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Building a Construction Engineering Program

Abstract

Giving birth to a new multidisciplinary engineering program is an interesting and rewarding task. Accomplishing this task at a university which previously had not offered classical engineering programs is a truly unique endeavor. This paper looks at the newly established Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering program at Southern Polytechnic State University and examines the process by which it has become a reality. Lessons learned during this process are presented along with advice to those who seek to follow a similar path.

Special emphasis is given to the interaction between multiple academic departments, the collaboration of several colleges and universities and the vital role industry played in the process. Input was obtained from universities in several states including sister universities within the state of Georgia. The program's development was unique in that civil engineering technology, construction management, and architecture faculty all played key roles as full partners in the process. Their contributions/interactions throughout the project is presented as well as development of a curriculum which meets the needs of constituents and satisfies criteria for accreditation under the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. A continuous quality improvement plan with assessment and evaluation methods is presented as well.

Introduction

Existing engineering programs find themselves evolving more and more as the presence of advanced technology, the global economy, the effects of telecommunications, and the dynamics of engineering education are changing the practice of engineering. Indeed, many educators find it difficult to design curricula which are sufficiently broad such that they address the needs of the engineering marketplace. Also, graduates of programs which are more interdisciplinary in nature than the more traditional disciplines of engineering are finding themselves in high demand by the profession.

As a result, new types of engineering programs such as mechatronics engineering, both interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary in nature, are being developed which address the dynamic bent of engineering. In addition, disciplines such as construction engineering which have traditionally been more interdisciplinary in nature than other types of engineering are emerging as important segments of the engineering profession of the future. It is the aforementioned recognition of the ever changing needs of engineering in the world and the desire to serve those needs that led our university to develop and implement a construction engineering program.

Addressing the Need

In 2004 our university was first approached by industry with the need for graduates who could combine the best of construction management with the best of civil engineering.

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Currin, T., & Zeigler, T. (2007, June), Building A Construction Engineering Program Paper presented at 2007 Annual Conference & Exposition, Honolulu, Hawaii. 10.18260/1-2--1936