Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering and Management

The Program Educational Objectives of Construction Engineering and Management are that, within a few years of program completion, graduates should be effectively serving society as construction engineering and management professionals by:

1. Identifying, designing, analyzing, integrating, and managing the technical, material, financial, legal, and personnel administration aspects that support construction operations, projects, and organizations throughout the project lifecycle, i.e., from programming to decommissioning.
2. Incorporate safety, efficiency, cost effectiveness, environmental sensitivity, and social awareness into the development, planning, and implementation of construction operations and processes.
3. Apply skills of effective communication, entrepreneurship, teamwork, values-based leadership, professional, and ethical behaviors that are the necessary complement to technical competence.
4. Continue their professional development and learning which may include professional licensure or certification, graduate-level education, continuing education courses, self-directed study, and active involvement in the construction community.

The Student Outcomes are that, upon completion of a Construction Engineering and Management degree, students should be able to:

1. Identify, formulate, and sovle complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
2. Apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
3. Communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
4. Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
5. Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
6. Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
7. Acquire and apply new knowledge, as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

The Bachelor of Science program in Construction Engineering and Management is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, abet.org, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Construction and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

What is the difference between Construction Engineering and Management and Building Construction?

Construction Engineering and Management (CEM) and Building Construction (BC) students take some of the same courses and often have similar jobs after graduation. The main difference is CEM students must be admitted to the College of Engineering and take a series of Civil Engineering courses to better understand structures. This also allows CEM students to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam during their senior year which allows the students to become Professional Engineers and grants them the ability to design the buildings and evaluate the structures. 

What is the difference between CEM and Civil Engineering?

The civil engineering curriculum provides breadth across the civil engineering profession and the opportunity for depth within a student's selected specialty areas of interest. Specialty areas offered within the department include: construction engineering & management, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, land development, civil engineering materials, structural engineering, transportation engineering, and water resources engineering. CEM focuses specifically on Construction Engineering and Management, so it provides a more in-depth focus for students who know that they want to focus specifically on construction. While CEM students do take courses in construction engineering & management, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, civil engineering materials, and structural engineering, they do not take courses in land development, transportation, or water resources.

Construction Engineering and Management practitioners work in various construction organizations such as general contractors, construction management firms, specialty contractors, design-builders, engineering consultants, geotechnical engineers, structural engineers, architecture firms, homebuilders, and real estate development firms. Our Construction Engineering and Management graduates are also employed in various capacities representing project owners, suppliers, regulators, lenders, and other stakeholders engaged in creating and maintaining the built environment. Positions include project engineers, project managers, coordinators, estimators, schedulers, safety specialists, business development managers, and many others. Some rise to senior-level executive positions, while others own and operate their own firms.

Regardless of which path is selected, construction is a technically-driven, complex business that requires knowledgable, highly-skilled engineers to lead operations and optimize project elements. Construction engineers must process strong fundamental knowledge of constructability and technical design methods and management principles. In addition, construction engineers enjoy the flexibility to work in the office or in the field — and typically some combination of the two. Construction Engineering and Management is an ideal career choice for those who prefer an environment that is constantly evolving.

The Bachelor of Science program in Construction Engineering and Management is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, abet.org, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Construction and Similarly Named Engineering Programs. Students in ABET-accredited engineering programs qualify to take the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam in their senior year, which is a crucial step toward becoming a licensed Professional Engineer. Only Professional Engineers have the authority to sign and seal engineering plans and offer their services to the public. It is a legal requirement for those who are in charge of the work, regardless of whether they are principals or employees. Moreover, a Professional Engineering license is a major differentiator in hiring and career advancement and commands a higher salary.