The demand for middle level construction professionals is fast outpacing supply, even though a lot of institutions are churning out graduates on yearly basis. This stems from the fact that Ghana currently faces a huge infrastructure deficit and the Government through various initiatives is investing in infrastructure across various sectors of the economy. These initiatives, such as the One District One Factory, One Village One Dam, Health Infrastructure Expansion projects, Free Senior High School classrooms and dormitories, have led to high demand of construction professionals. However, with the conversion of all public Polytechnics to Technical Universities, there is a paradigm shift from the training of middle level manpower as most TUs focus on running Bachelor programmes. This programme is developed to provide that critical middle level manpower required to deliver construction projects.
The purpose of the Diploma in Construction Technology programme is to provide the needed platform for the training of highly skilled middle level manpower with requisite knowledge, skill and technology to function effectively and efficiently in providing the vital link in the chain of operation in the building construction industry. This programme seeks to draw on the competencybased training (CBT) mode to train its students. This will guarantee the churning out of graduates with the prerequisite skills required to fit into the job market with little or no further training. The programme will employ both face-to-face and online platforms such as the Vclass, Zoom and Google meet to deliver lectures to students to protect its students and staff from the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Aim of the Programme
To train students for middle-level manpower capacity so that they can support the country’s industrialization programmes.
The objectives:
The objectives of the 2-year programme in Construction Technology are to:
- Equip students with theoretical and practical knowledge needed to undertake professional tasks in the construction industry;
- Enable students acquire and develop transferable hands-on skills demanded by employers.
- Train students to acquire critical entrepreneurial skills needed to identify business opportunities and establish businesses to create employment for the youth;
- Train students to develop and apply the highest professional ethics needed to function effectively in the construction industry.
Intended Outcome:
It is expected that at the end of the programme graduates should be able to:
- Apply the theoretical and practical knowledge acquired in the programme to undertake professional tasks such as drawing of architectural plans, design of structural building elements, estimating and supervision of construction works;
- Develop transferable skills such as setting out, concrete production, tiling, and the fixing of modern ceiling and cladding materials among others;
- Identify and establish businesses to create employment within the construction industry and beyond;
- Apply the highest ethical standards in their line of busness.
Students' Admission Requirements:
The duration of the Diploma program is two (2) years, and to gain admission to the program, an applicant must satisfy the following minimum entry requirements:
- SSSCE Candidates: Six (6) Passes (A-D) in six (6) subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, plus three (3) relevant elective subjects from the following: Physics, Elective Mathematics, Chemistry, Building Construction, Wood/Metal work, Technical Drawing/Engineering Science, Economics and Geography.
- WASSCE Candidates: Six (6) Passes (A1-D7) in six (6) subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, plus three (3) relevant elective subjects from the following: Physics, Elective Mathematics, Chemistry, Building Construction, Wood/Metal work, Technical Drawing/Engineering Science, Economics and Geography.
- GCE: Passes in three (3) subjects (at least, one of the passes should be Grade E or better) at GCE ‘A’ Level including Mathematics and any two from the following: Physics, Elective Mathematics, Chemistry, Economics and Geography. In addition, the applicant must have credit passes (Grade 6) in five GCE Ordinary Level subjects including English Language, Mathematics and a Science subject (for non-science students) and an Arts subject (for Science students).
- Mature Students: The applicant must be at least 25 years old, and show proof of age with a birth certificate or any legitimate documentary proof of date of birth, which is at least 5 years old at the time of application, with English and mathematics or SSSCE passes in Core English and Core Mathematics.
- Construction Technician Course Part I (CTC 1) graduates can apply.
- SSSCE/WASSCE holders who could not obtain the required grades (E8/F in English or Mathematics) required for direct entry into the programme shall undergo access course, to forster their enrollment.
