The aim of the course is to provide students with an understanding of the uses and potentials of computers as aids to building activities. While it introduces students to the use of two different CAD packages, and demonstrates the capabilities of others, this is not a training course for CAD operators. As future professionals students learn sufficient of the capabilites of computer packages to be able to assess when the computer can contribute usefully to the business of design and construction of buildings. They also learn how one might assess a new computer package in the building design and construction industry.

Within this general aim, it is intended that on completion of the course students should be able to:

1. understand the nature and role of computers in relation to architecture and its associated activities.

2. understand some principles of operating systems and computer working environments.

3. criticise knowledgably current and proposed developments in computer applications in architecture - with particular emphasis on CAD and the electronic office.

4. understand some principles of information management and control - particularly with respect to project organisation and coordination via the Internet.

5. use a CAD (currently AutoCAD or Microstation) and a rendering program (currently Lightscape or Radiance) and a simple web-authoring package with sufficient skill that they can construct a three dimensional model of a small building publish the results on the World Wide Web.