UTS course code: C10006
Testamur title: Bachelor of Building in Construction Economics
Abbreviation: BBuild
Course fee: HECS (local); $7,350 per semester (international)
Total credit points: 192

With the introduction in 2003 of the new Bachelor of Construction, the Bachelor of Building in Construction Economics will no longer be offered to first-year students. Existing students in this degree who are unable to complete discontinued subjects due to failures or leave of absence are encouraged to transfer to the new course, in which case their standing will be determined on the basis of the transition arrangements, the details of which are available from the Faculty Office. Should this not be possible, equivalent subjects in the new course will be allocated to replace those discontinued.

Overview
Advanced standing
Attendance
Course duration
Course structure
Course program
Professional recognition

Overview

The Bachelor of Building in Construction Economics degree provides quantity surveying education in applied economics for the construction industry, and leads to a professional qualification in quantity surveying. Quantity surveyors provide financial and economic advice relating to the cost management of projects from the time of their conception and extending throughout the design, construction and deployment phases. Quantity surveyors are key professionals in the construction industry and their clients include developers, government agencies, building proprietors, architects and contractors.

The degree may be conferred with First or Second Class Honours for meritorious performance.

Advanced standing

Students with previous academic or industrial experience may be given recognition for prior learning in the course. No student may be given advanced standing in excess of three-quarters of the course without the approval of Academic Board.

Students with advanced standing are given the opportunity to tailor their program of study in line with subjects completed previously at other institutions. This flexibility encourages students to design their own individual learning experiences and enables efficient articulation without repetition. Identified areas of weakness can also be targeted and strengthened. Students will not be exempted from elective subjects due to previous study or qualifications.

Students given advanced standing are eligible to enter the course by way of the Semester Bridge, which runs as a full-time or part-time program and is delivered in an electronic, distance learning mode.

There is a range of articulation pathways in the course, and students holding previous qualifications should contact the Faculty Office for further information.

Attendance

Part-time students attend University on a two half-day release basis for 13 weeks each semester. Full-time students may be expected to attend at any time during the week. The course has been designed for each part-time year to have a maximum of four academic subjects. The contact hours allocated to each subject are nominal and are often a combination of lectures, tutorials, workshops and self-directed teaching methods.

The course is designed so that students may transfer between part-time and full-time attendance patterns or between Construction Management and Construction Economics courses after Year 2 full time or Year 3 part time without incurring an extension to the duration of their course.

Course duration

This course is offered on a four-year, full-time or six-year, part-time basis.

Course structure

Industrial experience

Undergraduate studies in Construction Economics are designed around the concept of cooperative education, and thus require concurrent practical experience as part of the program.

Part-time students are required to obtain the equivalent of 144 weeks (three years) approved industrial experience, comprising nominally four days per week full-time employment in the construction industry. Employment outside the construction industry may also be given some consideration. Industrial experience attained prior to commencement of the course is accepted subject to approval. Students must have at least 48 weeks (one year) approved experience prior to entering the final year of the course. Graduation is delayed until the University is satisfied that its industrial experience requirements have been met.

Full-time students are required to obtain the equivalent of 48 weeks (240 days) approved industrial experience. Successful completion of the compulsory practical studies components of Construction 1–4 can contribute up to 24 weeks of the total requirement, the remaining experience necessarily coming from industry placement. Students must have at least 16 weeks (80 days) approved industry placement prior to entering the final year of the course and at least 24 weeks (120 days) approved industry placement prior to graduation. Graduation is delayed until the University is satisfied that its industrial experience requirements have been met.

Course program

Full-time program

Spring semester
16286 Project Planning and Risk S 4cp
16287 Construction 3S 4cp
16288 Quantity Surveying 3S 4cp
16289 Legal Studies 2S 4cp
16290 Cost Planning and Modelling S 4cp
16291 Economic Development S 4cp

Spring semester
16292 Contract Administration S 4cp
16293 Construction 4S 4cp
16294 Advanced Cost Engineering S 4cp
16295 Economic Analysis S 4cp
16296 Quantity Surveying Practice S* 4cp
xxxxx Unspecified elective* 4cp

Part-time program

Spring semester
16282 Quantity Surveying 2S 4cp
16283 Legal Studies 1S 4cp
16284 Estimating S 4cp
16285 Engineering Services S 4cp

Spring semester
16286 Project Planning and Risk S 4cp
16287 Construction 3S 4cp
16288 Quantity Surveying 3S 4cp
16289 Legal Studies 2S 4cp

Spring semester
16290 Cost Planning and Modelling S 4cp
16291 Economic Development S 4cp
16292 Contract Administration S 4cp
16293 Construction 4S 4cp

Spring semester
16294 Advanced Cost Engineering S 4cp
16295 Economic Analysis S 4cp
16296 Quantity Surveying Practice S* 4cp
xxxxx Unspecified elective* 4cp

Semester Bridge

Note: The Semester Bridge is available only to students who are eligible for advanced standing.

Electives

Students are required to take a minimum of 8 credit points of electives. This may be from the Construction Economics program, or may be freely chosen by students from a variety of electives offered by different faculties in the University.

Construction Economics program electives are:
16011 Facility Management 8cp
16012 Project Management 8cp
16057 The Evolution of Technology 1 4cp
16058 The Evolution of Technology 2 4cp

Note: These electives are subject to availability.

Professional recognition

Successful completion of the undergraduate course satisfies the educational requirements for admission to the following professional organisations.

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is a highly valued and respected professional association in the international community. The Bachelor of Building in Construction Economics degree is accredited as meeting all the academic requirements for full corporate membership of the RICS. Upon completion of the degree, students may apply to the RICS to undertake their practical experience requirements which comprise a further two years of supervised and approved experience in industry. The RICS conducts an Assessment of Professional Competence at the end of this period.

Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS)

The Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS) is the main professional body for quantity surveyors in Australia. Successful completion of the Bachelor of Building in Construction Economics degree is accredited for admission to full corporate membership, though particular experience requirements also need to be met. Part-time students can obtain this experience during the last two years of their course so that they will be eligible for interview (Assessment of Professional Competence) immediately upon completion. Full-time students must obtain the two years' experience after completion of their course.

Australian Institute of Building (AIB)

The Australian Institute of Building (AIB) is the main professional association for building students and is recognised by Royal Charter. The Bachelor of Building in Construction Economics degree is accredited as meeting all the academic requirements for full corporate membership of the AIB. Before becoming a Chartered Building Professional, additional practical experience requirements and an interview are necessary. Students should refer to the AIB for full details.

International professional bodies

The Bachelor of Building in Construction Economics degree is also accredited by the New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NZIQS), the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS), the Institute of Surveyors, Malaysia (ISM), the Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers (SISV), the Institute of Quantity Surveyors of Kenya (IQSK), the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), and the Sri Lanka Institute of Quantity Surveyors (SLIQS). Graduates can also apply to join the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) based in the UK, via an AIB reciprocity agreement.