Construction Management MA/GC (CONM1-GC)

This course examines various systematic approaches to cost estimating for the purposes of developing estimates and budgets to be used for competitive bidding, negotiation, cost tracking and analysis. Topics include: quantity surveys; detail take-offs; equipment and labor costs; equipment utility; subcontracting; overhead; insurance and surety bonds; contract document analysis; risk identification and management; changes; value engineering; profit and evaluation of intangibles; and bidding strategies. Prerequisite: the ability to read construction drawings and knowledge of construction math.

This course provides an understanding of construction methods, building systems, material and equipment selection. It provides the Construction Manager and Developer with the knowledge required to effectively understand the various components of a building. This will include: the mechanical, electrical, plumbing and sprinkler systems; the exterior and roofs of buildings; the structural make-up of a project (concrete, steel, wood and stone); types of foundations that could be used for a project; materials for interior construction work. Some discussion will be held in regard to cost differences of materials and systems used and the efficiency of potential systems being considered.

The course covers financial accounting and cost control concepts with the integration and management of both the construction company and project level revenue and expenses. Reviews the management of Risk and how to avoid mistakes. Reviews the procurement of subcontractors, material, and equipment and labor portions of the construction projects. The use of cost control to monitor (1) the owner’s budget (2) General Conditions expenses (3) profit margins (4) Change Orders and their impact on the project budget. Shows how to submit requisitions and the requirements for having adequate waiver of liens and proper insurance. Reviews the consequences of tax law and its application to the construction industry and the implication of the type of corporation that is established.

This course teaches students the principles and instruments of real property and construction law, as well as when and how to utilize the legal system. It reviews the contracts and issues that arise in the course of construction, development, ownership and operations and examines the roles, rights, obligations and liabilities of the major parties involved in transactions including the owner, architect, engineer, contractor and allied professionals.

This course provides a step by step analysis of the phases utilized in the real estate development process including conceptualization, site acquisition, zoning and permits, planning and design, the construction phase, financing, and financial reporting and evaluation. The key components of construction contracts and subcontracts are covered including lump sum, unit price, and cost-plus delivery methods. Leadership, management and control of the development team are featured issues.

This course examines the management of worker and public safety for construction projects. It provides a comprehensive review of industry construction safety standards and public safety laws; OSHA regulations; legal and economic issues of safety; risk reduction; hazard recognition; accident investigation and analysis; and the development and management of worker safety programs.

This course details the skills, knowledge, and principles required to effectively manage a construction organization in today's highly competitive and changing environment. It emphasizes strategies to control the risks, variables and unforseen conditions inherent in the business of construction. Topics include: legal and organizational structure; administrative systems; financial management; sales and marketing; request for proposals and qualification (RFPs and RFQs); project evaluation and risk analysis; collective bargaining; human resource administration; insurance requirements; bonding and banking relationships; networking and trade associations; joint ventures; and measurements of success.

This course provides advanced techniques in schedule development and implementation for effective project management during the programming or construction phase of a project. It examines monitoring, updating, and controlling the project schedule; analyzing time-related change orders and delays; claims control; network and non-network models; resource leveling and algorithms, project diagnostics, optimum labor and equipment movement, relational databases, and dispute-avoidance considerations. Students will prepare a construction project schedule using computer software applications.

This course presents an examination of major negotiation theories, strategies and tactics as applied to real estate and construction transactions and disputes. Proposed and completed transactions are analyzed before or after each negotiation process as a benchmark for measuring the effectiveness of negotiators. Alternative dispute resolution techniques examined and practiced in the course include mediation, arbitration, and litigation settlement techniques. Students also review the defense of claims, liens and law suits. The role of ethics in professional practice is addressed.

In this course, Construction Managers learn the skills to coordinate, sequence, monitor, supervise work, and to control schedules and costs on projects. The students are given the tools: to review and analyze risk; to create logistics plans; manage, Request for Information (RFI), shop drawings, and other critical documents; to work with subcontractors and how they are selected for a project ( including bidding and the leveling process); for review of drawings and to make sure a project can be constructed based on the available information; for the implementation of test and quality control procedures; to review new technologies that are being used in the construction industry; to evaluate sustainability in construction. Students learn about the attributes it takes to be good leaders and how ethics plays a part in the total construction process. They are also taught how contracts are used and how to mitigate claims.

This project-oriented capstone course teaches the project executive the fundamental principles of risk and decision analysis applying such models as Baysian Theory, decision theory, utility theory, and modeling management's value system and simulation. Students are challenged to understand construction as a process and to develop management skills based on systematic, logical analysis of available resources and imposed constraints. Students apply skills and knowledge to formulate a theoretical construction company and estimate, evaluate, plan and administer an actual construction project. They also review the importance of ensuring quality throughout all phases of the project.

The course will instruct the students on how to use the latest construction industry technological tools so that they can be more effective when performing their designated tasks as a Project Manager, including: review of the various programs and applications that are currently used in the construction industry; using information \ and uses the techniques learned to develop a small building project.

Focusing on sustainability for building development and construction process, this course will cover the history, financial, regulatory and technical aspects involved with ecologically friendly construction, materials, technology and the art of recycling materials. Using the process to acquire LEEDS certification rating as the backbone for the course structure, students will examine the entire construction process and the life cycle costs and benefits involved in securing various rating levels. The course will also review the latest state energy code requirements and ASHRAE specifications as they relate to good and economical building designs.

BIM is a tool that converts standard Architectural, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Sprinkler and Structural drawings into 3D documents. This course will give the students an understanding of the benefits of using the BIM tool to increase their knowledge of the design and construction of all types of facilities. The course will demonstrate how to use BIM for numerous elements that are encountered in the planning and construction process. This will include (but not limited to): Site evaluation, Construction logistic planning, Assist in creating the means and methods that must be created by the contractor, Cost estimating, Scheduling, Coordination of all design documents, Elimination of conflicts, Constructability of all the design components, Use for the creation of shop drawings, Showing the construction of a project in real time.

Individual coursework with related topics in Construction Management. Approval by academic department.

Professional practice and related academic analysis under a designated faculty member and supervision within a private firm or public agency. This course may be used for an internship or practical training. Internships shall be a minimum of 10 hours and maximum of 20 hours of work per week. Students can take this professional internship course a maximum of two times for credit toward program requirements.