CQUniversity Unit Profile
BLCN29001 Construction Technology
Construction Technology
All details in this unit profile for BLCN29001 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

This unit provides an introduction to modern building construction technology with an emphasis on multi-unit and low-rise construction. In this unit, you will briefly touch upon the legislative requirements applicable to modern building construction. You will discover how key functions and performance requirements are linked to material selection, structural design, and construction methods. You will learn about advancements in materials technology and construction methods, how they are interlinked and all come together to influence the construction of buildings. The unit relates and outlines procedures, principles, and methods of modern construction of residential and commercial projects including multi-story buildings as designated by the National Construction Code for building classes 1 to 10.

Details

Career Level: Postgraduate
Unit Level: Level 9
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

There are no requisites for this unit.

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 2 - 2024

Brisbane
Online
Sydney

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Written Assessment
Weighting: 30%
2. Research Assignment
Weighting: 50%
3. Online Test
Weighting: 20%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Evaluations

Feedback

The majority of students selected exceptional rating. However, the main revision requested by students is to slow the presentations down and include more discussion on the various topics.

Recommendation

The main revision requested by students is to slow the presentations down and include more in class discussion on the various topics.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Critically evaluate modern construction technology methods as they relate to the building and construction industry within national and international construction sectors
  2. Synthesise and evaluate the range of contemporary construction technology methods and how these affect construction management teams in terms of appropriate management techniques to ensure the construction is delivered on time, within budget, and quality
  3. Consider economic, environmental, social, and cultural sustainability when selecting relevant construction technology
  4. Generate and justify solutions to complex construction problems using cognitive, technical, and creative skills.

The Royal Australian Institute of Building has provided provisional approval.

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Written Assessment - 30%
2 - Research Assignment - 50%
3 - Online Test - 20%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Knowledge
2 - Communication
3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills
4 - Research
5 - Self-management
6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility
7 - Leadership
8 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1 - Written Assessment - 30%
2 - Research Assignment - 50%
3 - Online Test - 20%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

There are no required textbooks.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Hassan Khan Unit Coordinator
h.khan@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 08 Jul 2024

Module/Topic

A brief introduction to legislation, building permits, public protection, and demolition.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

On-going quizzes are supplied at tutorials

Assignments 1 and 2 handed out - see Moodle for details

Week 2 Begin Date: 15 Jul 2024

Module/Topic

Basement excavation and support.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

 

 

Week 3 Begin Date: 22 Jul 2024

Module/Topic

Underpinning, underground wall construction, and dewatering.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

On-going quizzes are supplied at tutorials.

Week 4 Begin Date: 29 Jul 2024

Module/Topic

Site logistics, vertical access, and waste management.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

On-going quizzes are supplied at tutorials.

Week 5 Begin Date: 05 Aug 2024

Module/Topic

Foundations and footings.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

On-going quizzes are supplied at tutorials.

 

 

Vacation Week Begin Date: 12 Aug 2024

Module/Topic

Vacation Week: No lectures or tutorials

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assignment 1: To be handed in


Assignment No 1 - see Moodle site for specific details Due: Vacation Week Monday (12 Aug 2024) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 6 Begin Date: 19 Aug 2024

Module/Topic

Core construction, bracing, and formwork. 

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

On-going quizzes are supplied at tutorials.

Week 7 Begin Date: 26 Aug 2024

Module/Topic

Slab, floor, column, & beams. 

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

On-going quizzes are supplied at tutorials.

Week 8 Begin Date: 02 Sep 2024

Module/Topic

External facades and cladding

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

On-going quizzes are supplied at tutorials.

Week 9 Begin Date: 09 Sep 2024

Module/Topic

Building services & fire protection

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

On-going quizzes are supplied at tutorials.

Week 10 Begin Date: 16 Sep 2024

Module/Topic

Roofing, drainage, and waterproofing.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

On-going quizzes are supplied at tutorials.

Week 11 Begin Date: 23 Sep 2024

Module/Topic

Building motion stability & vertical transport systems. 

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

On-going quizzes are supplied at tutorials.

