CONMGNT 1001 - Construction Estimation and Quantity Surveying

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2024

This course will introduce students to the principles of construction estimation considering project management theory and principles as well as bidding practices in the construction industry. The course considers: first principles estimating, basic macro/micro economic principles, cost planning and management, assembling project bids, tendering, contracts and bills of quantities.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code CONMGNT 1001
    Course Construction Estimation and Quantity Surveying
    Coordinating Unit Construction Management
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 6 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Assessment Exam, quizzes, tutorials.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Brendan Scott

    Teaching Staff:
    Dr. Brendan Scott (School of Civil, Environmental and Mining Engineering)
    Dr. Navodana Rodrigo (School of Architecture and Built Environment)
    Adrian Esplin (CEO Sarah Constructions, Adjunct Lecturer)

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.


    The Course schedule will be updated regularly and made available on MyUni
  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course students will be able to: 

    1. Explain contractual arrangements that may be adopted in the construction industry

    2. Describe how the estimation process is influenced by the transfer of risk for different project delivery methods

    3. Identify how a project scope is broken up into a series of trade packages for construction

    4. Describe the basic estimation principles used in assembling a project bid 

    5. Estimate construction timelines and costs

    6. Demonstrate the ability to read and interpret technical engineering drawings

    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1-6

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1-6

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    5, 6

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    1-6

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    1-6

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    1-6

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    5, 6

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    4, 5, 6
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Copies of PowerPoint slides and recordings of workshop sessions, will be made available to students via MyUni
    Recommended Resources
    The purchase of a text book for this course is not mandatory; however, the purchase of one of the following texts may assist you with this course:

    Towey, D. (2017). Construction Quantity Surveying, 2nd Edition, Wiley, ISBN: 9781119312901.
    https://www.wiley.com/en-us/Construction+Quantity+Surveying%3A+A+Practical+Guide+for+the+Contractor%27s+QS%2C+2nd+Edition-p-9781119312901

    Cartlidge, D. (2017). Quantity Surveyor's Pocket Book, 3rd Edition, Routledge, ISBN: 9781138698369.
    https://www.routledge.com/Quantity-Surveyors-Pocket-Book/Cartlidge/p/book/9781138698369

    Pratt, D. (2017). Fundamentals of Construction Estimating, 4th Edition, Cengage, ISBN:9781337399395.
    https://au.cengage.com/c/isbn/9781337399395/

    Each of the above texts contain worked examples and questions that are available to use as additional practice exercises, and may be useful to supplement the course content on MyUni.
    Online Learning
    All resources (PowerPoint slides, handouts, assessment tasks etc.) will be available on MyUni.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The course will involve the following teaching and learning approaches:
    • workshop sessions;
    • site visit;
    • online lecture content;
    • project;
    • mid-semester quiz; and
    • examination.
    The schedule for the above will be available on MyUni.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.



    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
    Activity Contact Hours Independent
    Study Hours
    Total
    Workshop Sessions (including project) 30 60 90
    Online lecture content 0 12 12
    Virtual Site Visits and report 2 8 10
    Face-to-face Site Visit and report 3 6 9
    Mid semester Quiz and preparation 1 10 11
    Exam and preparation 2 20 22
    Total 38 116 154
    Learning Activities Summary
    The course will cover the following:
    • Project delivery methods and project risks;
    • Tendering and contractor engagement;
    • Cost estimation and quantity surveying;
    • Estimating construction timelines;
    • How to read engineering drawings; and
    • Estimating earthwork, concrete and steel construction projects.


  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Weighting (%) Submission Due Date *
    Learning Outcomes
    Mid-semester quiz 10 Individual Week 7 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
    Site visit report 1 5 Individual Week 3 1, 2, 3, 6
    Site visit report 2 5 Individual Week 5 1, 2, 3, 6
    Cost Estimation Project - Part 1 15 Group Week 8 3, 4, 5, 6
    Cost Estimation Project - Part 2 25 Group Week 13 3 ,4, 5, 6
    Examination (hurdle requirement #) 40 Individual Exam Period 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
    TOTAL  100
    This assessment breakdown complies with the University's Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy.

    * The specific due date for each assessment task will be available on MyUni. 

    # This course has a hurdle requirement. Meeting the specified hurdle criteria (Exam mark >40%) is a requirement for passing the course.
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Hurdles
    Where the exam hurdle is not met students will receive a course result of the lesser of their calculated grade and the nominal grade of 45, Fail.

    In addition, and in accordance with the Modified arrangements for coursework assessment policy, students must complete all specified mandated assesment tasks to be eligible for an Additional Assessment:
    • Cost Estimation Project
    Exemptions for prior work
    Requests for exemption from coursework components must be made by the end of Week 3 of Semester on an Exemption from Attendance Form

    Group work
    This course includes peer assessment for the tasks undertaken within groups. Further detail of the peer assessment will be made available on MyUni. To maintain the integrity of the assessment task(s) there is a requirement that all students within a group contribute to each assessment task. Where there is evidence that group members have not sufficiently contributed to a group
    assessment task, the Academic Honesty policy may be applied.
    Assessment Detail

    No information currently available.

    Submission
    All coursework must be submitted electronically via MyUni. 

    Late submissions will be penalised at the rate of 10% per day unless an extension was granted by the course coordinator prior to the nominated due date due to medical or extenuating circumstances.  Any requests for extensions must be communicated via email prior to the deadline.  No credit will be given for submissions received more than five working days after the nominated due date unless an extension was granted by the Course Coordinator.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
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