Post-experience Certificate in Clerks of Works Studies

Department Head

Professor Francis K.W. WONG
BSc(Hons), MSc, PhD, FCIOB, FHKIE, FHKICM, RPE(Bldg), ARICS, MCIArb, MCMI, MIOSH

We have been producing graduates to serve the needs of Hong Kong's construction and real estate industries for the past 30 years.  Our programmes are specifically designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for a successful career.  Many of our graduates who currently occupy key positions in the public and private sector bear testimony to our success. 

This success is due to our policy of building up a  good quality team of staff dedicated to academic rigour and the highest standard of professional practice.  All of our teaching staff possess internationally recognised academic and professional qualifications.  Nearly half holding a PhD and most others have a Fellowship of a professional institution.  Their expertise includes quantity surveying, building surveying, general practice surveying, town planning, law, management, information technology, and real estate. 

Our students also benefit from the Department's strong links with key universities and top professional organisations, not only in Hong Kong and China Mainland but also around the world.  The international dimension is fostered through collaborative research, joint hosting of conferences, staff/student attachments, as well as academic and professional exchanges.

Programme Code
Mode of Study
Normal Duration
Credits Required for Graduation
Fund Type
Programme Leader 		:  32085
:  Part-time Evening
:  1 Year
:  9 credits
:  Self-financed
:  Martyn HILLS, MSc, PhD, TeachCert, HNCert(Bldg), HON.FICW, MCIOB, MIMgt, MCIArb

Entrance Requirements
1.  Higher Certificate in an appropriate discipline such as Building Studies or Civil Engineering, or equivalent;
2.  Working full-time for an employer who is prepared to provide evidence of support by endorsing the relevant section of the application form.

General Information

Faculty :  Faculty of Construction and Land Use (FCLU)
Host Department :  Building and Real Estate (BRE)
Mode of Attendance :  Part-time Evening (PTE)
Normal Duration :  One academic year (2 Semesters)
Programme Credits  :  9 Credits
Programme Leader :  Dr. M.J. Hills (Associate Professor, BRE)

Programme Aims

The aim of the programme is to extend knowledge acquired at Higher Certificate level in construction related studies, in order to satisfy the theoretical requirements of practicing clerks of works.  This involves developing an understanding of the responsibilities associated with professional practice and procedures, including aspects of the law, while providing an understanding of the properties, use and performance of major building materials.

Characteristics

The programme provides an academically rigorous learning environment that produces graduates not only with the professional expertise required of a clerk of works, but also with an analytical approach to the theory and practice of that profession.  This is achieved through lectures, tutorials, laboratory work and the setting of problem-based assignments as well as guided reading studies of professional practice, construction law, and construction materials.

Professional Recognition

This programme encompasses the requirements of the Final Part II Examination of the Hong Kong Institute of Clerks of Works (HKICW).

Programme Structure and Content

There are totally 3 subjects : BRE205 Management for Construction & Real Estate, BRE323 Construction Law, and BRE212 Construction Materials.  Two subjects are studied during the first semester of the academic year and one subject is studied during the second.

Enquiries

For further information on the content of this programme, please contact Dr. Martyn HILLS (Tel: 2766 5808; Fax: 2764 5131; e-mail: bshills@polyu.edu.hk).

Progression Pattern

This Post-experience Certificate in Clerks of Works Studies is a credit-based programme of two consecutive semesters of part-time evening study comprising three subjects each of 3 credits.

Semester 1

BRE323 Construction Law
BRE212 Construction Materials

Semester 2 BRE205 Management for Construction and Real Estate
  Total credits = 9

Professional Recognition

The Hong Kong Institute of Clerks of Works (HKICW) has approved the credit-based Post-experience Certificate in Clerks of Works Studies as giving full exemption from their Final Part II Examination. Exemption from this examination qualifies candidates for the Institute’s Professional Practice Interview which, when passed, provides full corporate membership. This interview can be arranged by contacting the Honorary Secretary (Examinations), Hong Kong Institute of Clerks of Works, G.P.O. Box 3932, Hong Kong.

