Faculty of Engineering

Department of Civil Engineering and Survey

Integrated Project - Civil Engineering 1 / Communication Skills

Project Brief
Objective: 1st Semester 2015

Students will be involved in a combined project covering the following subjects:

Communication Skills and Civil Engineering 1 (Construction Methods). The project
consists of writing a report and preparing an oral presentation on different methods
used or to be used for a civil engineering construction project of your choice.

A written narrative supported by pictures and/or illustrations must be used as

documented evidence that you have researched and fully understand the different
stages of the construction. An oral presentation plus the report will be used as the final
assessment instrument.

This exercise will teach students communications skills, build teamwork, meet
deadlines, plan effectively and build general confidence levels in their subject matter.
Also students will acquire an in depth knowledge of methods, materials and equipment
used by civil engineers.

Project Outline:

The projects will consist of different stages:

1. Allocation of group members (as per class discussion)

2. Hand out of Project Brief and instruction to students 7th April 2014
3. Discussion of topic with lecturer. (April 2014)
4. Submission of the report (June 2014)
5. Oral presentation by each group member (June 2014)

Suggested Projects to focus on:

The work is to be based on an actual completed Project such as any one of the
following:

Major Road Construction, a Bridge Construction, a Dam, an Airport, a Tunnel, a

Stadium, a Power Station or any other suitable approved by lecturer.

Project report:

1
 Each team to use at least two research methods. Interviews, questionnaires, literature
review, investigations, observations etc.
The report should consist of an introduction, body, conclusion and bibliography
The Final Report document may therefore include: Title page, Terms of reference,
Synopsis, Contents Page, Introduction, Research Methods, Findings, Conclusions,
Recommendations, List of Illustrations, Glossary, Bibliography and Appendices. The
cover page is not part of the contents page.
The Project should focus on the Purpose (need for) of the Project, the Partners in the
construction process. The Project costs and planning time frame. The
construction techniques and building process. On site challenges and problem
solving. Lessons learnt, conclusions and recommendations.
The report should be typed and bound neatly
Please be aware of the importance of using your own sources and reference all your
sources of information.
Please include labeled photos and sketches in the report.

Oral Presentation:

Each group will be given 10 minutes to present. It is expected that each member will mark their
input on the project and understanding of the topic.

Mark Allocation:

The project counts for 20% of the overall mark. Attached is a rubric and it must be used to
guide student work and assess the quality of the project.(Title 5, Summary 20, Content 40,
Language 10, Format 20,Biographic detail 5)

Report 10%
Oral presentation 10%

Interrelation with others subjects and tutorials support.

1. Further reading will provide you with Communication and English skills you will need for
your oral presentation and writing of the report.

2. The oral presentation should be supported with a power point (following computer skills
knowledge you had acquired through the semester in this subject)

3. Drawings skill and computer skills will be also needed for writing the report, as per
knowledge you had acquired through the semester in these subjects.

Good Luck
Brian Forbes: Lecturer Civil Engineering 1 (Surveyors)
Christa Janse Van Rensburg: Lecturer - Communication Skills