Bachelor of Science in Quantity Surveying

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to deliver learners with the necessary knowledge, skills and competency appropriate to enter into the profession as a quantity surveyor in the construction and property industries. Moreover, the qualification provides a foundation for further intellectual development and opportunities for gainful employment and rewarding contributions to society. This qualification aims to establish, maintain and disseminate a dynamic research based body of knowledge pertaining to quantity surveying in South Africa, in order to ensure on-going development in the quality of management and leadership in the quantity surveying profession. In addition, the qualification aims to provide the construction industry in South Africa with learners who meet the academic requirements for professional registration.

Rationale

The qualification provides an Undergraduate qualification that portrays academic integrity and quality, assuring intellectual credibility as part of an academic culture. This qualification supports relevant scientific education and meets national requirements, as well as promotes adequate infrastructure and human capital to competitively position South Africa in the Building Sciences environment as well as internationally.

The qualification is accredited by professional bodies including the South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession (SACQSP), Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The rationale for offering the qualification in both contact and distance mode of delivery is to provide an opportunity for professionals already employed in the field to attain a formal qualification. The qualification meets the need of continuous pro-active intellectual, physical and cultural transformation, as well as service to the community as the qualification addresses national and global challenges in the field of Building Sciences. The Graduates are educated to make a positive and noticeable impact on national and international challenges related to the construction industry and the industry's global challenges related to managing of projects for adequate building structures and other current issues in the field of Building and Construction Sciences.

The qualification further aims to educate and train leaners that have a theoretical and practical experience in Quantity Surveying. These learners can apply educational knowledge, skills, principles and methods to the practical building sciences profession. They are equipped with the required skills and expertise to contribute to the expansion of the building sector in the broad, responding to the needs of society, developing public infrastructure and understanding the dynamics of trade unions.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Where learners do not meet the minimum admission requirements, RPL may be used to grant access to the qualification. RPL will be applied according to the Recognition of Prior Learning, Credit Accumulation and Transfer, and Assessment policy. This will relate to both access to the qualification as well as for credit recognition or exemption towards achieving the qualification. The institution will ensure that quality assurance processes that address the specificities of the RPL process (including applications, assessment, and reporting and management systems) are implemented; and that administrative and support systems, both prior and subsequent to RPL assessment, are in place.

Entry Requirements.

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 4, granting access to Bachelor's Degree study.
• Senior Certificate with matriculation exemption with mathematics.
• Equivalent qualification.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 5, 6, 7 totalling 380 Credits (328 Compulsory and 52 Electives).

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 108 Credits

• Physics for Building Science Students (PHYS1512), 8 Credits.
• Property Development Economics I (PDER1504), 16 Credits.
• Business Functions (EBUS51405), 12 Credits.
• Descriptive Quantification I (DQFR1504), 16 Credits.
• Business Calculations (EBCS1514), 16 Credits.
• Computer Literacy II (CSIL1521), 4 Credits.
• Basic Computer Literacy (CSIL1511), 4 Credits.
• Construction Economics I (COER1504), 16 Credits.
• Accounting (EACC61406), 16 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 5, 80 Credits

• English Skills (ENG104), 16 Credits.
• Business Calculations (EBCS1524), 16 Credits.
• Business English (EBE112), 16 Credits.
• Engineering Science (EGSR1504), 16 Credits.
• Business English (EBE122), 16 Credits.
• Entrepreneurship (EBUS74407), 16 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 124 Credits

• Introduction for Building Science Students (MATM1644), 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Economics and Micro Economy (EECF61306), 12 Credits.
• Property Development Economics II (PDER2604), 16 Credits.
• Construction Economics II (COER2604), 16 Credits.
• Commercial Law (LMER2604), 16 Credits.
• Construction Science II (CSCR2604), 16 Credits.
• Building Science II (BSCR2604), 16 Credits.
• Descriptive Quantification II (DQFR2604), 16 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 6, 92 Credits

• Management accounting (EMAC62406), 16 Credits.
• Architecture (ARGR2604), 16 Credits.
• General Management (EBUS62406), 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Macro Economics (EECF62306), 12 Credits.
• Core Business Activities (EBUS61406), 16 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 112 Credits

• Construction Science III (CSCR3704), 16 Credits.
• Building Science III (BSCR3704), 16 Credits.
• Construction Economics III (COER3704), 16 Credits.
• Descriptive Quantification Project (DQSR3704), 16 Credits.
• Building Contracts Law (CCMR3704), 16 Credits.
• Descriptive Quantification III (DQFR3704), 16 Credits.
• Property Development Economics III (PDER3704), 16 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 7, 16 Credits

• Production and Operational Management III (PQMR3704), 16 Credits.

1. Apply knowledge of mathematics and quantitative methods, technology, management, economics, finance and law from first principles to solve built environment problems.
2. Manage and prepare tender and contractual documents for construction projects.
3. Perform creative, procedural and non-procedural analysis of built environment problems, systems, products or processes.
4. Evaluate alternative property development investment options.
5. Undertake investigations and analyse and report on data including meticulously evaluating economic issues concerning the construction and property sectors at both a micro and macro level.
6. Use appropriate problem solving methods, skills and tools, which include the use of computer packages, for computation, analysis, modelling, simulation, and information handling.
7. Prepare estimates of costs and undertaking the financial management of construction projects.
8. Communicate with construction and property professionals concerning spatial concepts, economic, financial and contractual issues and construction assembly problems.
9. Undertake quantity surveying activities relating to undertaking the contractual management of construction projects.
10. Perform, managing and administer the basic functions of the profession in the Construction Industry.
11. Manage the development process of building and construction projects.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes

• Quantifying and documentation of items and elements of structures and buildings.
• Measuring, pricing and analysing development projects.
• Forecasting outcomes of development projects in respect of cost, prices.
• Drafting cost plans and performing cost control, cost design.

Integrated Assessment

The assessment strategy provides for both Formative and Summative Assessment opportunities as well as continuous assessment. Building modules utilise continuous assessment. Learners should provide evidence of learning competency (knowledge, skills and attitude). This combination of assessment opportunities affords leaners the opportunity to monitor their progress on a regular basis and address problems as they occur and will include:

• Presentation and projects on an approved building sciences topic is required which will test and help to give the learner insight into the complexity of applied building sciences and construction management.
• Integrated Continuous and Formative Assessment allowing demonstration of achieved competences as required by the outcomes of the qualification by means of tests, assignments, orals, examinations, presentations, research projects and practical reports.