QSB4924 - Dissertation

This module covers on the data collection method, writing research methodology chapter, analysis and presentation of results, writing conclusion and recommendations chapter, introduction and literature review chapter.

During the first few weeks of lecture, our lecturer, Ms. Theong May Chuan has advised us to narrow down the scope of our research topic due to time and resource restriction. So, I have decided to change my research scope to Insufficient car parking problem in Taylor's Lakeside Campus. On the other hand, we are also able to make appointment with her if we needed her to assist us individually and provide us with some useful suggestions. Moreover, my supervisor, Ms.  Dianne Kok has been following up our progress in doing our research work and assists us when we met any difficulties.

My research topic is ‘ Insufficient car parking problem in Taylor's Lakeside Campus ’. The dissertation consists of 5 topics which are: introduction, literature review, research methodology, data analysis and conclusion and recommendations. In addition, the dissertation involves a demonstration of effective research combined with clear and concise presentation of between 10,000 to 12,000 words.

Throughout this module, I am able to use the knowledge that have been taught in lecture and apply analytical and research skills in closely defined topic areas. Besides that, data and information required is collected by adopting appropriate techniques and tools. The research paper is concluded with a comprehensive research conclusion and summary developed throughout the process. 

QSB4424 - Project Management

This module is conducted by Mr. Leong Boon Tik. He is expect in management practices which covers both management technique and organizational aspects in relation to construction project. Mr. Leong guide us and explain clearly of project management which enable the understanding of project organization structures, project scope management, project time management, project quality management, project cost management, project communication management, project procurement management, project stakeholders management, future trends in project management.

Besides, the module enable to develop awareness of the form and influence of leadership in the project process and the relationships to a project's success. Furthermore, the module provide clear understanding the application of management techniques in the control and direction of project resources. Mr. Leong is well presented and experience in every topic. He also provide example to enhance the understanding of the particular topic and the strategies for the execution of the development process in response to the client's objectives. Throughout this module, we also able to identify the possible risk that a project manager may face during the process of development.

 

For group assignment, Students in groups are required to locate a piece of vacant land beside Taylor's University Lakeside Campus and act as the project manager of the client to decide the development or type of building on the chosen site. It was challenging we need to propose a development and make sufficient  research on the proposed development. Through this assignment, we are able to work out with project cost estimation and come out with operating cost to cover the construction cost and rental fee for the client. Besides, through the group assignment, our teamwork and leadership skill are enhanced. Another assessment will be utilized the program with Microsoft Project to illustrate the knowledge on project scheduling, work breakdown structure (WBS), and critical path method (CPM). 

QSB4414 - Construction Law

Construction law enables me to understand the basics of construction law and the importance of adhering to the specific procedure. It teaches me how to apply the wide ranges of law and remedies during disputes. Also, it allows me to have a better understanding of the many laws related to payments, contractual claims and interpretation rules of ambiguity found in documents.

In construction law, i am able to identify, explain and distinguish the various laws related to the construction industry including land law and construction statutes by demonstrating knowledge and understanding of the principles in law, conditions of contract and the applicable statues. This subject provides me skills to analyze, interpret and apply knowledge of the principles of law in the administration of contracts and contractual claims. Also, evidence is provided as a prove for a reasonable decision in relation to contraction claims and interpretations of any discrepancies of various contract documents.

Furhtermore, in the construction law subject, we were divided into groups of 2 or 3 to present the topic of the week taught by our lecturer, this is called a seminar. In the seminar, i have learn to work together with my group mate to divide the topic of our presentation fairly. We have work together to prepare slides and questions to the audiences that were present that day. This has helped me improve my communication  skills. 

Lastly, the assignment given to us in construction law subject was, a scenario where there was a dispute between two parties. We were to to analyze the case and provide suitable principles of law of contractual claims and include the appropriate evidence. This is to enable us to provide an reasonable solution to resolve the dispute. This assignment has given me the chance to realize what a real life dispute would be like and how to apply the appropriate principles of law.     

QSB4224 - Development Economics

This subject is related to Building Economics from semester 5, this gives us a lot of advantages to understanding this subject, as we already had basic knowledge about of economics in building construction. Similarly with previous semester, this subject also been lectured by Ms. Dianne Kok Hui Wei. She was very kind and helpful lecturer. She is an experienced contractor and claim consultant in the industry. She always talks about his life experiences and stories to make the class full of laughs. Hence, we gained extra knowledge from his sharing of what happened in the real industry.