Award

  1. A student will be eligible for the University award of Post-experience Certificate in Clerk of Works Studies once the following conditions have been satisfied within the normal duration of the programme : 
    • Accumulation of 9 credits in the specified compulsory subjects; and
    • Having achieved a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or above.  
  1. The GPA is calculated as follows:

          Sum of the Grade Point for individual subjects
                                Number of subjects (3)
  2. Grades with corresponding Interpretation and Grade Point 

Grade
Interpretation
Grade Point
A+ Outstanding 4.5
A Excellent 4
B+ Very Good 3.5
B Good 3
C+ Wholly Satisfactory 2.5
C Satisfactory 2
D+ Barely Adequate 1.5
D Weak 1
F Inadequate 0

The following are guidelines for the Board of Examiners when deciding on the classification of awards:

Grade Point Average
Classification
3.7 - 4 Distinction
3.2 -3.7 Credit
2.0 - 3.2 Pass
Below 2 Fail

Assessment

1. Assessement of each subject is based on a student's performance in the coursework and examination components in accordance with the percentage weightings shown in the subject syllabus.  To pass a subject, a student must attain a minimum Grade D in coursework and a minimum Grade D in the examination.
2. Re-assessment of subjects will be at the discretion of the Subject Assessment Review Panel who will take cognisance of the nature of the failure, the subject concerned, and results of the other subjects. The Panel will decide on the form of the re-assessment, which may be a written examination, viva voce, or assignment.

Subject Assessment Review Panel (SARP)

1.   SARP will review the distribution of grades within a subject and finalise the grades at the end of each semester before submission to the Board of Examiners. SARP is also responsible for deciding the granting of re-assessment to students and the form of re-assessment. 

2.  Composition of SARP includes the Head of the BRE Department, the relevant subject examiners and the programme leader.

Board of Examiners (BoE)

1.   Responsible to the Senate for making decisions on classification of awards, de-registration, and cases with extenuating circumstances. All decisions are to be ratified by the Faculty Board. 

2.   BoE does not have the authority to change grades nor condone failures. 

3.   Composition of BoE includes the Head of the BRE Department, the relevant subject examiners, the BRE Departmental Academic Advisor, the programme leader (ex-officio), and the Executive Officer of the BRE Department.

Pedagogical Approach

1.  The philosophy behind the pedagogical approach is to encourage a learning environment that will produce graduates with a critical and analytical approach to theory, practice, and procedures. The learning environment, under the supervision of academic staff, is created through lectures, seminars, tutorials, laboratory work, assignments, and guided reading.  
2. Lectures are periods occupied mainly with the oral presentation of facts or principles by the lecturer.  
3. Seminars are based on issues drawn from problems encountered by students at their work. Students will take it in turns to present short papers and lead discussion under the direction of the subject lecturers.  
4. Tutorials are conducted by dividing the class into groups. Discussions takes place in these groups based on pre-determined private studies undertaken by the students, or on a topic given by the lecturer.  
5. Laboratory work comprises of two stages. For both stages the class, under the supervision of a lecturers and a technician, is divided into groups. The first stage concentrates on practical-skill-oriented experiments, whilst in the second stage projects of an investigative nature are undertaken.
6. Assignments may be of an individual or group nature and require students to investigate and produce a written report on a given topic.  
7. Guided reading directs students to read particular chapter or section of a specified book.

Recommended Reading

Management for Construction & Real Estate (BRE205)

Clerks of Works (MONTHLY JOURNAL). Institute of Clerks of Works
Building Research & Information (BIMONTHLY JOURNAL). E & F.N. Spon
Handbook for Clerks of Works (1983). Architectural
Clerk of Works Manual (1994). RIBA Publications
Chan, H. W. (ed.). Professional Practice for Architects in Hong Kong(1997). Pace
Rowlinson, S.M. & Walker, A. (1995). The Construction Industry in HK. Longman

Construction Law (BRE323)

Bachner, B. S. & Campbell, I. D. (1995). Hong Kong Tort Law. Longman
Greenstreet, B. (1994). Legal & Contractual Procedures for Architects. Butterworth
Hills, M. J. (1995). Building Contract Procedures in Hong Kong. Longman
Shum, C. (1992). General Principles of Hong Kong Law. Longman

Construction Materials (BRE212)

Addleson, L. (1991). Performance of Materials in Building. Butterworth
Chong, C. Vee Yong (1977). Properties of Materials. Macdonald & Evans
Marotta, T. W. (1997). Basic Construction Materials. Prentice Hall
Taylor, G. D. (1994). Materials in Construction. Longman