Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering, Unit Catalogue 2011/12 |
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 Credits:
| 6 |
| Level:
| Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7) |
| Period: |
Modular (no specific semester) |
| Assessment:
| CW 50%, EX 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment: | Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations) |
| Requisites:
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| Description:
| Aims: This unit aims to: * establish and explain the nature of construction markets around the world * consider alternative forms of construction business units * evaluate approaches to business finance and marketing * describe and compare suitable procurement approaches. Learning Outcomes: On successful completion of the unit the students will have demonstrated: * an understanding of how construction markets are structured in the UK and other parts of the world * an appreciation of the opportunities and threats for businesses operating in domestic and international construction markets * an understanding of the principles of financial management within business units * an awareness of appropriate approaches for marketing business services by business units * an understanding of the risks and opportunities associated with a broad range of procurement approaches from the viewpoint of different stakeholders. Skills: Intellectual skills * To understand and apply taught materials - taught Professional/Practical skills * To provide students with the ability to develop/influence/manage business units in practice - taught and facilitated * To provide students with the ability to take decisions or provide advice on procurement route selection in practice - taught and facilitated Transferable/key skills * To communicate ideas verbally and in writing - facilitated and assessed. Content: This unit will cover the following content areas: 1. Nature of construction markets - a global overview, trends and developments, influence of political and economic factors, focus on the markets in the UK, North America, Africa, Middle East, China and Australia 2. Business units - types of business units, business philosophies, mode of operations and their limitations, the role to be played by business accounts, balance sheets, profit and loss accounts, approaches to effective financial management, approaches to business marketing, how to market your services effectively 3. Procurement approaches * Overview - introduction to the issue of procurement choice, trends amongst governments and clients, overview of EU procurement directive and specific procurement agendas e.g. procure21, PPP * Traditional - a detailed review of drivers, advantages and disadvantages supported by global case studies * Management - a detailed review of drivers, advantages and disadvantages supported by global case studies * Package - a detailed review of drivers, advantages and disadvantages supported by global case studies * Partnering - a detailed review of drivers, advantages and disadvantages supported by global case studies. |
| Programme availability: |
AR50360 is Compulsory on the following programmes:Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering
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