Graduates are eligible for membership of the Australian Institute of Building and the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors on completion of the appropriate electives.
Advanced standing is available to students who have completed the following courses at TAFE. Diploma of Building Studies, Diploma of Quantity Surveying, Diploma of Building Surveying, Diploma of Civil Engineering, Diploma of Structural Engineering, Diploma of Architectural Technology - (Credit and Distinctions only).
HSC Mathematics, Physics and English.
UAI or mature-age entry through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). International applicants should contact UWS International for details on admission. Contact information for the International Office is available via the UWS website.
Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 320 credit points which include units in the recommended sequence below. Electives within the sequence may be used towards obtaining an approved major or submajor for this award.
Recommended Sequence
Full-time
Year 1
Autumn session
Building 1
This unit is being replaced by 300706 Building 1 from 2010. Aims: To provide students with an overview of building regulations and construction techniques with an emphasis on low rise residential buildings; techniques of surveying land and buildings. Content: General process, local council, building regulations, permits, professions, players and makers, constraints (environmental and regulation), construction process (foundations, footings, framing, structure, cladding, services), history (architectural styles, economy), structural elements (bracing systems), envelope, surveying.
Graphic Communication and Design (V1)
This unit is being replaced by 300729 Graphic Communication & Design from 2010. Aims: This unit is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop graphic communication, basic CAD skills and elementary design skills suitable for application within the building industry. Content: This unit provides students with an introduction to elements of graphic communication skills necessary to comprehend various building types in plan, section, elevation, isometric and perspective views. The unit also introduces students to basic CAD (Computer Aided Design and Drafting) concepts and skills. Students will also be required to develop appropriate analytical and problem solving skills in dealing with a real life design problem.
Engineering, Design and Construction Practice
This unit encourages students to explore the professional responsibilities and challenges faced by Engineers, Designers and Building professionals. Students are introduced to emerging issues and approaches to sustainability and the complex nature of the design problems they will encounter in professional practice. Students engage in a semester-long research and problem solving task that addresses environmental and social sustainability imperatives and fosters fundamental research, design and communication skills. Special emphasis is placed on lifelong learning, academic literacy and professional skills including information literacy, project management, and teamwork which equip students for subsequent academic and professional contexts.
Design Science
An understanding of how the built environment works is essential to designers and construction professionals. This unit provides an introduction to physical units of measure, tolerance, statics, dynamics and optics. It also introduces students to electricity and magnetism as well as the concepts of momentum, energy, work, power and the operation of motors and machine. Students engage with these concepts through a hands-on learning experience including practical projects and live demonstrations.
Spring session
Building 2
This unit is being replaced by 300707 Building 2 from Spring 2009. The aim of this unit is to provide students with an overview of the design, classification, applicable Australian Standards, structural systems, construction techniques, materials handling systems, building services, fit-out and finishes for larger scale buildings.
Introduction to Business Law
This is an introductory law unit designed to introduce the fundamentals of law in a commercial context. The unit introduces students to the basic principles of law and the legal system as well as examining some of the major areas of law that impact on commercial dealings. This unit examines the structure of the legal system, the way law is made and legal problem solving. The main areas of law covered include contracts, torts, consumer protection and agency
Accounting Information for Managers
This unit provides exposure to financial and management accounting information from a user of accounting information viewpoint. The unit aims to provide breadth of awareness and knowledge in relevant fields of accounting essential to decision making for managers.
Management Foundations
This is an entry-level management unit that focuses on the development of an understanding of managing in an organisational context. The objectives of the unit are: to acquire knowledge of management processes, to analyse classical and contemporary management theories and to describe the dynamic nature of managerial practice in changing social and economic environments. This unit will explain how management theory is evolving and owes much to modern and post-modern thinking as well as economic planning principles and the behavioural, social and political sciences. This unit is a foundation unit for students of management and allied degrees and can be taken as an elective by students from other courses wishing to learn more about management policies and practice.
Year 2
Autumn session
Construction Technology 1 (Civil)
This unit is being replaced by 300720 Construction Technology 1 (Civil) from 2010. Aims: The development of the students' knowledge and skills in appraising the site requirements for construction purposes both at the pre tendering and construction phase of a project. Content: Soil classification, site investigation, retaining walls, trenches, detention/retention pits and basins, temporary structures, settlements, demolition, site dewatering, surveying.
Quantity Surveying 1
This unit is designed to provide students with the basic skills necessary to measure building works for estimates, variations, construction programs and materials ordering.
