Development of a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering Management with a Concentration in Construction Management at Christian Brothers University

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1 Development of a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering Management with a Concentration in Construction Management at Christian Brothers University Eugene McGinnis 1, Neal F. Jackson 2 and Siripong Malasri 3 Abstract The School of Engineering at Christian Brothers University is proposing a new Bachelor of Science degree program in Engineering Management with a concentration in Construction Management in an effort to increase enrollment. The proposed program provides an option for engineering students who are unsuccessful or dissatisfied with the traditional engineering disciplines available at Christian Brothers University. The Construction Management program is designed to meet the demands of industry for graduates who possess the proper skills to succeed in the construction industry. The new degree program is attractive to current and future civil engineering students since a dual degree in civil engineering and engineering management is obtainable in a reasonable timeframe. This undergraduate program in engineering management will produce graduates who will later enter our Master of Engineering Management degree program allowing them to receive a master s degree as well as a certificate in construction management. The undergraduate engineering management program is designed to prepare individuals to assume the responsibilities of management by integrating engineering and management knowledge, techniques and skills to achieve desired goals in a technological environment through concern for quality and ethics. The concentration in Construction Management is a combination of engineering and construction techniques, and management to meet the needs of the construction industry. The program is specifically designed to prepare students for the art of achieving maximum profit through the effective use of human resources, machines, materials, and financial resources to complete a construction project on time and to the satisfaction of the owner. The combination of civil engineering, management, and business courses gives the student a background and understanding of management s point of view in the construction industry. The local Associated General Contractors (AGC) have endorsed the proposal for the BSEM degree with a concentration in construction management. A Needs Assessment Survey was sent to the top 25 construction firms and the top 25 homebuilders as listed in the Memphis Business Journal. The results of the survey were very favorable for the proposed program. A paradigm for the program was developed to meet the criteria for American Council for Construction Education (ACCE). Introduction The School of Engineering at Christian Brothers University in Memphis Tennessee offers undergraduate engineering programs in the four foundation disciplines of chemical, civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering. Each curriculum is sufficiently flexible to permit a student to tailor a course of study for entry 1 Christian Brothers University; 650 East Parkway South; Memphis, TN Christian Brothers University; 650 East Parkway South; Memphis, TN Christian Brothers University; 650 East Parkway South; Memphis, TN

2 into the engineering profession immediately or for continued study in graduate school. While most graduates remain in the engineering profession, a significant number use their engineering background as a foundation for professional careers as managers in business, science, and other fields. All undergraduate engineering programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Minors in the School of Engineering include computer engineering and environmental engineering. The School of Engineering also offers the Master of Engineering Management program. The School of Engineering has proposed an undergraduate Engineering Management (EM) program to increase the number of degrees offered and thereby, better meet the educational needs of our student population and the personnel needs of business and industry in the Mid South region. A Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in Construction Management was selected as the first area to be developed and implemented. The primary goal of the proposed EM program is to prepare individuals to assume the responsibilities of management by integrating engineering and management knowledge, techniques and skills to achieve desired goals in a technological environment through concern for quality and ethics. Engineering Management Model The Engineering Management Model demonstrates the knowledge and skills required of an engineering manager. The objectives of the EM program are to address these subject areas. The objectives are summarized as follows: Emphasis on the application of the management function in an engineering/technical setting while recognizing the basic and applied sciences in engineering systems. 2

3 Stress the importance of relationships between engineering and the management tasks of planning, organizing, staffing, planning, financing, and the human element in production and service organizations. Business knowledge and skills, written and oral communication, application of information technologies, problem solving, and teamwork are addressed through the curriculum. Development of leadership skills to empower graduates with abilities of vision, creativity and decision-making while being aware of cultural differences and ethical implications. The concentration in Construction Management is a combination of engineering, construction techniques, and management to meet the needs of the construction industry. The program is designed to prepare students for the art of achieving maximum profit through the effective use of human resources, machines, materials, and financial resources to complete a construction project on time and to the satisfaction of the owner. The combination of civil engineering, management, and business courses gives the student a background and understanding of management s point of view in the construction industry. Rational for a Construction Management Concentration To meet a demand for graduates who have obtained the proper skills to succeed in the construction industry. There are no Construction Management Programs in the state of Tennessee (the nearest program is in Little Rock, Arkansas, approximately 140 miles from Memphis). Provide an alternative for engineering students who are not suitable for traditional engineering disciplines. Allows Civil Engineering majors to receive a dual degree in approximately five years. Provide a source of students for the construction management certificate program in the Master of Engineering Management program. Proposal Development Program objectives and a proposed paradigm developed Spring July meeting with members of the local Associated General Contractors (AGC) organization. The contractors endorsed the proposal and offered support. Accreditation alternatives explored in August. American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) selected as the accreditation agency for the program. The proposed paradigm revised to meet ACCE standards with new construction/management course descriptions developed in August. In July, a Needs Assessment Survey developed to assist in measuring the need for a Construction Management program at CBU. An advisory board selected in late July. In early August the Needs Assessment Survey sent to approximately 50 construction organizations in the Memphis area. Results received and indicated need. 3

