Construction Engineering (Con E)

(Administered by the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering)
Jim Rowings, Professor in Charge

Undergraduate Study

For undergraduate curriculum in construction engineering leading to the degree bachelor of science, see College of Engineering, Curricula. This curriculum is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.

Construction engineering is a curriculum administered by the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering. For details of the curriculum in construction engineering leading to the degree bachelor of science, see the College of Engineering, Curricula. General objectives, which are common to all departments in engineering, are stated in the College of Engineering, Objectives of Curricula in Engineering. The curriculum in construction engineering is designed with the objective to prepare students for life-long careers in the constantly changing technical and managerial environment of the construction industry. Students who successfully complete the curriculum will be prepared for entry into the field or for further study at the graduate level in construction engineering or related fields of study, such as law, business and other engineering disciplines.

Construction engineers need to possess strong fundamental knowledge of engineering design and management principles, including knowledge of business procedures, economics, and human behavior. Graduates of this curriculum may expect to engage in design of temporary structures, coordination of project design, systems design, cost estimating, planning and scheduling, company and project management, materials procurement, equipment selection, and cost control. With the emergence of design-build construction, the role of the construction engineer is expanding the need for trained professionals that understand both aspects of the project delivery environment. The curriculum offers opportunities to study emphases concerned with building, heavy, mechanical or electrical construction.

The process of construction involves the organization, administration, and coordination of labor resource requirements, temporary and permanent materials, equipment, supplies and utilities, money, technology and methods. These must be integrated in the most efficient manner possible to complete construction projects on schedule, within the budget, and according to the standards of quality and performance specified by the project owner or designer. The curriculum blends engineering, management and business sciences into a study of the processes of construction whereby designer's plans and specifications are converted into physical structures and facilities. To achieve this, a construction engineering graduate should have:

•confidence.

•initiative.

•demonstrated leadership ability.

•proficiency in engineering design which includes an ability to:

- apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering.

- design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data.

- to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems.

- design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs.

•an understanding of:

- the overall construction process.

- the estimating process.

- the planning and scheduling process.

- contracts and laws.

- business and management.

- of ethical reasoning.

- contemporary issues in the industry.

- construction engineering and the industry's impact on society.

- business and construction engineering terminology.

•an ability to:

- function in multi-disciplinary teams.

- communicate orally, graphically and in writing.

•a desire for life-long learning and intellectual and professional growth.

•an awareness of modern techniques, skills and technologies for construction.

The curriculum develops the ability of students to be team workers, creative thinkers, and effective communicators. This is achieved by providing students with opportunities to:

•interact with practicing professionals.

•gain work experience during summer jobs, internship, and cooperative education assignments that emphasize the knowledge required of construction engineers.

•develop leadership skills by participating in student organizations.

•develop, analyze, and interpret alternative solutions to open-ended problems.

•Study abroad.

The construction industry is becoming increasingly global. Courses in humanities, social sciences, U.S. diversity, and international perspectives are included in the curriculum to broaden the student's perspective of the work environment. In addition, the department has several exchange program opportunities for students to participate in study-abroad programs. Interested and qualified students have the opportunity to participate in the cooperative education program or internship program to supplement academic work with work experience. See Cooperative Education Programs, College of Engineering.

Construction engineering students are encouraged to participate in life-long learning, continuous professional development, and to achieve either professional engineer registration certified professional constructor. Qualified construction engineering students within 30 credits of completing their undergraduate degree may apply for concurrent enrollment in the Graduate College. See Civil Engineering Graduate Study for more information.

Graduate Study

An area of specialization in construction engineering is offered within the graduate program of the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering. See Civil Engineering, Courses and Programs.

Courses are offered for minor work to students taking major work in other curricula or in interdepartmental programs.

Courses open for nonmajor graduate credit: 322, 340, 351, 380, 421, 441.

Courses Primarily for Undergraduate Students

Con E 110. Introduction to Construction Engineering
(3-4) Cr. R. S. 2 weeks. The nature and scope of the construction industry. Overview of the profession and education for the constructor. Saturday field trip.

Con E 210. Professional Development
(1-0) Cr. 1. F. Prereq: Sophomore classification in construction engineering 110. Employment opportunities, résumé preparation, job search, and interviewing. Professional registration and ethics, current industry issues, safety, professional and industry associations.

