Handbook home
Construction of Buildings (ABPL90292)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
From 2023 most subjects will be taught on campus only with flexible options limited to a select number of postgraduate programs and individual subjects.
To learn more, visit COVID-19 course and subject delivery.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 - Dual-Delivery |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
This subject provides an introduction to the construction of buildings with an emphasis on residential and multi-unit residential low-rise construction. The key functions and performance requirements for the main elements are discussed in relation to material selection, structural design and construction methods. The aim here is to expose students who are coming into the construction program without a cognate degree to appreciate how construction techniques, contemporary practice, building legislation, developments in sustainable design principles, advancements in materials technology are interlinked and all come together to influence the construction of buildings. The subject also includes an introduction to services within a residential context, and discusses various topics related to building pathology and maintenance.
Incidental costs
Students will be required to purchase personal protective equipment (steel-toed boots, hard-hat, hi-vis vest and safety goggles); cost approx. $90 to $120 per person. Students may use equipment from a previous subject if these are in good working condition.
Intended learning outcomes
- To develop the ability to understand building and construction terminology;
- To provide a fundamental understanding of the regulations pertaining to the planning and construction of residential buildings;
- To provide a comprehensive understanding of the activities involved in the construction of a residential building from site works, builders plant, substructure, superstructure, internal construction and finishes, up to and including domestic services; and
- To provide an introduction to building maintenance and pathology, and an understanding of the basic principles of sustainable design as applied to a residential building.
Generic skills
At the completion of the subject, students should have developed the following skills and capabilities:
- Ability to read and interpret construction drawings.
- Ability to communicate construction solutions by means of sketches and drawings
- Clear and succinct understanding of all the planning, construction and operational aspects of residential construction
- Ability to understand the choice of structural system, and to propose and evaluate alternative systems.
Last updated: 12 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
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: 12 November 2022
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Assignment 1, focussing on identifying and documenting the form, construction materials and structural elements in residential buildings
| Week 4 | 10% |
Assignment 2 , is an exercise to document and report comprehensively on a selected residential building under construction
| Week 11 | 50% |
One exam, focussing on various pertinent topics in construction materials, residential construction methods, and regulations pertaining to the design and construction of buildings
| During the examination period | 40% |
Last updated: 12 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Hannah Robertson Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours 3 hours per week ( 2X1 hour of lectures and 1X1 hour tutorial per week) Total time commitment 170 hours Pre teaching requirements 2X1 hour of lectures and 1X1 hour tutorial per week Teaching period 28 February 2022 to 29 May 2022 Last self-enrol date 11 March 2022 Census date 31 March 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 6 May 2022 Assessment period ends 24 June 2022 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 12 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
- Chudley and Greeno, Building Construction Handbook, Eleventh Edition, Butterworth-Heinemann.
- Wikie, Building Your Own Home, New Holland.
- 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: 12 November 2022