ARDHI UNIVERSITY

Department of Building Economics offers three programmes; Bachelor of Science in Quantity Surveying and Construction Economics (BSc. QSCE), Masters of Science in Construction Economics and Management (MSC.CEM), Masters in Project Management (MPM) and PhD in Construction Economics & Management (PhD. CEM).

Bachelor of Science in Quantity Surveying and Construction Economics (BSc. QSCE)

i) Direct Entry (Form VI) Qualifications
Two principal level passes in any of the following subjects: Advanced Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Economics or Accountancy. In addition, an applicant must have at least a subsidiary pass in Advanced Mathematics/Basic Applied Mathematics at A-Level and at least a Pass in Physics at O-Level.
 

ii) Equivalent Qualifications
Diploma or FTC in Architecture, Quantity Surveying, Civil Engineering, Civil and Transport Engineering, Civil Engineering with Community Development with an average of 'B' or a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Duration: Four years (8 semesters)

Expected Learning Outcome

Knowledge: 
Graduate in this programme will acquire: 

• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of fundamental concepts, principles and theories of preparing preliminary estimates, cost plan, bills of quantities, bid and contract document, valuations
• Knowledge and principles of managing variations in construction projects.
• Critical understanding of economic, environmental, political, ethical, legal and regulatory aspects of the construction industry.
• Comprehensive knowledge and principles of project management and cost control
• Appropriate understanding construction techniques and materials

Skills: 
Graduate of this programme will have well developed skills in;

• Planning, estimating and analyzing costs of construction works. 
• Evaluating tenders and valuing the construction works in progress and final account
• Value management and analyzing project risks
• Analyzing and demonstrating how issues of cost, safety and design impact project development.
• Selecting Construction techniques and specification of materials in related to cost

Competence: 
Graduate of this programme will demonstrate the ability to;

• Manage all cost issues of construction works and associated risks during construction;
• Advise on economics of construction methods and materials to be used in project implementation 
• Translate construction contracts and give advice to team leaders;
• Conduct research and translate results for recommendation;
• Negotiate contracts and function effectively as a member of multidisciplinary teams; and
• Marshall and manage human, equipment, material and financial resources to achieve time, cost and quality objectives of construction projects.

Masters of Science in Construction Economics and Management

Entry Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree Second Class Lower or above (Minimum GPA 2.7) in building economics/quantity surveying, civil/structural engineering, architecture, or equivalent from a recognized university;
• Postgraduate Diploma in Construction Economics and Management or equivalent from a recognized university or institution of higher learning (Minimum GPA 3.5);
• Recommendations from two referees.

Duration: 18 Months

Expected Learning Outcome

Knowledge: 
Graduates in this programme will acquire wider knowledge in:

• Understanding nature of various construction projects
• Appreciating financial aspects of construction projects.
• Conceptualizing rational and economical decision in investments alternatives.
• Identifying operation research techniques in solving problems of scarce resources.
• Understanding research problem and therefore designing a research instrument for collecting, analysing and interpreting data for decision making purposes

Skills: 
Graduates of Master's Degree will develop and apply skills in: 

• Effectively planning, organizing and leading construction projects.
• Analyzing methods and techniques and apply them in managing construction projects
• Managing financial aspects of construction projects.
• Making rational and economical decision in investments alternatives.
• Managing construction firms.
• Applying operation research techniques in solving problems of scarce resources.
• Demonstrating the ability to solve a research problem by designing a research instrument for collecting, analysing and interpreting data and communicate the findings.
• Communicating effectively all professional undertakings to all stakeholders involved in construction projects.
• Detecting elements of conflicts in construction projects.

Competence: 
Graduates of Master's Degree will demonstrate competences and abilities to deal with complex ethical and professional issues and make informed decisions on issues related to construction economics and management of construction projects.

Masters in Project Management

Entry Requirements:
This programme is open to holders of a second or higher class bachelor’s degree or post graduate diploma in any of the programmes offered by Ardhi University and other similar programmes offered by other Universities as approved by ARU Senate. It is also open to holders of equivalent qualifications from other recognized Universities or higher learning institutions as approved by ARU Senate. Other admission requirements for this programme are similar to the general entry requirements for ARU postgraduate programmes. Also, recommendations from two referees.

