College of Architecture and Urban Studies
and College of Engineering

Myers-Lawson School of Construction

Construction Engineering and Management Program

Overview

The Myers-Lawson School of Construction offers students in the College of Engineering a Bachelor of Science Degree in Construction Engineering and Management. This degree is designed for students who wish to pursue a career in the construction industry. The undergraduate program facilitates the development of critical technical, managerial and professional knowledge and skills required for entry into the construction industry or graduate studies. This body of knowledge includes the decision and optimization methods required to integrate and manage the resources essential to construction operations along with the skills that support the development of safe, ethical, socially responsible, and sustainable solutions for the built environment.


Construction managers plan, direct, and coordinate construction projects, including the building of all types of residential, commercial, and industrial structures, roads, bridges, and other public works projects. Construction managers coordinate and supervise the construction process from the conceptual development stage through final construction, ensuring the project is completed within time and budget constraints and is compliant with building and safety codes and other regulations.

The focus of this degree is construction management with engineering and business management as additional major areas of study. The degree retains an emphasis on engineering, with a focus on construction theory and applications, while providing students the opportunity to define the areas of business management they wish to study to complement their career goals.

Coursework capitalizes upon established excellence in the Via Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the Department of Building Construction and the Pamplin College of Business. The majority of courses are drawn from existing curricula in Civil Engineering and Building Construction. Complementary courses from the College of Business provide the balance.

Consistent with the general program goal of facilitating development of student competence necessary for entry into the construction industry or graduate school, the School has developed the following program objectives:

Within a few years of curriculum completion, graduates of the Construction Engineering and Management program should be able to combine skills gained through academic preparation and post-graduation experience so that they can:


• Identify, integrate and manage the technical, material, financial, legal and personnel administration that support construction operations, projects and organizations throughout the project lifecycle.
  
• Analyze and design structural elements and systems required for construction purposes.
  
• Develop, plan and implement construction operations and processes that are safe, efficient, cost effective, environmentally sensitive and socially aware.
  
• Lead construction project teams toward common project objectives by adhering to values-based principles.
  
• Demonstrate effective communication, teamwork, and leadership skills, as well as the professional and ethical behavior that are the necessary complement to technical competence.
  
• Develop the foundation of knowledge to prepare oneself to embark upon a lifelong journey of 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.
  

Classroom instruction in the construction engineering and management program is reinforced by instructional laboratories, field trips and guest lectures by leading construction professionals. The department seeks to employ the latest educational technology and innovative teaching methods.

Students in the School have the opportunity to participation in a summer internship program during which they may apply the concepts learned in the classroom in real world applications. The School encourages all students to participate in professional work experience prior to graduation.

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Class Size Limitation

A proposal to limit enrollment in the BS CEM degree has been approved by University governance. The proposal limits enrollment to 40 students per year. The criteria that must be met in order to gain entry into the program include the following three inputs, weighted accordingly:

1. Overall GPA. (60%)
   
2. The grade obtained for a statement of intent outlining career objectives and experience in the construction industry prepared and submitted to a three person faculty committee. (20%)
   
3. The grade obtained in an interview to determine commitment to success with a two person faculty committee. (20%)
   

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Accreditation and Registration

The Construction Engineering and Management degree will seek accreditation by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET after the first class has graduated in May 2009. Accreditation, if successful, is applied retroactively within a two-year period, therefore students graduating in May 2009 will benefit from successful accreditation in the same manner as future classes.


The Virginia State Board of Registration has granted permission for seniors studying towards the BS CEM degree to sit for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam during the 2008/2009 academic year in anticipation of ABET EAC accreditation.


The contact person for the undergraduate Construction Engineering and Management program is Dr. Christine Fiori, at 540/239-3389 or e-mail: cfiori@vt.edu.

Undergraduate Course Description

4984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.