Inherent requirements for Building Design and Construction Management


These inherent requirements apply to the following courses:

  • Bachelor of Building Design Management - course code 3727
  • Bachelor of Construction Management - course code 2607

Introduction

Western Sydney University and the School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics (SCEM) strongly supports the right of all people who wish to pursue a Bachelor of Building Design Management or Bachelor of Construction Management.

Inherent requirements are the essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the abilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of the course or unit, while preserving the academic integrity of the University’s learning, assessment and accreditation processes. The inherent requirements are the abilities, knowledge and skills needed to complete the course that must be met by all students.

Students with a disability or chronic health condition may be able to have reasonable adjustments made to enable them to meet these requirements.

The School is committed to making reasonable adjustments to teaching and learning, assessment, professional practice and other activities to enable students to participate in their course. Reasonable adjustments must not fundamentally change the nature of the inherent requirement.

Students are required to undertake industry based experience in the Australian construction industry context, which may include mixed gender, religious and culturally diverse environments. For further information contact your Director of Academic Program.

To support prospective and current students’ decision making, a series of inherent requirement statements have been developed. These statements specify the essential skills, knowledge and abilities required for the Bachelor of Building Design Management or Bachelor of Construction Management courses. Students should use this information to make informed decisions about their chosen course of study. The statements are clustered under nine domains consisting of ethical behaviour, behavioural stability, legal, communication, cognition, sensory abilities, strength and mobility, sustainable performance and information communication technologies.

The inherent requirements outlined below provide a guide to inform decision making for students and staff.

How to read the inherent requirement statements

If you are intending to enrol in the Bachelor of Building Design Management or Bachelor of Construction Management course in the School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics (SCEM), you should look at these inherent requirement statements and think about whether you may experience challenges in meeting these requirements.

If you think you may experience challenges for any reason including a disability or chronic health condition, you should discuss your concerns with the SCEM staff, such as the Director of Academic Program, Academic Course Advisor, School Disability Coordinator or campus Disability Advisor. These staff can work collaboratively with you to determine reasonable adjustments to assist you to meet the inherent requirements. In the case where it is determined that inherent requirements cannot be met with reasonable adjustments, the University staff can provide guidance regarding other study options.

These inherent requirements should be read in conjunction with other course information.

The inherent requirements are made up of the following five components:

  • Level 1 - introduction to the inherent requirement
  • Level 2 - description of the inherent requirement
  • Level 3 - explanation of why this is an inherent requirement of the course
  • Level 4 - the nature of any adjustments that may be made to allow you to meet the requirement
  • Level 5 - examples of tasks you must be able to do to show you’ve met the requirement. The exemplars provided are not intended as an exhaustive list.

Inherent requirement domains

There are nine domains of inherent requirements in the Bachelor of Building Design Management and Bachelor of Construction Management. Some domains have a number of sub-domains.

Ethical behaviour

Level Inherent requirements statements
1 Students need to understand and act in ways consistent with the recognised values of society and in line with industry standards.
2 Student demonstrates knowledge of, and engages in ethical behaviour in practice.
3

Justification of inherent requirement:

  • Compliance with the recognised values of society and industry standards facilitates safe, competent interactions and relationships for students and/or the people with whom they engage. This supports the physical, psychological and emotional wellbeing of all.
4Adjustments must support the recognised values of society and industry standards and not result in unethical behaviour. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the campus Disability Advisor.
5

Exemplars:

  • Engaging with peers in a professional manner
  • Being fair and equitable when dealing with clients and competitors in construction projects

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Behavioural stability

Level Inherent requirements statements
1 Behavioural stability is required to function and adapt effectively and sensitively in this program of study.
2 Student demonstrates behavioural stability to work constructively in diverse and changing academic and industry based environments.
3

Justification of inherent requirement:

  • Behavioural stability is required to work individually and in teams in diverse and changing environments. Students may be exposed to demanding and challenging situations and will be required to manage these events objectively and professionally.
  • Behavioural stability is required when working individually and in teams to carry out contractual responsibilities in an objective and professional manner.
4Adjustments must support stable, effective and professional behaviour in both academic and industry based settings. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the campus Disability Advisor.
5

Exemplars:

  • Being receptive and responding appropriately to constructive feedback on work performance
  • Coping with own emotions and behaviour effectively when interacting with individuals in the academic and industry based settings

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Legal

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Communication

This course requires effective verbal and written communication skills.

