DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTEGRATED CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AND CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY CURRICULUM

摘要

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte's (UNC-Charlotte) Department of Engineering Technology currently offers three Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (TAC of ABET) accredited baccalaureate degree programs; Civil Engineering Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology, and Mechanical Engineering Technology as well as a non-accredited Fire Safety Engineering Technology program. In an effort to strengthen enrollments and to enhance program offerings, the Civil Engineering Technology (CIET) program recently completed an examination of a wide range of potential curricula improvement options including the development of a new construction management program that will be closely integrated with the existing CIET program. This paper examines some of the lessons-learned by the CIET faculty from the academic program improvement and curriculum development effort. Experience gained from the effort indicates that the development of a new academic program requires the following key elements: 1) Identification of the need, 2) Emergence of key faculty advocate, 3) Alignment with institutional mission and goals, 4) Consideration of accreditation options, 5) Development of curriculum 6) Addressing of administrative approval processes and, 7) Patience and perseverance.