Construction engineering and management program

Students interested in construction engineering and management may pursue the master of science, master of engineering, online master's degree, PhD or various graduate-level certificates.

For specific information on the CEM masters degrees, please open the curriculum tab below.

Students interested in construction degrees may pursue a bachelor of science in construction engineering and management or in construction management. Details for each program can be found on the civil engineering undergraduate program pages.

BS in Construction Engineering and Management here 

BS in Construction Management here 

For MEng and MS in Construction Engineering and Management curriculum see below.

CEM Master of Engineering

This degree will have the degree of Master of Engineering (MEng) in Civil Engineering with an expertise in Construction Engineering and Management on the final transcript. The MEng degree at CU Denver is intended for students who have non-engineering undergraduate degrees or students with engineering undergraduate degrees but no interest in research.

The CEM MEng degree requires the three core CEM courses, four CEM electives, and three courses from another related field. Graduate level courses must be completed with a B- or better to receive credit.

Core courses

Students must successfully complete the three required core courses:

• CEMT 5231 - Construction Materials and Methods
• CEMT 5232 - Construction Planning and Control
• CEMT 5233 - Construction Cost Estimating
  

CEM electives

Students must take four additional program courses from those listed below or other CEMT graduate level courses,

• CEMT 5087 - Engineering Contracts
• CEMT 5234 - Sustainable Construction
• CEMT 5235- Advanced Construction Engineering
• CEMT 5236 - Project Management Systems
• CEMT 5237 - Advanced Project Management
• CEMT 5238 - Integrated Construction Leadership
• CEMT 5240 - Building Information Modeling (BIM)
• CEMT 5242 - Construction Safety

Another related field

Students must take three additional graduate courses from a related field. Typically, students select courses from the CU Denver Business School, College of Architecture and Planning, or other engineering courses. Students typically select an area of interest to focus on, for example sustainable architecture, entrepreneurship, or structural engineering. Students must meet course prerequisites before enrolling. Work with your advisor to select appropriate courses.

CEM Master of Science

This degree will have the degree of Master of Science (MS) in Civil Engineering with an expertise in Construction Engineering and Management on the final transcript. The MS degree at CU Denver is intended for students who have previously earned an undergraduate degree in engineering.

The CEM MS degree requires the four core CEM courses, three CEM electives, and three courses from another related field. Graduate level courses must be completed with a B- or better to receive credit.

Core courses

Students must successfully complete the four required core courses:

• CEMT 5231 - Construction Materials and Methods
• CEMT 5232 - Construction Planning and Control
• CEMT 5233 - Construction Cost Estimating
• CEMT 5960 – Master’s Report (3 cr hrs), or Master’s Thesis (6 cr hr)
  

CEM electives

Students must take three additional program courses from those listed below or other CEMT graduate level courses,

• CEMT 5087 - Engineering Contracts
• CEMT 5234 - Sustainable Construction
• CEMT 5235- Advanced Construction Engineering
• CEMT 5236 - Project Management Systems
• CEMT 5237 - Advanced Project Management
• CEMT 5238 - Integrated Construction Leadership
• CEMT 5240 - Building Information Modeling (BIM)
• CEMT 5242 - Construction Safety

Another related field

Students must take three additional graduate courses from a related field. Typically, students select courses from CU Denver engineering programs, the Business School, or College of Architecture and Planning. Students typically select an area of interest to focus on, for example structural engineering, sustainable architecture, or entrepreneurship. Students must meet course prerequisites before enrolling. Work with your advisor to select appropriate courses.

Typical CEM Graduate Course Availability

Notes: Extended studies (ES) are online, asynchronous.  Register for them through extended studies.

CEMT 5231 Construction Materials and Methods This course presents information regarding the primary materials and methods used to design and construct the majority of buildings in the United States including concrete, wood and steel. Students explore processes related to the specification, ordering and installation of various construction materials, as well as analyze various materials’ performance characteristics.

CEMT 5232 Construction Planning and Controls This course presents knowledge and techniques used in planning and controlling of construction projects, including basics of construction planning, bar chart, network scheduling, uncertainty in scheduling, limited resources scheduling, resource leveling, line of balance, time-cost trade-off analysis, cash flow analysis, integrated time-cost control and value engineering. Students will work on a project throughout the semester to apply the skills they learn in class.

CEMT 5233 Construction Cost Estimating This course presents the application of scientific principles to rough and detailed cost estimating; bid document preparation; quantity take off; concepts and statistical measurements of the factors involved in direct costs, overhead costs, cost markups and profits; and computerized estimating. Course participants will gain knowledge about quantity take offs and construction cost estimating through lectures, exercises and group activities. Guest speakers will share firsthand experience regarding current approaches to cost estimating in real-world, professional practice. Students will complete a cost estimate of an actual project.

