BSc (Hons) in Building Surveying

(Normally 3-year Full-time Programme)

Programme Aim

The BSc (Hons) in Building Surveying Programme aims to produce graduates who can develop into professional and imaginative building surveyors for Hong Kong, China and the region. These graduates will possess the expert knowledge and the ability to advise on the construction and economics of buildings, the law relating to them and the maintenance of all types of properties.

Programme Content

The programme is of 3 years duration (full-time), with some elements taught in common with the Bachelor of Science (Hons) degrees in Building Engineering and Management, Construction Economics and Management, and Real Estate.

The studies follow the following main themes:

Technology

compulsory subjects

• Construction Technology
• Environmental Science
• Construction Technology II
• Structures I
• Building Services I
• Maintenance Technology and Management
• Design Conversion and Adaptation
• Maintenance Technology and the Built Environment

elective subjects (year 3):

• Structures II
• Construction Technology III
• Building Services II

Management and Legal Studies

compulsory subjects

• Management for Construction and Real Estate
• The Legal Context of Construction and Real Estate
• Property Law
• Development Control Law
• Facility Management (EITHER Business and Project Management for Construction and Real Estate OR Property Management I OR property Management II )

elective subjects (year 3):

• Strategic Management of Complex Projects
• Management of Project Development Process in the PRC
• Housing Studies

Economics

compulsory subjects:

• Economics for Construction and Real Estate
• Land Development Studies
• Procurement & Contracts (EITHER Property Investment and Finance OR Land and Construction Economics)

elective subjects (year 3):

• Applied Property Investment
• Civil Engineering Practical Contract Procedure
  

Integrative Studies

• Professional Studies I
• Professional Studies II
• Professional Studies III
• Research Methods
• Dissertation

Languages, Safety and General Education

• Industrial Safety II
• English for Academic Purposes
• English in the Workplace
• Elementary Putonghua
• College Chinese
• General Education (2 subjects to be selected)
  

The Building Surveyor

The building surveyor possesses the expert knowledge and the ability to advise on the construction and economics of buildings, the law relating to them and on the maintenance of all types of properties. He is also able to act in the wider to role of project manager on both new development, re-development and major conversion projects.

The Building Surveyor is generally recognised as the “Doctor of buildings”.

Professional Recognition

The course is fully accredited to the academic standards of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in the United Kingdom, and the degree is also accepted by the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS) as its approved academic qualification leading to corporate membership.

Upon gaining the necessary two-year approved experience and passing the requisite Assessment of Professional Competence, graduates will be qualified as Chartered Building Surveyors (MRICS) or Professional Building Surveyor (MHKIS).

It should be noted though, that recent changes in RICS regulations now permit graduates to pursue a career in any area of surveying of their choices.

Services provided by the Building Surveyor

In Hong Kong, the Building Surveyor is providing one or more of the following services to the public:-

1. Structural and condition surveys of all types of real property.

2. Diagnosis of building defects and advice on remedial works required.

3. Preparation of plans, specifications and estimates for all kinds of building works and administration of building contracts (acting as Authorized Person).

4. Building law and property development consultant.

5. Planning and implementation of building maintenance programmes.

6. Project management.

7. Property management.

8. Facility Management

Nature of employment

Building Surveyors are normally engaged in private practice, propertly management companies, development companies and the Hong Kong Government in one of the following capacities:-

1. Property Services Manager

2. Project manager

3. Development consultant

4. Surveying consultant

5. Maintenance Surveyor

6. Building control officer

7. Authorized Person

Programme Outline

The subject areas of study for all part-time programmes can be broadly divided into Building Technology, Economics, Management and Law, Integrative Studies, Languages and General Education, with a different emphasis and perspective depending on the specific degree programme being pursued.

Project work features significantly in the degree programmes to ensure that students can integrate the various subjects and apply them to realistic case study situations in a team environment. Each degree student will also complete an individual final-year dissertation before graduation.

Exemptions and Recognition

The BSc(Hons) Degree in Building Engineering and Management programme offers complete exemption from the written examinations of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB); with the required working experience (normally three years), graduates may take a Professional Interview to qualify as a Chartered Builder. The Hong Kong Institute of Engineers (HKIE) has a similar arrangement for graduates of programmes that they accredit; accreditation for this programme is currently pending.

Graduates from other three honours degree programmes are granted full exemption from the written examinations of the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (MHKIS). Once they have completed the stipulated working experience requirement (normally three years), they may choose to undergo an Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) in order to become a Professional member of the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (AHKIS).

For details of each subject, please visit at http://www.bre.polyu.edu.hk/bre_subjects/index.htm