Material Science in Construction
This unit deals with the behaviour of building materials within the construction context. An introduction will be given on material behaviour and how properties are affected by the micro-structure and composition. Emphasis will be given to the application of various materials in construction. Physical
properties of each material will be discussed in detail and the degradation effect of environment and the effect of use. The impact of the manufacturing processes for these building materials/products on the environment will also be addressed. Materials covered in this unit include concrete, timber, metal, composite and polymer. Emphasis will be given to the application of composite, polymer and ceramics which have not been covered by other units in the course.
Development Control (V2)
This unit is being replaced by 300723 Development Control from 2010. Objectives: Students will be able to: discuss current issues related to development control; relate the law to the development application process; assess applications for approval for development as an integrated process; evaluate impact assessment issues; consider urban design, streetscape, heritage and conservation issues; discuss parking, traffic landscape and services.
Spring session
Construction Technology 2 (Substructure)
This unit is being replaced by 300721 Construction Technology 2 (Substructure) from 2010. Aims: This unit will aim to further develop students' knowledge of substructures. Content: Strip footings, piling, piering, rafts, waffle structures, materials handling, load bearing capacity, impact of structure on surface and sub surface drainage, underpinning and temporary substructures, waterproofing techniques, materials science (concrete and masonry).
Estimating 1
To provide an understanding of factors that affect the cost of buildings; introduce costing techniques for new and existing buildings and provide students with the skills necessary to prepare builder's estimates.
Construction in Practice 1
This unit aims to allow student gain an understanding of the complexity of construction industry by integrating knowledge from earlier units. The unit includes planning and management, regulatory control and client liaison required in initiating and completing a residential construction project.
And one elective
Year 3
Autumn session
Decision Making for Construction Professionals
The unit will examine a range of methods that can be applied to problem solving. The unit will prepare students for independent research work and comprise an introduction to the project based units. Content: Problem definition, option development, investigation planning, information technology, data analysis, critical interpretation.
Project Management
This unit is being replaced by 300727 Project Management from 2010. Aims: This unit is intended to give students an understanding of appropriate methods of managing projects and to develop skills in using these methods on the type of projects the students expect to undertake in their professional careers. Content: Management of time, management of cost, quality, resources and communications.
Construction Technology 3 (Concrete Construction)
The aim of this unit is to introduce students to the concept of structures, loads and the effect of loads on structures in relation to concrete construction. Students will have an in-depth understanding of concrete as a construction material. It covers the construction technology aspects of concrete structural components and systems, including beams, columns, slabs and frames. Emphasis will be given to formwork design and construction. Students will be introduced to the relevant Australian Standards for concrete construction. The unit also aims at developing students' ability to deal professionally with other building professionals, including architects and structural engineers.
Construction Planning (V1)
This unit is being replaced by 300728 Construction Planning from 2010. Aims: This unit is intended to give students the ability to organise the resources required for a major construction project, to plan the sequence and timing of construction operations, to assess the risk inherent to achieving a construction schedule, and to evaluate emerging trends in construction planning. Content: resource allocation, probilistics scheduling, systems simulation, multi project scheduling
Spring session
Construction Technology 4 (Steel Construction)
This unit deals with the construction of structural steelwork. Students will gain better understanding of mechanical properties of steel. It covers various components in structural steelwork, and their behaviour under loads. Students will also be introduced to various frame systems in multi-story and high-rise construction and relevant Australian Standards for steel construction. Emphasis will be given to safe erection and assembly of structural steelwork. Due consideration will be given to the requirements of Workcover in relation to site safety and material handling. An introduction will also be given for Steel-concrete composite construction.
Building Regulation Studies
This unit is being replaced by 300722 Building Regulation Studies from 2010. To develop an awareness of the regulatory construction and equipment techniques in the detection, prevention, behaviour and control of fire; an understanding of and an appreciation for buildings; to extend knowledge of the modern built environment for appraisal at Council level in planning and development procedures related to the inspection role, and the legal responsibilities in fire engineering and hazard assessment. Building regulations and fire safety; performance and prescription; fire literature and development; materials in fire, fire resisting construction; detection/alarm systems; egress and human behaviour; spread of fire; work cover; smoke movement and control; fire fighting equipment; essential services and heritage buildings.