CEMT 5234 Sustainable Construction This course serves as an introduction to major components and technologies used in sustainable design and construction to create healthy, environmentally sensitive built environments. Content focuses on construction processes, renewable energy systems, healthy buildings, natural and cultural resources and traditional as well as cutting-edge building strategies.

CEMT 5235/6235 Advanced Construction Engineering This course includes a high-level overview of Construction Engineering Management including organizations involved, current approaches and industry challenges. The course investigates construction contracts, estimating and managing earthwork, temporary construction and others. This course serves as part of the Integrated Construction, Management and Leadership (ICML) Certificate. NOTE: This course is offered in a condensed 8-week format with an online component.

CEMT 5236 Project Management Systems This course explores the fundamentals of the International Standard supported by the Project Management institute’s (PMI) Project Management Body of Knowledge. Using a range of case studies and project work, the course prepares students for PMI’s Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) or Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification tests.

CEMT 5237/6237 Advanced Topics in Project Management This course builds on the International Standard in Project Management from PMI’s PMBOK and uses project experience and case studies to build experience and introduce advanced concepts in completing projects. Emphasis is put on sustainability in global projects to create healthy, environmentally sensitive communities. Partnerships with local and global partners add value to the students and the partners.

CEMT 5238/6238 Integrated Construction Leadership This course is an integrated architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) business course bringing together executives, principals, and managers to current industry topics and provide students an opportunity to apply management and leadership principles from the various fields to case study projects. This course serves as part of the Integrated Construction, Management and Leadership (ICML) Certificate. NOTE: This course is offered in a condensed 8-week format with an online component; the course begins in mid March.

CEMT 5242 Construction Safety This course is a study of safety practices in the construction industry and the specific safety procedures used in safety management of a construction project. Topics include safety risks inherent in construction projects, the roles of government, the judicial system, the insurance industry, designers and project owners in safety management and the economic impact of injures. Advanced topics include accident causation theory, economic modeling, safety risk quantification and analysis, design for safety and emerging technologies.

CVEN 5240 Building Information Modeling (BIM) Building information modeling (BIM) software packages are increasingly used in the construction industry by architects, engineers, and clients to collaborate on the design of buildings and planning of construction projects. In this course, students will be introduced to the basics of current best-practices in BIM-enabled processes. Student will learn techniques and capabilities of specific modeling programs such as Revit and Navisworks; as well as gain first-hand knowledge and experience of the power of innovative, integrated BIM-based methods. Students will work on a project throughout the semester to apply the skills that they learn in class.

CEMT 5246/IWKS 4930 Construction, Business and Innovation This course will provide an introduction to opportunities related to innovation, business and entrepreneurialism in professional building and construction engineering practice. Course participants will gain knowledge about effective creative skills and practices related to design and construction through active learning using state-of-the-art technologies (BIM, 3D printing, extreme engineering etc.).

The interdisciplinary CU Denver Construction Engineering and Management (CEM) program leverages CU Denver’s accredited schools of engineering, architecture, and business to prepare students for today’s complex construction industry. Programs are designed to enable engineers, construction managers, architects, business majors, and others to advance within a wide variety of construction career paths or to transition into the dynamic, exciting, and high-paying building industry.

The interdisciplinary master of science/master of engineering in construction engineering and management at the University of Colorado Denver prepares the next generation of construction engineers with the requisite set of skills to be effective leaders and managers within this ever-evolving industry.

Graduates of the program are prepared to engage in responsibilities of construction engineers and construction managers, including building and site design, as well as engineering, planning and leading construction schedules, construction quality assurance and control, construction cost estimating and project management.

The program's core focuses on construction planning and controls, cost estimating and materials and methods. Elective courses include sustainable construction, project management, BIM and others. Additional advanced engineering courses are available in transportation, structures, soils, sustainability and more.

Faculty in the Business School provide expertise in leadership, managing for sustainability, entrepreneurship, legal and ethical business issues, data analysis, decision analysis, financial management and quality and process improvement. Faculty in the College of Architecture and Planning add expertise in design, green building technology, sustainable systems, construction documents and managing quality and risks.​

Hiring students and graduates – for employeers

The CU Denver CEM program has undergraduate and graduate level students and soon to be graduates looking for work experience, formal internships, and careers. The easiest way to find the new employee that you are looking for is to go to the CU Denver Career Center. Set up an account in Handshake and post your opportunities.

The Career Center also offers several career fairs each year. The easiest way to find out when the next one is to Google “CU Denver career fair”.

