Program Overview

Introduction to the Bachelor of Science in Construction Studies

The Bachelor of Science in Construction Studies is a three-year degree program that equips students with a wide range of skills and knowledge required for a managerial role in the construction industry. The program challenges students with aspects of design, construction, and engineering technology, as well as subjects such as economics, statistics, human resource management, commercial and contract law, costing, surveying, and professional communication.

Aims of the Programme

The aims of the Bachelor of Science in Construction Studies program are to:

• Provide graduates to the construction, property, and related industries who possess entrepreneurial and business skills appropriate to a broad range of vocations in the built environment.
• Meet the education requirements towards registration with professional bodies such as the South African Council for Quantity Surveying Profession, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Chartered Institute of Building, and the South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions.
• Provide graduates with life skills.

Outcomes of the Programme

Upon completion of the BSc in Construction Studies program, graduates are competent to:

• Perform basic construction trade skills and set out buildings.
• Use computer packages for computer-aided draughting presentation, scheduling, and information processing.
• Manage and prepare tender and contractual documents relating to building work.
• Estimate cost and undertake financial management of construction projects.
• Manage the construction of buildings and related infrastructure.
• Manage human resources within a construction firm.
• Understand and evaluate economic issues concerning the construction sector and the construction firm at both micro and macro levels.
• Understand the time value of money and apply discounted cash flow techniques for evaluating alternative property investments.
• Communicate with construction professionals concerning spatial concepts, financial issues, and construction assembly problems.

Programme Structure

The curriculum for the program extends over not less than three academic years of study. A candidate must complete approved courses to a value of not less than 432 credits and comply with all prescribed curriculum requirements, which may exceed 432 credits in any given year.

Course Details

The program includes the following courses:

First Year

• ACC1006F: Financial Accounting I (18 UCT credits, HEQSF Level 5)
• CIV1006S: Building Science I (16 UCT credits, HEQSF Level 5)
• CON1004W: Construction Technology I (32 UCT credits, HEQSF Level 5)
• CON1007X: Practical Training (0 UCT credits, HEQSF Level 5)
• CON1010S: Construction Information Systems (8 UCT credits, HEQSF Level 5)
• ECO1010F: Microeconomics (18 UCT credits, HEQSF Level 5)
• ECO1011S: Macroeconomics (18 UCT credits, HEQSF Level 5)
• MEC1010F: Engineering Drawing (8 UCT credits, HEQSF Level 5)
• MAM1010F: Mathematics 1010 (18 UCT credits, HEQSF Level 5)
• STA1000S: Statistics 1000 (18 UCT credits, HEQSF Level 5) Total: 154 UCT credits

Second Year

• ACC2042H: Management Accounting for non-specialists (16 UCT credits, HEQSF Level 6)
• APG2026F: Elementary Surveying (16 UCT credits, HEQSF Level 6)
• CML1001F: Business Law I (18 UCT credits, HEQSF Level 6)
• CML2005F: Labour Law I (18 UCT credits, HEQSF Level 6)
• CON2006W: Construction Technology II (32 UCT credits, HEQSF Level 6)
• CON2013X: Practical Training (0 UCT credits, HEQSF Level 6)
• CON2020S: Construction Management I (16 UCT credits, HEQSF Level 6)
• CON2034S: Professionalism in the Built Environment (12 UCT credits, HEQSF Level 6)
• CON2037W: Measurement & Design Appraisal I (20 UCT credits, HEQSF Level 6) Total: 148 UCT credits

Third Year

• CON3012W: Construction Technology III (32 UCT credits, HEQSF Level 7)
• CON3023X: Practical Training (0 UCT credits, HEQSF Level 7)
• CON3030F: Construction Costing (16 UCT credits, HEQSF Level 7)
• CON3031W: Measurement & Design Appraisal II (32 UCT credits, HEQSF Level 7)
• CON3032W: Applied Contract Law I (12 UCT credits, HEQSF Level 7)
• CON3033S: Property Studies I (16 UCT credits, HEQSF Level 7)
• CON3038W: Construction Management II (32 UCT credits, HEQSF Level 7)
• CON3043W: Cost Engineering under Uncertainty (16 UCT credits, HEQSF Level 7) Total: 156 UCT credits

Entry Requirements

To be admitted as a candidate for the Bachelor of Science in Construction Studies degree, a person must:

1. Obtain the National Senior Certificate endorsed for degree studies.
2. Obtain the required number of points (applicable to candidates writing the South African National Senior Certificate Examination).
3. Satisfy specified subject requirements.
4. Have a degree from this or another university recognized for the purpose by the Senate.