Verbal

Level Inherent requirements statements
1 Effective verbal communication, in English, is an essential requirement to enable the negotiation, delivery and management of building design and construction management
2

Student demonstrates:

  • Sensitivity to individual and/or cultural differences
  • Ability to understand and respond to verbal communication accurately, appropriately and in a timely manner
  • Ability to provide clear verbal instructions in the context of the situation
  • Timely, clear feedback and reporting
3

Justification of inherent requirement:

  • Communicating in a way that displays respect and empathy to others develops trusting relationships
  • Shared communication is necessary for effective provision of advice and for resolving complex tasks in the course
  • Timely, accurate and effective delivery of verbal instructions is critical to individual safety, support and the management of services
4Adjustments must address effectiveness, timeliness, clarity and accuracy issues to ensure safety. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the campus Disability Advisor.
5

Exemplars:

  • Conveying spoken messages accurately and effectively in discussions on site visits and industry based settings
  • Engaging and responding appropriately during group discussions in the academic setting

Written

Level Inherent requirements statements
1 Effective written communication, in English, is fundamental for accurate and competent building design and construction management practice.
2

Student demonstrates the capacity to construct coherent written communication that is appropriate to the circumstances.

3

Justification of inherent requirement:

  • Construction of written text based assessment tasks to reflect the required academic standards is necessary to convey knowledge and understanding of relevant subject matter
  • Accurate written communication, including record keeping and reports is essential in providing accurate and consistent delivery and management of professional services
4Adjustments must meet necessary standards of clarity, accuracy and accessibility to ensure effective recording and transmission of information in both academic and industry based settings. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the campus Disability Advisor.
5

Exemplars:

  • Constructing an essay to academic standards
  • Constructing a business report that meets professional standards in the required timeframe
  • Drafting and adapting clear and accurate floor plans that meet the required professional standards
  • Maintaining consistent and appropriate record-keeping and documentation of amendments specific to practice

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Cognition

This course requires knowledge of theory and the skills of cognition, literacy and numeracy.

Knowledge and cognitive skills

Level Inherent requirements statements
1 Consistent knowledge and effective cognitive skills must be demonstrated for accurate and competent building design and construction management practice.
2

Student demonstrates:

  • Capacity to locate appropriate and relevant information
  • Ability to process information relevant to practice
  • Ability to integrate and implement knowledge in practice
3

Justification of inherent requirement:

  • Safe and effective building design and construction management practice is based on comprehensive knowledge that must be sourced, understood and applied appropriately
  • Ability to evaluate and integrate the principles and technical knowledge of building and construction technology, management, economics and law is vital to providing safe and competent delivery of construction services
4Adjustments must ensure that a clear demonstration of knowledge and cognitive skills is not compromised or impeded. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the campus Disability Advisor.
5

Exemplars:

  • Ability to conceptualise and use appropriate knowledge in response to academic assessment items
  • Follow instructions and apply safety procedures in industry based settings
  • Using appropriate knowledge and understanding to accurately visualise digital images and scale drawings into full size buildings on site

Literacy (Language)

Level Inherent requirements statements
1 Competent literacy skills are essential for safe and effective building design and construction management practice.
2

Student demonstrates:

  • Ability to acquire information and accurately convey appropriate, effective messages
  • Ability to read and comprehend a range of literature and information
  • Capacity to understand and apply academic conventions to construct written text in an appropriate manner for the intended audience
3

Justification of inherent requirement:

  • The ability to acquire information and to accurately convey messages is fundamental to ensure safe and effective assessment and project delivery
  • The ability to read, decode, interpret and comprehend multiple sources of information is fundamental for safe and effective delivery of building design and construction management projects and services
4Adjustments must demonstrate a capacity to effectively acquire, comprehend, apply and communicate accurate information. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the campus Disability Advisor.
5

Exemplars:

  • Communicating well defined instructions during practical activities, such as surveying, concrete testing or soil testing
  • Demonstrating the ability to paraphrase, summarise and reference in accordance with appropriate academic conventions
  • Producing accurate, concise and clear contract drawings and specifications

Numeracy

Level Inherent requirements statements
1 Accurate numeracy skills are essential for effective building design and construction management practice.
2 Student demonstrates the ability to interpret and correctly apply data, measurements and numerical criteria.
3

Justification of inherent requirement:

  • Competent application of numeracy skills is essential in building design and construction management to facilitate the safe and effective delivery of projects and services
4Adjustments must support the capacity to interpret and apply concepts and processes appropriately in a timely, accurate and effective manner. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the campus Disability Advisor.
5

Exemplars:

  • Performing accurate calculations of measurements related to quantities, pricing and scheduling in a building project
  • Accurately recording construction progress against a prepared schedule

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Sensory ability

This course requires adequate visual abilities.

