Bachelor of Science Honours in Construction Project Management

Purpose

The purpose of the Bachelor of Science Honours in Construction Project Management is to provide learners with the necessary professional attributes, project management skills and Construction Project Management competencies, which would allow them to plan, execute, monitor, control and close projects. They will be accountable for the entire project scope, project team, resources, and the success or failure of the project.

Upon completion of this qualification, learners will be able to

• Demonstrate knowledge of advanced construction project management methods and techniques.
• Apply project management principles to effectively solve problems in the construction industry.
• Evaluate the various roles and functions in the construction project management process.
• Evaluate legislative requirements in the construction industry.
• Evaluate available resources during construction project management processes.
• Conduct research projects in the construction industry.

Rationale

The Bachelor of Science Honours in Construction Project Management lies within the construction sector. Construction Project Management is considered to be a scarce skill. Given this, the qualification has been designed so that it directly meets the needs of the sector, contributing ultimately towards the National Development Plan, benefiting not only the learner, but society at large. The qualification meets the specific needs of the sector by meeting and providing for the growing demand for registered Construction Project Managers.

As a result of the qualification's endorsement by the South African Council for Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP), learners will be able to move from candidacy to full registration as a Professional Construction Project Manager upon completion of the qualification. On completion of the qualification learners would be able register and practice as a Professional Consultant Construction Project Manager and they may find employment within the construction contracting fraternity. Construction Managers are also employed in the mining and petro-chemical sectors.

The qualification is designed to target the recent graduates who would be interested in academic advancement through postgraduate studies. The main stakeholders of this qualification are the public and private sectors of the construction industry. Typically, these sectors require higher levels of technical and analytical capabilities. This qualification has been carefully designed to graduate such specialists in the field. In this way, it is anticipated that this qualification will develop well-rounded, academically equipped, adept and mature managers with technical leadership skills and strong capabilities that are expediently responsive to modern societal needs of the industry.

Therefore, this qualification will enable these graduates to successfully fulfil the requirements of registration with the South African Council for Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP) as a professional Construction Project Manager

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL will be applied in line with the institution's policies and guidelines. The Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment accepts Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as an integral part of education and academic practice. It is acknowledged that all learning has value and the Faculty will therefore endeavour to assess prior learning and award credit where relevant.

The Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment manages RPL according to the institution's RPL policy, which will be applied as follows for purposes of this qualification:

• Through RPL a learner may gain access, or advanced placement, or recognition of status, on condition that he/she continues his/her studies at the institution.
• Recognition takes place in terms of requirements and procedures applied by the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment.
• RPL in the case of a learner not complying with the formal entry requirements.

> Is based on other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience;

> Is considered only where prior learning corresponds to the required NQF-level;

> Takes place where prior learning in terms of applied competencies is relevant to the content and Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification;

> Is considered in terms of an assessment procedure that includes a motivated recommendation by an assessment panel to the Dean's Committee of the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment.

> Is finally decided upon by the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment Dean's Committee.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Science in Construction, NQF Level 7.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 156 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 156 Credits

• Research Report, 36 Credits.
• Sustainable Construction and Innovation, 12 Credits.
• Construction Law and Contract Administration, 24 Credits.
• Construction Project Management, 24 Credits.
• Professional Practice, 12 Credits.
• Construction Human Resources Management, 12 Credits.
• Strategic Management, 24 Credits.
• International Construction, 12 Credits.

1. Demonstrate knowledge of construction project management methods and techniques.
2. Apply project management principles to effectively solve problems in the construction industry.
3. Critically evaluate the various roles and functions in the construction project management process.
4. Critically evaluate legislative requirements in the construction industry.
5. Critically evaluate available resources during construction project management processes.
6. Conduct research projects in the construction industry.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Correctly apply construction project management principles to practical issues and problems in the construction industry.
• Comprehensively discuss the benefits and challenges of mechanisation techniques to project success.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Critically discuss the challenges and benefits of the role of Human Resource Management in the projects.
• Demonstrate knowledge of Industrial Relations issues as they pertain to the construction projects.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Clearly illustrate the roles as a team member and team leader, in the construction project management process.
• Critically evaluate the challenges and risks in the project management cycle.
• Correctly analyse and forecast project management success or failure.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Correctly apply the fundamental principles of commercial and mercantile law.
• Demonstrate the correct understanding of contractual claims, administration of construction contracts and procurement processes.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the South African Council for Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP) Act.
• Critically evaluate the role of Ethics and professional practice in the discipline.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of an organisation that impact project success.
• Compare threats and opportunities in the industry affecting project success.
• Offer viable and innovative solutions for projects with constrained resources.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Demonstrate the ability to independently investigate and conduct research within the discipline.
• Accurately analyse and interpret results to provide valid conclusions.

Integrated Assessment

Formative Assessment: the modules consist of different forms of formative assessments such as project reports, case studies, assignments etc., which will be implemented in each module, depending on the nature of the module. For example, feedback on assignments is returned to the learners within reasonable time, project presentations are scheduled in order for the instructor to provide comments, etc. These progress assessments are done solely by the module instructor. However, the final examination will require the involvement of a suitable external course examiner, who will be requested to approve the module examination paper and mark grading provided by the course instructor. No experiential learning is involved in the qualification.

Summative Assessment: For the modules, each intermediate or progress assessment will be awarded a mark, which will be combined with the final examination mark based on pre-determined weightings for the module. For the Research Report component, two assessors will be required, one of whom will be an internal assessor (a full-time academic staff of the institution) and the other, an external assessor.