Bachelor of Quantity Surveying Honours Degree

Bachelor of Quantity Surveying Honours Degree

NUST code:

BQS

DURATION:

4 Years

TYPE OF DEGREE:

HONOURS

CREDIT LOAD:

520 Credits

LEVEL 
 

 SADC-QF - Level 8

ACCREDITATION ORGANISATION(S):

Zimbabwe Council For Higher Education

Quantity Surveyors Council of Zimbabwe

 

LEARNING MODES

CONVENTIONAL (Offered in Bulawayo Only)
PARALLEL (Offered in Bulawayo Only)
BLOCK RELEASE (Offered in Harare Only)
 
Purpose of the Programme

The programme is designed to provide education for undergraduate students in the fields of quantity surveying. Such fields cover issues related to sustainable resource use within the built environment.
 
Areas of Study
Quantity Surveying
Specialist Focus
Costing, Pricing, Measurement, Contract Documentation
Orientation
Research and innovation oriented teaching and learning are professionally guided and focused on practical aspects


Employability
Employment by quantity surveying consultant firms, construction companies and sub-contractors, developers, financial institutions, engineers (civil, structural, mechanical and hydraulic), parastatals, local government and central government agencies.

Further Studies
MSc, MPhil

Normal Entry

Applicants must have at least a pass at “A” Level in Mathematics or Physics with a “C” or better, and any other two subjects at “A” Level approved by the University.

Special Entry

Applicants must have a minimum of a National Diploma in Quantity Surveying with a pass at “O” Level in Mathematics and English

Applicants shall attend selection interview

Mature Entry

General Regulations shall apply.

The Bachelor of Quantity Surveying Honours Degree Programme is a four-year  full-time programme structured to integrate the basic elements of quantity surveying (measurement, estimating and pricing, building construction, construction law, and construction economics) with the professional requirements of quantity surveying practice responsive to the changing needs.
The 4-year Bachelor of Bachelor of Quantity Surveying programme includes a minimum of 28 weeks of supervised industrial attachment. The attachment shall normally be taken during Year 3 of the programme. During Industrial Attachment, the student shall be governed by the General Regulations for Industrial Attachment as well as any other Faculty/Departmental Regulations where applicable. Students, who wish to have their Industrial Attachment outside Zimbabwe, must seek, and obtain Academic Board approval on recommendation by the Department and Faculty.

Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures, tutorials, seminars, group work, site & field visits, industrial attachment, research project, individual independent study.

Assessment Methods
Written and oral examinations, tests, site & field reports, seminar presentations, industrial attachment report, final year research project report, continuous assessments.

Programme Competencies
The standard competencies are:
Strategic planning.  
Cost estimating.
Cost planning.
Procurement advice.
Contract documentation.
Tender preparation and adjudication..
Construction account management.
Construction change management.
Financial feasibility studies

Intended Learning Outcomes(ILOs)
Ability to understand construction and engineering services technologies and the impact of these designs on the costs and timing of construction activities.
Ability to measure buildings in accordance with the standard methods of measurement documents.
Ability to prepare estimates of work from first principles and including interpreting historical cost data.
Ability to financially manage projects throughout the design and construction phases of the projects
Ability to understand and uphold professional practice and ethics.
Ability to manage workloads and meet deadlines
Ability to understand the principles of law relating to the construction industry.

YEAR 1 (Total 130 Credits)


Semester 1 and 2                                Credits

BQS    1001    Measurement 1                        26

       

Semester 1

BQS    1101    Theory and Practice of Quantity Surveying I         10

BQS    1102    Descriptive Geometry             12

BQS    1105    Introduction to Construction Legislation             8

BQS    1106    Introduction to Construction Materials I             8

BQS    1107    Principles of Economics            10

BQS    1110    Building Construction I             10

BQS    1111    Statistics              8


Semester 2

BQS    1201    Theory and Practice of Quantity Surveying II         10

CTL     1101    Conflict, Transformation, and Leadership         10

BQS    1205    Law: Construction and Engineering I             8

BAR    1206    Introduction to Applied Statics and Dynamics         4

BQS    1206    Introduction to Construction Materials II             8



YEAR 2 (Total 140 Credits)


Semester 1 and 2

BQS     2001    Measurement II             30

BQS    2002    Construction Estimates and Pricing             20


Semester 1

BQS    2104    Building Construction II             10

BAR    2105    Structural Design I             6

BQS    2106    Law: Construction and Engineering II             10

BQS    2110    Engineering Surveying             10

BAR    3103    Building Services I             6


Semester 2

BQS    2201    Building Construction III             10

BQS    2202    Research Skills                        10

BQS    2206    Construction Economics            10

BQS    2207    Computer Applications in Quantity Surveying        12

BAR    3203    Building Services II             6




YEAR 3 (Total 120 Credits)