4 Presentation made to the Academic Council in September Needs Assessment Survey The survey was sent to the top 25 construction firms and top 25 homebuilders as listed by the Memphis Business Journal. Results: Return rate: 15/47 (32%) 14/15 (93%) responded yes to Do you see the benefits of having a graduate from our proposed CM program to work in your organization? 12/15 (80%) responded yes to Will you hire graduates from the proposed CM program? 11/15 (73%) said that they were willing to support the program by providing summer internships for students and for providing guest speakers for classes. 8/15 (53%) said they were willing to support their employees in the program via tuition reimbursement. Suggestions/Comments: From our experience graduate engineers have proven more satisfactory in meeting our needs than construction management majors. We prefer to hire graduates with engineering majors. Construction industry is rapidly growing and the lack of qualified management has become a concern industry-wide. 4

5 Proposed Curriculum and New Courses FRESHMAN YEAR Semester I Credits Semester II Credits CE 100 Intro to Civil & Envir Engr 0 CE 102 Computer Applications for CE 1 CE 111 Design Graphics 3 MATH 132 Calculus II 3 CE 101 Civil Engineering Design 1 ENG 112 English Composition II 3 ENG 111 English Composition I 3 PHYS 150 Physics I 3 MATH 131 Calculus I 3 PHYS 150L Physics I Lab 1 Religious Studies 3 PSYC 105 Gen. Psych. 3 Orientation SOPHOMORE YEAR Semester I Credits Semester II Credits CE 115 Field Measurements 3 ENG Literature 3 CE 201 Statics 3 CE 214 Strength of Materials 3 ACCT 261 Principles of Accounting I 3 CE 299 Hydraulics 3 ECON 211 Principles of Economics I 3 CE 299L Hydraulics Lab 1 BUS 221 Business Statistics 3 SOC 101 Intro. To Sociology 3 Religious Studies JUNIOR YEAR Semester I Credits Semester II Credits EM 325 Const. Finance & Accounting 3 EM 345 Const. Planning & Scheduling 3 EM 352 Building Const. Methods & Equip. 3 EM 350 Const. Estimating & Cost Control 3 CE 310 Design of Steel Structures 3 CE 318 Highway Engineering 3 CE 322 Geotechnical Engineering 3 CE 340 Foundations 3 CE 322L Geotechnical Engr Lab 1 CE 311 Design of Concrete Structures 3 MGMT 337 Principles of Org. and Mgmt. 3 MGMT 352 Organizational Behavior SENIOR YEAR Semester I Credits Semester II Credits EM 420 Contracts and Specifications 3 EM 410 Electrical and Mechanical Systems 3 EM 452 Heavy Const. Equip. & Methods 3 EM 455 Const. Project Management 3 Program Option 3 CE 316 Timber Design 3 CE 314 Economic Factors in Des 3 CE 404 Solid & Hazardous Waste Mgmt 3 MGMT 412 Human Resources Mgmt. 3 BUS 301 Business Law I 3 PHIL 323 Business Ethics TOTAL HOURS 125 Engineering Courses Business/Mgmt. Courses Construction/Mgmt. Courses 40 hrs. 21 hrs. 24 hrs. 5

