Construction

The baccalaureate program in construction is accredited by the American Council for Construction Education and is a charter member of the Associated Schools of Construction.

FACULTY Emeritus Professors Dini, Muvdi, Guest, Rebholz; Professors Adrian, Al-Khafaji (chair), Fuessle; Associate Professors Elhouar, Hindi, Maillacheruvu, Seckler; Assistant Professors El-Chabib, Khodair, Schattler; Temporary Assistant Professors George, Wolfe.

The Department of Civil Engineering and Construction offers undergraduate programs in both civil engineering (B.S.C.E.) and construction (B.S.C.).

Mission

Produce graduates who possess a keen awareness of the national and global dimensions of the construction industry, leadership skills required to serve our society, and the technical knowledge to pursue multiple career paths including advanced degrees. To achieve our mission, the Construction program will strive to achieve the following objectives:

1. Leadership in Construction. Graduates understand the need for teamwork, communication, skills, integrity, good citizenship, and service. They have the needed knowledge to become leaders in the construction industry.
2. Professional Achievement. Graduates have the needed understanding of ethical responsibilities, certification, the necessity for continuing education, and contemporary issues required for placement and career advancement.
3. Globalization. Offer programs to ensure that graduates have the needed awareness of global construction issues and cultures to help them thrive in an emerging world market.
4. Industry Partnerships. Partner with the construction profession to offer an innovative program that promotes cultural diversity and responds to the needs of the profession and society in the areas of sustainability, infrastructure, and emerging technology.

The Department

Facilities

The curriculum is supported by 14 cutting-edge laboratory and computer facilities equipped with modern hardware and software. Laboratories include multimedia, emerging technologies, fluid mechanics/hydraulics, surveying, concrete design, asphalt pavement design, construction, structural, geotechnical, estimating, design projects, machine shop, and a research laboratory. The department has four computer laboratories, completely networked with printers, plotters, and scanners. Two of the computer laboratories are project laboratories used for senior capstone courses. Laptops are also available to students for senior project courses. The computers have a wide range of software, including multimedia software such as Authorware and Toolbook, Autocad 2000, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, SAP 2000, Working Model (a simulation program), word processing, spreadsheets, Powerpoint, database management programs, etc. The computer facilities are available to CEC students on a 24-hour basis.

Internationalization

The Global Explorer Program is designed to expand the professional capabilities, stimulate intellectual growth, and broaden the personal perspective of all participants. Arrangements have been made with universities around the world to send our students overseas either for short courses, a semester, or an entire year. The department is committed to giving all of our students the opportunity to study overseas. Students with financial need have received financial support that enables them to study abroad for equal to or less than what it would cost to study on campus. Financial aid is available to students choosing to study for a semester or a year overseas at another institution. Since 1995, close to 250 students have studied overseas. Each year, more than 30 students go to England, Denmark, and Egypt to study under the guidance of CEC faculty.

Scholarships

Currently more than 40 annual and endowed scholarships are available to students through the department.

Placement

For 11 years, until 2009, CEC graduates have had a 100% placement, with starting salaries that are very competitive nationwide. Employers perceive our students as having the knowledge, experience, and intellectual curiosity to succeed in their profession.

Leadership

A focus of the department is the development of leadership skills in our students. Students are encouraged to participate in student professional organizations and academic honorary organizations by being officers or committee chairs. Leadership skills are also developed through service and outreach programs that teach good citizenship. Our students have designed and built playgrounds and running tracks and have done work for Women’s Strength, and the South Side Mission. Many of our students, both in civil engineering and construction, participate in the outstanding “Bridge Pal” program designed to foster an interest in engineering by high school and grade school students.

Faculty Qualifications

The faculty have published more textbooks than any other civil engineering or construction department of a similar size in the United States. These textbooks are used at a large number of highly regarded institutions. CEC faculty have received numerous awards for teaching excellence and scholarship, as well as for their professional contributions. They have conducted research for national, state, and local sponsors, benefitting society and our students.

Graduation

To graduate, students must meet all university and college graduation requirements. Additionally, CE students must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.25 in civil engineering courses to graduate.

Graduate Program

In addition to the undergraduate program described above, the Department offers a graduate program leading to the Master of Science in Civil Engineering degree. Details of this program may be found in the Graduate Catalog. The graduate program allows talented undergraduate students to engage in scholarly research activities and to enroll in advanced courses to meet their special interests and needs.

Construction

The construction industry is large, varied, and complex. It is intimately interwoven with, and exerts significant influence on, the overall economy of our nation. Constructors—the modern construction professionals—are educated in engineering and architectural principles in the building process, allowing effective communication with the many persons with whom contact is necessary: the design professionals (engineers and architects), specialty subcontractors, manufacturers and distributors of construction materials and products, financiers and others. Additionally, and most importantly, the constructor is a manager. The constructor’s education must include the essentials of contemporary management philosophy, sound business and construction practice, emerging trends in sustainable development, and enlightened human relations. This multidisciplinary curriculum has been developed from these aims which are in consonance with the goals of the Associated Schools of Construction, and with the philosophy of the American Institute of Constructors.

The program described below was developed for the typical student interested in general preparation for a construction career. A minor in business administration or management is possible by careful selection of electives and a total of 131 semester hours.

The Bachelor of Science in Construction (BSC) degree requires a minimum of 127 approved semester hours. (Courses taken to remove deficiencies, e.g., MTH 109, MTH 110, and PHY 100, must be taken in addition to the approved 127 semester hours.)

