Course coordinator
Mr Peter Dawson
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Architecture, Design and Planning School
Introduction to the business context of architectural practice including business and professional ethics, legal frameworks, planning and delivery of services, and construction phase services.
ARCH7034 Architectural Practice: Management is one of two core project delivery and practice management courses in the Master of Architecture. ARCH7034 Architectural Practice: Management, deals with the business and professional context of architectural practice, together with key competencies of construction phase services.
Students will gain and understanding of professional ethics and codes of behaviour, and Australian law relevant to architectural practice. The planning and delivery of architectural services will be a significant module of study and include and customising architectural services to suit particular projects.
A further module of the course will introduce the role of architect as superintendent of a building contract through the application of standard forms of building contracts.
The Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA) has established the required knowledge and skills for architects in Australia. Accredited programs of architecture education in Australia are required to address these performance Criteria. 16 of these Performance Criteria are taught in this course.
Course requirements
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
ARCH7031 and ARCH7041
Restrictions
MArch students only. Study abroad students must seek Head of School's permission to enrol.
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Mr Peter Dawson
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to introduce students to the business context of professional practice in the construction industry.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Identify and understand the legal obligations arising from contract and the legislative frameworks that touch the construction industry.
LO2.
Understand the role of the architect as superintendent in administration of a standard construction contract, and the procedures and strategies required to carry out the role.
LO3.
Understand the range of services and deliverables by an architectural practice and their effective management against quality, efficiency, and risk parameters.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay/ Critique | Assessment 1 | 20% |
15/09/2025 11:00 am
Digital Submission: Via Blackboard. |
| Essay/ Critique, Participation/ Student contribution | Assessment 2 | 20% |
In class activities 22/09/2025 In class activities 13/10/2025 Submission due 11am 20/10/2025
Class activities are required in order to complete assessment 2. |
| Examination |
Assessment 3 - Exam
|
60% |
End of Semester Exam Period 8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025 |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Assessment 1
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
15/09/2025 11:00 am
Digital Submission: Via Blackboard.
Task description
Assessment Rationale:
This task will evaluate the students understanding of relevant competencies within Practice Management and Professional Conduct. Through an exploration of selected weekly content the students understanding of competencies will be tested. The essay will assist in the preparation for the Assessment 3 exam.
Complex / authentic assessment using AI and/or MT to support learning: This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
The School of Architecture, Design and Planning uses Blackboard and Turnitin for assessment submission. Turnitin is accessed through the course Blackboard site. Turnitin also checks for plagiarism or instances where the original work of others is not appropriately acknowledged.
Students are advised to commence assignment uploads with sufficient amount of time (consider possible technical problems with computers, internet speed, etc). After successfully submitting an assignment through Turnitin, a ‘Submission Complete!’ screen will be displayed. It is the student’s responsibility to check assignment preview and confirm successful submission. If the ‘Submission Complete!’ screen isn’t displayed, the student should regard the submission as unsuccessful. Students should download a copy of the digital receipt as proof they have submitted the assignment. Students who are experiencing upload issues must advise the Course Coordinator immediately by email and should include screenshots and a copy of the assessment for submission.
To meet professional accreditation, public engagement and quality assurance obligations, digital copies of all course assessment items must be submitted in addition to any hard copy submission requirements specified in individual Course / Studio Outlines. Any physical models should be photographed and a minimum of two photographs describing the complete and full model must be included in the digital submission.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
If a student wishes to apply for an extension, they must apply online on or before the assignment due date. When possible, it is suggested that requests are submitted 2 business days prior to the submission due date for the assignment to allow processing time. Students with outstanding applications for extensions are advised to submit their assessment by the original due date, irrespective of whether the work is complete, so that what has been done can be graded.
Late submission
Standard 10% (or 1 grade) per day for 7 days
Assessment 2
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique, Participation/ Student contribution
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
In class activities 22/09/2025
In class activities 13/10/2025
Submission due 11am 20/10/2025
Class activities are required in order to complete assessment 2.
Task description
Assessment Rationale:
This task will evaluate the students understanding of relevant competencies within design and documentation delivery, and construction phase services. The implications for architectural services of various procurement methods, and standard contract forms will be covered. This assessment will assist in the preparation for the Assessment 3 exam.