 

Week 12 Begin Date: 30 Sep 2024

Module/Topic

Internal fitout, commissioning, & handover.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assignment 2: hand-in date


Assignment No 2 - see Moodle site for details Due: Week 12 Monday (30 Sept 2024) 11:45 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 07 Oct 2024

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 14 Oct 2024

Module/Topic

ONLINE TEST DURING LECTURE TIMES: SPECIFIC DATE AND TIME TO BE ADVISED

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Tasks

1 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Assignment No 1 - see Moodle site for specific details

Task Description

Assignment 1 - General description - Select a construction method as approved and focus on the technical aspects of your topic. 

You need to commence the 3000 word assignment immediately.

N.B. Go to  the Moodle site for specific details.

You need to obtain a pass in this assignment to pass this unit 


Assessment Due Date

Vacation Week Monday (12 Aug 2024) 11:45 pm AEST

Submit on line via Moodle and pdf through Turnitin


Return Date to Students

Week 7 Friday (30 Aug 2024)

Student access Turnitin - Marks and feedback will be released as soon as all the marking process is completed. Students will be advised


Weighting
30%

Assessment Criteria

The assignment will be assessed on the quality of the work submitted, relevance, and coherence to the specific question and tasks. This includes clear argumentation and use of quality references (in-text and bibliography). The content prepared is to expand beyond the learning material provided and demonstrate the student's development of the unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes.

Students will work with a marking rubric for self-review and receive formative and summative feedback.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Submission details to be provided on the Moodle site

assessmentOutcome
  • Critically evaluate modern construction technology methods as they relate to the building and construction industry within national and international construction sectors
  • Synthesise and evaluate the range of contemporary construction technology methods and how these affect construction management teams in terms of appropriate management techniques to ensure the construction is delivered on time, within budget, and quality


assessmentGradAttribute
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills

2 Research Assignment

Assessment Title
Assignment No 2 - see Moodle site for details

Task Description

Assignment 2: General description - Undertake a literature review to identify two case studies—one Australian and one international (preferably from your home country)—of high-rise building projects that used innovative technology or systems to facilitate construction.

1. Provide a detailed overview of both projects and the technology used. Your research is crucial in comparing how both countries' processes and legislative requirements differ.
2. Based on your research, analyse and evaluate how this innovative (modern) technology addresses managing risks, positively and negatively impacts cost and time, and how it differs between countries.
3. Critically analyse the impact of technology on economic, environmental, social, and cultural sustainability and formulate a conclusion with your recommendations for improving future construction technology processes.

You need to commence the 3500 word maximum assignment immediately in order to obtain the research bibliography evidence.

N.B. Go to the Moodle site for specific details.

You need to obtain a pass in this assignment to pass this unit


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Monday (30 Sept 2024) 11:45 pm AEST

Submit on line via Moodle and pdf via Turnitin


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Monday (14 Oct 2024)

Student access Turnitin - Marks and feedback will be released as soon as the marking process is completed


Weighting
50%

Assessment Criteria

The assignment will be assessed on the quality of the work submitted, relevance, and coherence to the specific question and tasks. This includes clear argumentation and use of quality references (in-text and bibliography). The content prepared is to expand beyond the learning material provided and demonstrate the student's development of the unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes.

Students will work with a marking rubric for self-review and receive formative and summative feedback.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

assessmentOutcome
  • Consider economic, environmental, social, and cultural sustainability when selecting relevant construction technology
  • Generate and justify solutions to complex construction problems using cognitive, technical, and creative skills.


assessmentGradAttribute
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Research

3 Online Test

Assessment Title
CLASS TEST

Task Description

CLASS TEST DURING EXAM WEEK: SPECIFIC DATE AND TIME TO BE ADVISED


Assessment Due Date

Return Date to Students

Weighting
20%

Assessment Criteria

Class test: You need to pass the class test to pass this unit


Referencing Style

Submission
Offline

assessmentOutcome
  • Critically evaluate modern construction technology methods as they relate to the building and construction industry within national and international construction sectors
  • Consider economic, environmental, social, and cultural sustainability when selecting relevant construction technology


assessmentGradAttribute
  • Knowledge
  • Self-management

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?