Trimester 1

The course aims to provide the basics of statistics as applied to building construction practice.  It covers the general use of data in building industry, rules of probability, permutations and combinations, the binomial distribution, measures of central tendency, measures of dispersion, measures of association and prediction including correlation and regression, introduction to hypothesis etc.

The course of Construction Technology II aims at providing the students with knowledge on design, construction technique and materials. The structural, thermal and acoustic requirement for the following building elements: openings doors and windows, building finishes - walls, floors and ceilings; consideration of design, construction techniques and characteristics of sheets and other rigid applied finishes, panelling; consideration of various materials used in finishes, plaster, tiles, sheets, paints, etc.

A tort is any civil wrong, by act or omission, which causes economic, material or moral harms (losses or injuries) to others. The wrongdoer is supposed to repair the caused harm. The construction and property management sector is likely to have tort cases. Buildings or their units or equipment and other tools of their locations may involuntarily collapse and cause losses. Victims need justice and tortfeasors are obliged to pay compensation in case they have failed to avoid those faults. Some other examples may include noise, vibrations, dust, ashes and other disturbances to neighbours qualified as nuisance tort, and so many other torts discussed in this module.

Therefore, learners need to learn all theories and practices surrounding torts, their types, their differences with offences, used defences and types of damages (compensation). For this reason, the module covers topics like definition and elements of tort liability, torts vs. offences, trespass, occupier’s liability (premises liability), vicarious liability, negligence and strict liability, defamation, nuisance, tort defenses and tort damages (relief or remedy). These discussions are associated with provisions of laws governing construction, property management and commerce.

Learners are welcomed to the course and are encouraged to keep reading not only the syllabus, but also teaching materials shared or other materials found in the library and on Internet, in terms of legal texts, case laws and different publications.

1. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF AIMS AND CONTENT

 The objective of the course is to introduce students to basic concepts of land surveying and the role in the built environment. It covers purpose, branches and surveying principles. Coordinate systems, plans, maps, units of measurements and scales. Major equipment used in surveying and their operations, including electronic surveying e.g. GPS, GIS, satellite imaging, digital maps and remote sensing. Software and hardware in electronic surveying

2. LEARNING OUTCOMES

 Knowledge and Understanding

After successfully completing the module, students should be able to clearly know and understand the following.

 Branches of surveying and relation to the built environment Principles of surveying

• Mapping; scales, maps and plans
• Major Survey instruments such as dumpy levels, theodolite, total station,  including their operations and calibration
• Electronic surveying with GPS, GIS systems, remote sensing etc.
• Practical surveying practices such as chain surveying, leveling, curve ranging, traversing

1. Cognitive/intellectual skills/Application of knowledge

• On successfully completing the module, students should be able to
• Know thoroughly the basic surveying concepts and representations e.g. measurement principles, maps, scales

• Use survey instruments to perform measurements and presentation of results

2. Communication/ICT/Numeracy/Analytical technique/ Practical skills

At the end of the module, students should be able to

• Perform survey measurements including instrument calibration
• Interpret survey drawings and relate survey information to what is on ground
• Advise on appropriate survey method and instruments for any survey tasks

3. General transferable  skills

Having successfully completed the module, students should be able to:

• 4.1 Undertake self learning in land surveying related topics
• 4.2 Teamwork when doing practicals
• 4.3 Report writing skills

3. INDICATIVE CONTENT

Basic principles, branches and relation of land surveying to the built environment. Coordinate system, use and interpretation of survey maps and plans. Method and Equipment used in surveying, chain surveying - Equipment, procedure, plotting, locating existing features. Introduction to electronic surveying – GPS, GIS, satellite imaging and digital maps, remote sensing. Software and hardware in electronic surveying. Production of survey drawings. Application of survey principles and instruments in building construction and related civil Engineering works. Leveling and contours - equipment, procedures, reducing and plotting.

4. LEARNING AND TEACHING STRATEGY

The course is delivered mainly through lectures and practicals.  Interaction between the lecturers and students are encourages to amplify on the concepts presented. Simple measurement exercises and practical examples are used to enhance the understanding of the concept and their real life applications.

Group discussions between students and consultations with the teaching staff are encouraged to ensure a deeper and broader understanding of the concepts learnt and their application in real life situation.

5. ASSESSMENT STRATEGY

The assessment will focus primarily on:

1. The understanding of the concepts learnt and the distinctions and relationships between them.

    2. The application of the concepts in real life situations. An interpretation of practical situations           in relation to theory, analysis and creativity in applying the concepts learnt to solve survey               problems.

        ASSESSMENT PATTERN

The course aims to provide the students with knowledge about types, properties, sources, behaviour, application and manufacture of various materials used in the building process such as glass, plastics, ceramics, paints, building boards (plywood, block-boards, MDF etc) and new and emerging materials in the market. Further, prefabricated materials, systems building and materials’ specifications are also discussed. The module highlights more advanced materials, new and emerging materials and technologies.