Other that, there are two coursework having in this module which are mid-term test and group assignment which carry 20% and 30% of mark respectively. For the group assignment, we were required to do analysis of the number of units for each type of houses can be built for the proposed development project, financial appraisal of the project using the Residue Method of Valuation, Cash Flow of the project based on “Sell-then-Build” concept and at last, we need to give personal comment on the viability of the project with a twelve percent (12%) cost of capital and also comment on the cash flow and viability of the project if based on a “Build-then-Sell” concept.

From this assignment, It wasn’t easy for us to complete this project due to the unfamiliar of doing projected cash flow. However, it was a good chance for us to do it so that in the future we at least have been practiced from this coursework. By that, i have learnt how to calculate the development cost and produce a cash flow. A more precise estimation of cash flow is produced which allows to estimate and forecast a project's viability.

QSB4215 - Cost Value Engineering

The module provides the history, background, theories, concepts and principles of value engineering / value management in decision making process. The module also introduces the idea of unnecessary cost and cost cutting exercise in the cost planning and control stage. It is then generally covers area of implementation of value engineering and the key person involved – the facilitator. The subject then concludes with a series of discussion on the problem and constraint in the implementation stage based on some significant case studies. The lecturer of this module is Sr. Loo Seong King which we all are familiar. This subject is quite new for us as it is the first time we heard the term VM. ( Value management). As we progress, we finally get to understand the benefits and disadvantages of VM. The background and history were also taught.

There is 1 group assignment and 1 mid term test before Final Exam. For the group assignment, we are required to work in a group and prepare a case study report. Prior to the case study, we have to source for an actual VM report to work as a reference which we can apply into the case study. My group contacted Institute of VM which reverted us to an experienced Value Manager. He was helpful and guided us through the implementation of VM in the report. The main aim of this group assignment is to help us develop a deeper appreciation of the concepts learnt in this module by applying them in the assignment. We chose a shop houaw for the usage of VM. Uncessary costs and spaces were identified so that it be reduced or omitted in order to produce a cost-effective design development.

QSB3933 - Research Methodology

This subject is one of the important subject. The subject is taught by our Ms. Aishah. She is very good and nice lecturer.

In this subject, We are arranged accordingly to our topic with a suitable lecturer and they will guide us semester 5 and 6. There are limitations of words for this subject which are roughly 10,000 words and we had conducted our research at different stages. Firstly, we had to decide our title, problem statement, literature review and etc. On the other hand, we had conducted research methodology, result and discussion and conclusion at our final semester. Our main lecturer, Ms.Aishah play an important role in this research from her guidance and valuable advice.

Hence, I want to thanks my supervisor, Dianne Kok Tik . She is very good supervisor and she is always patient to our question which taking out time for meeting with us. With her help I able to carry out the dissertation sucessfully. My topic is " Insufficient car park in Taylor Univeristy Lakeside."

For me, this subject is very helpful for my dissertation. I had put a lot of efforts and time on it for producing my own dissertation. In addition, I learnt how to create proper citation with Harvard Referencing Method as well

MGT60703 - Strategic Management

This subject was taught by the Mr Leong Boon Tik. Strategic management is a assignment based subject. This subject doesn't has final exam and mid term exam.

In Strategic management I learnt about the Swot analysis and Porter five Forces. basically both of this tools is to help to evaluate a company conditions through market segmentation. I also learned through case studies by studying various established and big organizations on how they stay ahead in the market, eliminate competitions, differentiation using firm value chain to their advantage and many other strategies in order to be successful.

In my individual assignment, I learned the process of how to write good and effective vision and mission statement. This knowledge was applied by identifying a vision statement of an organization, scrutinize the statement based on the characteristics of a good vision statement and later propose a better statement. On the other hand, I had to apply market segmentation into the scenario as a developer to identify and suggest the best fit project for the land, considering that my competition would be other huge developers of the same stature.

In our group assignment, with given scenarios, we were required to analyze how BIM software can benefit and give competitive advantage to a quantity surveyor in the market. Secondly, By listing out necessary assumptions, we were required to access our company competitive advantage in the industry by using the real industry data to do analysis, i.e.: how many competitors at what size, etc. This assessments were carried out through using a few analysis tools (porter's five forces, etc). Hence, strategies were derived to ensure that our company  gain a better competitive position in the industry. Lastly, we were require to give advice to the government on the precaution steps needed before awarding a PPP / PFI project.

