Experiences in Industry

Subject ABPL90308 (2016)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2016.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Semester 1, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period 29-Feb-2016 to 29-May-2016
Assessment Period End 24-Jun-2016
Last date to Self-Enrol 11-Mar-2016
Census Date 31-Mar-2016
Last date to Withdraw without fail 06-May-2016


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 36 hours
Total Time Commitment:

170 hours

Prerequisites:

Completion of 100 points of the:

MC-CONMG2Y Master of Construction Management (200 points)

OR

Completion of 200 points of the:

MC-CM Master of Construction Management
MC-CONMG3Y Master of Construction Management (300 points)

Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Prof Paolo Tombesi

Contact

Email: p.tombesi@unimelb.edu.au

The Eastern Precinct (building 138)
(between Doug McDonell building and Eastern Resource Centre)

Enquiries:
Current Student: http://ask.unimelb.edu.au/
Web: http://msd.unimelb.edu.au/

Subject Overview:

This subject examines the industrial behaviour of a variety of different types of firms active in the construction market through the experiences and reflections of key industry representatives. This will include examination of features related to the feasibility, design, construct, commissioning and operation phases of a construction project.

Organised as a series of structured discussions within a seminar format, the subject will expose students to a variety of industrial pathways, while positioning challenges and achievements of the sample of firms selected within their historical, economic and technological contexts.

Student's work will be to acquire industry information from class and formal research sources then organise, synthesise and determine possible futures of various sectors of the construction industry. This will assist in the student in formulating how future trends, constraints and opportunities may impact on various career opportunities. The student will write a formal career planning document formatively over the semester to articulate possible pathways for them, which will complement their skills, experiences, personalities and individual talents.

Learning Outcomes:
  • To enable introspective examination of construction industry and markets in Australia, as well as the factors determining firms’ success and survival.
  • To help students gain an insider’s view of the construction sector in Australia, which will strengthen their ability to make strategic decisions about their future.
  • To connect firms’ dynamics with socio-economic cycles and strategic leadership.
  • To help students identify and understand critical success factors in construction-related enterprises.
  • To review empirical links between public policies, market demand and entrepreneurial fortunes.
Assessment:
  • Professional career planning document equivalent to 5000 words (90%) focussing on future trends and status of industry, as well as students’ potential career path participating in the projected future construction industry. Students will use outside research, class readings and lectures as part of the research into writing this document. The document will be delivered to the lecturer in the following stages and be cumulative and formative in nature:
  1. Abstract and Outline (5%) due in week 3.
  2. 1000 words (10%) due in week 5 - previous deliverable will be incorporated into this deliverable.
  3. 2000 words (15%) due in week 7 - previous deliverable will be incorporated into this deliverable.
  4. 3500 words (25%) due in week 9 - previous deliverable will be incorporated into this deliverable.
  5. 5000 Words (35%) due in week 11 - previous deliverable will be incorporated into this deliverable.
  • Class presentation of 10 minutes (10%) held across weeks 10 to 12, of each student’s industry future trends research and their career pathway.
Prescribed Texts: None
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 read and understand socio-technical circumstances in construction;
  • Ability to distinguish between construction sub-sectors in terms of opportunities and constraints;
  • Ability to appreciate the importance of technological and market rents in construction;
  • Ability to derive theoretical positions from real-life examples;
  • Ability to appreciate value and limitations of strategic decisions.
Links to further information: http://msd.unimelb.edu.au/master-construction-management
Notes:

This subject should only be taken in the final year of study.

Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Building
Building Systems and Trade Specialties
Corporate Management
Cost Management
Policy
Project Management
Research and Development

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