Assessment 2 requires students to participate in class activities in weeks 9 and 11. This will entail:
1. Reading a scenario, provided prior to class
2. Participating in discussions, including role play based on the scenario. This could be in tutor groups or larger groups
3. Preparing a written report on the activity
Complex / authentic assessment using AI and/or MT to support learning: This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
The School of Architecture, Design and Planning uses Blackboard and Turnitin for assessment submission. Turnitin is accessed through the course Blackboard site. Turnitin also checks for plagiarism or instances where the original work of others is not appropriately acknowledged.
Students are advised to commence assignment uploads with sufficient amount of time (consider possible technical problems with computers, internet speed, etc). After successfully submitting an assignment through Turnitin, a ‘Submission Complete!’ screen will be displayed. It is the student’s responsibility to check assignment preview and confirm successful submission. If the ‘Submission Complete!’ screen isn’t displayed, the student should regard the submission as unsuccessful. Students should download a copy of the digital receipt as proof they have submitted the assignment. Students who are experiencing upload issues must advise the Course Coordinator immediately by email and should include screenshots and a copy of the assessment for submission.
To meet professional accreditation, public engagement and quality assurance obligations, digital copies of all course assessment items must be submitted in addition to any hard copy submission requirements specified in individual Course / Studio Outlines. Any physical models should be photographed and a minimum of two photographs describing the complete and full model must be included in the digital submission.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Class Activities:
No extension for class activities
Submission:
If a student wishes to apply for an extension, they must apply online on or before the assignment due date. When possible, it is suggested that requests are submitted 2 business days prior to the submission due date for the assignment to allow processing time. Students with outstanding applications for extensions are advised to submit their assessment by the original due date, irrespective of whether the work is complete, so that what has been done can be graded.
Late submission
Standard 10% (or 1 grade) per day for 7 days.
Assessment 3 - Exam
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 60%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025
Task description
Assessment Rationale:
This assessment is an invigilated central exam and will examine the students understanding of all course work including content covered in Assessment 1 and 2. This includes but is not limited to Practice Management and Professional Conduct, and design, documentation, delivery, and construction phase services based on ABIC simple works contract.
The exam will be presented electronically and a copy of a standard building contract, and client architect agreement will be required to complete answers and will be available electronically during the exam. Answers to questions will be in a range of formats including short answer and multiple choice.
Assessment task prohibiting use of AI or MT: This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied to receive a specific grade in the course. 'Submission assessment item is designated as a Hurdle in this course. This means a minimum achievement of 50% (a grade of 4) is required for this assessment item in order to pass the course. Meeting the hurdle requirement for a course does not guarantee a passing grade for the course and in order to pass this course, students also need to achieve a minimum grade of 4 overall.Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Calculator options | Any calculator permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Materials | A contract pro-forma ABIC Suite - SW and Client Architect Agreement will be supplied electronically within the exam browser. |
| Exam platform | Inspera |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Late submission
Exams submitted after the end of the submission time will incur a late penalty.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 24 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
Identity verified assessment with a hurdle (IVAH)
To meet assessment validity and integrity obligations, this course includes at least one piece of individual Identity Verified Assessment with a Hurdle (IVAH) that is unambiguously completed by that student, and in which a minimum level of achievement is reached. IVAH assessment item(s) contribute at least 30% towards the final grade. Examples of IVAH items include any activity in which a student’s individual performance is directly monitored, such as performances, fieldwork, oral assessment (including design critiques), design studio project work and invigilated exams. In order to pass this course students must achieve a minimum grade for the IVAH designated assessment item(s) as stated in the Assessment Task Description in the ECP.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is not available for some items in this course.
Assessment 1 and 3 only are available for supplementary assessment.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Australian Institute of Architects, Acumen Practice Notes
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
General contact hours |
Lecture/Workshop Week 1 - Course Introduction. Regulatory requirements and obligations Week 2 - Client Architect Agreement Week 3 - Law and practice Week 4 - Quality systems and risk management Week 5 - Project Documentation Week 6 - Procurement and Tendering Week 7 - ABIC Contract Suite Week 8 - Site visits, records, and document control Week 9 - Inspections and instructions Week 10 - Public Holiday - no class Week 11 - Certificates and Payments, Practical Completion Week 12 - Revision Week 13 - No class |
Additional learning activity information
Weekly class will be a variety of lectures, tutorials, and workshops. This program of learning activities may to suit the availability of guest lecturers.
It is expected that students will attend all lectures and tutorials and participate in all class activities; attendance will be recorded.
Regular opportunities for feedback will be provided in the program. It is not possible or desirable for large amounts of feedback to be provided late in the program close to the submission date. Drafts of assessments will not be reviewed.
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.