Semester 1 and 2

AQS    3001    Industrial Attachment             120



YEAR 4 (Total 135 Credits)


Semester 1 and 2

BQS    4001    Quantity Surveying Research Practical Project         25


Semester 1

BQS    4102    Contract Administration I                     10

BQS    4103    Construction Site Management                 10

BQS    4106    Construction Accounting             10

BQS    4107    Measurement III             15

BQS    4108    Construction Equipment and Methods            10


Semester 2

BQS    4202    Contracts Administration II                    10

BQS    4203    Construction Finance             10

BQS    4204    Measurement IV             15

BQS    4208    Property Studies             10

BQS    4209    Professional Practice & Procedure            10

BQS1001    MEASUREMENT I           26 Credits
This is an introduction to Mensuration and Measurement in accordance with the System of Measurement of simple structures e.g. foundations, brickwork, surface beds, carpentry, joinery and ironmongery, glazing, doors, windows, floors and paving. Lectures shall also focus on measurement of simple structures e.g. internal and external finishes, and roof work. The module shall be examined at the end of Semester 2. The module is a prerequisite to BQS2001 Measurement II.
Mode of assessment: 50% Examination and 50% Continuous assessment

BQS    1101    THEORY AND PRACTICE OF QUANTITY SURVEYING I     10 Credits
The module covers and introduction to quantity surveying and the construction industry professionals. It gives an overview of the building design and construction process, the scope of the activities of construction and the responsibilities of the stakeholders and discussion of the work environment in engineering architecture and site construction.

BQS    1102    DESCRIPTIVE GEOMETRY                     12 Credits
This module gives an introduction to the purpose of architectural drawings and the process of communication through presentation and working drawings, types of two dimensional drawings and their uses. Architectural lettering, relationship between scale and degree of detail, the use of hatching, the layout of architectural drawing sheets, dimensions- are some of the topics also covered in this module. Quantity surveying professionals deal with working drawings and also architectural presentation drawings. The main aim and objectives of this module is to make students able to interpret the architectural presentation and working drawings in detail.
Mode of assessment:  100% Continuous assessment

BQS    1105    INTRODUCTION TO CONSTRUCTION LEGISLATION     8 Credits
An introduction review to risk and safety regulations, accident prevention, public welfare, discussion of laws, safety equipment and inspection procedures. Lectures and seminar discussions also cover other legal obligations and model building by-laws in Zimbabwe.

BQS    1106    INTRODUCTION TO CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS I     8 Credits
An introduction review of the materials used in construction, of their physical properties and characteristics, and the processes they undergo to convert them to building materials.

BQS    1107    PRINCIPLES OF ECONOMICS                     10 Credits
Definitions of Economics, Economics as a social science Differences between Macro Economics and Micro Economics: Wants, Needs and Demand, Scarcity, Choice and Opportunity Cost, The Economic problem, Factors of production and Economic Systems. Principles of Macroeconomics build our principles of microeconomics. It seeks to introduce students to how economic aggregates such as national income, investment, savings, taxation, imports, exports, government expenditure, fiscal and monetary policies/employment/ unemployment and inflation are related to micro-economic behaviour. Emphasis is put on the definition; measurement and inter-linkage of these.
 
BQS    1110    BUILDING CONSTRUCTION I                     10 Credits
The module examines the construction process and the materials used in construction of simple structures through lectures, case studies and project assignments. Students shall be required to study a building under construction and create a portfolio for documenting the project.
 
BQS    1111    STATISTICS                               8 Credits
Aspects covered include: Randomness, probability. Random variables, probability distribution and density function. Binomial, Poisson, exponential and normal distributions.

BQS    1201    THEORY AND PRACTICE OF QUANTITY II             10 Credits
The module covers and introduction to quantity surveying and the construction industry professionals. It gives an overview of the building design and construction process, the scope of the activities of construction and the responsibilities of the stakeholders and discussion of the work environment in engineering architecture and site construction.

CTL 1101 CONFLICT, TRANSFORMATION AND LEADERSHIP        10 Credits
The module is tailored in a manner to provide students with intellectual skills on the symbiotic relationship that exist on the three tier terms (peace, leadership and conflict). The module attempts to probe into the interplay between these thematic motifs and show their role ad complementarities in the process of human development. The module further seeks to provide a skills kit on how to analyse conflicts, identify their underlying causes, evaluate hoe conflict undermines the productive use of resources thereby plaguing development and how responsible leadership transforms adversity into peaceful, equitable and just global society in harmony with nature.