The CU Denver Experiential Center offers information on structured internships.

The CEM program offers focused career fairs for our Industry Advisory Board (IAB) members. If you are interested in joining our IAB or are on our IAB and want additional information please email Heidi Brothers. Heidi.brothers@ucdenver.edu.

Student information

The CEM program highly encourages all students to gain work experience in the industry. Work experience affords you the opportunity to apply concepts studied in the classroom, explore other aspects of the industry, and gain profession experience. The CEM program provides the CEM career fairs, information on networking, preparing resumes, finding opportunities, and interview prep.

Work experience. Work experience is defined as working in the construction related industry. That can include working for a general contractor, specialty contractor, a design firm, a related supply or technology company, a company providing CM services, or the project management/ construction management part of a government or municipal agency. The work can be during breaks or part time during the school semesters.

Internship. Students working towards a BS degree in CM or CEM are required to complete an internship within the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry. The internship must be at least 3 months (12 weeks, 480 hours of work) of fulltime internship with an AEC industry or government agency. Typically, the internships would occur during the summer months of the junior to senior year.

This internship is worth 1 credit hour and will be listed as CEMT 4939 on your transcript. Internships are to be completed within the last 2 years (or 4 semesters) before graduation.

Additional information:

• CEM Undergraduate Internship Policy

• CEM Graduate Internship Policy

• CEMT 4939 Internship Syllabus
• Steps to set up the summer internship course

Graduate Student Internships.  Students working towards a MS or MEng in CEM may complete a formal internship course(s) within AEC industry.  CVEN 5939 Internship.  1 credit possible per semester with a minimum of 200 hours of work, max of 3 credit hours. International graduate students should check within the International Student & Scholar Services before starting the process. 3 credit hours of CVEN 5939 will reduce the CEM elective or general elective requirements by one course. 

Contact your advisor for additional information.

How to find a job

This webpage is designed to help you land a job, work experience opportunity, internship, and/or career in construction management and related areas. Employers could potentially be general contractors, specialty contractors, design firms, government agencies, and others.

Please start by working with the CU Denver Career Center. https://www.ucdenver.edu/lynxconnect/career-center 

The information available on this webpage includes 3 videos, some example resumes, and other information. Start by watching video 1 and the resume review video. Then look at the example resumes and write, revise, update, etc your resume. Video 2 focuses on networking, finding opportunities and interview prep. Note also the files on LinkedIn and Federal Resumes.

After you have written, revised, updated etc, your resume you may send it to me for additional help. I will also help you with interview preparation. Heidi Brothers - Heidi.brothers@ucdenver.edu

Couple of clarifications for the “How to find a job video 1”.  In this video, I had issues with screen sharing of the resume examples.  So, there is another video that goes over the resume examples. In the video, I talk about internships from the perspective of the required CEMT 4939 for the BS in CEM and CM.  Internships is a broad term that the design/construction industry uses for short, focused introductions to the work and the company.  Typically, they are about 3 months in the summer and some companies have a very structured program.  For example, GE Johnson brings all new interns in about the last week in May for a week or orientation and networking among the interns before being sent to their respective work locations.  In general, all internships are paid. 

Example resumes:

• Undergraduate example resume 1
• Undergraduate example resume 2
• Undergraduate example resume 3
• Graduate example resume 1
• Graduate example resume 2

Videos

• Resume Review Video
• Juan Tapia-Alamillo Summer 2021 Internship Video
• How To Find a Job Video 1
• How To Find a Job Video 2

Associated General Contractors Student Chapter

The construction engineering and management program has an active Associated General Contractors student chapter sponsored by the AGC of Colorado chapter. The student chapter has regular meetings, guest speakers from industry, tours construction sites, volunteers with Habitat with Humanity and participates in other activities.

This organization is open to any University of Colorado Denver students interested in construction.

Mission & Goals

The mission of AGC is to provide members a competitive edge through excellence in advocacy, collaboration, leadership, networking, workforce development, and services.

The goal of the student chapter is to support the development of future construction managers by building leadership, ethics, construction knowledge, and industry connections within the student population.

• For more information, contact assistant professor Heidi Brothers​.​​​​

Construction Management Association of America (CMAA)

The construction engineering and management program has an active Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) student chapter sponsored by the regional CMAA chapter. The student chapter has regular meetings, hosts guest speakers from industry, tours construction sites, volunteers with Habitat with Humanity and participates in other activities.

This organization is open to any University of Colorado Denver students interested in the construction process.

Mission, Vision & Goals

The mission of CMAA is to promote the profession of construction management and the use of qualified construction managers on capital projects and programs. 