Degree Requirements

¹See Gen. Ed. list in the Schedule of Classes each semester.
² Electives must be chosen from list available from the academic advisor.

Accreditation criteria are met by the following groups of courses:

• Group I—General Education

• ¹ ENG 101 English Composition 3
• ¹ENG 300, 301, 304, 305, or 306 Advanced Writing 3
• ¹COM 103 Oral Communication Process 3
• ¹Western Civilization 3
• ¹Non-Western Civilization 3
• ¹Human Values 3
• ¹Fine Arts 3
• 21 hours

• Group II—Mathematics and Science

• ¹MTH 115 or 121 Calculus I 4
• MTH 116 or 122 Calculus II 3, 4
• ¹PHY 107 or 110 Physics I 4
• ²Computer Programming Elective 3
• ²Science Elective 4
• 18-19 hours

• Group III—Business Management

• ¹ECO 221 Microeconomics 3
• ¹ECO 222 Macroeconomics 3
• ATG 157 Accounting-Financial 3
• ATG 158 Accounting-Managerial 3
• BMA 342 The Legal Environment of Business 3
• BMA 352 Business Management 3
• ²Business Electives 6
• 24 hours

• Group IV—Construction Science

• CE 124 Emerging Technologies in CEC 2
• CON 132 Construction Graphics 2
• CON 262 Mechanical and Electrical Systems 3
• CON 270 Materials and Methods of Construction 3
• CON 487 Steel and Concrete 3
• CON 489 Alternate Materials 3
• CE 150 or IMT 222 Statics 3
• CE 206 Surveying 2
• CE 224 AutoCADD 3
• CE 270 or IMT 324 Strength of Materials 3, 4
• CON 320 Introductory Soil Mechanics 3
• 30-31 hours

• Group V—Construction Management

• CON 100 Introduction to Construction 1
• CON 342 Construction Equipment and Methods 3
• CON 356 Construction Industry Safety Practices 3
• CON 372 Construction Methods Improvement 3
• CON 392 Construction Scheduling 3
• CON 396 Construction Estimating 3
• CON 492 Construction Contracts 2
• CON 493 Senior Project Planning 1
• CON 498 Senior Project 3
• 22 hours

Minimum semester hours required for BSC Degree 127

Areas of Emphasis

Students may choose to take their electives in one of the following areas of emphasis.

Internationalization

Students take two courses through the CEC Department Global Explorer Program and/or Bradley's Study Abroad program and take an approved semester abroad.

Sustainability

Students take four courses, chosen from:

• CON 272 Materials and Methods of Construction II
• CON 368 Advanced Environmental Technologies in Construction
• CE 555 Environmental Regulations and Policy
• ME 537 Building Energy Management
  (Note: additional options will become available.)

Infrastructure

Students take four courses, chosen from:

• BMA 395 Real Estate Principles
• CE 280 Structural Materials Laboratory
• CE 356 Pavement Design
• CE 580 Highway Safety and Risk Management
• CE 586 Pavement Management Systems
• CON 352 Urban Environment
• ECO 325 Urban Economics

Typical Curriculum

• Freshman Year

• First Semester
• CON 100 Introduction to Construction 1
• COM 103 Oral Communication Process 3
• MTH 115 or MTH 121 Calculus I 4
• ¹General Education—Western Civilization 3
• ²Science Elective 4
• 15 hours
• Second Semester
• CON 132 Construction Graphics 2
• ENG 101 English Composition 3
• MTH 116 or MTH 122 Calculus II 3-4
• PHY 107 or Physics 110 4
• ²CS Programming Elective 3
• CE 124 Emerging Technologies 2
• 17-18 hours

• Sophomore Year

• First Semester
• CE 150 Mechanics I or IMT 222 Statics 3
• ECO 221 Microeconomics 3
• ATG 157 Accounting—Financial 3
• CON 270 Materials and Methods of Construction 3
• CE 206 Surveying 2
• CE 224 AutoCADD 3
• 17 hours
• Second Semester
• CE 270 Mechanics of Materials or IMT 324 Strength of Materials 4
• ECO 222 Macroeconomics 3
• ATG 158 Accounting-Managerial 3
• CON 262 Mechanical & Electrical Systems for Buildings 3
• ¹General Education—Human Values 3
• 16 hours

• Junior Year

• First Semester
  • ¹ENG 300, 301, 304, 305, or 306 Advanced Writing 3
  • CON 342 Construction Equipment and Methods 3
  • CON 372 Construction Methods Improvement 3
  • BMA 342 The Legal Environment of Business 3
  • ²Construction or Construction Science Elective 3
• 15 hours
• Second Semester
• CON 356 Construction Safety 3
• CON 392 Construction Scheduling 3
• BMA 352 Business Management 3
• CON 396 Construction Estimating 3
• CON 320 Intro. to Soil Mechanics 3
• CON 492 Construction Contracts 2
• 17 hours

• Senior Year

• First Semester
• CON 493 Senior Project Planning 1
• ¹General Education—Fine Arts 3
• CON 487 Steel and Concrete Structures 3
• ¹General Education—Non-Western Civilization 3
• ²Construction or Construction Science Elective 3
• ²Management Elective 3
• 16 hours
• Second Semester
• CON 498 Senior Project 3
• CON 489 Alternative Material Structures 3
• ²Construction or Construction Science Elective 3
• ²Construction or Construction Science Elective 3
• ²Management Elective 3
• 15 hours

Total Hours 127-128