6 Proposed Construction/Management Courses: Six new Construction/Management course descriptions were developed and two existing CE courses were added to the curriculum to meet ACCE accreditation. EM 325. CONSTRUCTION FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING. Nature of construction costs, funding sources and arrangements, capital requirements, bonding, insurance, risk and contingency evaluation, cash flow theory, general office operations, bidding procedures and profitability. Prerequisite: Junior standing. One semester; three credits EM 345. CONSTRUCTION PLANNING AND SCHEDULING. Various methods of scheduling will be presented including CPM, PPM, PERT and LSM. Discussion of issues relating to activity duration, contractual considerations, time cost trade-off, schedule monitoring/updating and integration of schedule and cost. Computer applications. Prerequisite: Junior standing. One semester; three credits Currently CE 350 EM 350. CONSTRUCTION ESTIMATING AND COST CONTROL. Methods of making quantity surveys, estimating construction cost, construction scheduling and methods of cost control. The study of labor relations as they affect construction cost, scheduling and job control. Prerequisite: Junior standing. One semester; three credits EM 352. BUILDING CONSTRUCTION METHODS, MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT. Study of the methods, materials, codes and equipment used in vertical construction. Emphasis on steel, reinforced concrete and timber construction. Study of building codes required by local, county, and state levels and their relation to quality control. Prerequisite: Junior standing. One semester; three credits EM 410. ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SYSTEMS. Fundamentals of electrical circuits and machinery. Power transmission and distribution, with emphasis on secondary distribution systems. Measurements and instrumentation. Study of the design parameters and equipment related to heating and cooling systems and water distribution for mechanical construction. Code provisions and cost estimates. Prerequisite: Junior standing. One semester; three credits EM 420. CONTRACTS AND SPECIFICATIONS. Currently CE 420 Consideration of fundamental principles of contract law with particular reference and application to engineering contracts. Study of specification documents. Preparation of typical documents for public and private construction projects. Prerequisite: Junior standing. One semester; three credits 6

7 EM 452 HEAVY CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AND METHODS. Study of the equipment, methods and materials used in horizontal construction. Methods of estimating the production and costs of heavy construction equipment will be presented. Prerequisite: Junior standing. One semester; three credits EM 455. CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND SAFETY. Organization and management theory applied to the construction process. Study of methods coordinating people, equipment, money, safety and schedule to complete a project on time within approved cost. OSHA safety requirements are presented. Prerequisite: Junior standing. One semester; three credits References ACCE Accreditation Procedures, Farr, John W. and Bowman, Bruce A, (1999) ABET Accreditation of Engineering Management Programs: Contemporary and Future, Engineering Management Journal, ASEM, Anchorage, AK. October 2000 Construction at $825.0 Billion Annual Rate, 7

8 R. Eugene McGinnis, M.S., P.E. Eugene McGinnis received a B.S in Civil Engineering (cum laude) in 1979 from Memphis State University. He worked as a Civil Engineer with Continental Engineering, Inc. from 1979 to He went back to Memphis State University and earned a M.S. in Civil Engineering with a concentration in Geotechnical Engineering in While in graduate school, he worked for Harland Bartholomew and Associates. Upon graduation, Mr. McGinnis took a position with Buchart-Horn, Inc. in Memphis and worked there until In 1983, Mr. McGinnis was hired as an Instructor in the Department of Engineering and Technology at Memphis State University where he taught courses in the Construction Engineering Technology program. During this time, Mr. McGinnis also taught courses in the Department of Civil Engineering. He was promoted to Assistant Professor in 1985 and remained at Memphis State until In 1988, Mr. McGinnis accepted a position at Christian Brothers University and has taught in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering for the past fourteen years. He became Chairman of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in He teaches courses in Computer-Aided Design (CAD), surveying, engineering economics, transportation and construction. Mr. McGinnis is a doctoral candidate in the School of Engineering at the University of Memphis. His current research interests include the application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to transit planning, paratransit routing and scheduling and the use of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) in traffic operations. He served as a Research Associate in the Transportation Studies Institute at the University of Memphis while on sabbatical during the academic year. Mr. McGinnis is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Tennessee. Neal F. Jackson, Ph.D. Neal F. Jackson received his Ph.D. from the University of Mississippi in Production and Operations Management with minors in Management and Management Information Systems. He holds a M.S. degree in Operations Management from the University of Arkansas and a B.S. degree in Engineering Technology with a major in Manufacturing from the University of Memphis. Dr. Jackson is the Director of Graduate Engineering and the Master of Engineering Management Program at Christian Brothers University. He has held both administrative and teaching positions at Jackson State Community College in Jackson, TN (Dean of the Career Studies Division), the University of Memphis (full-time faculty in the Department of Engineering Technology), and Southern Illinois University (part-time faculty). Dr. Jackson also has twelve years of experience in manufacturing/production management. His research interests include quality management, statistical quality control, and neural networks. Siripong Malasri, Ph.D., P.E. Dr. Siripong Malasri is a registered professional engineer in Tennessee and Florida. He earned his Ph.D. from Texas A&M University. He is a Professor in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at Christian Brothers University and served as department chair from Currently, Dr. Malasri is Dean of Engineering at CBU. He serves on the editorial board for the International Journal of Engineering Education. 8