Units
Project Engineering 2
Unit code: ENB472
Contact hours: 4 per week
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
The unit builds on the understanding of the physical aspect of construction gained in Project Engineering 1 to develop the skills needed to manage a project. Further studies in estimating, contracts administration and cost control provide support for a major computer simulation exercise based on the construction management of a complex industrial project. This experiential component provides a framework for the exploration of issues in the legal, managerial and technical areas which form the basis for the professional presentations that conclude the unit.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 2 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
In addition to design competence, Engineers require a sound understanding of construction and management principles to fully meet the expectations of employers and the broader community. In addition, current contracting arrangements and trends towards alliances in contractual arrangements require awareness in Engineers of the significance that non-technical issues have in bringing projects to successful conclusion.
Studies of the techniques developed in the construction field are well suited to the development of lateral thinking, communication skills and the ability to work in an effective team. Certain economics, financial, legal and technological skills are needed to support these studies. Equally importantly, the character of construction decisions promotes a willingness to deal with uncertainty and enhances the flexibility required for success in the contemporary professional environment. This final year unit significantly integrates your prior knowledge and skills to effectively perform specific management tasks in typical civil engineering projects.
Aims
The aim of this unit is to help you understand the character of the decisions required of an Engineer in a project environment as well as understanding projects within the commercial and economic environment.
Objectives
On completion of this unit you should be able to:
1. Identify the blend of technical and commercial skills common in engineering practice
2. Apply the fundamentals of engineering economics to engineering project management
3. Apply management theories to the management of engineering projects
4. Analyse the structure of the construction and engineering industry and of businesses generally within a project management context
5. Prevent and resolve contract disputes in engineering construction projects.
Content
The unit has a series of lectures providing a framework for engineering construction economics and management. These will include the culture of construction, generic and people-specific management, legal and political issues, engineering economics, estimating, contracts administration, negotiations and dispute resolution. The unit concludes with presentations on topics selected to reinforce the significance of fundamental management and communication principles.
Topics to be covered may be altered to provide further depth or breadth to issues of significance in the project environment. Changes will be advised so that students can plan accordingly.
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
Teaching Mode:
Hours per week: 4
Lecture: 3
Tutorial: 1
As indicated above, the unit progressively develops your exposure to and development of problem solving and conflict resolution skills responsive to typical civil engineering projects and related people and issues.
Assessment
Assessment includes individual problem solving tasks relevant to engineering projects and a final exam. It will be formative involving an emphasis on constructive and progressive feedback using a criterion referencing approach that will be explained during Week 1 and located on QUT BlackBoard.
QUT's Assessment Policy is located at MOPP C/5.1.The assessment will comprise formative assessment (to help you understand how you are progressing in this unit) and summative assessment (to grade your work against expected learning outcomes). Verbal feedback on your assessments will be given to you by your lecturer and tutors during lecture and tutorial classes, and via email and Blackboard. Written feedback will be provided on project related problem solving tasks.
Assessment name:
Problem Solving Task
Description:
An exercise to solve real project related problems using appropriate methods.
Relates to objectives:
1, 4
Weight:
30%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 6
Assessment name:
Problem Solving Task
Description:
An exercise to solve additional project management related problems using appropriate methods.
Relates to objectives:
1, 3
Weight:
30%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 12
Assessment name:
Examination (written)
Description:
Final examination
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Weight:
40%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Examination period
Academic Honesty
QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.
A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.
Resource materials
Texts:
1. Richar H. McCuen, Edna A. Ezzel and Melanie K. Wong: Fundamentals of Civil Engineering: An Introduction to the ASCE Body of Knowledge
2. William G. Sullivan, Elin M. Wicks, C. Patrick Koelling: Engineering economy (2011) Prentice Hall, Boston : /.
3. A guide to the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK guide) Newtown Square, Penn., USA: Project Management Institute, any edition. (Call number 658.404 197 /2000
4. Danny Samson, Management for engineers, (2001) Prentice Hall, Frenchs Forest, NSW 3rd edition
5. Roy Pilcher, Principles of Construction Management (1992), McGraw-Hill Publishing Company, Berkshire, England, 3rd edition.
Reference:
1. Henrickson, C - Project Management for Construction 1999 Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA http://www.ce.cmu.edu/pmbook/
Risk assessment statement
In this unit, you will undertake lectures and/or tutorials in the traditional classrooms and lecture theatres. As such, there are no extraordinary workplace health and safety issues associated with these components of the unit. However, you may be required to undertake lecturer-led and individual site visits to construction sites. Prior to these site visits, you are required to attend a construction safety induction session and obtain a safety induction card. This safety induction session introduces you to the relevant workplace health and safety requirements of Queensland construction sites. A safety induction course is provided by the school in the first week of the first semester. If you do not have, or cannot produce a safety induction card. you will not be allowed to undertake the site visits.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Last modified: 28-May-2012
