Paper Authors

Abstract

NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract

Development of a Construction Management Specialization in Demolition and Reconstruction

Abstract

This paper details the development of a curriculum for a specialization in demolition and reconstruction within a construction management program in a college of technology. At present, an assistant professor faculty position has been funded, and an introductory three-credit course has been developed and offered. The introductory course is being taught for a second semester to an audience of approximately two dozen students. There will be three additional courses developed to provide interested students with a twelve-credit specialization in demolition and reconstruction management. Demolition industry contractors and equipment manufacturers are supporting the development of the curriculum. Opportunities exist for industry professionals to help shape the course offerings by reviewing proposed course descriptions and syllabi, by providing access to information and data for case studies and by presenting occasional guest lectures. In the area of scholarship, faculty will be able to study practical problems faced by the demolition and reconstruction segments of the construction industry. These research projects will help the industry overcome challenges, will provide faculty with field experience that can be shared in the classroom and, through publication, will help to build a body of knowledge for the demolition and reconstruction segments of the construction industry.

This paper will be of significance to those interested in demolition and reconstruction education in addition to those seeking to develop new curricula, particularly specializations. Specifically, this paper will detail the process from engaging an industry segment or segments to developing the actual courses in the newly developed specialization.

Background

Construction is central to the basic human needs of “food, shelter and clothing.” From the moment that people stopped living in caves, they became constructors by necessity. Therefore, construction is arguably one of the oldest “industrial” activities carried on by human beings. It was not until the last half of the twentieth century that post-secondary programs in construction management, construction technology and construction engineering began to develop in the United States. Many of these programs were started with the active involvement of the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredited its first bachelor’s degree construction engineering program in 1958 and its first associate’s degree in construction technology program in 1963.1 It was not until 1974 that the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) was formed, and it began accrediting construction management programs shortly thereafter.2

At first, most programs were dedicated to building construction with an emphasis on commercial, institutional and light industrial projects. Graduates of these programs had a positive impact on the industry, and more general contractors sought college-educated constructors. As industry demand and support grew, degree specializations were developed in building construction (in both residential and commercial versions), heavy-highway construction,

• Citation

• Format
  • APA
  • APA - LaTeX bibitem
  • MLA
  • MLA - LaTeX bibitem
  • Bibtex
  • EndNote - RIS

Behling, K., & Shaurette, M. (2006, June), Development Of A Construction Management Specialization In Demolition And Reconstruction Paper presented at 2006 Annual Conference & Exposition, Chicago, Illinois. 10.18260/1-2--1423