QSB 2124 MEASUREMENT 4

Measurement 4 is the core module for students that take quantity surveying course. This module stands up of 4 credit hours and it’s taught by Sr. Chai Khong Thong. This module is basically more onto external works.

Upon successful completion of this module, we will be able to:

1. Explain and able to interpret clauses in the Standard Method of Measurement (SMM) for the various trades in relation to bored piles, timber piles, steel piles, renovation and demolition works, and various external works.
2. Adopt a systematic approach to take-off quantities from drawings for the preparation of Bills of Quantities for bored piles, timber piles, steel piles, renovation and demolition works, and various external works.
3. Demonstrate a systematic and orderly mind and be able to visualize the drawings and details given for bored piles, timber piles, steel piles, renovation and demolition works, and various external works.
4. Evaluate the relationship between Specifications, Drawings and Bill of Quantities in Tender Documents for bored piles, timber piles, steel piles, renovation and demolition works, and various external works.
5. Produce measurement for bored piles, timber piles, steel piles, renovation and demolition works, and various external works in accordance to the Standard Method of Measurement (SMM).
6. Generate a conceptual understanding of and the ability to competently carry out the preparation of the Bills of Quantities for bored piles, timber piles, steel piles, renovation and demolition works, and various external works.

There are altogether 6 topics. These are

1. Sewerage reticulation
2. Surface water drainage
3. Bored piles, timber piles and steel piles
4. Road pavement
5. Water reticulation
6. Demolition work

There are basically 3 coursework for this module. The first one would be a group assignment where we need to find a construction project and measure everything from building work to external work and make a tender document for tendering purpose and this assignment stand up 20% out of 100%. The second assignment would be the Elemental Cost Analysis (ECA) project where we will be given a week to complete our assignment in group and this assignment take up 10% from 100% of the total marks. The last assignment would be the mid-term test which test on our understanding on what had the lecturer taught.

Below shown some picture from ECA workshop.

I would like to conclude that tis module had make me more alert on what we need to measure and what we doesn’t need to measure on external work. And I would like to thanks Sr. Chang on guiding us throughout this module. 

QSB 2134 ESTIMATING

Estimating is a module that contains 4 credit hours. Our core lecturer for this module would be Mr Eddie Lim Sek Cheon and Dianne Kok Hui Wei. During this module, we will be able to learn on the principle of estimating and component prices such as material, plant, wastage, profit and labour.

Upon successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

1. List the various components of construction project attributing costs and explain the terminology related to the preparation of unit rates.
2. Adopt a systematic approach to pricing unit rates in the measured works section of Bills of Quantities.
3. Analyse various cost elements in building up the total cost of a building project.
4. Prioritize the importance of various factors affecting the level of costing to generate effective skills in tendering techniques.
5. Implement cost control procedures to consider alternatives and make well-reasoned recommendations promptly.  

There are altogether 16 main topics that we had learned during this 14 weeks. These are:

1. Introduction to principle of estimating 
2. Project cost estimating 
3. Component of build-up rate 
4. Introduction to various method of estimating 
5. Sub-contracting works
6. Excavation works
7. Concrete works
8. Brickwork
9. Roofing work 
10. Glazing 
11. Plastering and tiling work 
12. Carpentry and joinery 
13. Painting works
14. Plumbing works
15. External works
16. Preliminaries

During this module, we were been given 2 assignment to do. The first one would be the seminar where we work in group to calculate the rate and theory question. After that, we will be giving lecture to the whole class on how we calculate the question that were been given. For the second assignment, it would be a group assignment where we will be work in group and find out the rate for each element for tendering purpose.

Below are some of the notes for this module:

After this module, I would be able to calculate the build-up rate of certain element. And I would like to thanks Mr Eddie and Ms Dianne for guiding us throughout these 14 weeks.

QSB 2423 Project Management

Project Management is another subject that we need to take during semester 4. This module stands up of 3 credit hours and it’s taught by Mr Leong Boon Tik. During this module, we would be able to expose to principle, technique and managerial issues, which form the process of project management. This module is little bit different with other module as this module provide us lab session where we can learn on how to use Microsoft Project for construction project.

Upon completion of this module, we will be able to:

1. Define project characteristics, objectives, organizations and success.
2.  Explain and understanding of the strategies for the execution of the development process in response to the client’s objectives. 
3. Identify the possible risk that a project manager may face during the process of development.
4. Differentiate between required skill to perform project management and construction management in the development process.
5. List a broad knowledge of the professional roles, duties and responsibilities of the Project Manager.
6. Explain the range and the scope of activities of the Project Manager within the development process.
7. Describe a framework of personal qualities needed by the Project Manager in discharging his/her duties.

There are altogether topics for this module. These are:

1. Introduction to project management
2. Quantitative project selection
3. Project organization structure
4. Role of client
5. Role of project manager
6. Qualitative project selection
7. Project leadership
8. Project management process
9. Risk management
10. Evaluation of project success and failure
11. Quality management in construction project
12. Facilities management

During this module, Mr Leong had given us 2 assignment which is a group assignment and individual assignment. The group assignment is where we are assigned to act as a project manager and advise our client on what type of building we need to building on the site rented out by Taylor’s University. Where else, for the individual assignment, we are assigned to prepare a construction flow chart for constructing a guard house nearby Taylor’s University with Microsoft Project.

