School of Construction

Dr. Erich Connell, Director
118 College Drive, Box 5138
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
601.266.4895 or Fax: 601.266.5717
www.construction.usm.edu

Connell, Hamilton, Hannon, Hardy, Hosseini, Kemp, Sarder, Shalabi, Zhang

The School of Construction offers four undergraduate programs in architectural, construction, and industrial engineering technology and interior design. The school also offers a Master of Science in logistics trade and transportation.

Baccalaureate programs provide career-oriented technology education that enables students to enter positions with skills that are highly valued by industry. Credit hours from accredited universities, colleges and technical institutes may be transferred, pending the official review by program coordinators. Minor degree programs are also available and are outlined in the university Bulletin. A minimum grade of “C” is required on core courses for major and minor degree programs. Construction Engineering Technology and Industrial Engineering Technology are both available fully online.

The Architectural, Construction and Industrial Engineering Technology programs are accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ETAC - ABET), 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202; 410.347.7700. The Construction Engineering Technology program is also accredited by the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE), 1717 North loop 1604 East, Suite 320, San Antonio, Texas 78232-1570; 210.405.6161. The Interior Design program is accredited as a first professional-level degree program by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA; formerly FIDER) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Requirements are in accordance with the published standards and guidelines of the CIDA.

Architectural Engineering Technology

(Accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology).

Jessica Hardy, Coordinator

The Architectural Engineering Technology program educates future architectural engineering technologists in the process of producing and documenting design projects from schematics through construction. The program is designed to prepare its graduates for employment in architecturally related firms, including architects’ offices, design-build firms, engineering firms, governmental agencies, real estate development firms, planning offices, and materials suppliers and manufacturers. Major courses of study include architectural design, architectural history, architectural working drawings, building materials, computer-aided design and drafting, electrical systems, estimating, mechanical systems, specifications, structural design, and building information management. Students desiring to transfer to a school of architecture should consult with their adviser early in their courses of study.

Construction Engineering Technology

(Accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology and the American Council for Construction Education)

Doris Kemp, Coordinator

The Construction Engineering Technology program emphasizes the technology, engineering and construction business requirements that have been historically needed by the construction industry. Construction is one of the largest and most diversified industries in the world, accounting for approximately 12 percent of the country’s gross national product. Various job titles for the constructor are estimator, scheduler, superintendent, project manager, project engineer, controls manager, materials manager or owner. These skilled professionals are indispensable in meeting the global needs for new residential, commercial, industrial, manufacturing, civil and environmental projects.

While requiring basic business courses, the interdisciplinary Construction Engineering Technology program offers students specialized course work in surveying, building systems, construction practices/procedures, cost estimating, scheduling, construction contracts and structural design. Graduates are employed in both office and field positions. Employers include contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, consultants and government agencies.

Industrial Engineering Technology (online)

(Accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology)

Dr. M.D. Sarder, Coordinator

The major in industrial engineering technology is designed to prepare students to meet the growing demands of industry for employees with expertise in manufacturing processes, statistical quality control, production management, automation and computer-aided manufacturing. In addition to the traditional program emphasizing productivity improvement, a special emphasis area in logistics is offered. Both programs provide the graduate with a strong background in the technical sciences and applied mathematics, and prepares him or her for a wide spectrum of jobs in the manufacturing, service and government sectors in either technical or management positions.

Interior Design Program

(Accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

Claire L. Hamilton, Coordinator
118 College Drive, Box 5113

The Interior Design Program educates future interior design professionals by preparing students to identify, research and solve problems related to the health, safety and welfare of people in residential, institutional and commercial environments. The program’s interdisciplinary approach addresses the demands and standards of qualification of the profession and related fields. The core program requirements follows a sequential studio format and addresses global perspectives in design, sustainability, human-centered design, the design process, interdisciplinary teamwork, professional practice, history of art, architecture and interiors, elements and principles of design, color, lighting, acoustics, interior systems, and laws, codes, standards and guidelines that impact the design of interior spaces. Students in the program utilize the latest technology for computer drafting, 3D modeling and visual graphics.

Graduates are employed as residential, commercial and healthcare interior designers and work for interior design firms, architectural firms, facility management teams, large corporate offices, hospitals, government agencies, furniture showrooms, manufacturer representatives for interior furnishings and materials, historic preservations/restoration and interior design education.

Additional Requirements: Interior Design majors are required to own a specifically equipped laptop computer as a prerequisite for all 200-level and above ID studio courses. Specifications are available through the Interior Design website or by contacting the program coordinator. Progression into the 300 level studio courses requires completion of all the Pre-ID Curriculum requirements with a grade of C or higher. Students will complete a 320-hour internship following the successful completion of ID 340 and ID 439 with a grade of C or better. Students must have a 2.5 GPA in the major area of study in order to graduate from the program.

Programs

Bachelor of Science

Non-degree