Bachelor of Science Honours in Quantity Surveying

Purpose

The purpose of the Bachelor Science Honours in Quantity Surveying is to provide learners with the necessary professional attributes, project management skills and Quantity Surveying competencies, which would allow them to successfully fulfil the requirements of registration with the South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession (SACQSP) as a professional Quantity Surveyor.

Rationale

The qualification lies within the construction sector. Quantity Surveying is considered to be a scarce skill within the industry. The qualification directly meets the needs of the industry, contributing ultimately towards the National Development Plan, benefiting not only the learner but society at large. The qualification meets the specific needs of the industry by meeting and providing for the growing demand for registered Quantity Surveyors.

Quantity Surveying is an independent profession within the context of the built environment worldwide. As a result of the qualification's endorsement by the South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession (SACQSP), learners will be able to move from candidacy to full registration as a Professional Quantity Surveyor. On completion of the qualification, learners would be able to register and practice as Professional Quantity Surveyors. Quantity Surveying graduates have a rewarding career that is on par with other built environment professionals.

The main stakeholders of this qualification are the public and private sectors of the construction industry. Typically, these sectors require higher levels of advanced 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. The qualification is also designed to target recent graduates who would be interested in academic advancement through Postgraduate studies.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

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

The Faculty manages RPL according to the institution's RPL policy, which will be applied as follows for purposes of this qualification as set out in the institution:

a. 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.

b. Recognition takes place in terms of requirements and procedures applied by the Faculty.

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

> RPL is considered only where prior learning corresponds to the required National Qualification Framework-level;

> RPL takes place where prior learning in terms of applied competencies is relevant to the content and outcomes of the qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Science in Quantity Surveying, NQF Level 7, 360 Credits.

This qualification comprises of compulsory modules at NQF 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, 12 Credits.
• Professional Practice, 12 Credits.
• Advanced Descriptive Quantification, 24 Credits.
• Property Law and Economics, 12 Credits.
• Strategic Management, 12 Credits.
• International Construction, 12 Credits.

1. Analyse and solve problems related to the built environment.
2. Deal with commercial, entrepreneurial and management issues.
3. Communicate effectively on all matters to which their skills and competencies have been applied.
4. Use and apply information technology.
5. Interpret and apply legal principles within the context of the built environment.
6. Execute tasks requiring numerical and quantification expertise.
7. Conduct research within the context of the built environment, including consideration for inter-disciplinary aspects.
8. Apply knowledge of technology within the context of the built environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Create and innovate systems of identification, assessment, formulation and solving of convergent and divergent problems encountered in the day-to-day work of the quantity surveying profession.
• Assess the impact, risks and benefits of design proposals.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Understand management skills.
• Recognise the need for and applying cost-effective use of appropriate resources, processes of quality control and assurance within relevant codes of certification/measures.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Impart knowledge, ideas and concepts by effective writing and formatting of essays, letters and reports.
• Demonstrate excellence in spelling, grammar, use of vocabulary, citing and referencing sources.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Use information systems with competence.
• Use effectively: relevant software systems, management packages, general construction, design packages and communication systems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Apply legal concepts and frameworks.
• Apply relevant public and private law.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Calculate, express and present numerical data and values (calculating, arranging, structuring and formatting numerical data).
• Provide accurate translation and interpretation of data, statistics, tables and graphs.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Implement sound research techniques.
• Identify research problems.
• Formulate hypotheses, objectives methodologies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Recognise and identify the correct application of design/buildability, elements, components, material, techniques, and equipment.

Integrated Assessment

As a provider of this qualification, the institution intend, in the quality assurance process, to demonstrate that the use of effective integrated assessment strategy. The assessment process is governed by the Academic Regulations of the institution governs the assessment process There will be at least one assessment opportunity before the final summative assessment for each module.

Formative assessment: the modules consist of different forms of formative assessments consisting of 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 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. A pass is awarded for a weighted overall mark of no less than 50% and a distinction for a calculated mark of at least 75%. For the Research Report component, two assessors will be required.