QUALITY LEADERSHIP UNIVERSITY (QLU), PANAMA STUDENT INFORMATION HBOOK
Table of Contents Introduction... Curriculum... Admission Requirements... 6 Admission Process... 9 Fee Payment... 10 Program Administration... 11 Lecture Rooms and Class Times... 11 Student Responsibilities... 11 Library Facilities... 11 Student Identification... 11 Graduation Requirements... 11 Responsibilities... 12 Contact Information... 1 (Rev. June 2012) 2
Introduction The Master of Science in Management (MSCM) program, offered by the OHL School of of the College of Engineering and Computing, Florida International University (FIU), Miami, Florida at the Panamá City campus of Quality Leadership University (QLU), Panamá features a customized, state of the art, applied construction management curriculum designed for high potential professionals with experience in engineering, architecture, construction, and business. The program is designed to help professional students develop the knowledge and skills they will need to successfully manage projects from inception to completion, prepare and implement business plans, and start new companies. The MSCM program offered by FIU s OHL School of combines best practices in the management sciences with technical construction knowledge in an interdisciplinary, teambased learning, flexible program. The curriculum includes areas such as information systems, risk analysis, construction contracts, organizational management, and international construction. Students in the program will have the opportunity to use and learn contemporary software. The program is offered through the FIU College of Engineering and Computing Division of External Programs. FIU is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The program s website is: http://dep.fiu.edu Curriculum The Program curriculum consists of 0 to 6 credit hours depending on the background of the students, as shown in the Table below. Each course consists of credit hours. Each course offered in the program is scheduled for four weekends and include 7.5 hours of classroom and laboratory instruction by FIU Faculty. (Rev. June 2012)
The courses to be offered are as follows: Detailed information on the courses can be viewed at http://mscm.fiu.edu Engineering/ Architecture All other Majors Plans Interpretation (Blueprint Reading)* Materials and Methods* Equipment* Site work* Legal Environment Fundamentals of Fundamentals of Estimating Estimating Topics in International Principles of Principles of Scheduling Scheduling Management and Marketing of Services Economic Analysis Economic Analysis Cost Analysis and Cost Analysis and Cost Analysis and Control Control Control Topics in International Topics in International Topics in International Productivity in Productivity in Productivity in Safety Management Safety Management Safety Management Information Information Systems Systems Information Systems Decision and Risk Analysis in Decision and Risk Analysis in Decision and Risk Analysis in Sustainable Sustainable Sustainable Management of Management of Management of Organizations Organizations Organizations Total Credits 0 Total Credits Total Credits 6 *Undergraduate courses that are required prerequisites, but do not count towards the degree. **Depending on major, advisor may require additional undergraduate prerequisite courses. Note: Students with an undergraduate degree in, Architecture or Engineering will not be required to take undergraduate prerequisite courses. Students with an undergraduate degree in business, finance, accounting, management, and other nonengineering degrees must complete the following undergraduate prerequisite courses (or equivalent): 1- BCN 1272 Plans Interpretation (Blueprint Reading): Building construction plans interpretation of working drawings for residential, commercial building, and civil construction. 2- BCN 2210 Materials and Methods: A study of the origins, production and uses of construction materials such as concrete, steel, aluminum, wood, brick, and stone. A combination of structural and non-structural, interior and exterior materials and assemblies will be examined. (Rev. June 2012) 4
- BCN 240 Equipment: Methods, procedures, and equipment used in residential, commercial, and heavy construction. Equipping the construction plant. Production value analysis. Work effectiveness studies. 4- BCN 727 Site work: Exposition and critical analysis of practical and sequential aspects of converting raw land to finished product. Course will define various steps and discuss techniques of accomplishment. These courses or equivalent can also be taken at a community college or university near you. Some of these prerequisite courses may also be available online at FIU or other locations. (Rev. June 2012) 5
