Bachelor of Science in Construction Management and Engineering

General Information

The course provides graduates with a broadly based management and technological education so that they are capable of recognising, evaluating and solving constructional and business problems associated with building projects. Further, the course will provide the graduate with the ability to adapt to technological change in a competitive industrial climate and provide a basis for future education/career development in Project Management or other related fields. The main aim of the course is to provide the graduate with the skill to convert building design drawings to reality. Successful realisation requires a high level of organisation both commercially and technologically.This is achieved through the twin themes of construction management and construction engineering. Construction management prepares the graduate to plan, organise and manage resources such as finance, labour, plant and materials,while construction engineering is focussed on the knowledge and skills necessary to supervise, select and implement processes and methods of construction to produce a quality built solution in an efficient and safe manner. In addition the graduate must be capable of coordinating the work of specialist sub-contractors and consultants.

Course Structure

The course is of four years duration with an 8 month cooperative education experience in a complementary industrial placement between the end of the first semester inYear 3 and the commencement ofYear 4.The course structure progressively establishes the key managerial and technological skills required of the graduate through the careful integration of the various constituent modules.

In Year 1 of the programme the student is provided with a foundation in Mathematics, Science and Computing and introduction to Materials,Design, BuildingTechnology, Economics and Graphic Communication skills. Year 2 builds on the introductory modules of year one with follow on modules in Materials, BuildingTechnology and CAD. Structural Mechanics provides the student with a foundation for the later module in structural design, while the foundation for Building Economics is established through the module in Building Measurement, Estimating and Costing.The first module in Building Services builds on the scientific principles established in year1. Students are given a module in Land Surveying which is an important tool for measurement control in construction.Modules in Organisational Studies constitute the first modules in the development of organisational and management skills. In Year 3 Building Economics builds on the foundation module of year 2 and all previous technology modules. Modules in Personnel Management,Quality Management Systems and Building Production provide the student with a range of organisational, planning, production and management skills that will prove useful in the range of activities that are likely to be experienced during the CoOp placement following the semester.The module on the Principles of Law provides an appropriate background for the many legislative and contractual constraints and obligations that the graduate will meet in construction projects.The second semester of year 3 and summer period CoOp experience will provide the student with the opportunity to practice all or some key aspects of their acquired skills and allow them to develop an appropriate brief for their FinalYear Project.

Year 4 completes the suite of BuildingTechnology and Building Services modules. The module in Building Economics and Documentation follows on from the year 3 module and concentrates on pre contact aspects and includes an introduction to post contact services and building economics.The module in Structural Design provides the student with an understanding of design for structural integrity and involves the student in material selection and calculations in the design of alternate solution of building components and assemblies.The modules in Financial Accounting and Accounting for Financial Decision Making provide the student with an understanding of the key elements necessary for the financial control of projects/business.

Because of the impact of environmental issues in all fields of development in the Built Environment a module on Environmental Management is undertaken. A module in Building Project Management pulls together all aspects of the course so that all the elements and their interrelationships that impinge on the successful realisation of building projects are understood. The important subject of Ethics is delivered through a series of well documented forensic engineering case histories, project work and seminars. The student is involved in a final year project over the two semesters that will involve them in demonstrating critical analytical and innovative skills in the identification and resolution of complex building problems related to the construction industry. Ideally the initiative for this project should arise during the student’s industrial placement period.

For further details, log on to http://www.mst.ul.ie

Entry Requirements

Applicants are required to hold at the time of enrolment the Established Leaving Certificate (or an approved equivalent) with at least Grade C3 in two Higher Level subjects and Grade D3 in four Ordinary or Higher Level subjects (including Mathematics; Irish or another language; and English). In addition, applicants are required to hold at least the following in the Leaving Certificate, or an approved equivalent: Grade B3 in Ordinary Level Mathematics (Grade D3 in Higher Level Mathematics also suffices) and a Grade D3 at Higher Level (or Grade C3 or above at Ordinary Level) in one of the following: Applied Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Physics with Chemistry, Engineering,Technical Drawing/Design & Communication Graphics,Technology, Construction Studies,Agricultural Science, Biology.

Exemptions: National Diploma holders (or equivalent Diploma) in Construction or Building Management, of 3 years duration, passed with credit or distinction, will be considered for exemption from the first two years of the degree programme.

A Special Mathematics Examination will be offered at UL following the Leaving Certificate results for those students who did not achieve the Mathematics requirement.

Career Prospects

The construction manager plays a pivotal role in the orchestration of a construction project. The University of Limerick programme equips graduates with broad based skills in construction techniques, planning & control and management. These skills are allied with the fundamentals of structural, geotechnical and building services engineering and an eight month coop experience. The diversity of the programme prepares construction managers to lead projects of immense complexity in an exciting and rewarding profession. The flexibility provided by the breadth and structure of the course will produce graduates with unique management and technological skills suitable for employment within the construction sector in:

• Construction Engineering,
• Construction Management,
• Facilities Management,
• Property Development,
• Estimating and Costing,
• Project Management.

The University of Limerick will seek accreditation for the new degree with the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) so as to optimise employment opportunities for graduates, particularly abroad and to establish them as members of a professional association. Currently the University of Limerick is the only university in the Republic of Ireland offering this degree course.