BQS    1205    LAW: CONSTRUCTION AND ENGINEERING I         8 Credits
Lectures covering an introduction to Law to Tort and Contract, product liability, professional liability, surveying law, patents.

BAR    1206    INTRODUCTION TO APPLIED STATICS AND DYNAMICS 4 Credits
An introduction to the static and dynamic behaviour of the major structural systems applied in architecture. An examination of monolithic wall, post-lintel and multi-story framed construction, tunnels, vaults and domes, suspended, catenary and tensile structures, etc., to enable the students to develop their understanding of the structural principles that underlay their physical structural forms.

BQS    1206    INTRODUCTION TO CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS II     8 Credits
A continuation of the module taught in the first semester, with an examination of constructional systems, and the ways in which materials are used in construction, and visits to construction sites.

BQS    2001    MEASUREMENT II                             30 Credits
Introduction to Measurement of plumbing and drainage, complex structures e.g. reinforced concrete multi-storey frames – the framed foundations, stepped foundations, reinforced concrete beams, columns, slabs, flat roofs, complex roofs, alterations and additions to existing structures. The module shall be examined at the end of Semester 2. The module is a prerequisite to BQS 3001 Industrial attachment.

Mode of assessment: 50% Examination and 50% Continuous assessment

BQS    2002    CONSTRUCTION ESTIMATES AND PRICING         20 Credits
Concepts and techniques of estimating cost of engineering, construction and service operations, equipment, projects and systems; preliminary, detailed procedures, for example elemental, analytical etc., considering qualitative and quantitative aspects and using computer method. The module shall be examined at the end of Semester 2. The module is a prerequisite to BQS 3001 Industrial attachment.

Mode of assessment: 50% Examination and 50% Continuous assessment

BQS    2104    BUILDING CONSTRUCTION II                     10 Credits
The module examines the construction process and the materials used in construction of multi-storey buildings through lectures, case studies and project assignments. The module also studies roads and bridge construction. Lecturers are supplemented by demonstrations and site visits.

BAR    2105    STRUCTURAL DESIGN I                         6 Credits
The module gives an introduction to structural systems and their underlying physical principles, using historical and contemporary precedents. Simple methods of calculation are introduced, and field trips and laboratory demonstrations are included.

BQS    2106    LAW: CONSTRUCTION AND ENGINEERING II         10 Credits
A continuation from I, Second Semester with Lectures and seminar discussions covering in detail topics of contracts, product liability, professional liability, surveying law, patents, and preparation of documents utilized by quantity surveyors, engineers and architects, proposals and bidding, technical investigations, test reports and design documents.

BQS    2110    ENGINEERING SURVEYING                     10 Credits
The module introduces students to definitions, classes and branches of surveying. It also covers theory of errors, chain surveying. Theodolites work: Triangulation: Calculations and theory Resection: Calculations Areas and Volumes: Setting out engineering plans and specifications. Curve Ranging; Quality take off, planning and scheduling Deformation Survey.

BAR    3103    BUILDING SERVICES I                         6 Credits
A study of infrastructural services of water supply, drainage, sewage treatment: electricity: and telephone installations.

BQS    2201    BUILDING CONSTRUCTION III                     10 Credits
The module investigates a range of conventional construction systems, for foundations, walls, suspended floors and roots. Systems are compared in timber, steel, masonry, and reinforced precast concrete. Lecturers are supplemented by demonstrations and site visits.

BQS    2202    RESEARCH SKILLS                         10 Credits
The module is an introduction and development of use of exploring source and preparation of specialised and technical information, document research organisation, format and style. It covers drafting and interpretation of in-depth technical reports, proposals and dissertations. Data analysis techniques: Histograms, Standard estimations and their distribution, confidence intervals, Hypothesis testing, and linear regression. Comprehensive specification in the various forms of surveying, construction and engineering shall be prepared.

BQS    2206    CONSTRUCTION ECONOMICS                     10 Credits
Study of fundamental principles and basic techniques used in economic comparisons of various investment options, project appraisals, cost analyses of equipment and facility/ property ownership, retirement and replacement, considering the time value for money, inflation, depreciation, maintenance and related costs. Principles of engineering/technological economics, including compound interest, present worth, annuity, sinking fund, capital recovery, equivalence and uniform gradient series, are conceptualized. It also explores the efficient use of resources in the pursuit to increase the rate of growth in construction and development work in the most efficient manner. An examination is made into the cost implications of various building forms, functional requirement and construction methods. Influences of site and market conditions, and economics of fabrication and industrialisation, as well as in use techniques in Building design, are also studied.