Admission Requirements Students must be accepted by the FIU Graduate School upon recommendation of the College of Engineering and Computing at FIU. The admission committee, in making an admission decision, will consider the undergraduate GPA. Prospective applicants will have to satisfy one of the following matriculation requirements: The minimum requirements for admission are: 1. Applicants must have: (a) A bachelor's degree in engineering or a closely related field from an accredited institution with a minimum of a "B" average in upper level work (a minimum GPA of.0 on a scale of 4.00) OR (b) A graduate degree from an accredited institution 2. International Students Applicants from non-english speaking countries must demonstrate proficiency in the English language by presenting a minimum score of 80 on the ibt TOEFL (equivalent to 550 on the paper-based version of the Test of English as a Foreign Language) or 6.5 overall on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). However, some departments may require higher scores. Applicants, who hold an undergraduate or graduate degree from an institution within the United States or other English speaking countries, please see list of exempt countries at http://gradschool.fiu.edu/toeflexemptcountries.html are not required to submit TOEFL scores. Domestic applicants with a foreign degree, require the TOEFL. Except for applicants who hold an undergraduate or graduate degree from an institution from a TOEFL exempt country: http://gradschool.fiu.edu/toeflexemptcountries.html. Two letters of recommendation; (Rev. June 2012) 6
4. A resume including education, training, and employment history, practical and research experience (such as projects and publications), skills and other pertinent information; 5. A statement of purpose in which the applicant must clearly state his/her intended engineering track. The applicant whose GPA does not meet the minimum GPA requirement may be considered for conditional admission. For such consideration, the applicant must submit GRE exam results of 1000 or higher. (Rev. June 2012) 7
Please note the following: Students may be admitted to FIU as non-degree-seeking students, and may thus begin the FIU Program before being fully admitted in only the following two situations 1. Pending receipt of official transcripts 2. Pending confirmation of a Bachelor s degree Students who are admitted as non-degree-seeking students must submit all pending documents and information at least 0 days before the completion of the first 12 credit hours to be fully admitted into the FIU program. Any student who is not fully admitted will not be allowed to continue taking courses beyond the first 12 credit hours. Students who are accepted as non-degree-seeking students and successfully complete the first 12 credit hours and are ineligible to complete the program will be able to obtain FIU official transcripts. NOTE: Students admitted under a two term conditional admission are required to: achieve a GPA of.25 (B+) or higher for the first 12 (1 st three courses) graduate-level credits and complete these 12 credits within first two consecutive semesters, beginning with the term of admission. (Rev. June 2012) 8
Admission Process QUALITY LEADERSHIP UNIVERSITY, PANAMA 1. Apply online at: http://gradschool.fiu.edu/admissions.html 2. Pay the $0 application fee; online (non-refundable).. The following supporting documents should be sent directly to: Mary Bella Del Mar Graduate Program Manager Quality Leadership University Calle 45, Bella Vista Cuidad de Panamá, Panamá a. The official transcripts of all previously earned college or university credits, translated into English, and sent from the formerly-attended institution(s). Unsealed or opened copies submitted directly by applicants will not be accepted. Photocopied or notarised copies of transcripts are not acceptable. b. A certified copy of your degree; (by the ministry of education in Panama); all certified documents must bear the official stamp/seal of the certifier). c. Request Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test scores from Educational Testing Service (ETS). Score must be submitted directly by ETS. FIU s reporting code is 5206. d. A statement of purpose. e. A current résumé. f. Recommendations (2); forms available on line. 4. Inform QLU when you have applied. Notes: a. Omission of any one of these items will delay the processing of the application. b. Admission decisions are made solely by FIU. c. All admission requirements must be met before a student is fully admitted to the program. (Rev. June 2012) 9
