BYU Construction Management: Program Information for Future Students

INTRODUCTION/MISSION STATEMENT

AN INTRODUCTORY MOVIE

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BYU QUICK FACTS

STUDENTS DEMOGRAPHICS
Students from the US: 92%
Utah: 31%
California:13%
Washington: 5%
Texas: 5%
Idaho: 5%
Other States: 33%
International Students: 6%
Unidentified: 2%

FRESHMEN STATS
Average ACT/SAT: 28/1240
Average high school GPA: 3.80

LANGUAGE
More than 75% of BYU students speak a second language.

Additional Quick Facts

THE UNIVERSITY

Brigham Young University is a private university supported by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The campus is located at the base of the majestic Wasatch mountains on 646 acres in Provo, Utah. With 33,000 students from all 50 states and from 110 countries, BYU is the nation's largest private university. It is the mission of BYU to assist individuals in their quest for perfection and eternal life. That assistance should provide a period of intensive learning in a simulated setting where a commitment to excellence is expected and the full realization of human potential is pursued. At this university, the emphasis is on the development of the total person. Such a broadly prepared individual will not only be capable of of meeting personal challenges and change but will also bring strength to others in the tasks of home and family life, social relationships, civic duty, and service to mankind. The Construction Management Program is part of the School of Technology in the College of Engineering and Technology.

THE DISCIPLINE

The CM program is four years in length, leading to a Bachelor of Science degree. It is designed to give men and women abilities in construction management by providing a broad background in construction technology, business, architecture, and engineering, with specific emphasis on management within the construction industry. Graduates fill middle-management positions such as superintendents, estimators, schedulers, field engineers, inspectors, general contractors, sales representatives, and construction insurance or bonding personnel. Many go on to graduate studies in architecture, law or business administration.

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the BYU Construction Management Program is to provide students with a broad understanding of construction technology, business, architecture, and engineering, with specific emphasis on the management of construction projects. Courses within the program are designed to prepare graduates to excel in leadership positions, with a focus on building quality projects, safely, on time, within budget, and to customer expectations. Students are taught and encouraged to maintain integrity and high moral standards in all aspects of their lives.

THE OBJECTIVE

The following major goals are designed to fill this mission:

To be able to accurately estimate construction projects with the use of computerized estimating systems.

Have the knowledge and ability to schedule using Critical Path Method and computers.

Have the ability to set up cost accounts and variance reports.

Have the knowledge and ability to manage the safety operations of a company.

To be knowledgeable of the major issues concerning contract law.

Have the ability to schedule, obtain quality from, and effectively work with the plumbing subcontractors.

Have the ability to schedule, obtain quality from, and effectively work with carpenters.

Have the ability to schedule, obtain quality from, and effectively work with electricians.

Have the ability to schedule, obtain quality from, and effectively work with HVAC subcontractors.

Have the ability to schedule, obtain quality from, and effectively work with the concrete and masonry subcontractors.

Be able to read and interpret contract plans, specifications and documents.

Be capable of successfully working on a survey or layout crew.

To be able to communicate effectively with engineers concerning main engineering principles and practices.

To understand and apply the basic principles of real estate finance and development.

To have the student feel good enough about their education from the BYU Construction Management Program to advise a friend with similar interests to select CM as their major.

To have alumni that are satisfied with their decision to major in construction management.

Specific Objectives:

Instruction:

1. Provide an environment whereby students can acquire a well-rounded education to prepare them for successful living.

2. Establish and maintain a standard of excellence both in the instruction provided to the students and also in the performance of students.

3. Develop and maintain high standards of written and verbal communication skills, among all students.

4. Develop computer literacy in at least the following areas: Windows, estimating, scheduling, spreadsheets, financial and cost accounting, and word processing.

5. Develop basic engineering and mathematical skills.

6. Provide sufficient skills training to students so as to enable them to recognize quality work and to take appropriate corrective action when necessary to achieve quality construction.

Industry/Public Relations:

1. Develop and maintain strong relations with industry by inviting industry leaders to campus to interact with students.

2. Develop and maintain strong relations with industry trade associations through strong student chapters with the Associated General Contractors, National Association of Home Builders, and the Associated Builders and Contractors.

3. Develop strong public relations by offering outstanding activities, service and a program of excellence.

4. Assist in the advancement of the industry by providing seminars and workshops for professionals in the construction industry.

Faculty Development:

1. Establish research as an important part of the Construction Management program.

2. Encourage faculty to actively participate in meaningful writing activities such as writing textbooks, publishing articles in refereed journals and writing articles for trade magazines.

3. Continue to provide service to the industry by sponsoring and speaking at conferences, seminars, workshops, conventions, university functions and trade
association meetings.

4. Encourage active participation on national, state and local trade and professional association committees and encourage faculty to seek and serve as
officers in such organizations.