The vision of CMAA is that all owners will realize capital project and program success by using professionally qualified construction managers.

The goal of the student chapter is to support the development of future construction managers by building leadership, ethics, construction knowledge, and industry connections within the student population. 

For more information, contact assistant professor Heidi Brothers​.

The Construction Engineering and Management (CEM) program is a professional master’s degree program created in partnership with Denver’s construction and engineering community. The CEM Advisory Board includes industry leader that have strong knowledge of industry work force needs and have reinforced the pressing need for a strong pipeline of engineers from CU Denver to become the industry’s future leaders.

CEM ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS 

Tom Alford, Senior Vice President, Saunders Construction, Inc. 

Ryan Balakas,Vice President of Operations, Saunders Construction, Inc. 

Joe Bedford, Tactical Solutions Team Manager, Adolfson & Peterson Construction  

David Bennetts, Government Relationships Manager, Mile High Flood District

David Burczyk, Construction Robotics Lead, Building Construction Field Systems, Trimble 

Adam Burrington, Director of Business Development, McCarthy Building
Company

Scott Bustos, Business Development Manager, Turner Construction 

Mike Brown, Managing Director, PMA Consultants 

Jay Campbell, Associate Vice Chancellor, University of Colorado Anschutz

Robert Childers, Director of Virtual Design & Construction, JHL Constructors 

Jeff Clevenger, SVP/National Practice league, Alternative Delivery Services

Cindy Colip, Director of Public Works, City of Aurora 

Dave Conover, Retired

Bryan Cook, Executive Director, AGC Foundation 

Kate Corrigan, Client Solution, JE Dunn 

Michelle Curry, District HRPD Manager, PCL Construction Services, Inc.

Conrad Dawes, Civil Technology, Inc.

Steve Eikanger, President, Flintco 

Dave Espinoza, M.A. Mortenson Company

David Frazier, Project Superintendent, CDM Constructors Inc.

Cheri Gerou, Owner, Gerou & Associates Civic Architecture

Greg Gidez, Director of Design Services, Hensel Phelps 

Kristi Graham Gitkind, Chief Human Resources Officer, Colorado Department of Transportation 

Richard Hepworth,

Norm Holden, Vice President/Territorial General Manager, Baker Concrete 

Kevin Mahoney, Director of Special Projects, GH Phipps Construction Companies 

William McConnell, Chief Executive Officer, VERTEX 

Jonathan McDonald, Construction Executive, GE Johnson 

Gary Meggison, Project Management, Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association

Jade Mercer, Project Executive, Swinerton Builders

Marsha Nelson, Chief Equity Officer, Colorado Department of Transportation  

Rico Nelson, CEO, Civil Technology, Inc.

Lance Olsen, Olsen and Olsen

Justin Peterson, Vice President Operations, McCarthy Building Company

Charles Rountree, Vertical Integration Project Manager, City and County of Denver 

Jeff Scherlis, Project Coordinator, Triunity Engineering and Management

Danielle Smith, Central Region Director, Triunity Inc. 

Kristin Smith, Executive Liaison, Howell Construction

Zachery Tiggelaar, Account Executive, Olson & Olson 

Adam Trumbour, Managing Director, NV5

John Tryba, Leader, WSP USA

Del Walker, Vice President, Kiewit Development Company

Darcy Wojciechowski, FCI Constructors, Inc.

YOUNG ALUM, ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER 

Paola Figueroa Bergeman, BIM VDC Engineer, Baker Concrete Construction Ind.

Juan Tapia-Alamillo, Office Engineer, Hensel Phelps

FOUNDING CEM ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS 

Dave Bennetts, Senior Project Engineering, Urban Drainage and Flood Control 

Dave Conover, Retired

Carlos A. deMoraes, Retired 

David Frazier, Retired 

Richard Hepworth, Retired

Jeffrey Kullman, Senior Vice President and Regional Director Mountain Region, Michael Baker International 

Gary Meggison, Advisor, Commercial Construction Advisory 

Keith Platte, Retired

• Optimal building operation and renovation within limited upgrade budgets
• State-of-the-art techniques to optimize construction cost, duration, quality, safety, and sustainability
• Sustainability of existing and new buildings
• Optimization of commuting needs for businesses
• Repair, evaluation, maintenance, and rehabilitation of civil infrastructure such as dams, buildings, bridges, and street and street subsystems
• Use of building information modeling (BIM) to aid in creating optimal design, construction, and operation of buildings
• Promotion of sustainability and social quality of life in buildings
• Theories, methods, and tools for multidisciplinary systems thinking in high-performance building
• Construction worker health and productivity
• Construction innovation and enterprise