Bachelor of Science in Construction Studies

Purpose

The purpose of Bachelor of Science in Construction Studies is to develop an appreciation and understanding of the management of the physical construction process within the built environment and includes the co-ordination, administration and management of resources. The purpose of the programme embraces the necessary knowledge, understanding, abilities, and skills required to manage moderately complex to complex construction projects or manufacturing processes related to the construction industry at operational and middle management level.

The qualification at this level equips learners with a fundamental knowledge of economics, management science and technology, design processes as well as financial and cost factors influencing construction as positioned within the built environment. Furthermore, it equips qualifying learners with the ability to apply that knowledge, skills, and values to manage resources within defined performance constraints, within or across functions in a construction or related manufacturing organisation, within an encompassing political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal (PESTEL) framework, regionally, nationally, or internationally.

Rationale

The qualification has resulted from decades of recognition by and collaboration with industry, other tertiary institutions, professional associations, and during the last decade and a half, a statutory council.

Nationally and internationally this kind of qualification assures marketability of especially first time employment seekers in addition to providing potential applicants with the entry qualification for Bachelor of Science Honours in Construction Management.

Within the context of South Africa, the qualification will contribute to the needs of South Africa, directly and indirectly. Directly in terms of the qualification falling within a scarce skills priority area, and indirectly in terms of the contribution of qualifying learners to delivering infrastructure, which will improve the quality of life of South Africans.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Both admission status and module credits may be granted through the RPL process.

RPL for Admission

RPL implementation will use a triangulated verification approach using academic records, portfolios and interviews conducted by a panel of academic and external experts. All RPL decisions are tabled at the Faculty Management Committee meeting for scrutiny and approval.

Applicants who do not meet the admission criteria as stipulated, but who can demonstrate experiential or work-based learning at an appropriate level may be considered for RPL. The Faculty policy, derived from the institutional RPL policy, requires that each applicant be assessed on an individual basis. Learners must provide a portfolio containing sufficient evidence of written material, produced independently.

Assessment of the learner's application will involve the following steps

• The learner must submit a portfolio containing evidence of all of the above.
• An external assessor, will assess the learner's portfolio and the outcome of the RPL process, including written reports by the assessor and a recommendation will be submitted to the HOD.

RPL for credits

For learners who have already qualified with a cognate qualification and have done modules in their qualification that are similar to modules within this Bachelor of Construction Studies, they may apply for the module/s to be credited. The learner will complete a Request for Module Credits form and must supply the curriculum/a of the module/s within their completed qualification. This will then be considered by the Head of Department. The outcome will be communicated to the learner.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate, National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 4.

Or

• Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at Level 7 totalling 365 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5: 91 Credits

• Geometric Drawing, 10 Credits.
• Commercial Law (Building Disciplines) 101, 6 Credits.
• Introduction to Micro/Macro-Economics (Special), 14 Credits.
• Mechanics and Thermodynamics 7 Credits.
• Accounting (Special) 101, 10 Credits.
• Commercial Law 121, 12 Credits.
• Mathematics (Special) A, 8 Credits.
• Business Statistics 102, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Labour Law 102, 12 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 7: 260 Credits

• Building Science 1 (Structures), 14 Credits.
• Building Science (Environment and Services) 1, 14 Credits.
• Basic Surveying 1, 12 Credits.
• Building Science (Materials and Methods) 1, 14 Credits.
• Production Analysis 1, 20 Credits.
• Construction Management 2, 10 Credits.
• Building Science (Environment and Services) 2, 14 Credits.
• Building Science (Structures) 2, 14 Credits.
• Building Science (Materials and Methods) 2, 14 Credits.
• Production Analysis 2, 18 Credits.
• Building Economics 2, 18 Credits.
• Construction Management 3A, 12 Credits.
• Construction Management 3B, 12 Credits.
• Research Methodology, 10 Credits.
• Building Science (Structures) 3, 14 Credits.
• Building Science (Environment and Services) 3, 14 Credits.
• Building Science (Materials and Methods) 3, 14 Credits.
• Production Analysis 3A, 12 Credits.
• Production Analysis 3B, 12 Credits.
• Building Economics 3, 12 Credits.

