce you to a range of professional, academic and study skills essential to your success at university. The module allows you to work on real life project scenarios in preparation for the module assessment. The assessment is a portfolio which contains an individually prepared written report and a group submission produced based on discipline specific technical content. Team work produces rewarding results in terms of your confidence in this key communication skill although it might be daunting to some students at the beginning. The delivery of the module will be supported by elements of independent learning and online activities via the university’s eLearning Platform (eLP)/Blackboard.. The knowledge and skills developed through this module will improve your technical surveying attributes alongside the inter-personal soft skills, significantly enhancing future employability.