Management in the Building Industry 2-year Master of Science and Technology programme
Become an expert in modern construction management The Master s programme in Management in the Building Industry gives you insight into all phases of modern construction; from ideas about shape and use to project design, construction, management, operation, and maintenance. Besides the technical aspects, the programme also covers fields such as organisation, economics, project management, working environment, logistics, and information technology. Thus, the programme in Management in the Building Industry focuses on the whole in both the construction project and in the construction company. 2
Cooperation with the industry An important element in the Master s programme in Management in the Building Industry is cooperation with the industry. Almost all projects are carried out in cooperation with companies and knowledge organisations within the construction industry. Also, the programme has a close connection to the development initiatives within the building sector. Experience shows that problem-based project work in cooperation with companies is fruitful for both parts; as a student you learn how to combine theory and practice, and the company gets valuable new input on both existing and future challenges. Thus, the programme gives you an academic understanding of the phases of construction. As a graduate from Management in the Building Industry, you are therefore well equipped to meet the demands of modern construction. Damir Kandic, student at the Management in the Building Industry programme My name is Damir Kandic. I am 28 years old, and I am trained as a construction manager. I have studied at a business school, and for a short period of time I have worked at a drawing office. However, I quickly recognised that I want to work with more than design. I chose to study the Master s programme in Management in the Building Industry due to its professional content I was especially intrigued by the economical, organisational, legal, and managerial aspects. Moreover, the emphasis on collaboration with the industry appealed to me. I am glad that I chose this specific education programme as it has provided me with a profound insight into the construction industry and an ability to rise to its challenges. In addition, the problem-based project work in collaboration with various companies has been both rewarding and motivating for me. 3
Programme structure 1st semester During the 1st semester of the programme you work with the interplay between design and execution of building structures and civil engineering. You work with alternative design of selected construction elements and execution methods. Moreover, you learn about elements such as soil mechanics, time consumption, construction costs, design of the workplace, timetables, and project cash flows. 2nd semester The point of departure during the 2nd semester is the building sector. It could be the management taking place in connection with a project at a construction site or in a designing company, but the semester can also focus on more industrial types of production, for instance concrete panel firms or window factories. No matter which focus you choose, you will engage in analysis and development of systems for control and quality assurance of production. 3rd semester Consultative engineering companies, contracting companies, and manufacturers of building products are central to the project work during the 3rd semester where you choose between two different types of projects: 4th semester During your 4th semester you conduct your final Master s Thesis. The Master s Thesis is conducted in small groups of 1-3 students. This project usually takes its point of departure in a problem within the building sector, and for this reason it is often developed in close collaboration with the industry. Examples of Master s Theses include: New strategy.dk The project concerns willingness to adapt in the construction industry. Through questionnaire surveys among a number of construction leaders, the willingness to adapt was examined. On the basis of the questionnaire surveys, the project group developed a web based strategy tool which allowed for a strategic snapshot of the company through entry in a strategy development programme. Integration of sustainable construction The project focuses on the issues in the Danish building sector in connection with implementation of sustainable construction, and how these issues can be resolved in the future. The project includes an analysis of available tools, and how these relate to the aspect of sustainability. Management systems in companies within the field of construction Management systems in Facilites Management companies within the field of construction During this semester, you build and implement an efficient management system for a company based on a thorough analysis of existing management systems. Trust in the construction industry The project concerns the question of how to improve trust within the construction industry through an increased focus on trust and trust generation during the educational course, including an increase of productivity in the construction industry in a process perspective. On the basis of a questionnaire survey the project group analysed the concepts of trust and prejudices, and they developed a set of guidelines for the course. 4
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Thomas Dahl, construction leader at Rambøll, Master of Science and Technology in Management in the Building Industry Graduating from the Master of Science and Technology programme in Management in the Building Industry gives you the opportunity to work within the field of contracting but also as a consultant. After graduation I was offered a job at Rambøll which is a large consultancy company. I was offered a position as construction leader where I manage the developer s interests as well as the schedule and the financial situation. Moreover, I supervise the building sites, and I make sure that the work tasks are conducted in a safe and correct manner with regard to safety. This means that I sometimes spend a lot of time at the building sites, and sometimes I spend more time in my office planning future work tasks. My work has been a great opportunity for me to use the knowledge which I have gained at Aalborg University, for instance when I work with thorough scheduling and risk assessment in different types of work tasks. In addition, the education programme has provided me with an understanding of the legal obstacles which can occur between consultants and contractors. Therefore, if you wish for a job with an exciting and versatile working day where you experience the designing part as well as the operating part of a project, then the consultancy business might be of interest to you. 6
