Construction Management

Annual Report 2009-2010

Department Overview

This year the Department of Construction Management continued to make noteworthy accomplishments as in the previous years. Student enrollment increased for the fifth consecutive year to an all-time high of 594 (4% increase over the previous year). The department awarded an all-time high of 162 degrees, including over 100 masters’. The Construction Management Industry Advisory Council continued its Annual Industry Support Fund Campaign this year and raised about $168,000 for the year. The Department’s online MS program continued its growth and currently has 150 students enrolled. The department also acquired its first-ever research funding from the National Science Foundation.

Faculty and Research Highlights

The department currently has 8 full-time faculty and employs anywhere between 10 to 14 adjunct faculty members every term. Two new full-time faculty members will join the department in fall 2011, one in a tenure-track position, and the other in a non-tenure-track position.

Faculty members are involved in various research areas, including risk management and decision-making, sustainability and green construction, information and communication technology, infrastructure systems and management, safety and health, and construction education.

Dr. Yimin Zhu was awarded a research grant by the National Science Foundation. This represents the first departmental research award from the prestigious organization.

Dr. Syed M. Ahmed, Associate Professor and Director of the Graduate Program, announced his resignation effective Fall 2010, having accepted the position of Chairperson of the Department of Construction Management at East Carolina University.

Students Activities and Achievements

The FIU Construction Management team won the Third Prize in the estimating category of the Annual ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors) Construction Management Competition held in Las Vegas, NV in February 2010. That speaks volume to the competitiveness of our students and their preparedness by our faculty.

Alumni in the News

CM Alumnus, Chad Moss (’94), Senior Vice President and Project Executive of Moss and Associates was selected as the 2009 Distinguished Alumni Torch Award recipient from the FIU President. This award recognizes his support of the Department of Construction Management and his leadership on the Department’s Industry Advisory Council. In addition, Chad was also appointed as a member of the FIU Foundation Board of Directors in 2009-10.

New Infrastructure

The department completed the renovation of a 650 square feet space for its first-ever laboratory, an MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) studio on the second floor of the Engineering Center. This lab is equipped with HVAC, electrical and plumbing appliances/fixtures for demonstration to the students, and computer hardware and software for instruction and training.

Events

FIU College of Engineering and Computing and Titan America, LLC jointly organized the Florida Infrastructure Sustainability Forum on February 18, 2010. Dr. Irtishad Ahmad, P.E. Chair of the Department of Construction Management was the presiding chair of the Forum.

Dr. Mark Rosenberg, President of FIU, was the keynote speaker at the May monthly meeting of the Associated General Contractors (AGC) on May 18, 2010. He appealed to the leaders of the South Florida construction industry to support the department. Dr. Rosenberg was also the keynote speaker in the Latin Builders Association (LBA) monthly luncheon meeting held on March 26, 2010. Dean Mirmiran and the faculty of the department participated in these events.

Fall Term Enrollment

Five Year Fall Term Enrollment CM

Degrees Awarded

Degrees Awarded CM