5. Maintain a close tie to the latest industry developments by encouraging faculty to seek and take meaningful leaves both during summer breaks and at least every seven years for extended periods of time.

6. Encourage faculty to be of service to the industry by offering their services as consultants within the university guidelines to those involved in construction.

7. Encourage attendance of faculty members at conventions, seminars and other educational opportunities, and to provide financial support of these endeavors as budgets will allow.

Facilities and Equipment:

1. Provide the finest facilities possible consistent with budgetary constraints and financial resources.

2. Continue to provide and improve computer facilities to students so that they can acquire experience in the use of the latest in computer programs and
technology.

3. Continue to improve laboratory facilities so as to provide meaningful experiences to students in the technology of the construction industry.

Outcomes Assesment
	A survey is sent to students who have been graduated for 2 years. Below are their responses to the questions asked in the survey. Alumni rated the CM program on a 5 point scale, with 5 being Agree Strongly and 1 being Disagree Strongly. Considering others who have been hired in similar positions within your company and considering that your education was to prepare you for an entry level management position related to construction, when you were first employed, how would you rate yourself concerning the following?

	4.6	The CM program of study was very good preparation for my professional work.
	4.7	I had the ability to accurately estimate using Excel.
	4.4	I had the ability to accurately estimate using Timberline/On-Screen Takeoff
	4.6	I had the ability to schedule using CPM and computers.
	4.0	I had the ability to set up cost accounts and variance reports.
	4.1	I had the ability to manage the safety operations of a company.
	4.1	I was aware of the major issues concerning contract law.
	4.2	I had the ability to, schedule, obtain quality from, and effectively work with plumbers.
	4.5	I had the ability to, schedule, obtain quality from, and effectively work with carpenters.
	4.2	I had the ability to, schedule, obtain quality from, and effectively work with electricians.
	4.5	I had the ability to, schedule, obtain quality from, and effectively work with HVAC subcontractors.
	4.5	I had the ability to, schedule, obtain quality from, and effectively work with concrete and masonry subs.
	4.5	I was able to read and interpret contract plans, specifications, and documents.
	4.1	I was capable of working on a survey or layout crew.
	4.3	I was able to communicate effectively with the engineers concerning main engineering principles and practices.
	4.4	I understand and can apply the basic principles of real estate finance and development.
	4.3	I understood the basic fundamentals of business management.
	Would you advise a friend with similar interests to select the major you did? 1 student said he would not advise a friend to select CM as a major.
	If you were starting over would you choose the same major? 1 student said he would not advise a friend to select CM as a major and one was undecided.

ACADEMIC QUALITY

Accreditation - The Construction Management Program is accredited by American Council for Construction Education (ACCE).

Facilities - The department utilizes the most advanced and innovative construction-related university computer laboratories in the nation. Facilities for construction technologies, CAC, and other related areas are also high quality.

Special Programs - The CM program is involved in a variety of special activities during the year.

*National Student Construction Management competition--National Association of Home Builders.

*National Student Construction Management Competition-- Associated Builders & Contractors

*Regional Student Construction Management competition--Associated Schools of Construction.

*Mock Bid Competition--American Society of Professional Estimators

*Other community service projects (highway cleanup, Parade of Homes, etc.)

*Habitat for Humanity.

Faculty expertise - The programs faculty members have with a wide range of interests and expertise. All faculty have expertise in industry. Two faculty have a nation-wide reputation in project management (scheduling) and estimating. Graduating majors commonly comment that the faculty offer excellent program advisement, are friendly, and have personal interest in them as students. Many of the faculty are involved in writing for professional journals and in making presentations at regional and national conventions.

MEMBERSHIP

Honorary societies and clubs - Student chapters of Sigma Lamda Chi, National Association of Home Builders, Associated General Contractors, Associated Builders and Contractors.

Internships, co-op education, practical experience - All these are required. One of the hallmarks of the program is the practical application of skills and technologies.

Financing of education - Scholarships are available. Also, a number of upper-division students are hired as laboratory assistants and teaching assistants.

GRADUATE SCHOOL

There is an increasing need for construction managers at all levels. These managers should possess advanced skills in management. To help prepare students with these advanced skills, starting January 2003 a master degree in Technology with an emphasis in Construction Management will be offered.

The construction industry of today is in need of competent personnel who have professional training and background in managing personal, money, materials, and equipment to construct quality buildings on time and within budget. For additional information, write to:

Brigham Young University
School of Technology
230 SNLB, PO Box 28200
Provo, UT 84602-8200

Phone (801) 422-1819 / Fax: (801) 422-0219

E-mail: beverly_harmon@byu.edu

The Construction Management newsletter will be published annually.

Download Newsletter issue:
Issue 1 Academic year 2006/2007 (Download Newsletter 8 Meg PDF)

To recieve an email notice when the next newsletter is published in 2008, please fill out the form below:

BYU CM

Program Information for Future Students