- Intermediate Certificate Two holders must obtain a minimum of a Pass in Three (2) Electives including: Blocklaying and Concreting, Carpentry and Joinery and Plumbing and Gas fitting, and Pass in Practicals including a Pass in Three (3) Core subjects including: Core Mathematics and English
Employment Prospects / Job Opportunities
Areas of employment include:
- Construction firms e.g. Building, Road, Railways and other infrastructure contractors (as Clerk of Works, Quantity Surveyor Assistants and Safety Officers)
- District/Municipal and Metropolitan Assemblies (such as Engineers, Building Inspectors). Specifically, graduates can be employed in institutions such as AESL, CSIR-BRRI, PWD, DUR, HIGHWAYS, FEEDER ROADS and other Tertiary institutions/educational sectors
- All corporate institutions/organisations
- Estate Developers (as Site Engineers/Supervisors)
- Entrepreneurs (self-employed as contractors, building materials merchants, building materials manufacturers and consultants) Consultancy firms
Course Structure
FIRST YEAR
LEVEL 100 SEMESTER ONE (BLOCK ONE)
|
No. |
COURSE CODE |
COURSE TITLE |
T |
P |
C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
DCT 101 |
Building Drawing & History of Architecture |
2 |
2 |
3 |
|
2 |
DCT 103 |
Building Structures and Materials 1 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
|
3 |
DCT 105 |
Building Mathematics |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
4 |
DCT 107 |
Integrated Project Work I |
0 |
4 |
2 |
|
|
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS |
4 |
9 |
8 |
|
LEVEL 100 SEMESTER ONE (BLOCK TWO)
|
No. |
COURSE CODE |
COURSE TITLE |
T |
P |
C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
DCT 109 |
Sketch designs and Introduction to Specification |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
2 |
DCT 111 |
Building Structures and Materials 1I |
2 |
2 |
3 |
|
3 |
DCT 113 |
Statistics for Builders |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
4 |
CLT 101 |
Computer Literacy |
1 |
2 |
2 |
|
5 |
COS 101 |
Communication Skills I |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
6 |
DCT 115 |
Site Surveying I (Linear surveying and levelling) |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
7 |
DCT 117 |
Integrated Project Work II |
0 |
4 |
2 |
|
|
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS |
8 |
11 |
12 |
|
LEVEL 100 SEMESTER TWO (BLOCK ONE)
|
No. |
COURSE CODE |
COURSE TITLE |
T |
P |
C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
DCT 102 |
Theory and Design of Structures |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
2 |
DCT 104 |
Building Structures and Materials III |
2 |
2 |
3 |
|
3 |
DCT 106 |
Building Science |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
4 |
DCT 108 |
Integrated Project Work III |
0 |
4 |
2 |
|
|
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS |
5 |
8 |
8 |
|
LEVEL 100 SEMESTER TWO (BLOCK TWO)
|
No. |
COURSE CODE |
COURSE TITLE |
T |
P |
C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
DCT 112 |
Construction Technology I (Substructure) |
1 |
2 |
2 |
|
2 |
DCT 114 |
Construction Health, Safety & Site Oganisation |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
3 |
DCT 116 |
Sustainable Construction (Substructure) |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
4 |
AFS 100 |
African Studies |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
5 |
COS 102 |
Communication Skills II |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
6 |
DCT 118 |
Integrated Project Work IV |
0 |
4 |
2 |
|
|
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS |
8 |
8 |
11 |
|
SECOND YEAR
LEVEL 200 SEMESTER ONE (BLOCK ONE)
|
No. |
COURSE CODE |
COURSE TITLE |
T |
P |
C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
DCT 201 |
Site Surveying II (Contouring and setting out) |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
2 |
DCT 203 |
Construction Technology II (Superstucture) |
3 |
2 |
4 |
|
3 |
DCT 205 |
Sustainable Construction (Superstructure) |
1 |
2 |
2 |
|
4 |
DCT 207 |
Health, Safety and Welfare in Construction |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
5 |
DCT 209 |
Laboratory and Workshop Practice I |
0 |
2 |
1 |
|
6 |
DCT 211 |
Integrated Project Work V |
0 |
4 |
2 |
|
|
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS |
6 |
12 |
11 |
|
LEVEL 200 SEMESTER ONE (BLOCK TWO)
|
No. |
COURSE CODE |
COURSE TITLE |
T |
P |
C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
DCT 213 |
Site Surveying II (Horizontal, Vertical And Angular Surveying) |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
2 |
DCT 215 |
Civil Engineering Construction |
3 |
2 |
4 |
|
3 |
DCT 217 |
Industrial Attachment |
0 |
4 |
2 |
|
4 |
DCT 219 |
Laboratory and Workshop Practice II |
0 |
2 |
1 |
|
5 |
DCT 221 |
Integrated Project Work VI |
0 |
4 |
2 |
|
|
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS |
4 |
13 |
10 |
|
LEVEL 200 SEMESTER TWO (BLOCK ONE)
|
No. |
COURSE CODE |
COURSE TITLE |
T |
P |
C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
DCT 200 |
Maintenance of Construction Works |
2 |
2 |
3 |
|
2 |
DCT 202 |
Laboratory and Workshop Practice III |
0 |
2 |
1 |
|
3 |
DCT 204 |
Sustainable Construction III (Civil Engineering Construction) |
1 |
2 |
2 |
|
4 |
DCT 206 |
Integrated Project Work VII |
0 |
4 |
2 |
|
|
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS |
3 |
10 |
8 |
|
LEVEL 200 SEMESTER TWO (BLOCK TWO)
|
No. |
COURSE CODE |
COURSE TITLE |
T |
P |
C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
DCT 208 |
Measurement of Building Works |
4 |
4 |
6 |
|
2 |
DCT 210 |
Estimating of Construction Works |
3 |
2 |
4 |
|
3 |
DCT 212 |
Computer Applications |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
4 |
DCT 214 |
Integrated Project Work VIII |
0 |
4 |
2 |
|
|
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS |
8 |
11 |
13 |
|