Construction Industry and Environment

Subject ABPL90310 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 36 hours
Total Time Commitment: 120 hours
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Description, Course Objectives and Generic Skills of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Dr Robert Crawford, Dr Toong-Khuan Chan

Contact

Environments and Design Student Centre
Ground Floor, Baldwin Spencer (building 113)

Enquiries
Phone: 13 MELB (13 6352)
Website: http://www.msd.unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject aims to develop an understanding and awareness of the life cycle environmental effects of building design and construction, including the approaches that can be used to assess and minimise them, with a particular emphasise on life cycle assessment.

Through an introduction to environmental assessment, including ‘input-output analysis’, this subject articulates the many linkages connecting construction to the rest of the national economy, the production underlying it, and the resources consumed in the process.

Organised as an advanced seminar, the subject will expose students to the latest developments in environmental assessment techniques and their application within the built environment.
Objectives:
  • To develop an awareness of the current techniques for quantifying and assessing environmental effects.
  • To teach students how to use environmental assessment techniques to improve the environmental performance of the construction industry.
  • To provide a theoretical framework for macro-scale examinations of the construction industry.
  • To build an appreciation for the position of construction within natural and economic environments.
  • To supply analytical and critical tools for the evaluation of construction strategies at industry and project level.
Assessment:
  • Class participation (10%).
  • Class presentation (30%).
  • Case studies and professional reports equivalent to 3,500 words (60%).
Prescribed Texts: Life Cycle Assessment in the Built Environment (2011)
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: At the completion of the subject students should have developed the following skills and capabilities:
  • Ability to capture and analyse data to make informed decisions;
  • Ability to map or imagine construction-related connections within the economy;
  • Ability to present environmental performance information in a range of formats;
  • Ability to appreciate the indirect consequences of construction activity;
  • Ability to critically evaluate the work of others and provide constructive feedback.
Related Course(s): Master of Construction Management
Master of Construction Management

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