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Understanding the Built Environment (ABPL10005)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
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
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject provides a broad introduction to the processes and skills associated with the construction of buildings and introduces some of the techniques used in managing the construction process. The characteristics and nature of the construction industry are presented as well as an overview of the historical evolution of the built environment. The various roles and responsibilities in the construction industry are reviewed in the context of the building development process. Other critical aspects of the building development process are also presented, including the materials and equipment used in contemporary building projects, regulations, contracts, procurement methods, occupational health and safety, quality and project management. Emphasis is placed on the importance of organisation, problem solving, teamwork and communication in the construction industry, reinforced by the collaborative approach to subject activities and assessment. Emerging industry trends are explored, including environmental sustainability, technological innovation and the use of information technology. Construction site visits and industry professionals provide a real-world demonstration of the theories and principles covered.
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 the built environment;
- Appreciate the role of building professionals and be aware of their responsibilities during the building development process;
- Understand the general principles and underpinnings of building contracts;
- Broadly recognise building materials, equipment and methods;
- Understand the basic theories of management and project management;
- Appreciate the importance and challenges of quality and occupational health and safety 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
ABPL20041 The Construction Context
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
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
In-class quizzes held in Week 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 to demonstrate an understanding of the construction industry
| From Week 2 to Week 10 | 10% |
Site and Team Member Details Summary (as a group), listing group members and summarising details of selected bulding projects to be observed Hurdle requirement: Completion of this assessment task is a Hurdle Requirement | Week 3 | N/A |
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 Hurdle requirement: Completion of this assessment task is a Hurdle Requirement | Week 5 | N/A |
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
| Week 12 | 50% |
An examination to demonstrate an understanding of the activities and roles associated with the construction of buildings
| 40% | |
Hurdle requirement: A minimum 75% attendance at all class sessions, including tutorials and lectures, is required in order to pass this subject. | N/A |
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 90 minutes tutorial per week Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 2 March 2020 to 7 June 2020 Last self-enrol date 13 March 2020 Census date 30 April 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 June 2020 Assessment period ends 3 July 2020 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 Bachelor of Design Elective Subjects Informal specialisation Non-allowed Breadth Subjects within the Bachelor of Design - relating to specific majors Major Construction Informal specialisation Environments Discipline subjects Breadth Track Introduction to Construction Breadth Track Construction - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Biomedicine
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
- 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.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 11 April 2024