MCPM Postgraduate Guide

Master of Construction Project Management (MCPM) Built Environment Post Professional Degree

Never Stand Still

Built Environment

The Master of Construction Project Management is a three-tiered postgraduate degree designed to improve the proficiency of practitioners in the construction and property industry, to meet current and future challenges.

Australia’s construction industry is among the leaders of the world in management skills and construction technology.

Many advanced construction projects of great complexity have been successfully completed in the last decade. These sophisticated modern methods have been applied to the management of the entire project life-cycle. Innovative contract procurement, fast tracking and integrated computerised information systems form an integral part of many projects of world renown. At UNSW students learn modern management methodologies and principles of project management and apply them across the different phases of the construction project development life-cycle.

Students in this degree benefit significantly from the strong participation and support from Australia’s leading construction and project management personnel, with learning content that is modern and advanced.

Our academics are leading researchers and excellent teachers with diverse industry backgrounds.

Program Structure

Core Courses

Masters of Construction Project Management (8123) 2 semesters full time. Core courses are available in the evening.

Human Resources Management This course introduces students to the theory of Human Resource Management (HRM). The course draws together current perspectives from management, business and psychology disciplines to give you a comprehensive view of the key HRM concepts, theories and practice so that you will be able to understand how and why effective HR policies and practices affect organisational performance.

A total of 48 units of credit (UOC) is required, consisting of 6 core courses (36 UOC) and 2 elective courses (12 UOC).

Master of Construction Project Management in Professional Practice (8124) 3 semesters full time. Part time option available.

A total of 72 UOC is required, of which 48 UOC are the course requirements of the Master of Construction Project Management program (8123). The additional 24 UOC comprise two core courses: • Research Project • Design Research Methods. *In exceptional cases, where a student can demonstrate research skills with evidence, the Research Methods Course may be exempted and substituted with an elective course.

Study may also be undertaken as a Graduate Certificate (7123) over 1 semester full time. Part time option available.

Principles and Practice of Management This course provides a framework for studying the principles and practice of management, focusing on how organisations are managed and how managers can best help their organisations to set and achieve their goals. Specifically, this course will discuss management concepts and principles such as the function of planning, organising, leading/ directing, and controlling. In addition, contemporary issues relating to management will be explored. The management principles are reinforced through discussion on management case studies and practices.

Construction Planning and Control This course introduces students to various programming and scheduling techniques suitable for planning of long, medium and short-term projects and tasks. The course content provides the means for planning of both business as well as personal tasks.

Project Management This course introduces students to the theory of Construction Project Management and the skills required by a competent project manager in the management of construction projects.

The course content provides students with the fundamental information on how to manage projects in each stage of the project life-cycle.

Contracts Management and Law This course introduces students to the practice of construction contract management. The course content comprises a range of issues associated with the administration of building contracts. In particular students will learn about different options for project delivery and options for contract price; develop an understanding of certain general conditions of contract; the relevance of legal concepts; gain knowledge of alternative dispute resolution methods; and become familiar with the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999.

Construction Management Applications This course aims to expose students to the realities of involvement and the practical challenges that arise in the procurement of large construction projects. Areas covered include tendering, site investigation, site establishment, occupational health and safety, risk management, material management, time management, cost management, quality management, contract management and customer relationship management as well as current construction management issues. By simulating typical scenarios that are likely to be encountered, students will be given the opportunity to identify potential problems and solutions. Case studies that cover commercial/civil infrastructure, retail and residential projects will be covered in detail. Group projects will then focus on a project in an area of community need using the skills learnt throughout the semester.

Suggested Electives

How to Apply

CONS0005

Computers in Construction Management

CONS0016

Project Risk Management

REST0001

Property Investment

REST0006

Property Development

REST0007

Asset and Facilities Management

SUSD0002

Resources, Materials and Sustainability

Career Outcomes Graduates may work in careers in fields such as: • construction management • project management • design management • value management • international project management.

For entry requirements across this three tiered degree, please refer to our website be.unsw.edu.au or contact our Student Centre on +61 2 9385 4799.

Applications can be made directly to the university at apply.unsw.edu.au Application close dates: Semester 1, 2014: 28 November 2013 Semester 2, 2014: 30 May 2014 Note: Applications may be considered after the closing date, subject to availability of places. If all places are filled for this coming semester, we will automatically assess your eligibility for the following semester.

For further information on eligibility or how to apply, contact: Domestic Applicants Student Centre on (02) 9385 4799 or fbe@unsw.edu.au International Applicants International Office on +61 2 9385 6996 or internationaloffice@unsw.edu.au For more information on the Master of Construction Project Management (8123) visit UNSW Built Environment website be.unsw.edu.au

Alumni Profile After graduating with a degree in civil engineering in the States, I started working for a general contractor where I quickly realised that although I had sound knowledge of civil and structural engineering, my knowledge lacked when it came to building and delivering projects in the real world. Although my experience was positive it also inspired me to expand my knowledge and world beyond highway construction in Pennsylvania.

Doug Kingham Master of Construction Project Management, 2004 Associate, Program & Project Management Arup

After careful consideration, I decided to apply for a postgraduate degree in construction project management. Choosing to enrol in the Master of Construction Project Management degree (MCPM) at UNSW Built Environment was one of the best career choices I have made and what appealed to me most was the relevance it had to my career and the courses offered. While I enjoyed my time as a project engineer in the States, I wanted to grow personally and professionally and the MCPM degree helped me do both by establishing a solid base in the Project Management Body of Knowledge and exposing me to potential new employers and new industries. One of my professional goals was to work for an internationally renowned firm on interesting and global projects.

The MCPM degree helped me achieve that goal by introducing me to my present employer, Arup. After a relatively brief stint working for a contractor on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link in London, I joined Arup in Sydney and my career began to take off. I would never have joined Arup had I not been introduced via a guest lecturer in one of my MCPM courses and furthermore, my qualification on my CV made me a serious candidate.

I have successfully managed a $10 million upgrade project at John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle and I was also fortunate enough to have project managed a national capital works program for the delivery of health infrastructure to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders around Australia. These were rewarding and successful projects that made a real difference in people’s lives, including my own.

I’m still working for Arup on big and exciting projects, most recently in Hong Kong. As an Arup employee, I utilise the knowledge and skills I learned at UNSW Built Environment every day and I’m grateful that the MCPM degree gave me the skills that I need to succeed in this industry.

CRICOS: 00098G