Job and career The Master of Science and Technology programme allows for a series of different career opportunities. Client consultants, architectural firms, consulting engineers, contractors, building completion companies, and suppliers are all examples of industries demanding the specific competences which candidates from the Master s programme in Management in the Building Industry possess. Steffen Kaas, contract manager at Wicotec, Master of Science and Technology in Management in the Building Industry After graduating from the Master s programme in Management in the Building Industry I quickly obtained a job as contract manager within the company Wicotec where I work with sewer and district heating projects in the Copenhagen area. The size and technical difficulties of the projects vary, but I feel well equipped to handle them. Otherwise, help is just a phone call away. Where the construction manager is very technically oriented, the graduate from the Master of Science and Technology programme is conceptual and has focus on the business as a whole. An example concerns the course in business economics which has provided me with competences which I use on a daily basis today. Likewise, I think that the academic breadth of the programme has contributed to the fact that both I and several of my fellow students were offered more than one job shortly after graduation. 7
Problem-Based Learning As a student at Aalborg University, you will work closely together with your fellow students by way of problem-based project work. The Aalborg Model for Problem-Based Learning (PBL) receives great interest both nationally and internationally, and UNESCO has placed its only Professorial Chair in PBL at Aalborg University. Typically, you will be part of a group consisting of 4-5 students. Once you have formed a project group, you need to define a real-life problem together that you want to examine. The problem forms the basis of your project, and you are to a great extent responsible for defining it yourselves within an often very broad theme frame. The group work ensures a great variety of approaches and perspectives which results in a sound and thoroughly prepared project. Together, you are able to discuss the details thoroughly. At the same time, you are able to solve larger and more complex problems than if you were studying on an individual basis. Each of you has the opportunity to shape the project because group work requires a contribution from everyone. If you have any academic questions, you may also discuss these with your friends in the group. The project work is completed with an exam. While working on your project, you will also need to do individual exams in your subjects. Together with lectures, literature, and cooperation with the corporate sector, the project work will help you gain a deeper insight into the subject you are examining than if you had been working on your own. With group work, you will quickly realise that you might have different opinions about how to solve a problem. Group work means that you have to compromise, and you will learn a lot about how to cooperate. Group work is very popular in the modern labour market so both you and your future workplace will benefit from the skills in cooperation you have acquired at Aalborg University. 8
Study in Aalborg Aalborg is Denmark s fourth largest city and has approximately 125,000 inhabitants. As a student at Aalborg University, you can enjoy Aalborg s many opportunities with regard to cultural experiences, sports, and spare time activities. In recent years, Aalborg has undergone a transformation from an industrial city to a city of knowledge and culture. The city s development is particularly apparent at the harbour promenade where a lively urban and cultural life with cafes, cultural event venues and sports facilities has replaced factories and smoking chimneys. As an international student at AAU, your chances of finding accommodation in Aalborg are also great. Accommodation in Aalborg Before you arrive in Aalborg, Aalborg University s International Accommodation Office (IAO) will assist you in finding a place to live in order to begin your studies at AAU. The types of accommodation offered to you by AAU s International Accommodation Office include a single room in a private house, a room in a hall of residence rooms or a large flat shared with other students. The rent and location vary according to the type of housing. You can find more information about accommodation in Aalborg at studyguide.aau.dk 9
Application and requirements In order to apply, you are required to have a Bachelor s degree in: Bachelor of Architectural Technology and Construction Management Bachelor of Engineering (Civil Engineering) Bachelor of Science (Civil Engineering) Tuition-free studies Students from EU/EEA countries are not required to pay a tuition fee. However, all students must pay all other costs related to studying in Denmark: for example costs related to books, living expenses, and accommodation. With the exception of students from partner universities outside the EU/EEA, a student from a non-eu/eea country will need to pay a tuition fee. Students with another Bachelor s degree may upon application to the Board of Studies be admitted following a specific academic assessment if the applicant is considered as having comparable educational prerequisites. Furthermore, you have to meet the official language requirements for international students applying to Aalborg University. You must complete and pass one of the following: For more information, please see: apply.aau.dk/how-to-apply-postgraduate Deadlines Deadline for applicants requiring visa: 15 August when applying for the February intake IELTS (academic test): 6.5 TOEFL (paper-based): 550 TOEFL (computer-based): 230 TOEFL (internet-based): 80 Cambridge ESOL: C1 Deadline for applicants with EU/EEA citizenship and applicants from partner/co-operating institutions: 1 October when applying for the February intake Commencement of study The Master s programme in Management in the Building Industry starts February 1 10
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Contact If you have questions about how to apply or general questions about studying in Denmark and life at Aalborg University, please contact International Office Aalborg University Fredrik Bajers Vej 5 DK-9220 Aalborg East Denmark Phone: (+45) 9940 9940 Fax: (+45) 9815 4522 E-mail: incoming-student@adm.aau.dk studyguide.aau.dk en.ses.aau.dk