SVY4309 Practice Management for Spatial Scientists

Contents

• Staffing
• Synopsis
• Objectives
• Topics
• Assessment details
• Important assessment information
• Assessment notes
• Production date
• PDF version

STAFFING

SYNOPSIS

It is important for surveying and GIS graduates to realise that they are part of a profession that has responsibilities to their clients, the community, and their peers. This course is designed to provide the necessary fundamental knowledge for students to understand these professional responsibilities as a member of a multi-disciplinary team or as a sole consultant. These concepts include some knowledge of project coordination, project management, legal requirements, and the costs involved in carrying out projects. The Project Management section of this course draws together many areas of surveying and GIS in order to simulate the operations of large projects. A number of case studies are discussed in terms of both project planning and the technical operations of the projects. Practical advice is provided on the primary management functions of planning, leading, organising, and controlling operations on large projects. This course will also provide graduates with the knowledge necessary to recognise 'hidden' costs on projects, and to plan for a profitable and well-balanced business. It will also provide the ability to recognise possible difficulties that might arise, to analyse the relevant issues, and to take appropriate action where necessary.

OBJECTIVES

The course objectives define the student learning outcomes for a course. The assessment item(s) that may be used to assess student achievement of an objective are shown in parenthesis. On completion of this course, students should be able to:

1. relate the surveyor's role in land development throughout the ages and assess the spatial scientist's continuing contribution as an active member of the general community (exam);
2. define the purpose, powers and function of various professional bodies including the Surveyors Board, and the Spatial Sciences Institute, and evaluate the advantages that may be gained by membership of, or registration with, these bodies (exam)
3. define professional ethics, and demonstrate and debate the role of ethics in the surveying and GIS professions (exam);
4. assess the liability of professionals with respect to their professional responsibilities, their responsibility to the public, and the Workplace Health and Safety Act (exam);
5. describe quality assurance, evaluate the benefits of its use in the efficient and effective management of professional operations, and prepare a specific project quality plan (exam);
6. explain the link between employee satisfaction and human resource management and analyse various situations and events from a human resource management perspective (exam);
7. apply sound financial management techniques used in professional organisations (exam);
8. prepare time and cost estimates for projects, and assess the economics (by a cost benefit analysis) of projects to assist clients in their decision making (assignments 1, 2 and exam);
9. select and justify the use of various strategies for promoting and developing a professional practice (exam);
10. demonstrate an ability to plan operations, coordinate activities and resources, and develop contractual arrangements on a project (assignments 1, 2 and exam);

TOPICS

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

NOTES

1.

Student Administration will advise students of the dates of their examinations during the semester.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be assessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To satisfactorily complete an assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks or a grade of at least C-. Students do not have to satisfactorily complete each assessment item to be awarded a passing grade in this course. Refer to Statement 4 below for the requirements to receive a passing grade in this course.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval then a penalty of 20% of the total marks available for the assignment will apply for each working day late.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade, a student must achieve at least 30% in each of the weighted assessment items, achieve at least 50% in the examination and at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks (or grades) obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course
6. Examination information:
   In a Closed Examination, candidates are allowed to bring only writing and drawing instruments into the examination.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   Any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the examination period at the end of the semester of the next offering of this course.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6 Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

This version produced 20 Dec 2007.