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Construction Engineering & Management

Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering
College of Engineering

Description | Skills | Experience | Sample Careers/Work Settings | Salary
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Description of Major

Graduates of the Construction Engineering and Management (CEM) degree program design and manage construction processes that create living and working environments and the constructed infrastructure serving public needs.

The BS degree in Construction Engineering and Management, is available in two concentrations—general and mechanical.

General concentration -- best suited for those interested in the general construction aspects of buildings, roadways, bridges, airports, industrial facilities, housing, utilities, and dams related to civil and architectural projects.

Mechanical concentration -- best suited for those interested in construction and design of mechanical systems for buildings, residences, power plants, and industrial facilities and the management of these activities.

With an accredited engineering degree program, graduates are on track to pursue a Professional Engineering license, a necessity not only for professional practice, but also for many positions in local, state, and federal government. Obtaining a contractor’s license is also a goal for many graduates early in their career. Since construction is done everywhere people live, graduates can often match their family and geographical location needs with an employer.

Courses include:

Engineering Mechanics · Statics, Engineering Mechanics · Dynamics, Mechanics of Solids, Civil Engineering Measurements & Surveys, Construction Engineering Systems, Hydraulics, Construction Estimating, Planning, & Control, Technical Electives (for concentration), Construction Equipment & Methods, Structural Steel Design (gen. construction), Legal Aspects of Contracting, Building Construction Engineering, Senior Design Project*

*The senior design project in construction engineering and management is a semester long activity involving teams of students solving real world problems in their area of specialization. A written report and presentation are included.

The Undergraduate Catalog shows a listing of Construction Engineering & Management courses, and the degree audit shows the curricula requirements for this major. If you are interested in expanding your career options, consider double-majoring and/or adding a minor.

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Skills You Develop In This Major

  • Engineers are problem solvers -- people who make things work better, more efficiently, quicker and less expensively. They use skills and dedication to search for better ways to solve problems. National Society of Professional Engineers

  • As an engineering student, you will have to work hard at your studies, getting a solid background in engineering principles, and then apply your knowledge in real-world applications. Your studies are not everything, however. The professional engineer of today is not just an expert in a particular field. Today’s engineer is a many-faceted individual whose knowledge is combined with a wide range of skills and experiences. As a student at NC State, you are not just spending time in class and studying; you are preparing yourself for a professional career. Louis Martin-Vega, Dean of Engineering

Gaining Career-Related Experience

You are strongly encouraged to gain career-related experience prior to graduation in the form of an internship, summer job, or co-op. Though course credit is not available for this experience through the College of Engineering, you may expect compensation from the employer.

Co-op is a program of alternating semesters of work and school. Paid work terms of increasing responsibility enable students to graduate with the minimum equivalent of one year of relevant work experience. Full-time enrollment during the semester prior to the first work term is required. You can begin co-op after completion of at least two semesters (30 credit hours) at NC State (one semester for transfers and graduate students). An NC State transcript must show grades and admission to a degree program. A minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.50 (3.00 for graduate students) is required. The Co-op Office web site lists the Orientation Schedule, which is the first step to program participation.

Internships are typically full-time during the summer or (for some) part-time during the semester. You can start interning or seeking summer jobs related to your field, whenever you are ready. The University Career Center provides services to help you get started.

Participate in ePack, the Career Center's on-line system that connects employees with students through internship postings, on-campus interviews, information sessions, and resume searches. You may activate your ePack account at any time.

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