Bachelor of Science Honours in Construction Management

Purpose

The purpose of the Bachelor of Science Honours in Construction Management is to develop the necessary knowledge, understanding, abilities, and skills required to manage the business of construction or project manage the six stages of projects on behalf of a client as the lead consultant from project initiation and briefing to close out.

The study of Construction Management at this level aims to equip learners with advanced knowledge in the disciplines of construction management and construction project management, and to apply that knowledge, skills, and values within a business or project environment within an encompassing political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal (PESTEL) framework.

Rationale

The qualification first offered by the then University of Port Elizabeth (UPE) in 1971 has evolved over time to its current form and composition, and has produced graduates which have been absorbed into the construction industry nationally and internationally. There has been widespread recognition of this qualification by and collaboration with industry, other tertiary institutions, professional associations, and a statutory council.

This qualification is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and the South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP) is specifically designed to develop the necessary knowledge, understanding, abilities, and skills required to manage the business of construction or project manage the six stages of projects on behalf of a client as the lead consultant.

Consequently, this qualification will provide critical skills required relative to projects, and existing and new construction firms and project management practices regionally, nationally, continentally, and further afield in future decades.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Learners who do not meet the direct admission requirements are required to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the institution that they have a qualification plus suitable experiential-or work-based learning, which has taken the learner to the equivalent of the entry level of this qualification. Such learners may be considered for admission through RPL after assessment via a portfolio of evidence, which indicates that the prior learning has been done. Applicants who, after such assessment, are deemed to have sufficient potential, but are in need of further academic development, may be required to broaden their curriculum by enrolling for preliminary modules prior to admission or institution's RPL Policy.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Science in Construction Studies or equivalent, National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 7, 360 Credits.

Or

• Bachelor Degree in one of the Built environment or Engineering disciplines, NQF Level 7, 360 Credits.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at Level 8 totalling 126 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 126 Credits

• Construction Management 4A, 15 Credits.
• Construction Management 4B, 15 Credits.
• Project Management 4, 10 Credits.
• Building Science (Materials and Methods), 14 Credits.
• Professional Practice for Construction Management 401, 10 Credits.
• Professional Practice for Construction Management 402, 10 Credits.
• Construction Management Treatise 4, 36 Credits.
• Property Economics 401, 16 Credits.

1. Manage the business of construction.
2. Undertake broadly defined construction business and construction planning and coordination.
3. Manage a Construction Project.
4. Manage the development of project documentation.
5. Conduct a research project and write the research report within a related Construction Management discipline area.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Apply the nine business functions and activities of management work were applied to meet desired business outcomes.
• Use business and construction resources, within defined parameters, applicable legislation, regulations, and standards as a Construction Manager.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Organising, leading and controlling, were planned to meet desired business and project outcomes.
• Construction business functions and construction resources were used.
• Project design, procurement, and construction H and S outcomes were applied.
• Planning and coordination were done within applicable legislation, regulations, standards, and codes of practice.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Apply the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) or the Principal Agent when managing a construction project.
• Adhere to all six stages of projects, from project initiation and briefing to project close.
• Apply the nine project management knowledge areas and five project management processes, within applicable legislation, regulations, standards, and codes of practice in meeting the desired project outcomes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Develop the client brief according to standard criteria.
• Conduct a project viability and feasibility assessment.
• Draft a project estimate.
• Produce a project programme.
• Draft the delivery design.
• Develop tender documentation.
• Demonstrate how the contractors are procured.
• Develop construction contracts and processes.
• Generate project reports.
• Demonstrate how commissioning is done.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Apply knowledge and skills related to the research process.
• Formulate a motivation for the need for a research project.
• Plan a research design.
• Develop a research proposal.
• Implement the research design and collect and interpret data.
• A research report was produced and submitted.

Integrated Assessment

Each module is assessed either using the continuously assessed coursework method or a combination of continuously assessed coursework and some form of examination. In brief, the assessments involve, in most instances, continuously assessed course work using combinations of unseen examinations, marked reports, skills tests, and presentations. The assessment method used in each case/module is chosen in the light of the expected outcomes. Feedback is given immediately after the completion of evaluation of the assessments. Supplementary and/or reassessments as the case may be, are given to qualifying candidates.

Formative Assessments include tutorials, assignments, and presentations, which enable immediate or relative immediate feedback and the opportunity for students to improve their performance, but which also contribute to the module mark. Summative assessments include a combination of 'continuous assessment' assessments and unseen examinations. A further such assessment being the integrative project reports in the form of the development of a business plan for a proposed business and solo presentations.