Quantity Surveying - BSc (Hons)

Course Code: LC243

Level

Duration

4 Years

Department

Built Environment

CAO Points

278

Course Type

Undergraduate - CAO

Location

Limerick

The profession of quantity surveying is at the forefront of construction economics and management. This honours degree programme has been developed in partnership with industry and is unique in providing a 12 month work placement for students in year 3 of the programme. The placement programme called the ‘Active Learning Year’ is organised by LIT and its industry partners.

There is a constant demand for quantity surveying services in both Ireland and globally as clients seek to achieve a more sustainable and economically efficient built environment. Increasingly quantity surveyors are being used in a number of wide and diverse client support roles where they offer strategic advice in areas such as economics; law; technology; capital allowances and taxation. This diversity of roles combines to create a sustainable demand for the specialist expertise of the quantity surveyor.

The programme is accredited by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI).

What are the entry requirements?

Leaving Certificate

A minimum of 2 H5 & 4 O6/H7 grades in six Leaving Certificate subjects, including Mathematics and English or Irish.

Mature Applicants

Candidates applying as mature applicants may be required to attend an interview and may be requested to take an aptitude test to prove their suitability for a place on this programme.

Who can I contact?

Michael Mooring
Michael.Mooring@lit.ie

What modules will I study?

Year 1

Title: Built Environment Law

Credits: 5
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The aim of the module if to enable the learners to develop a basic understanding of the Irish legal system as it relates to the Built Environment.

Title: Construction Technology

Credits: 10
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This module aims to convey the principals of technology, practice and materials involved in domestic building construction.

Title: Economics for Construction & Property Specialists

Credits: 10
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This module sets out to develop an understanding of the concepts and principles of economic theory in the context of the construction / property environment.

Title: IT & Communication Skills for Construction and Property Professionals

Credits: 5
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To develop the student's knowledge, intellectual skills and competence to enable them to undertake applied research using various Data Collection, Data Analysis and Presentation Techniques. The students will also develop their skills and knowledge in Information Management; Communications and Project Management.

Title: Measurement & Mathematics

Credits: 15
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To provide the student with a fundamental knowledge and understanding of the theory and practice of quantity surveying ranging from the work of the quantity surveyor, standard system of measuring building work, the relationship between measurement and cost through to the measurement and calculation of key elements of small domestic buildings of simple design. To develop the students mathematical ability to solve problems relating to construction and property.

Title: QS Practice (Digital Graphical Resources)

Credits: 5
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To provide the students with a comprehensive knowledge of common digital drawing formats and an understanding of their inherent potential and limitations. It will include the configuration, conversion and rationalisation of various 2d and 3d drawing formats for manipulation and measurement within and between various software packages. The module will include the development of techniques for extracting relevant, accurate and usable dimensional information from 2d and 3d digital drawings through various CAD packages.

Title: Sustainable Building Services 1

Credits: 10
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The aim of this module is to enable learners to understand the role, technologies and design of building services and environmental systems in modern sustainable buildings.
Year 2

Title: Construction Law

Credits: 5
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The module aims to develop the student's knowledge, intellectual skills and competence to enable them to understand the nature of construction contracts within the context of the law of contract and tort. In addition the students will, through the examination of associated case law and legislation, develop an understanding of how construction contracts operate in practice.

Title: Cost Planning

Credits: 10
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The three points of the traditional project management triangle are Time-Cost-Scope. The cost is what ultimately determines the scope of what can actually be built. There is no use in a client spending money on Consultants/Construction drawings, if it is found, when these drawings go out to tender, that the project is over budget and cannot proceed as designed. Quantity Surveyors are tasked with providing this early cost advice. It is essential that this cost be determined at the earliest possible opportunity, and then again routinely as the design develops. It is this absence of design, or rather the evolution of design that makes the advice we provide a plan. We actually get to direct the design as it is advanced, we plan.

We plan allocation of costs - a five star hotel may value finishes more than a county council procuring a wastewater treatment plant - we ensure this allocation matches function/need. We anticipate the timing of costs… calculating the lifecycle costs in the long term and doing cash flow analysis in the short to medium term. We do this in a stochastic industry where no two projects are the same, and in a world of finite resources. This module gives the learner the basis for developing the skills to make cost plans.

Title: Estimating & Tendering

Credits: 5
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Competitive Estimating & Tendering is an exciting subset of Quantity Surveying. Your Construction Company relies on you to win contracts and the owners rely on your skills to ensure that the work is profitable. Few other roles can have such an impact on the success or otherwise of the Contractor. It is challenging and can be very rewarding.

