Master of Engineering: Construction Engineering Management (M.Eng.)

Master of Engineering (M.Eng.)
Concentration: Construction Management

Master of Engineering: Construction Engineering Management (M.Eng.)

Full Time Faculty

Dr. Wilbur A. Hitchcock, PE, Professor (Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering); Construction Engineering Management, Structural Engineering

Dianne K. Gilmer, MEng, Instructor, Assistant Director, (Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering); Construction Engineering Management, Structural Engineering

Part Time Faculty

Dr. Jason T. Kirby, PhD, Associate Professor, Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering); Construction Engineering Management, Structural Engineering

Dr. Christopher Waldron, Assistant Professor, Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering); Construction Engineering Management, Structural Engineering

Jonathan L. Perry, MEng, Instructor, Senior Architect

L. Griff Tyndall, Attorney at Law

CEM Admission Requirements

Admission to the UAB CEM requires

• Bachelors degree from an accredited U.S. College or University
• Personal interview with program director and assistant director
• Two letters of recommendation
• NO GRE REQUIRED

To apply:
Go to Apply Yourself for the UAB Graduate School and fill out application.

• Should apply as Graduate Application.
• Please make sure you use an email and phone number where you can be contacted for an interview.
• Use the area on the left and choose “Application for Admission as a Degree-Seeking Student“.
• Under the link Application Information and the option Program Applying to: choose Information Engineering and Management.

Under Additional Information you will be asked to upload a resume.

Once your application is complete, a member of the committee will contact you for an interview.

Additional Information

For detailed information, contact Dianne Gilmer, IEM, Hoehn 130B, 1530 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama 35294-4440.

Telephone: 205-975-5848.

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Web: http://www.uab.edu/engineering/home/professional-programs/cem

Course Descriptions

Unless otherwise noted, all courses are for 3 semester hours of credit.

Construction Engineering Management (CE)

CE 669 Advanced Project Management. Skills generally required for sound project management in a variety of management settings are studied in addition to specific management issues typically associated with engineering and construction companies. A discussion of corporate organizational structures and the evolving use of project management processes helps establish an appreciation for the role of a Project Manager. The elements of a project and the role and responsibilities of the Project Manager are studied in depth. Students are also acquainted with risk management concepts, financial, labor, safety, equipment, contracting issues facing managers in the engineering and construction environment. Particular emphasis is placed on individual management strengths and weakness, team building, and characteristics of successful companies. One of the primary vehicles for discussion will be small case studies from real companies and the outside reading of one or two relevant topical books. 3 hours

CE 670 Construction Estimating and Bidding. Provides an overview of typical construction delivery systems and the planning and contracting associated with each. A broad study of estimating methodology ranging from rough ball park estimates to detailed unit pricing is presented focusing on labor, equipment, materials, subcontractors, job conditions, location, overhead and profit. This course is intended to establish a basic understanding of the estimating process, and therefore substantial course focus will be placed on the term group project which consists of the development of a bid estimate for a small construction project. 3 hours

CE 671 Construction Liability and Contracts. Provides an overview of the fundamental aspects of the laws that affect construction and engineering companies as well as the project owners. Particular emphasis is placed on contract forms and provisions related to liability for engineering design and construction companies, the roles of the typical participation in the process, and dispute resolution. (Prerequisites: CE 669 and CE 670 or approval by the Program Director). 3 hours

CE 672 Construction Methods and Equipment. Provides students a big-picture understanding of the construction methods employed to bring the concepts and designs of architects and engineers to physical reality. The focus areas include earthmoving, heavy construction, building construction, and process plants. Students will understand the planning and deployment of equipment, materials, labor, and subcontractors required in the construction process. The course is strengthened with guest lectures from industry practitioners and student interaction with construction industry participants as parts of the group semester project. (Prerequisites: CE 669 or approval by the Program Director). 3 hours

CE 673 Techniques of Project Planning and Control. Provides a thorough understanding of the project scheduling process in construction planning and control. Students learn the relationship between the work breakdown structure, organization breakdown structure and the activities used in developing project schedules. The Critical Path Method (CPM) and the Precedence Diagram Method (PDM) are discussed in detail to include hand calculations and powerful computer software products. The use of scheduling techniques for project control, resources constraint management, cash flow management and project completion date management are investigated and the importance of communications in the planning and controlling process emphasized. (Prerequisites: CE 669 and CE 670). 3 hours

CE 674 Overview of Green Building Design and Construction (LEED). This course provides an introduction to the emerging trends in green building sustainable design and construction. The course will include instruction suitable to prepare students for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental (LEED©) Green Building Rating SystemTM certification exam. (Prerequisite: CE 672). 3 hours

CE 675 – Advanced Construction and Engineering Economics
Provides an extensive overview of accounting concepts for non-financial managers.  Students will learn the basic elements of accounting (Generally Accepted Accounting Practices).  They will understand how typical financial records and financial statements are established for companies.  Once the basics are understood, students will study how financial data is used for internal cost controlling, planning, and budgeting.  (Prerequisite:  CE 669, CE 670, CE673, CE 677). 3 hours.

CE 676 Construction Project Risk Management. This course addresses the methodologies employed in the engineering and construction industries to assist in rational decision making in the face of uncertainty. The course reviews the fundamentals of common probabilistic theories and models, data sampling, hypothesis testing and the basics of Bayesian Decision Theory. In addition, basic financial analysis tools will be reviewed. Theoretical models will then be applied to specific examples encountered in engineering and construction decision making with emphasis on engineering economics applications. (Prerequisites: CE 669, CE 670, CE 673). 3 hours.

CE 680 Construction Management Capstone Case Study. (Prerequisites: CE 669, CE 670) (3 hours) Students review case studies in three areas:
- Part 1: Students review case studies involving project planning and risk assessment or individual topical study.
- Part 2: Students review case studies emphasizing project control and coordination or individual topical study.
- Part 3: Students review case studies emphasizing technology advancements in construction methods and project management, or individual topical study.
Also set up as three – 1 hour courses:
CE 628 Construction Management Capstone Case Studies, Part 1 (1 hour)
CE 629 Construction Management Capstone Case Studies, Part 2 (1 hour)
CE 630 Construction Management Capstone Case Studies, Part 3 (1 hour)

CE 684 Construction Project Administration. This course is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the important business, legal, and management aspects of construction management with emphasis on administrative procedures. The course is an extension of Advanced Project Management concepts with specific focus on the construction management issues facing owners, engineers, constructors, architects, and students. International business topics will also be discussed. (Prerequisite: CE 669 Advanced Project Management) 3 hours

CE 688 Strategic Management and Leadership Applications in a Global Environment. This course is designed to prepare students to face the demanding management and leadership challenges facing industry leaders as competition becomes ever more globalized. Strategic planning, management and leadership in the built environment requires savvy leaders with exceptionally developed analytical and communications skills suitable for multi-disciplinary and multi-national ventures. Organization design and management, selection and use of technology, and methodologies for measuring and monitoring performance are all fundamental working concepts necessary to think strategically in a changing world business environment. This course will provide the opportunity for students to discuss and research these concepts and to recognize the necessity to think independently, challenge conventional thinking, and visualize alternatives. (Prerequisite: CE 670 Estimating and Bidding) 3 hours

CE 689 Building Information Modeling (BIM) Techniques. This course provides students with an overview of the evolution of BIM technology in the construction industry followed by hands-on training in the basic application of contemporary BIM software. Students will learn basic modeling skills and how to produce graphical presentations. Advanced applications of BIM technology will be discussed and demonstrated. (Prerequisite: CE 670 Estimating and Bidding) 3 hours