Visual

Level Inherent requirements statements
1 Adequate visual acuity is required for safe and effective building design and construction management practice.
2 Student demonstrates sufficient visual acuity to perform the required range of tasks.
3

Justification of inherent requirement:

  • Sufficient visual acuity is necessary to demonstrate the required range of skills, tasks and assessments
  • Visual observations and assessments are fundamental to maintaining safety of self and others
4Adjustments must support the need to perform the full range of tasks involved in practice. Any strategies should be effective, consistent and not compromise safety. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the campus Disability Advisor.
5

Exemplars:

  • Accurately using construction instrumentation, such as a Total Work Station, for measurements
  • Observing and detecting subtle changes in the stability or flexibility of structures

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Strength and mobility

This course requires strength and mobility involving fine and gross motor skills.

Gross motor

Level Inherent requirements statements
1 Building design and construction management practice involves physical demands and requires gross motor function.
2 Student demonstrates the ability to perform gross motor skills to function within scope of practice.
3

Justification of inherent requirement:

  • Sufficient gross motor skills are necessary to perform the required tasks. Tasks that involve gross motor skills include lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, climbing, standing, twisting and bending. Students must be able to demonstrate these tasks consistently and safely to reduce the risk of harm to self and others
4Adjustments must support the performance of the full range of tasks involved in practice. Any strategies should address functional effectiveness, safety of self and others. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the campus Disability Advisor.
5

Exemplars:

  • Maintaining balance while safely moving from level to level in a project under construction
  • Using appropriate techniques to carry and manipulate equipment and tools on project sites

Fine motor

Level Inherent requirements statements
1 Building design and construction management is a profession that requires manual dexterity and fine motor skills.
2 Student demonstrates the ability to use fine motor skills to complete the required tasks.
3

Justification of inherent requirement:

  • Sufficient fine motor skills are necessary to perform the required tasks. Tasks that involve fine motor skills include being able to grasp, press, push, turn, squeeze and manipulate various objects. Students must be able to demonstrate and perform these tasks consistently and safely to reduce the risk of harm to self and others
4Adjustments must support the performance of the full range of tasks involved in practice. Any strategies should address functional effectiveness, safety of self and others. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the campus Disability Advisor.
5

Exemplars:

  • Setting up and manipulating surveying tools and adjusting for accurate readings
  • Using digital cameras and other recording equipment to collect site information

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Sustainable performance

Level Inherent requirements statements
1 Building design and construction management practice requires both physical and mental performance at a consistent and sustained level.
2

Student demonstrates:

  • Consistent and sustained level of physical energy to complete a specific task within the required timeframe
  • Ability to perform repetitive activities with a level of concentration that ensures a capacity to focus on the activity until it is completed appropriately
  • Capacity to maintain consistency and quality of performance throughout the designated period of time
3

Justification of inherent requirement:

  • Sufficient physical and mental endurance is an essential requirement needed to perform multiple tasks in an assigned period to provide safe and effective building design and construction management services
4Adjustments must ensure that performance is consistent and sustained over a given period. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the campus Disability Advisor.
5

Exemplars:

  • Participating in tutorials
  • Working long stretches to ensure the completion of projects by industry deadlines
  • Completing reviews and amendments of digital images and scale drawings to provide a final product in a given time frame

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Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

Level Inherent requirements statements
1 Competent ICT (computing) knowledge and skills are essential for building design and construction management practice.
2 Student demonstrates the ability to use various Computer-aided Design (CAD) software platforms.
3

Justification of inherent requirement:

  • The ability to use CAD software platforms is fundamental in the construction industry, from design through to building maintenance
4Adjustments must enable the effective use of the range of ICT relevant to building design and construction management practice. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the campus Disability Advisor.
5

Exemplars:

  • Making changes to CAD models as a result of contract variations
  • Amending to digital images and scaled drawings to provide an accurate interpretation of the building site

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*Developed from: Johnson, A., Allan, T., Phillips, K., Azzopardi, T., Dickson, C., Goldsmith, M & Hengstberger- Sims, C. (2011). Inherent Requirements of Nursing Education (IRONE), Western Sydney University School of Nursing & Midwifery and Student Equity & Disability Services.

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