The Estimating & Tendering module is designed to prepare the learner for an entry level, cooperative role within the Estimating Department of a contemporary construction organisation as an Estimator/CQS. Theory is explained, lists provided, motivation and encouragement. There is a practical element that makes the learner relevant and useful on their first day in the role.

Title: Industrial and Commercial Building Construction Technology for Quantity Surveyors

Credits: 10
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To develop the Quantity Surveying student's knowledge, understanding and appreciation of construction principles and practices fundamental to the successful cost management of industrial and commercial buildings.

Title: Measurement and Information Modelling

Credits: 15
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To provide the student with an understanding of standard systems of measurement for building works while developing their knowledge, skills and competence in the measurement, billing and tendering of domestic and commercial projects.

Title: Project Administration

Credits: 5
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The aim of this module is to develop the learner's knowledge, intellectual skills and competence in the project administration of building and capital works projects.

Title: Quantity Surveying Commercial Practice

Credits: 5
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The construction industry has become relational over time with many projects completed turnkey by single designing Builder/Developer entities. Some graduates will go on to become Developers in their own right. Supply chains have expanded and so have our roles. Many QS graduates work in roles such as Commercial manager, Project manager, Purchasing manager and Contracts manager along with a wide variety of roles with subcontractors/suppliers. Nearly half our work now are small refits... what builders refer to as special projects. The aim of this module is to integrate all the subjects done thus far, simulating a small project/need associated with a brown field, alteration/ refit/ renovation projects. This development will be conducted by a single designing Builder and with this project we will explore the versatility a QS brings to this type of role.

Title: Sustainable Building Services for Quantity Surveyors

Credits: 5
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The aim of this Building Services module will allow the student to establish the importance of building services in the production of successful buildings.
Year 3

Title: Active Learning Diary and Professional Competencies

Credits: 25
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The aim of this module is to develop the student's professional skills and competencies through experiential learning while on placement within industry.

Title: Literature Review

Credits: 5
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To support the production of a dissertation in year 4, the student is required to understand and apply research methods in the production of a literature review. The literature review must be directly relevant to the dissertation proposal being undertaken by the student.

Title: Management Practice

Credits: 10
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The aim of this module is to develop the learner's knowledge and critical understanding of the theoretical principles and management practices as applied to the built environment.

Title: Quantity Surveying Capstone Project

Credits: 15
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The aim of the QS Capstone project is to enable the student to rehearse collaborative practice skills fundamental to the profession of quantity surveying.

Title: Research Proposal

Credits: 5
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To support the production of a dissertation in year 4, the student is required to understand and apply research methods in the production of a dissertation proposal. The topic selected must be directly relevant to the course of study being undertaken by the student.
Year 4

Title: Civil Engineering Technology and Measurement

Credits: 10
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To provide the student with a fundamental knowledge and understanding of the techniques and construction materials used in Civil Engineering with the overall aim of applying this knowledge to the measurement and cost management of civil engineering projects.

Title: Construction Law & Dispute Management

Credits: 10
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To develop the students knowledge, intellectual skills and competence in the areas of contractual claims: the role of the construction professional; dispute resolution procedures and professional ethics relating to the construction industry.

Title: Dissertation

Credits: 15
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To provide an opportunity for the student to produce a document based on independent study, of which the topic selected will provide an exhaustive, critical, and in-depth analytical study of a specific area of interest. The topic selected must be directly relevant to the course of study being undertaken by the student.

Title: Economics of Renewable & Energy Efficient Technologies

Credits: 5
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This module focuses on the Economics of Renewable and Energy Efficient technologies involved in the design and operation of buildings.

Title: Measurement (Mechanical & Electrical)

Credits: 5
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To develop the students knowledge, intellectual skills and competence in the Cost Planning and Measurement for Mechanical & Electrical projects.

Title: Project Cost Management

Credits: 10
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Synthesis the knowledge of modern cost planning, cost control and cost management techniques. To enhance the students analytical, intellectual and presentation skills together with competence in designing and implementing systems of risk and value management during the life cycle of the project and maintaining control of costs during design and site operations at project level. To apperciate and appraise whole life costing approaches and systems.

Title: Project Management for Quantity Surveying

Credits: 5
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To provide Quantity Surveying students with the concepts, knowledge and techniques to perform as a project manager in a project environment.