Construction Management Courses

CM 501 Construction Engineering I
This course is a study of construction industry customs, practices and methods from project conception to close-out. Equipment usage, construction estimating, scheduling and management techniques are woven into the fabric of this course.

CM 502 Construction Engineering II
This course provides the student in the construction field with a practical analysis and study of the completed construction facility. Case studies are discussed along with the performance of the constructed facility and elements of possible failure within the completed facility. Alternate solutions are discussed along with their economic feasibility.

CM 505 Construction Safety Management
Various aspects of construction areas and the necessary design and safety techniques are discussed along with building a corporate culture of zero accidents, planning for high project safety performance, establishing accountability for safety, and maintaining a safety communication network. Safety agendas contained within the Total Quality Management Process and the Partnering Process are discussed using actual job case studies. Prerequisite–any one of the following: CM 502, CM 542, CM 581 or CE 595.

CM 506 Computer Applications in the Construction Process
Today’s construction manager and engineer should have a thorough knowledge of the latest technology and methods so that various elements within the construction process can be produced, analyzed and reviewed in an efficient manner. The course gives the construction executive the tools to provide proper planning and scheduling, estimating, cost accounting, cost reports and other valuable and necessary information in a rapid and professional manner. Prerequisite: any one of the following–CM 501, CM 509 or CM 580.

CM 508 Transportation Engineering
A description and introduction to the major areas of transportation engineering planning and management which deals with roadways, streets and highways and the people and vehicles that interact with each other. Topics of discussion include land use, energy, transportation economics, transportation systems management, along with the traditional areas of traffic engineering. Open-ended problem solving using practical case examples is stressed.

CM 509 Construction Cost Analysis & Estimating
This course provides the construction-orientated professional with the analysis tools and methodology to organize and prepare an accurate construction estimate. Topics include development of productivity data, analysis and applications of historical data, break-even and cost-to-complete analysis, and the study and analysis of job cost reporting systems as they relate to the construction estimate. Estimating methods and systems will be discussed along with field trips and practical case studies.

CM 511 Construction Accounting
This course presents the principles of accounting for construction projects. Topics include elements of cost accounting, project accounting and financial analysis used by the construction manager.

CM 512 Problems in Heavy Construction
The general superintendent, engineering staff and construction manager, in order to manage, schedule and complete the heavy construction project, must be aware of problems associated with the completion of the complex project. Problems associated with pile driving and shoring, excavation methods, tunneling, trenchless technology and rock excavation are reviewed. Examples and case studies are discussed with alternate solutions reviewed based on site conditions and economic considerations. Prerequisite: CM 509.

CM 521 Construction Organizations
This course provides the student with an understanding of human behavior including individual and group performance, motivation, leadership and industrial relations. Next, the student will examine various theories of management and the basic functions of planning, organizing, leading and con-trolling. This body of knowledge will be applied to the management of construction companies and projects.

CM 522 Labor Relations
This course provides the student with a basic understanding of the practices involved in construction labor relations. Topics include the discussion of union and open shop contractors, job site agreements, collective bargaining and local union negotiations, double-breasted construction operations, termination of the labor agreement, along with case studies in selected areas.

CM 531 Construction Materials
This lecture course covers civil engineering materials, their properties and their construction use. Specifics to be discussed include physical and mechanical properties of steel, concrete, asphalt, wood, plastic, timber and soil. Coverage of ASTM standard tests covering these properties is also presented.

CM 541 Project Management for Construction
This course deals with the problems of managing a project. A project is defined as a temporary organization of human and non-human resources, within a permanent organization, for the purpose of achieving a specific objective. Both operational and conceptual issues will be considered. Operational issues include definition, planning, implementation, control and evaluation of the project; conceptual issues include project management vs. hierarchical management, matrix organization, project authority, motivation and morale. Cases will include construction management, chemical plant construction and other examples. Prerequisites: CM 511 or permission of the instructor.

CM 542 Quality Management & Construction Performance
This course presents the principles and techniques of total quality management (TQM) with emphasis on its application to construction projects and firms. Students will form teams to apply TQM concepts and techniques to construction projects/firms.

CM 543 Construction Contract Management
This course deals with and discusses in detail the complex set of relationships that are involved when a construction project is undertaken. The course also reviews these relationships and how they interact with the planning, administration, completion and start-up operation of the project. Risk in the construction project is discussed as it relates to the management and sucessful completion of the project while also reviewing the legal relationships that can evolve during the project duration. Prerequisites: CM 511, CM 541 or CM 580.

CM 545/EN 545 Environmental Impact Analysis and Planning
The impact of engineering projects on the physical, cultural, and socioecono-mic environment, preparation of environmental impact statements, regulatory framework, and compliance procedures will be discussed. Topics include: major federal and state environmental regulations, environmental impact analysis and assessment, risk assessment and risk management, and regulatory compliance.

CM 550 Construction Contract Law I
This course introduces the principle areas of construction law and contracts. Areas of discussion include contract formulation, scope of work, changes, delays, no damage for delays, insurance and sureties, completion, termination, and claims and dispute resolutions. Case studies are presented with class presentations and discussions.

CM 551 Construction Contract Law II: Claims and Disputes
This course presents a review and analysis of the methods used in presenting and solving construction contract disputes. Topics of discussion include the origins of the construction dispute, the contract documents, the design deficiency, the construction schedule, construction of the project and resolving the dispute. Prerequisite: CM 550.

CM 571 Practicum in Construction Management
This will be a capstone course taken at the end of a student’s program of studies. The students will be organized into construction management groups.

CM 580 Construction Management I
This course provides a survey and study of the management process for domestic and international contracting business enterprises. Topics of discussion include the roles of the construction manager, bonds and insurance elements of the estimating process, finance and cost control, labor relations, and work culture.

CM 581 Temporary Structures in Heavy Construction
This course is a study of the elements and concepts of temporary supportive structures involved with heavy construction process. Topics of discussion will include codes, construction, cofferdams, temporary sheeting and bracing, falsework and shoring, and concrete form design.

CM 587/EN 587 Environmental Law and Management
This class addresses a survey of legal and regulatory approaches to environmental protection. Topics include: environmental ethics, National Environmental Policy Act, state and federal environmental agencies; Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Superfund, Resource Recovery and Conservation Act, Right-to-know, Environmental Cleanup Responsibility Act, and wetlands protection.

CM 590 Construction Management II
This course discusses the principles of construction marketing and strategic planning. Marketing engineering and construction company services and products are discussed with an eye towards the most economical and competitive sales techniques. Again, case studies and practical applications are presented for class analysis and discussion.

*by request