Fee Payment QUALITY LEADERSHIP UNIVERSITY, PANAMA All payments are to be made to Quality Leadership University (QLU) in United States Dollar denomination. Payments will not be accepted in other currencies. All payments must be made to the Accounts Receivable department at QLU. Receipts for all payments must be recorded at QLU. A US$200 non-refundable deposit will be required by QLU to accompany the application. This non-refundable fee will be applied towards the student s tuition fees once the student enrols in the MSCM program. On being advised of their successful or provisional acceptance to the program students must pay to the QLU at least a deposit of US$2,800 a full 2 weeks before the commencement date of the program. Students will be allowed to make bi-monthly Payments of US$2,800 until the fee obligation of US$14,000 is realised. However, the final instalment must be paid one month before completion of the program. Students required to take more than 0 credits will pay a pro-rate fee. For example, if a student is required to take credits, their total fee will be US$15,400. Students will therefore complete their fee obligation in 5 instalments. A grace period of 10 working days will be allowed to overcome dates falling on weekends, public holidays or QLU closed periods. Should a student fail to make payments within the grace period allowed; he/she would be automatically be charged an additional penalty fee of 10% per instalment. Acceptable modes of payment are: o Cash o Bank draft o Manager s check o Cashier s check o Debit card o Credit card (Rev. June 2012) 10
Program Administration All inquiries should be directed to QLU. QUALITY LEADERSHIP UNIVERSITY, PANAMA Lecture Rooms and Class Times Classes will be held on weekends only starting on Friday evenings at 6:00 PM through 10:00 p.m.; and on Saturdays commencing 9:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m.. Classes will be held at the Panamá City campus of Quality Leadership University. Classes will span over a five week period with the third weekend off. Students will be advised of any changes resulting from Force Majeure, holidays or organizational adjustments. Student Responsibilities Students will be responsible for their own writing and studying materials including laptops and textbooks. Lunch will be provided on Saturdays. However, students must make arrangements for dinner on Friday nights. Library Facilities Students will have full online access to FIU s library and the ability to chat with a Librarian. Student Identification All students will be required to display their identification badges at all times while on the QLU campus. These identification badges will be issued to students after they have gained successful admission to the MSCM program from FIU. Graduation Requirements The graduation requirements for the MSCM degree are as follows: Completion of the required semester hours of graduate level credit. An overall GPA of.0. No grade below C will be accepted in the Program. Compliance with all the policies and regulations by FIU and QLU. (Rev. June 2012) 11
Graduation is held at the FIU campus in Florida. Eligible students will be provided with a link by FIU for registration for the graduation. The required fee, air fare and accommodations are the student s responsibility. Responsibilities Students FIU QLU Submit application online Receive and process applications Advertise & provide course information Pay application fee online Notify students regarding application status Receive and record student application information Source and send off official Accept and register qualified Organise information session documents to FIU students Inform CEEC of application Attend information session Local support services to FIU & Students Attend Information Session Generate ID for students Provide training facilities Pay tuition fee Schedule lecturers for classes Receive, record and monitor payments Purchase books and Provide list of required books Provide course meals equipment for classes Meals outside of those Provide Graduation link Ensure timely resolution of provided on the course course related issues Attend classes Register students for graduation Provide students with an upto-date website Complete course work Provide students with an upto-date website Register and pay for graduation Adhere to QLU & FIU rules & regulations (Rev. June 2012) 12
Contact Information The MSCM degree will be offered by FIU at the Quality Leadership University, Panamá (QLU), Panamá City Campus through FIU s Division of External Programs. Mailing Address: Contact Persons: Mr. Oscar R. Leon President, Quality Leadership University Calle 45, Bella Vista Ciudad de Panamá, República de Panamá Mary Bella Del Mar Graduate Program Manager Quality Leadership University Calle 45, Bella Vista Cuidad de Panamá, Panamá Phone: (507) 264-0777, Ext. 122 Email: marybella.delmar@qlu.ac.pa FIU Direct Contact Information: Gloria Acosta Overseas Program Coordinator College of Engineering and Computing Division of External Programs Phone: (05) 48-827 Fax: (05) 48-194 Email: acostag@fiu.edu Website: http://mscm.fiu.edu (Rev. June 2012) 1