SAULT COLLEGE OF APPLIED ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY SAULT STE. MARIE, ONTARIO COURSE OUTLINE Course Title:  Project Management and Law Code No.:   OEL813 Semester:  1 Program:  Civil/Construction/Architectural Author:  B. Sparrow Date: May 2001   Previous Outline Dated: Approved: Total Credits: 3 Prerequisite(s):  None Length of Course:  16 Weeks    Total Credit Hours: 48  Copyright ©2001 The Sault College of Applied Arts & Technology Reproduction of this document by any means, in whole or in part, without prior written permission of Sault College of Applied Arts & Technology is prohibited. For additional information, please contact Judith Morris, School of Continuous Learning, (705) 759-2554, Ext, 516.

I. COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course will provide the technical student with a general understanding of construction management principles, contract administration procedures and contract law and regulations that have an impact on construction projects.

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II. LEARNING OUTCOMES AND ELEMENTS OF THE PERFORMANCE:

Upon successful completion of this course the student will demonstrate the ability to:

1. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of the Canadian legal system and provincial laws

Potential Elements of the Performance:
• discuss the history and organization of the Canadian legal system
• list the elements required for a contract to exist
• identify requirements necessary for a legally enforceable contract
• distinguish between contract, tort and criminal law
• identify the difference and importance between liability in contract and in tort
2. Recognize and describe types of construction contracts, bid procedures, and contract administration procedures

Potential Elements of the Performance:
 
• explain the differences between the various types of construction contracts
• compare risk among the various types of construction contracts.
• describe the application of fixed-price, construction management contracts and examine the emergence of the design-build project delivery
• describe bidding, and contract award and rejection
• describe the relationship and responsibilities of owners, contractors and consultants including the payment procedure
• describe procedures for changes to contracts in construction.
3. Describe management goals, procedures and organizations

Potential Elements of the Performance:

• describe the function and purpose of management
• differentiate between three common types of business organizations in construction
• discuss issues of resource management in construction including human resources, materials, labour and equipment
• recognize issues relating to management of materials, labour and equipment
4. Develop the ability to plan, schedule and control projects

Potential Elements of the Performance:

• describe procedures for estimating contract time.
• create and interpret Gantt diagrams to estimate time and manage projects
• create task lists
• draw network diagrams from assigned task lists
• determine the critical path in a network diagram
• create a network diagram using a computer software program (Primavera Project Planner).
• maintain and change network diagrams using a computer software program (Primavera Project Planner).
• customize the bar chart and Pert diagram to control and improve the display of information
• customize the schedule by assigning date constraints.
5. Discuss bonds and insurance, dispute resolution, liens and lien legislation in construction

Potential Elements of the Performance:

• describe the application of The Construction Lien Act of Ontario
• define and determine substantial completion
• explain the purpose and function of statutory holdbacks
• describe the purpose and need for bonds and insurance in construction

III. TOPICS:

1. Contracts and the Law
2. Construction Contracts, Bidding and Administration
3. Goals and Objectives of Management
4. Planning Scheduling and Controlling Work
5. Dispute, Bonds, Insurance and Liens in Construction

IV. REQUIRED RESOURCES/TEXTS/MATERIALS:

Keith Collier: Managing Construction - The Contractual Viewpoint
Delmar Publishers Inc. ISBN: 0-8273-5700-1

Primavera Project Planner (Student Version) Software (Version 3.0)

V. EVALUATION PROCESS/GRADING SYSTEM

Each student will be assigned a final grade on successful completion of assignments, tests and participation in online discussions, weighted as follows:

Two Assignments (2 x 20%)    40%
Two Online Tests (2 x 25%)    50%
Participation in Online
Discussions                              10%
TOTAL                                100%

Minimum passing grade is 60%.  Your final grade will be assigned as a percentage.  Your home college will determine the letter grade.

Each assignment carries equal weight.  Each test also carries equal weight.  Late submittals will receive a maximum grade of 60%.  Assignments handed in more than one week late will receive a grade of zero.

VI. SPECIAL NOTES:

1. Special Needs

If you are a student with special needs (e.g. physical limitations, visual impairments, hearing impairments, learning disabilities), you are encouraged to discuss required accommodations with the instructor and/or contact the Special Needs Office, Room E1204, Ext. 493, 717, 491 so that support services can be arranged for you.
 
2. Retention of Course Outlines

It is the responsibility of the student to retain all course outlines for possible future use in acquiring advanced standing at other post-secondary institutions.

The professor reserves the right to change the information contained in the course outline depending on the needs of the learner and the availability of resources.
 

3. Plagiarism

Students should refer to the definition of academic dishonesty in the Students Rights and Responsibilities handbook.  Students who engage in academic dishonesty will receive an automatic failure for that submission and/or other such penalty the professor may decide including expulsion from the course.  In order to protect students from inadvertent plagiarism, to protect the copyright of the material referenced, and to credit the author of the material, it is the policy of the department to employ a documentation format for referencing source material.
 
4. Testing Absence

If a student is unable to write a test on the date assigned, the following procedure must be followed:
1. The student shall provide the professor with advance notice, of his/her need to miss the test.
2. The student may be required to document the absence at the discretion of the professor
3. All decisions regarding whether tests shall be rescheduled will be at the discretion of the professor.
4. The student is responsible for making arrangements with the professor, immediately upon return to the course, with respect to make-up of the missed test .
5. In the event of an emergency on the day of the test, the student may be required to produce documentation to support the absence and must telephone the College to identify the absence.  The college has a 24-hour electronic voice messaging system at 759-2554.

VII. PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT

Students who wish to apply for advanced credit in the course should consult the instructor.  Credit for prior learning will be given upon successful completion of a portfolio.