1. Manage Construction Project initiation and briefing.
2. Manage Construction Concept and Feasibility.
3. Manage, co-ordinate and integrate the detail design development process within the Construction project scope, time, cost and quality parameters.
4. Manage the process of establishing and implementing procurement strategies and procedures, including the preparation of necessary documentation, for effective and timeous execution of construction projects.
5. Manage the administration of the construction contracts and process, including the preparation and co-ordination of the necessary documentation to facilitate effective execution of the works.
6. Manage and administer the project closeout.
7. Conduct research and write the research report within a related Construction Studies discipline area.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Explain or demonstrate how the client's requirements and preferences will be appreciated and understood as visible in documents preparation and negotiations to be conducted.
• Explain how the user needs and options will be assessed and documented.
• Appoint Necessary consultants in establishing project brief, objectives, priorities, constraints, assumption and strategies in consultation with the client were appointed.
• Appreciate and understand client requirements and preferences, assessing user needs and options, appointment of necessary consultants in establishing project brief, objectives, priorities, constraints, assumption and strategies in consultation with the client.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• The ability to prepare and deliver briefing as align the feasibility studies to the construction concepts as articulated during the construction project initiation.
• The ability to prepare and deliver feasibility studies aligned to the Construction concept as articulated during the construction project initiation and briefing.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Document preliminary scope of construction works.
• Prepare a preliminary construction programme.
• Schedule agreed lead times for construction documentation.
• Prepare Construction Method Statements.
• Liaison skills with Principle Agents and other professional consultants in terms of necessary approvals of Construction Management stages.
• Review and recommend the practical and cost effective construction alternatives to consultants' designs were reviewed and recommended.
• Review designs by consultants in relation to constructability requirements.
• Review Designs by consultants in relation to Health and Safety requirements during construction and provide input on related practical and cost issues.
• Provide detailed cost information as required by the cost consultant for estimating, budgeting and cost reporting purposes.
• Prepare and submit a proposed method statement for the construction of the works.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Review and confirm the construction strategy and method for submission of the Tender.
• Prepare the Construction Management Organogram was prepared and obtain commitment from appropriate staff as required.
• Select, recommend and agree with the Principal Agent and consultants on the procurement strategy for subcontractors.
• Manage and coordinate the preparation and implementation of the Health and Safety requirements for inclusion in the tender.
• Manage and procure proposals for the appropriate contract insurances and guarantees required for the works.
• Review tender documentation to establish any cost effective alternative solutions.
• Manage the preparation and submission of the tender.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Manage the preparation and agreement of the Health and Safety Plan with the Client's Health and Safety Consultants and subcontractors.
• Manage the site establishment including the provision of all necessary temporary services, storage facilities, security requirements and other site requirements.
• Establish and maintain regular monitoring of all line, level and datum of the works.
• Continuously monitor the compliance by the site management of the Health and Safety Plan.
• Provide the necessary documentation as required by the Health and Safety Consultant for the Health and Safety File.
• Manage the implementation of the requirements of the Environmental Management Plan.
• Appoint subcontractors and suppliers including the finalisation of all agreements.
• Receive, coordinate, review and obtain approval of all contract documentation provided by the subcontractors and suppliers for compliance with all of the contract requirements.
• Monitor the ongoing projects insurance requirements.
• Facilitate and manage the establishment of subcontractors on the site.
• Finalise and agree upon the Quality Assurance Plan with the design consultants and subcontractors.
• Continuously monitor the compliance of the quality of the works in accordance with the agreed Quality Assurance Plan.
• Establish and coordinate the formal and informal communication structure and procedures for the construction process.
• Conduct and record the necessary construction management meetings including subcontractors, suppliers, programme, progress and cost finalise and agree upon the contract programme and revisions thereof.
• Prepare and finalise the detailed Construction Programme including resources planning.
• Prepare and agree upon Information Schedule for timeous implementation of construction.
• Continuously manage the review of construction documentation and information for clarity of construction requirements.
• Manage and administer the distribution of construction information to all relevant parties.
• Continuously monitor the construction progress is manage the review and approval of all necessary shop details and product proprietary information by the design subcontractors.
• Review and sustain circumstances and entitlements that may arise from any changes required to the Contract Programme.
• Establish the procedures for, and monitoring of all scope and cost variations.
• Manage the preparation of the preparation of monthly progress claims for payment.
• Received, review and substantiate any contractual claims within the prescribed period.
• Prepare and submit regularly a Construction Status Report, including construction financial status report.
• Manage, co-ordinate and supervise all work on and off site.
• Manage and coordinate the requirements of the direct contractors, if required to do so.
• All necessary testing and commissioning were managed, co-ordinated and monitored.
• Co-ordinate, monitor and expedite the timeous rectification of all defects for the achievement of Practical Completion.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Co-ordinate, monitor and expedite the timeous rectification of all defects for the achievement of Works Completion.
• Manage, monitor and expedite the preparation by the relevant subcontractors of all as-built drawings and construction documentation.
• Manage and expedite the procurement of all operating and maintenance manuals as well as all warrantees and guarantees.
• Manage and expedite the procurement of applicable statutory compliance certificates and documentation were managed and expedited.
• Manage the finalisation of the Health and Safety File for submission to the Health and Safety Consultant was managed.
• Co-ordinate, monitor and manage the rectification of defects during the Defects Liability Period.
• Manage, co-ordinate and expedite the preparation and agreement of the final accounts with the cost consultants and all subcontractors.
• Co-ordinate, monitor and manage the timeous rectification of all defects for the achievement of Final Completion.
• Prepare and present the Contract Closeout Report.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Apply knowledge and skills related to the research process.
• Formulate a motivation for the need for a research project.
• Plan a research design.
• Collect data and interpret the research design.
• Produce and submit a research report.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated Assessment will judge the quality of the observable performance, and also the quality of the reasoning that lies behind it. Assessments tools will encourage learners to give an account of the thinking and decision-making that underpin their demonstrated performance.

Formative and Summative Assessments will include the following

Formative

• Construction Management simulations and tests as a basis on which to provide formative feedback on knowledge gaps, skills application and possible ways of improvement.
• Research assignments to provide formative feedback on different aspects of the student's learning.

Summative

• Individual assignments.
• Group assignments.
• Case study analyses and presentations.
• Examinations.
• Closed book examinations.

The above summative opportunities will be used to determine and grade a learner's ability to demonstrate the learning outcomes.