The entire environment of homes, buildings, roads, freeways, bridges, and much more result from the delivery of construction projects. It is the responsibility of the construction engineer and construction manager to deliver these projects in a manner that maximizes value – a quality product at a fair price, safely constructed in a timely fashion. This final step in the development of our infrastructure – construction – is one of the most visible products in all of engineering.

Our construction engineering management (CEM) undergraduate program prepares students with the tools they need to become construction engineers and managers in all areas of the construction industry.

Our award-winning faculty members have expertise and conduct research in four signature research areas: Human Factors in Construction, Advanced Methods and Materials, Virtual Design and Construction, and Management Science. Research topics studied within these signature areas include: construction safety, lean construction, virtual/augmented reality, building information modelling (BIM), simulation, project strategic management, e-business construction solutions, estimating and cost control, planning and scheduling, construction labor productivity, asphalt materials, alternative methods for project delivery, and construction computer applications.

The program began during the 1966-67 school year within the College of Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering. Members of the Education Committee of the Oregon-Columbia Chapter of the Associated General Contractors were instrumental in establishing construction education at Oregon State by providing partial funding, organizing site visits, furnishing guest lecturers, and offering quality advice. The School of Civil and Construction Engineering continues to offer our unique Construction Engineering Management program, which blends principles of basic science, engineering, and technology with a strong component of business coursework to prepare graduates for a productive career in the construction industry. More information is provided in the CEM Undergraduate Advising Guide and Curriculum Materials.

The program emphasizes practical applications as well as basic principles. Students are given many hands-on experiences in the laboratory and are involved in numerous field trips to supplement classroom activities. CEM graduates find employment in all phases of construction: commercial and industrial building, heavy/highway, structures, utilities, and civil projects. They are employed by general constructors, subcontractors, suppliers, developers, homebuilders, consultants, and governmental agencies. They work as project engineers, project managers, field and office engineers, estimators, as well as in other positions.

Oregon State CEM students as a group rank second nationally in the total number of AGC National Scholarships received since the inception of the scholarship program in 1970. A variety of additional scholarships are available to CEM students.