The Faculty of Architecture, Building and Design, which is situated at the University's Callaghan campus (in Newcastle), has enjoyed a long association with institutions in South East Asia with many students graduating over the past 25 years. Approximately, 15% of the Faculty's students are from outside Australia and they represent some 20 countries.

Many now hold senior positions throughout government, industry, business and education. In recognition of this special relationship, the University of Newcastle regularly holds graduation ceremonies and alumni meetings in Singapore and other countries in the region.

The construction industry plays a central role in the world economy accounting for about 8% of the Gross Domestic Product of most developed, and developing, countries. There are many career paths within the industry ranging from construction management, quantity surveying/building economics and project management to real estate and facilities management.

The Faculty's Department of Building offers the Bachelor of Construction Management (Building), an accredited Honors degree program which qualifies students for professional areas in both construction related industries and quantity surveying.

The Faculty has won international recognition for its success in delivering its course using problem-based learning. Unlike conventional construction management courses where subjects such as technology, economics, management and communication are taught separately, the Newcastle course integrates all areas of learning around a series of construction management problems. Students are encouraged to develop a holistic view of the building process in a realistic context.

Students immediately begin work in problem-based situations and are presented with a series of phases or problems, which bring industry problems into the academic environment. The problems increase in complexity and duration as the course progresses, culminating in the submission of a research thesis or major project in which students are given a free choice of topic and work with an academic supervisor.

Members of the Department of Building generally have strong professional backgrounds in the construction industry and in addition to their teaching and administrative duties, undertake research and consultancy work in the field of construction management.

From 2006 onwards, the Bachelor of Construction Management has been enhanced to become an embedded Honours program that allows for greater research work. All students will do the research modules BLDG4320, 4330 and 4340. The Major Project modules of BLDG4350 and 4360 have been removed. The weighted average mark achieved for the whole program will determine the award of Honours degree, as follows:

77 or more	-	Honours 1st Class
72 to 76	-	Honours Class II Div 1
67 to 71	-	Honours Class II Div 2
50 to 66	-	Pass Degree

Professional Accreditation

The Bachelor of Construction Management (Building) is recognized for membership by:

 The Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers
 The Australian Institute of Building
 The Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors and
 Other reciprocating professional bodies throughout the world

Course Structure

The Bachelor of Construction Management (Building) is normally a full-time four-year or part-time six-year Honours degree using a two-semester structure. The course offered through TMC Centre of Advanced Education (TMCAE) is arranged to allow students with relevant diploma qualification to complete the Bachelor of Construction Management (Building) within three years of part-time studies.

The integrated format of the program allows specific areas of knowledge and skills (Study Areas) to be developed simultaneously within each subject. The essence of the integrated approach is that the knowledge and skills acquired in each Study Area must be capable of being applied in the context of other parallel areas of skill and knowledge. For the purpose of assessment and defining course objectives, the five Study Areas are:

Ethics and Principles

 An overview of the construction process with regards to its effect on the wider community and the environment

Communication

 Various forms of communication - graphic, written, verbal
 Computer applications

Technical Studies

 Building technology - materials and construction
 Structures
 Services
 Environmental studies
 Surveying

Economics

 Construction economics and quantity surveying
 Cost planning and control

Management

 Organisational behaviour
 Building management
 Financial /business management
 Project management
 Law

Students are expected to attain a required level of competence in all five Study Areas at each level of the course.

Transfer to the on-campus mode with the Department of Building at the Callaghan campus in Australia is possible.

For Semester offering, please refer to here.

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Credits for Previous Studies

To qualify for the award of the Bachelor of Construction Management (Building), students are required to complete 320 credit points. Students who have undertaken previous studies at a recognised tertiary institution are entitled to apply for credits and exemptions. The Bachelor of Construction Management (Building) is available on advanced standing basis to residents of Singapore who have completed the following, or equivalent qualifications:

Singapore Polytechnic

Diploma in Property Development & Facilities Management
Diploma in Building/ Building & Property Management
Diploma in Architecture/ Architecture Technology
Diploma in Civil and Structural Engineering
Diploma in Interior Design/ Landscape Architecture

Ngee Ann Polytechnic

Diploma in Real Estate Business
Diploma in Building and Real Estate Management
Diploma in Facilities Management for Business
Diploma in Civil & Environmental Engineering
Diploma in Electrical & Mechanical Engineering

Nanyang Polytechnic

Diploma in Manufacturing Engineering

Temasek Polytechnic

Diploma in Intelligent Building Technology

Building & Construction Authority

Diploma in Construction Engineering
Specialist Diploma in Construction Management Faculty Management in Enhanced M+E Coordination

Other relevant qualifications and working experience will be considered on an individual basis for entry into the course. Such qualifications may not necessarily obtain the same level of advanced standing.

Course Tuition and Assessment

The course is conducted using distance learning materials developed and produced by the University of Newcastle.

A key feature of the distance learning degree is the regular study group meetings, which are organized by the course administrative agent, TMC Centre of Advanced Education (TMCAE). The study groups provide additional support and guidance and are a valuable supplement for the Singapore based students. These study groups are conducted by qualified local unit administrators who act on behalf of the Subject Managers in Newcastle.

At regular intervals students are required to submit assignments to their Subject Managers in Australia. TMCAE arranges for the collection of student assignments. Once the assignment is corrected, the written reports/results are returned to the students so that the Subject Manager's comments and feedback can assist the student in his/her study program.

Students are assessed by assignments, continuous assessment and reports. These assessments are the same as for students attending the course in The University of Newcastle in Australia.

Admission Requirements

Relevant Polytechnic diplomas and diplomas from other recognised institutions will be considered for advanced standing. Otherwise, the minimum entry requirement to the course would be GCE 'A' Level. Assessment of the qualification is conducted by the University. Admission is solely at the discretion of the University.

In addition, students should have some years of relevant working experience, or should be employed in the construction industry.

Intake

The course offered through TMC operates over two terms:
Term 1 commences in February and ends in the first half of June
Term 2 commences in July and ends in the first half of November

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TMC Academy for Advanced Education:

Location:	TMC Educational Group 141 North Bridge Road, #02-02, Capitol Centre Singapore 179099 (Opposite City Hall MRT Station)
Telephone:	+65 6339 7333
Email:	enquiries@tmc.edu.sg

Additional information may be obtained from:-

Faculty Office
Faculty of Engineering & Built Environment
The University of Newcastle

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