CIVIL 709 : Cost Engineering

Engineering

2021 Semester Two (1215) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Advanced topics in cost engineering such as construction engineering cost planning, cost estimating, cost control, cost analysis and engineering economics. The core taught skills are extended by individual projects in which independent research is undertaken to solve cost engineering problems or to give critical comments on the current literature on cost engineering.

Course Overview

This course builds an understanding of commercial issues around projects and develops knowledge, skills and competencies for cost engineering approaches within the context of the delivery of projects. It explains the theoretical concepts related to cost engineering and how those concepts apply to the project environment.

Key elements include cost estimating and prediction throughout the project lifecycle; principles and applications of cost planning, monitoring and control; standard forms of cost analysis; progress reporting and corrective actions. Elements of the course are designed to have a practical applied focus via seminar discussions, case studies and worked examples. The worksheets and assignments are designed to give participants the know-how to effectively manage the cost aspect of engineering projects. 
The course will have a total of 12 x approx. 2-hour lectures along with a series of tutorials, workshops and group work. The tutorials/workshops are designed to be participatory, in which students are expected to contribute to case studies and actively participate in the application of theories to problems and workshop scenarios.
 
The course delivery adopts a flexible learning approach in which materials are delivered via a mix of face-to-face and online methods. As such attendance at lectures and tutorials is not mandatory, (but is still encouraged). Students are expected to undertake considerable additional work per week reading and completing assignments. Note that one of the major assignments is team-based and as such students are expected to make time to meet with their team members. By agreement with team members, these meetings may be either face to face, online or a mixture of each.

The weekly topics covered in the lectures are as follows (note that the order in which topics are delivered may change):
  • Introduction to the Course 
  • Methods in Cost Estimating  
  • Cost Accounting, Value Engineering approaches  
  • Future Cash Flows  
  • Progress Measurement and Earned Value 
  • Time Value of Money and Investment Tools   
  • Case Study 1 - Group Report and Presentation 
  • Case Study 2 - Individual Report

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Critically evaluate project deliverables and develop cost estimates using parametric and other cost estimating techniques. (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 4)
  2. Develop a project business case for an investment decision. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6)
  3. Apply the concept of cost monitoring and control to effectively manage costs on a project. (Capability 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6)
  4. Apply earned value, value engineering and other project cost management techniques. (Capability 1, 3, 4 and 5)
  5. Work effectively in a team effectively to provide cost engineering solutions to open-ended problems and complex project scenarios. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 60% Individual Coursework
Case Study (Team) 25% Group Coursework
Presentation (Team) 15% Group Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Assignments
Case Study (Team)
Presentation (Team)

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected on average to spend 10 hours per week or approx. 150 hours for the Semester.

For this course, you can expect 35 hours of lectures and tutorials, 30 hours of reading and thinking about the content, approx. 50 hours of work on Group Assignments and approx. 35 hours on Individual Assignments

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience or Online

This course is offered in two delivery modes:

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including tutorials to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events including group discussions/tutorials.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Online (for students located Offshore due to being unable to come into NZ due to Covid 19 border closures).

Attendance is expected at scheduled online activities including tutorials to complete components of the course.
The course will include live online events including group discussions/tutorials/lectures and these will be recorded.
Where possible, study material will be available at course commencement of the course.
This course runs to the University semester timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.

Learning Resources

Lecture Notes and PowerPoints will be published on Canvas generally prior to the next lecture. Lecture recordings will be published 3 days after a lecture. However, it is not possible to record workgroup discussions - where possible work-group summaries will be recorded.

There are no prescribed texts. Students may find a number of texts that cover the course material well and should refer to several where possible.

Health & Safety

The University is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for you to learn and study in. We are working to manage risk and keep you safe. We provide information and support for students and staff.
  • Wear personal protective clothing and use safety equipment where required. Familiarise yourself with the procedures for working alone.
  • Do not interfere with health and safety equipment, devices or signage.
  • The University’s Health and Safety Policy is available at http://www.auckland.ac.nz/hsw%20 

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Other Information

Penalties will apply to late submissions as follows:
Time After the Due Date / Penalty
<=24 hours (1 day) -10%
>24 hours but <=48 hours (2 days) -20%
>48 hours but <=72 hours (3 days) -30%
>72 hours but <=96 hours (4 days) -40%
>96 hours but <=168 hours (7 days) -50%
>168 hours (7 days) -100%
Extensions will only be granted in exceptional circumstances. If you want to apply for an extension, you should discuss your circumstances with the Course Coordinator before the assignment due date.
For medical circumstances, you should provide a copy (or original) of a medical certificate.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

If not already completed, you must complete the Academic Integrity Course. Failure to do so will not be accepted as an excuse for inadvertant plagiarism. https://uoa.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3474/~/academic-integrity-course
Canvas will be set up to allow you to submit Assignments to Turnitin as many times as you wish and you will also see the Similarity Score. Your goal is to have a Similarity Score of 10% or less.  

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 18/07/2021 08:41 a.m.