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Understanding the Built Environment (ABPL10005)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Email: rhcr@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject was formerly known as The World of Building
This subject provides a broad introduction to the processes and skills embedded in the construction of buildings, to the nature of the industry developed around it, and to the material traditions societies have relied and rely on to produce their building fabric. The social and technical divisions of roles and responsibilities in the building industry are reviewed from a contemporary, historical and geographical perspective, and theories relating to the organisation and control of the processes involved are presented. Current building challenges are considered, including environmental concerns, ethical issues, technological innovation and transfer, workforce diversity and skills supply.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject students should be able to:
- Understand the role of the construction industry in the economy and the key characteristics of the industry;
- Appreciate the historical and cultural developments underlying the history of building;
- Appreciate the role of building professionals and be aware of their responsibilities during the life cycle stages of a building project;
- Understand the general principles and underpinnings of building contracts;
- Broadly recognise building materials, equipment, methods and traditions;
- Understand the basic theories of management and project management;
- Appreciate the challenges facing different building actors in the construction industry;
- Develop an awareness of current building industry trends.
Generic skills
Upon successful completion of this subject students will have had the opportunity to develop the following generic skills:
- analytical skills;
- communication skills;
- problem solving skills;
- team working skills.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABPL20041 | The Construction Context | No longer available |
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Assessment
Additional details
- In-class quizzes held in Week 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 to demonstrate an understanding of the construction industry, equivalent to 400 words, 10%;
- Draft Site Observation Report (as a group) describing the observation of building projects in order to demonstrate an understanding of the people, roles, materials, equipment, processes and issues involved in the construction of buildings, due week 5 (hurdle);
- Final Site Observation Report (as a group) describing the observation of building projects in order to demonstrate an understanding of the people, roles, materials, equipment, processes and issues involved in the construction of buildings, equivalent to 2000 words due week 12, 50%;
- A two-hour examination to demonstrate the cognitive skills necessary to envision the activities associated with the construction of buildings, 40%.
Hurdle requirement:
- A minimum mark of 40% has to be achieved in the examination in order to pass this subject.
- A minimum 75% attendance at all class sessions,including tutorials and lectures is a hurdle requirement.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Robert Crawford Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 2 X 1 hour lectures and 1X 1 hour tutorial per week Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 26 February 2018 to 27 May 2018 Last self-enrol date 9 March 2018 Census date 31 March 2018 Last date to withdraw without fail 4 May 2018 Assessment period ends 22 June 2018 Semester 1 contact information
Email: rhcr@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Bachelor of Environments Informal specialisation Environments Discipline subjects Major Construction Informal specialisation Bachelor of Design Elective Subjects Informal specialisation Non- allowed Breadth Subjects within the Bachelor of Design - relating to specific majors Breadth Track Construction Breadth Track Introduction to Construction - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 11 April 2024