1 Introducing Engineering Management into Construction – A Five- Year Retrospective

The beginning of the 21st century is witnessing an awareness that the civil engineering industry has become a global industry. The rapid increase in foreign ownership of firms in the United States together with the globalization of economic markets is reminding civil engineering professionals that they must be aware of global events before they impact local operating conditions. In response to these developments, university programs must begin to broaden their focus to include subjects that address new economy realities. Specifically, the time has arrived to require students to have exposure to management topics such as entrepreneurship, financial management, and global economics. This paper examines one attempt to address this issue during the last five years. An examination of new courses in the construction program, industry, academic, and student responses, and a reflection of progress over the last five years are included