Con E 220. Construction Management
(3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: Engr 160 or 161. To develop working knowledge of the construction industry for the design professional. The topics covered represent the major topics that define the roles and responsibilities of the design professional working in the industry. The topics covered include: the construction industry, project delivery system, construction contracts, construction insurance and bonds, safety, labor relations, project administration.

Con E 221. Contractor Organization and Management of Construction
(4-0) Cr. 4. F.S. Prereq: Completion of basic program and Engr 170. Entry level course for construction engineering: integration of significant statistical, engineering, economics, and management issues related to efficient construction company operations. Probability and statistics; time value of money; methods of evaluating alternative projects; organization; operations; construction company administration; marketing; insurance and bonding; project safety; labor law; productivity; total quality management; and motivation and leadership.

Con E 241. Construction Materials and Methods
(2-3) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: 221. Introduction to materials and methods of building construction and to construction drawings. Foundation, structural framing, floor, roof, and wall systems. Mechanical and electrical installations. Blueprint reading and quantity takeoff techniques.

Con E 245. Construction Contract Documents
(2-0) Cr. 2. F.S. Prereq: 221. Definition, interpretation, and utilization of drawings, specifications, agreements, bidding forms, general conditions, bonds, subcontracts, shop drawings, and related documents.

Con E 298. Cooperative Education
Cr. R. F.S.SS. Prereq: Permission of department. First professional work period in the cooperative education program. Students must register for this course before commencing work.

Con E 322. Construction Equipment and Heavy Construction Methods
(2-3) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: 241. Selection and acquisition of construction equipment. Application of engineering fundamentals and economics to performance characteristics and production of equipment. Heavy construction methods and economic applications. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Con E 340. Concrete and Steel Construction
(2-3) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in 322, E M 324. Planning and field engineering for concrete and steel construction. Design and applications of concrete formwork to construction. Erection of structural steel. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Con E 351. Mechanical and Electrical Systems for Buildings
(3-2) Cr. 4. F.S. Prereq: 241, Phys 222. Comprehensive coverage of the major building systems including mechanical systems, electrical systems, plumbing, fire protection, security, vertical transportation, lighting, acoustics and communications. The course will include analysis techniques and design principles for each system. A comprehensive design project is required for a major building project. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Con E 380. Engineering Law
(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: Junior classification. Introduction to law and judicial procedure as they relate to the practicing engineer. Contracts, professional liability, professional ethics, licensing, bidding procedures, intellectual property, products liability. Emphasis on development of critical thinking process, abstract problem analysis and evaluation. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Con E 396. Summer Internship
Cr. R. SS. Prereq: Permission of department. Summer professional work period.

Con E 397. Engineering Internship
Cr. R. F.S. Prereq: Permission of department. Professional work period, one semester maximum per academic year.

Con E 398. Cooperative Education
Cr. R. F.S.SS. Prereq: 298, permission of department. Second professional work period in the cooperative education program. Students must register for this course before commencing work.

Con E 421. Construction Estimating
(2-2) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: 340, 245. Conceptual estimating. Bid preparation for buildings, highways, heavy, mechanical trades. Estimating costs for material, labor, equipment, overhead, and profit. Quantity surveys, unit costs, production rates, and pricing methods. Subcontract bid analysis and bid procedure. Cost analysis and cost control. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Con E 441. Construction Planning, Scheduling, and Control
(1-2) Cr. 2. F.S. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in 421. Integration of previous construction coursework into the planning, scheduling, and management of time, costs, and other resources. Emphasis on preparation and analysis of network schedules. Comprehensive planning and scheduling project. Computer applications. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Con E 461. Construction Engineering Design
(1-9) Cr. 4. F.S. Prereq: 351, 380, 441, student must be within two semesters of graduating. Application of team design concepts to a construction engineering project. Conceptual planning. Detailed analysis. Advanced cost and schedule applications. Contract negotiation. Development of a complete project history. Technical presentations (oral and written).

Con E 490. Independent Study
Cr. 1 to 5 each time taken. F.S.SS. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Individual study in any phase of construction engineering. Pre-enrollment contract required.

Con E 495. Research Methods in Construction Engineering and Management
(1-0) Cr. 1. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in Con E 421. Assigned readings and reports on research methods to solve construction engineering and management problems such as robotics, project controls, automation, etc. Identification of research methods and priorities, selection and development of research design, and critique of research in construction engineering and management.