Below are the individual assignment that I had done

After this module, I would like conclude that, this module had teaches me a lot of knowledge regarding to principle, technique and managerial issues of a construction project. Not only that, I would also be able to use Microsoft Project to do the flow chart of certain activity. Therefore, I would like to thanks Mr Leong on guiding us throughout the module. 

QSB 2614 PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES 1

Professional Practice 1 is one of the major modules that need to be taken by student of Bachelor of Quantity Surveying (Honours). This subject contains 4 credit hours. For this subject our lecture is Sr. Chang Khong Thong.

Upon successful completion of the module, we will be able to:

1. Define the qualifications (academic and professional) required of a Quantity Surveyor, its professional Institution and Board.
2. Describe the duties of a Quantity Surveyor.
3. Identify the roles of various parties involved in the building team and their construction contracts and contractual obligations.
4. Define and prepare progress payment, variation order, final accounts on completion of the contract works and contract administration related to Prime Cost and Provisional Sum.
5. Evaluate the array of construction contracts between the client and the main contractor.

There are 10 topics all together for this module. Below is the topic that had been taught by Sr Chang:

1. Introduction to the role of Quantity Surveyors.
2. Procurement
3. Contractual arrangements
4. Tendering methods and procedure
5. Tender and contract documentation 
6. Variation, PC and Provisional Sums
7. Claims and interim valuation 
8. Final account and cost control 
9. Delay, extension of time, damages, guarantee and bond
10. Alternative dispute resolution

During this module, there are 2 coursework giving out. These are, mid-term test and individual assignment. The purpose of having coursework is to test our understanding on what the lecturer had taught us. for individual assignment, we are given few week times to write a proposal to our client on which is the best procurement approach, tendering method and contractual arrangement based on the given question.

Below are some of the notes that had been distributed by Sr Chang:

Before I come to a conclusion, I would like to say that this module had teaches me a lot of knowledge regarding to contract law base. This module is also a module that makes me understand more on the roles of consultant quantity surveyors and contractor quantity surveyors. And I would like to thanks Sr. Chang on guiding us throughout this module. 

QSB 1523 STRUCTURES

Structure is a module which contains 3 credit hours. This module is basically more to engineering course. However, as a future quantity surveyor, we still need to take this subject so that we can cope well with the engineer and architect when there is site meeting going on. Our lecturer for this module is Ir. Chai Voon Chiet.   

Upon completion of this module, we will be able to:

1. Able to analysis, identify and calculate the forces apply to any structure.
2. Able to identify whether a particular force is compression or tension.
3. Able to identify how a force applies to the 3 types of beam: cantilever beam, overhanging beam and suspended beam.
4. Able to calculate the shear force and bending moment of any structure.
5. Able to draw the free body diagram by resolving horizontal and vertical component of a structure.
6. Able to use different method, that is by method of joints, method of section and graphical method, to find out all the forces of any structure.

There is basically 8 main topics that had been taught by Ir. Chai Voon Chiet during this 14 week. These are:

1. Engineering principle
2. Beams
3. Forces
4. Shear forces and bending moments
5. Structure of analysis
6. Stress and strain
7. Load path in building
8. Columns, Axial forces and buckling

During this module, there are 2 coursework being given out. These course works are, the mid-term test and assignment regarding to shear forces and bending moment. The purpose of these course works are to test our understanding on what had the lecturer been taught to us. Not only have that, the coursework being distribute also prepared us for final exam.

Below are the question that were given for our individual assignment:

After undergoes this module, I would like to conclude that this module had broaden our knowledge on what exactly engineer do for a construction project. And I would like to thanks Ir. Chai on guiding us throughout this module. 

QSB 2513 INDUSTRIALIZED BUILDING SYSTEM

Basically, this module is an elective module for us to replace National Language module. This means that we have a list of module to choose on which module we would like to replace. Industrialized Building System is a module that contains 3 credit hours. This module provide us an overview of IBS in the construction industry and its implication towards the nation’ economic growth in aspect of business involvement and costing. Ms Theong May Chuan would be the lecturer for this module.    

Upon completion of this module, we will be able to:

1. Define and understand the implications of adopting new technology in the construction industry.
2. Develop a framework of the flow of elements, information and players for IBS projects.
3. Transform theories into practice in real life cases.
4. Enhance lifelong learning process that will enable a development of critical analysing capabilities.

This module is basically a full coursework module. Therefore, we will have 4 assignments to be distributed. These would be the individual assignment regarding to writing up an essay on IBS, factory report regarding to Bluescope Lysaght, group assignment on IBS product at Archidex fair and last but not least class participation.

Below are some of the slides that we had prepare for presentation on IBS product at Archidex fair:

After this module, I would like to say that I have gain more knowledge regarding to IBS in construction industry. And I would like to thanks Ms Theong on guiding us throughout this module.