Building Law
This unit is designed to provide students with an awareness of Industrial Relations and Dispute Resolution. Content: Employment Law, unfair dismissal, constitutional law, awards, enterprise agreement, course of disputes, method of dispute resolution, alternate dispute resolution, mock dispute resolution, future trends in dispute resolution.
Professional Practice
This unit explores the art of managing physical and human resources and the knowledge to plan, deliver and maintain the physical infrastructure for civilisation in an economically sustainable way.
Non-Honours Stream
Year 4
Autumn session
Construction Technology 5 (Envelope)
After undertaking this unit, students should understand the way building envelopes are designed and constructed to optimise thermal, visual and acoustic comfort and for energy efficiency.
Construction Economics
The unit provides students with an understanding of economic principles and how the national and international economies function in relation to the construction industry, individual construction firms, sub-contractors and suppliers. An understanding of how economic reasoning may be applied to various problems in the construction industry. The impact of globalisation on the construction industry. Government policy and the construction industry. Measuring the degree of competition in the construction industry.
Major Project in Construction
This unit will enhance the ability of students to investigate a selected topic with a
construction industry focus. The unit involves the preparation of a literature review,
in consultation with an external supervisor from industry. Content: mechanics of a
literature review, use of research (or strategic planning) in the construction industry,
development of high-value competencies in terms of marketing, organisational
structure and project management.
And one elective
Spring session
Construction Technology 6 (Services)
This unit is being replaced by 300725 Construction Technology 6 (Services) from 2010. The aim of this unit is to provide students with a vehicle to develop knowledge and skills needed to comprehend the design, coordination and installation of major building services. In so doing it engenders a life-long appreciation of the complexity of this important aspect of construction.
Construction in Practice 3
This unit enables students to integrate and develop knowledge gained earlier in the course allowing them to simulate industry practice. Students are given a brief to undertake large and complex construction projects (eg. high rise buildings, airport construction, or sports stadium construction). They then take account of regulatory control, financial limitations, and stakeholder impacts whilst managing a team and being flexible and responsive to changing demands.
And two electives
Honours Stream
Potential students must have completed at least 240 credit points and have achieved GPA of credit average in the first 3 years of their pass degree in order to be eligible to complete this embedded Honours stream:
Year 4
Autumn session
Construction Technology 5 (Envelope)
After undertaking this unit, students should understand the way building envelopes are designed and constructed to optimise thermal, visual and acoustic comfort and for energy efficiency.
Construction Economics
The unit provides students with an understanding of economic principles and how the national and international economies function in relation to the construction industry, individual construction firms, sub-contractors and suppliers. An understanding of how economic reasoning may be applied to various problems in the construction industry. The impact of globalisation on the construction industry. Government policy and the construction industry. Measuring the degree of competition in the construction industry.
Honours Thesis
This unit provides honours level students with the opportunity to undertake research on a specialist topic within their Key Program of undergraduate study.
Spring session
Construction Technology 6 (Services)
This unit is being replaced by 300725 Construction Technology 6 (Services) from 2010. The aim of this unit is to provide students with a vehicle to develop knowledge and skills needed to comprehend the design, coordination and installation of major building services. In so doing it engenders a life-long appreciation of the complexity of this important aspect of construction.
Construction in Practice 3
This unit enables students to integrate and develop knowledge gained earlier in the course allowing them to simulate industry practice. Students are given a brief to undertake large and complex construction projects (eg. high rise buildings, airport construction, or sports stadium construction). They then take account of regulatory control, financial limitations, and stakeholder impacts whilst managing a team and being flexible and responsive to changing demands.
Honours Thesis
This unit provides honours level students with the opportunity to undertake research on a specialist topic within their Key Program of undergraduate study.
Sub Major in Construction Economics
Construction Economics
Industrial Experience
Industry Based Learning (VI)
This unit is being replaced by 300724 Industry Based Learning from 2010. This is a "Work Experience in Industry" unit, for which no student contribution or fee is charged. Enrolment in the unit will not consume Student Learning Entitlement (SLE). Objectives: To expose the student to the working environment in which they can develop an appreciation of the industry and gain experience in working and communications with members of the building industry. Topics: Refer to the Industry Based Learning Diaries for full unit details.
All students enrolled in Bachelor of Construction Management must obtain, through their own initiative, 1200 hours of construction management related employment prior to undertaking their final year of study.
To facilitate the recording of such experience it will be necessary to enrol in BG311A - Industry Based Learning (in every year Autumn session only) and have an Industry Experience Diary signed off by the Course Coordinator.