Construction of Buildings (ABPL90292)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 |
|---|---|
| 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.
- 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: 4 March 2025
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: 4 March 2025
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: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinator Vidal Paton-Cole Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 3 hours per week ( 1X2 hour of lecture and 1X1 hour tutorial per week) Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 3 March 2025 to 1 June 2025 Last self-enrol date 14 March 2025 Census date 31 March 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 9 May 2025 Assessment period ends 27 June 2025
Time commitment details
170 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- 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.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
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
Last updated: 4 March 2025