Duration: 2 years

Expected Learning Outcome

Knowledge:
Graduate in this programme will acquire: 

• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of fundamental concepts, tools and techniques in planning and implementing quality, health and safety issues in the project setting.
• Knowledge and principles in managing the financial aspects of a project
• Critical understanding of dynamics involved in managing projects for successfully achieving project objectives in economic, environmental, political, ethical, legal and regulatory aspects of the construction industry.

Skills: 
Graduate of this programme will have well developed skills in: 

• Applying the various techniques used in project finance, cost estimation and cost control in view of procurement capacity and feasibility of a project. 
• Anticipating and/or mitigating adverse effects while seizing any opportunities that may be on the horizon.
• Identifying and applying appropriate techniques of project impact assessment and analysis, project monitoring and project evaluation.
• Applying modern tools for making rational and economical decision in investments alternatives.

Competence: 
Graduate of this programme will have the ability to: 

• Evaluate and demonstrate how the legal, economic, and social aspects relate each other within project environment.;
• Evaluate potential areas of conflict and formulate strategies to manage conflicts
• Marshall and manage human, equipment, material and financial resources to achieve time, cost and quality objectives of projects.
• Identify risks involved in a project and apply the various tools and techniques of risk mitigation resulting from a risk response plan

PhD in Construction Economics and Management (PhD CEM)

Entry Requirements:
Master’s Degree of the Ardhi University or holder of equivalent standing Master’s Degree from a recognised University.

Duration: Minimum 3 years

Expected Learning Outcome
Master’s At the end of their PhD course, students should:

• Have a thorough knowledge of the literature and a comprehensive understanding of scientific methods and techniques applicable to their own research in construction & civil engineering project management;
• Be able to demonstrate originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in their field;
• Have developed the ability to critically evaluate current research and research techniques and methodologies;
• Have self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems;
• Be able to act autonomously in the planning and implementation of research; and
• Have gained oral presentation and scientific writing skills.

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES 
 

Research focus areas 
The Building Economics department contribute excellence to the University through publication of various researches majored in: 

• Construction Project Management
• Project Appraisal
• Value Management
• Technical Auditing of Projects
• Feasibility Study of Construction Projects
• Low Cost Housing Schemes
• Construction Cost Information
• Cost Planning of Buildings
• Productivity on Construction Sites 
• Material Science and Cost
• Transportation Economics
• Waste Management
• Building Maintenance and Management
• Construction Supply Chain & Sustainability

Existing Links partnerships and collaborative research projects
The department of Building Economics has close links and collaborations on various research projects as follows; 

Research/student exchange collaboration in construction related field; 2016 -2021 [Coordinator: Dr S. Phoya]

Overall Objective of the Project:	Collaborative research, co-supervision, student exchange, external examination in the school of Architecture, Construction Economics and Management
Collaborating Institutions:	Central University of Technology, Free State, South Africa

 Training/research on different construction technologies; 2019-2024  [Coordinator: Dr R. Monko]

Overall Objective of the Project:	Training, research, student field attachment on different construction technologies
Collaborating Institutions:	Sika Tanzania Construction Chemical LTD.

Inter Africa Mobility Scheme; 2021-2026  [Coordinator: Dr N. Kavishe]

Overall Objective of the Project:	Research collaboration, training, staff/student exchange; (4 PhD’s and 10 MSc students)
Collaborating Institutions:	University of Johannesburg

East Africa Staff Mobility Scheme for Research Collaboration; 2021-2026  [Coordinator: Dr. N. G. Sospeter]

Overall Objective of the Project:	Research collaboration, training, staff/student exchange (One Staff from Makerere University visited ARU)
Collaborating Institutions:	Makerere University

Research Infrastructure
The department of Building Economics has resource centre with reference research dissertation books from previous years and other relevant references rich in information crucial for the students.