DEPARTMENT OF CONSTRUCTION SCIENCE

HOWDY !!!!

This traditional Aggie greeting is extended from the Department of Construction Science at Texas A&M University. The mission of this department is to prepare young men and women for management positions in construction and construction-related industries. We create "Aggie Constructors"! With over 800 students and 29 faculty members, the Texas A&M Construction Science program is one of the largest and best programs of construction higher education in the world.

HISTORY OF COSC

The construction education program at Texas A&M University was established in 1946 as a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Construction. The Department was approved for a name change to the Department of Construction Science in 1983. The degree program name was changed to Bachelor of Science in Construction Science in the fall of 1992. Current enrollment in the undergraduate program is approximately 750 students.

In 1977, the Texas State Coordinating Board granted the Department permission to offer a graduate level program and to grant the degree of Master of Science in Building Construction. The name of the degree was changed to Master of Science in Construction Management in 1981. Current enrollment in the graduate program is approximately 100 students.

The graduate and undergraduate curricula are serviced by about 29 full and part-time faculty members. Departmental administration is under the direction of a Department Head, supported by Undergraduate Program Coordinator, who oversees the undergraduate program, and a Graduate Program Coordinator, who is responsible for coordinating the graduate program. The undergraduate curriculum is aimed at educating construction generalists who are able to enter the construction industry at the lower management levels, with potential for swift advancement to middle management positions. Course work is especially directed at furnishing people for the general contracting segment of the construction industry. Specialized course work in building systems, materials and methods of construction, scheduling, cost estimating, structures, construction management, law, and business/labor relations are taught. This interdisciplinary approach provides the student with the best possible exposure to the various tools needed to become a construction industry leader.

In contrast, the graduate program is directed toward preparing professionals for upper level management positions not only in general contracting, but also in other areas related to the entire construction process. The masters program offers a 32-hour thesis or 36-hour non-thesis option. Students must take core courses offered by the Department of Construction Science. The remaining hours may be selected to allow the student to focus on individual goals and may emphasize management, finance, real estate, safety, construction practices, facilities management, or some other area of interest. Graduates of the program typically seek positions as owner/A-E representative, subcontractor manager, real estate developer, designer, or one of the many other opportunities available in the construction industry.