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Semester 5- QSB3414 - Financial Management

This subject was taught by Lai Chee Kin. Basically this subject is about the learning the principles, practices and information system of financial management as used in the construction industry and Understanding the methods in appraising of investments that may be proposed in the construction industry. Gaining knowledge of the management in construction organizations, such as the ways to manage and motivate staff and a firm.

After this subject I was understand and able to identifies the financial and organizational management practices in the construction perspective. Besides that, I also to locate the finances of construction projects and the managing of vital resources to ensure high quality end product. It helped the student to be familiar with financial information systems as well as capital investments.


In this subject is divided into two part assignment and exam. This test contributed to 20% of the final assessment. It enables the students to see the progress of their study. With the intensive study of the topics covered, it will be of use in advising on financial issues. It will be more clear in the minds of the students after the test. A group assignment contributing a total of 30% to the final assessment. Enables the student to apply their learning, giving practical experience of the how the methods studied can help to solve financial problems in the real world. This will also help students to gain a clearer understanding on the methods of forecasting a firm's future profits and the correct way to analyse an annual report.

Semester 5 - QSB3214 - Building Economics

This module is taught by Puan Azrina.This subject is about valuating or controlling cost of a building during the design stage. Since is a cost controlling subject therefore it is required to do a lot of the calculation in order to calculate the cost of building like Life cycle costing.

This subject consists of  1 mid term and 1 assignment. The mid term test focused on chapter 1 which is Introduction to Building Economics Module .. As for the assignment, we are divided to 7 members per group. we are required to estimate the price for a proposed building based on the price of a similar existing building type. We are also required to do letter of acceptance. This practice is very good for us as we can learn more about cost planning.

In conclusion, I had learnt on how the Preliminaries estimate is done and I more understand and clear about the tender stages.This module also has helped me in understanding the concepts of cost control and also whole life costing. To me, I personally find that the topics are very important and useful for us as potential quantity surveyors because costing is what we do. With these taught to us, we now understand costing calculation methods and how costing would fluctuate through time as well.

Semester 5 - QSB3115 - Measurement 5

In measurement 5 basically covered works of Mechanical and Engineering and Civil Engineering works. The topics covered by Mechanical and Engineering is Electrical Works are Cold Water System, Sanitary Installation, Air Conditioning System, Fire Protection Works. For Civil Engineering works are Earthworks, Environmental Protection and Enhancement, Precast Concrete Works, Reinforced Earth Wall, Railway Tracks.

In Mechanical engineering works I had learnt how to measure all the piping works and gained knowledge of all the mechanical and engineering knowledge. Mechanical engineering works are hard because some of the item we couldn't see it because it is hidden on top of the ceiling. Besides that, mechanical engineering works also required us have a 3D dimension view of imagination. However, after this semester I would able to carry out the measurement of mechanical engineering works and able to identifies how the piping works and other mechanical works are.

For Civil Engineering works, I have learnt a lot of new things besides just measurement. Among them are of course the principles of MYCESMM and even the M&E and Civil Engineering Works were all new to us. Previously in the semesters before, we only concentrated on building works. It is interesting to know these little parts of a construction project. These two big topics also gave me a whole new understanding with a bigger picture, of the whole meaning of a construction project.

Semester 5 - QSB3615 - Professional Practice 2

Professional Practice 2 is a subject about contract and regulation of construction . In PP2 it help us in better understanding of the roles and responsibilities of various parties involved in the construction works. This subject is taught by Sr.Eddie.

There is 1 assignment, 1 mid term and 1 presentation in this module. The assignment is about final account and required us to solve situations given based on PAM form 2006. As for the mid term, the lecturer focused on the subject construction claims. For the presentation, we are divided to 3 person per group and to present one topic each week in different tutorial class. The presentation is a good practice for all student that they are required to fully understand the topic so that they can present fluently.

Professional practice 2 is a subject that required us to understand the concept and procedure of contracts. Sr. Eddie gave us his experience and some good examples regarding the topic he taught and this has helped us more to understand the topic. After learning this subject, I have understand and familiar with the roles and responsibilities of the various parties involved in construction contracts in relation to particular clauses in the contract.

Lastly In PP2, I had learnt about various construction contracts, its limitations and constraints and define issues in interpreting the contract clauses of construction contract. I also understand the  team dynamics, power of teams and teamwork in construction contracts.