Quantity Surveying Philosophy & Objectives

 

 

 Philosophy

 

The philosophy underlying Quantity Surveying education is to develop and advance the Science and practice of the profession with emphasis on construction project planning, procurement, cost management and contract administration.

 

Traditionally the profession of Quantity Surveying is concerned with financial control and probity in the evaluation, planning and execution of construction projects.  It is therefore imperative that the degree programme equip students with the theoretical background and practical skills to enable them evaluate analytically all cost and management issues encountered in design and construction.

 

The Quantity surveyor interacts and collaborates with a wide range of specialists members of the design and construction team, and this calls for a multidisciplinary knowledge of other related professions. Training of the quantity surveyor should therefore embrace all facets of construction work and management if they are to function effectively as financial managers of the construction industry.

 

 Objectives of the Programme

 

The objectives of the degree programme in Quantity Surveying are

 

  1. To train competent graduates with sound knowledge and understanding of the theory and practice of the profession and its supporting and related subjects in order to provide cost control and management services on diversified construction projects in the public and private sectors.

 

  1. To provide sufficient general knowledge to enable the graduate interacts effectively with the society and the ever changing environment.

 

iii.       To produce graduates such that with subsequent industry experience they will become competent practitioners, registrable with the recognized professional bodies of Quantity Surveyors both in Nigeria and worldwide.

 

Learning outcomes (Regime of Subject Knowledge)

 

While flexibility is allowed in the depth of the body of knowledge required, it is essential that students become quite conversant with the following major aspects:

 

  • Measurement of Building works
  • Measurement of civil and industrial engineering Works
  • Tendering, Estimating and Price Analysis
  • Contract Administration
  • Professional Practice and Procedure
  • Construction Economics
  • Project Cost control
  • Architectural and Structural design theories and practices
  • Construction technology
  • Construction and project management
  • Material science and specification
  • Building services
  • Building maintenance and facilities management
  • Information technology
  • Laws of contract, tort, arbitration, land and tenure, and the legal system.
  • Accounting, budgeting and financial management
  • Marketing and Entrepreneurial studies
  • Report Writing, Project Research Methodology and Presentation

 

Learning Outcomes: Competences and skills

 

Graduates of Quantity Surveying are expected to develop a wide range of abilities and skills among which the following are essentials.

 

Cognitive abilities and skills

 

  • Ability to understand the essential facts, concepts, principles and theories applicable to the subject areas identified under (Learning Outcomes) above.
  • Ability to apply the acquired knowledge to solve familiar and unfamiliar qualitative and quantitative problems.
  • Ability to identify and analyze new problems and plan strategies for their solution.
  • Ability to evaluate, synthesize and interpret construction industry information and data using information technology.
  • Ability to present orally and in written form scientific materials, contract and production documents, reports and arguments clearly, concisely and correctly to the client, Industry professionals, and other range of audiences.

 

Practical Skills

 

Practical skills reflecting the expectation from graduate Quantity Surveyors are outlined as follows:

 

  • Competence in preliminary cost advice, estimating, cost planning, design and project cost control, value and management.
  • Competence in feasibility and viability studies
  • Competence in measurement and preparation of Bills of quantities for building, civil engineering, mechanical and electrical engineering works.
  • Familiarity with industrial engineering construction and measurement practices.
  • Familiarity with various standard contract forms for Building and Engineering works.
  • Competence in contract documentation and administration, particularly in areas of interim valuation for payments; valuation of variations, fluctuations and loss/expense claims; application of contract conditions in areas of determination, insurance, arbitration, and others.
  • Competence in procurement, processing and dissemination of cost/price information-market study; build up of unit rates and preparation of tenders; obtaining and analyzing quotations for subcontracts and supplies; building cost analysis.
  • Skill in project planning, resource scheduling and cash flow forecasting.
  • Skill in coordination and project management of construction and maintenance works, and in facilities management.

 

General Skills

 

  • Written and oral communication skill
  • Information technology skill
  • Information – documentation and retrieval skill in relation to primary and secondary sources including information retrieval through on-line computer search-Internet, emails, etc.
  • Inter personal skill – ability to engage in team work
  • Qualitative and quantitative problem solving skill
  • Time management and negotiation skill
  • Marketing and entrepreneurship skill
  • Study skill needed for continuing professional development (CPD) and for research.

 

Learning Outcomes: Behavioral Attributes

 

Behavioural attributes of the holder of a Bachelors degree in Quantity Surveying are expected to be governed by the laws of Nigeria in general and the Code of Professional conduct of the professional bodies (The Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors and the Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria).  The following are the specific attributes:

 

  • Ability to discharge responsibilities to the client or employer with full regard to public and professional interest.
  • Ability to uphold the dignity, standard and reputation of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors and the Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria.
  • Ability to keep confidential information.
  • Ability to be free from corruption
  • Ability to use professional skills and integrity acquired for the good of society.
  • Skills to be abreast with new thoughts and developments in the construction industry

 

Attainment Level

 

A minimum of 15-credit load per semester is required to cover lectures, tutorials, laboratory work, workshop, field and practices, and site visits.  A bachelor degree holder is expected to acquire a minimum of 180 credit units before graduating.

The 5-point Grading system is currently in use as fellows:-

 

 Marks             Attainment Level            Grade Points

 

70 – 100                       A                                 5.00

60 – 69                         B                                  4.00

50 – 59                         C                                  3.00

45 – 49                         D                                 2.00

40 – 44                         E                                  1.00

0 – 39                            F                                  0.00

 

 

Classification for overall performance of the student shall be based on a

Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA), as fellows.

 

 Class of Degree                                  CGPA

 

1st Class                                               4.50 – 5.00

2nd Class Upper                                 3.50 – 4.49

2nd Class Lower                                  2.40 – 3.49

3rd Class                                               1.50 – 2.39

Pass                                                       1.00 – 1.49

Fail                                                         0.00 – 0.99