Structural Engineering and Construction Management
M.Sc. & Diploma

Purpose of the Courses

The modern construction industry demands that Engineers effectively control the quality of materials, time and programme, labour and subcontractors, costs and cash flow. There is an urgent need for people entering the construction industry to have an understanding of basic techniques and up-to-date methods for the planning and control of the construction process. These processes may involve:

• quality control
• quality assurance
• management organisation
• construction planning
• cost control

Some of these topics may have been studied at undergraduate level, but a review and fuller treatment of each subject is recommended for Engineers involved in management. Some managers become proficient by instinct rather than by learning, but even for them an understanding of the principles will form a base from which to build a greater efficiency. Not all principles are mere common sense, but include an analytical and theoretical approach to the solution of management problems.

The control of civil engineering works must often be seen as a unique exercise, never to be repeated. The one-off nature of construction allows no opportunity of refining the process at the second and subsequent attempts. Consequently, the bringing together of a wide range of examples of planning and control is essential to developing meaningful principles.

Construction has long been influenced, even dominated, by cost restraints. In some cases Engineers have allowed others to take charge of this topic, and have been in danger of becoming only technicians. A proper understanding of the control of finance in project management and construction planning is needed for an engineer to be a good manager.

The Advanced Structural Engineering and Construction Management programme at Newcastle integrates theory with practice, and principles with actual control of the construction process. From fundamental concepts of structural analysis and design, the course empahsises modern methods for planning and cost control, quality assurance, management organisation, construction planning and finance. Core subjects are offered in both M.Sc. (course code: 9287) and Diploma (course code: 9649). An induction module and Civil Engineering Practice (CIV332) are common to both courses with additional core subjects Construction Management A (CIV431) and Construction Management B (CIV432) included in the M.Sc. programme. From the full course list (defined in the M.Sc. regulations and Diploma regulations) a host of modules are offered which enable the flexible selection of additional advanced subjects relevant to individual requirements. A research project and submission of a dissertation concludes the Diploma and M.Sc. programmes in Structural Engineering & Construction Management.

For futher information, contact Dr.  P.D. Gosling, Postgraduate Tutor, using  this proforma, or by  Tel: +44 (0)191 222 6422 or by Fax: +44 (0)191 222 6502.

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