BQS    2207    COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN QUANTITY SURVEYING     12 Credits
Practical application of computer software in Quantity Surveying context; software instruction, including word processing, use of spreadsheets, data bases and specialised Quantity Surveying Software. Emphasis is laid on the generation of technical documents, bills of quantities, cost and tender reports, and interim valuations. The module shall be examined based on 50% Examination and 50% Continuous assessment
BAR    3203    BUILDING SERVICES II                         6 Credits
The study covers mechanical, electrical and telecommunications systems that enable large complex buildings to function efficiently. Air conditioning systems and Acoustics are also covered.
BQS    3001    INDUSTRIAL ATTACHMENT                        120 Credits
The 4-year Bachelor of Quantity Surveying Honours Degree Programme shall 28 weeks of Supervised Industrial Attachment either with a professional quantity surveying firm or with a building contract. This attachment shall expose the students to commercial systems and practicalities not encountered in the classroom. The Industrial Attachment shall be taken during Part III of the programme before they return to NUST for the final Year.

BQS    4001    QUANTITY SURVEYING RESEARCH PRACTICAL PROJECT
25 Credits
Focus is on preparation of dissertations. With practice and lectures, students shall choose topics of their choice and prepare a dissertation individually. The module shall be examined at the end of Semester 2:

Mode of assessment:  100% Continuous assessment.
BQS    4102    CONTRACTS ADMINISTRATION II                 10 Credits
A practical application of the Standard forms of Contract for Buildings and Civil Engineering.

BQS    4103    CONSTRUCTION SITE MANAGEMENT             10 Credits
History and development of management, functions of management, organisational structures, decision making, communication centralisation and decentralisation, delegation, leadership and motivation, budgetary and non-budgetary controls. Focus on fundamentals of planning and scheduling of construction projects. The principles of operations management, including Network Analysis, Transport and Assignment models, are conceptualized.

BQS    4106    CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNTING                 10 Credits
Examination and analysis of the practices of financial and management accounting in the construction industry, including accounting processes, internal control, cost elements, overhead allocation and financial reports.

BQS    4107    MEASUREMENT III                         15 Credits
This module introduces students to measurement of different types of civil engineering works and structural steel works. The focus is on external works in roads, bridges, and surface and subsurface drainage systems.

Mode of assessment: 50% Examination and 50% Continuous assessment
BQS    4108    CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AND METHODS         10 Credits
Advanced study in method of planning scheduling projects relate to heavy and large-scale construction, coursework focusing on the more complex issues of building construction estimating, considering both quantity surveying and pricing of labour, materials and equipment costs to determine resource allocations, levelling cost curves; application of manual computer network systems; team Research Project.

BQS   4202    CONTRACTS ADMINISTRATION II                 10 Credits
A technical and legal assessment of market potential that develops overseas strategies, appraising alternative funding opportunities, estimating and tendering joint ventures and partnership.

BQS    4203    CONSTRUCTION FINANCE                     10 Credits
Exploring the critical factors in national, regional and local markets that determine development opportunities, business and construction cycles, regional and urban growth trends restructuring of urban space, commercial and industrial location theories, and demographic analysis and projection techniques; principles of managerial finance focusing on financial markets, financial statement analyses, planning and control, working capital management and international finance, discussion centered on the research required to find the best financial packages projected development, including assessment of market potential strategies, appraising alternative funding opportunities, capital budgeting and estimating debt, cash flow and appraisal techniques, joint ventures and partnerships, various loan structures, and micro-computer applications.

BQS    4204    MEASUREMENT IV                         15 Credits
The module is to equip students with skills of measurement with special focus on electrical and mechanical services. It also includes measurement of specialist items found in building works. The module shall be examined based on 50% Examination and 50% Continuous assessment

BQS    4208    PROPERTY STUDIES                         10 Credits
Lecture and discussion topics including techniques for selecting, organising, and managing the development team, scheduling and risk management, negotiating strategies, utilising government financing and subsidy programmes and marketing, managing completed projects, tax assessment procedures and appeals, negotiating public private partnerships, various loan structures, and micro-computer applications.  

BQS    4209    PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE         10 Credits
Lectures and discussions; exploration of the ethics of the profession: values, ethical theory and practice; moral reasoning; morality in law and codes, Professional standards and societies; extensive use of case studies.
   

CONVENTIONAL

$565/semester

PARALLEL

$665/semester

HARARE BLOCK

$995/semester

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