Master of Science in Building

This qualification includes the various specialisations. Please refer to "Notes" for details on the specialisations.

The purpose of the qualification is to combine the development of specialised skills and knowledge, with research mastery, by following one of two routes:

A. MSc(Building) (by coursework and research report)

B. MSc(Building) (by dissertation).

The qualifying MSc(Building) graduate is competent in research and can apply specialised knowledge, tools and techniques in the analysis of situations in the areas of advanced construction management, project management and property development. The qualifying learner has reached the educational requirements towards employment as a specialist and is capable of applying specialist knowledge and applying specialised tools and techniques to problems in the practice or research of construction management, project management and property development and management. The qualifying learner is able to clarify and extend his her body of knowledge through focused research.

The qualification does not lead to additional professional recognition but benefits society by enhancing the knowledge of the discipline of construction management, project management and property development and management. It provides value to the qualifying learner by enhancing career opportunities in an academic environment leading to the possibility of studying further at a doctoral level. Other career opportunities are opened up through increased status as an authority or consultant within the build environment professions and through the recognition of the qualification in the wider community.

Learning achieved by meeting the outcomes of a qualification of the University listed below (under Formally Accredited Learning) is assumed to be in place.

Formally Accredited Learning

The typical applicant has a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management of the University, or equivalent qualification. Otherwise, learners with a BSc in Quantity Surveying or Engineering, or a Bachelor of Architecture, or a Postgraduate Diploma in Property Development and Management or a Graduate Diploma in Engineering of the University, or equivalent qualification, may be accepted - consult the application information for the year of study for which application is being made.

The programme assumes that learners are able to communicate through written and oral media at an advanced level, using a range of techniques including computer technology. In addition, they are expected to have a grounding in fields of knowledge appropriate to the discipline of construction management, demonstrating critical, analytical thinking to analyse, research, interpret, refine and modify existing knowledge. Learners should have advanced problem solving competencies and demonstrate self-directed, independent thought using a range of learning strategies. The learner is expected to be aware of ethical issues and wider systems in relation to peers and wider society, and to be able to operate in a variety of social and academic contexts. The learner should have had the opportunities to use his/her scientific knowledge to solve problems independently while considering the implications.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Applicants who fall outside of the normal admissions process who can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the University that they have a qualification or experiential- or work based learning which has taken the learner to an equivalent level of a qualification specified above (under Formally Accredited Learning), may be considered for admission and/or for the recognition of prior accredited and/or prior experiential learning. 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 to include preliminary programmes prior to admission or parallel programmes after admission.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES (ELO)

1 The qualifying learner demonstrates ability to work independently and shows mastery in advanced study and research methods.

1. The qualifying learner is competent to apply specialist knowledge to construction management, project management, and to property development and management problems.

3 The qualifying learner is competent to perform high order problem solving techniques

4 The qualifying learner will have built on his/her existing knowledge of planning, technology and management and is able to evaluate the application of planning, technology and management in relation to wider local and global environmental concerns and specifically in the fields of construction, finance, planning, technology and management.

CRITICAL CROSS-FIELD OUTCOMES (CCFO)

a) Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made. -See ELO 1, 2, 3 and 4.

b) Working with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community. -See ELO 1, 2 and 3.

c) Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively. - See ELO 1 and 2.

d) Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information. -See ELO 1 and 3.

e) Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion. ELO 1 and 2.

f) Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others. - ELO 1 and 4.

g) Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation. -See ELO 1 and 3.

h) Contributing to the full personal development of society at large, by making it the underlying intention of any programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of:

i. Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively; -See ELO 1 and 3

ii. Participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities, -See ELO 1, 2 and 3; note also that learners act in accordance with the code of conduct of the university and, where relevant, that of the professional discipline being studied.

iii. Being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts; ELO 1 and 3.

iv. Exploring education and career opportunities. -See ELO 1 and 2.

v. Developing entrepreneurial opportunities. -See ELO 1 and 2.

1 The qualifying learner completes a dissertation or research report that includes ability to

• Identify and formulate a research problem
• Perform a critical and relevant literature survey
• Execute and critically review research using an effective methodology
• Assess the significance of research findings
• Write the dissertation or research report in acceptable structure, style and language.

2 The qualifying learner demonstrates

• Both knowledge and application of that knowledge in a specialised field
• Competence as an construction manager, project manager or property developer which includes
• Demonstration of leadership in advanced problem solving
• Ability to work with others in a team
• Showing initiative and ability to work independently with professional responsibility in a specialised field
• Effective communication in any medium
• Ability to engage in lifelong learning and to hold lifelong learning as a professional value

3 The qualifying learner demonstrates

• The ability to select, apply, evaluate and/or develop the most appropriate specialised approach to the solution of problems
• An understanding of the world as a set of related systems
• Application of diverse knowledge to development of appropriate solutions of problems, recognising wide-ranging factors including financial, environmental, health and technological aspects

4 The qualifying learner demonstrates ability

• To evaluate, apply and develop existing and new planning, technological and management approaches where appropriate to the research area,
• To relate planning, technological and management issues within the research area to wider economic and social systems critically and ethically
• To select, apply, evaluate and/or develop the most appropriate specialised techniques to the solution of problems

Integrated assessment

Research reports or dissertations serve as the medium for integrated assessment. Assessment is undertaken on a continuous basis, incorporating seminar presentations and papers, coursework assignments and tasks, as well as reports on research plans and designs. Such methods assess students' progress towards the professional and academic competencies set out in the exit level outcomes listed above. The assessment instruments are designed to integrate practical, theoretical and reflexive competence. Furthermore in order to pass a course, and, finally, in order to qualify, the learner must demonstrate the specialised knowledge acquired.