Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Construction Project Management and Applied Technology

Course Summary

The BSc (Hons) in Construction Project Management and Applied Technology equips graduates with the skills needed to effectively manage project cost, scope and timelines for an ever-changing national and international construction industry. This programme blends traditional practical skills including carpentry and joinery, with modern construction approaches, such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Lean Construction. Graduates develop an appreciation for design/planning on small scale workshop projects right up to Virtual Modelled buildings where collaboration is essential through digital technologies.

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

An understanding of technical sustainable approaches to building is essential in today's construction sector, there is an increasing demand for graduates who have hands-on experience. Many employers consider hands-on experience very complimentary to academic qualifications. This programme integrates the applied technology with the use of a state of the art workshop. This is integrated with lectures where students develop economic, legal, technical, managerial knowledge and skills.

Students have an opportunity to take part in project-orientated group work where real-life problems are tackled. They learn how to plan, organise and control construction operations and gain knowledge in all stages of the process – from initial feasibility studies through to design, construction, maintenance, refurbishment and demolition.

                                     
YEAR 1

Modules include Applied Practical Technology, Sustainable Construction Technology, Graphical Communication and Design, Computer Aided Design (CAD), Measurement and Costing, Health and Safety for the Built Environment, Computer Applications, Site Surveying  and Building Information Modelling (BIM).

YEAR 2

More in-depth knowledge with an introduction to new modules in Risk Management and Research Design and Fabrication of Low Energy Fabric Models.

YEAR 3

Real-life practical projects are used to reinforce the theory, culminating in a major practical project combining all programme modules. A work placement is undertaken within industry to utilise skills developed.

YEAR 4

Modules include Financial Management, Contracts and Dispute Resolution, Development Appraisal and Economics, Planning and Programming, Corporate Management and Construction Law Liabilities and Obligations. A dissertation in the area of Construction Project Management will also be undertaken. 

KEY SKILLS

• Ability to manage the construction process and to meet the needs of clients within legal, financial and environmental constraints.
• Obtain a capacity for leadership in managing the building process.
• Management skills to plan, organise and control construction projects.
• Ability to contribute to the construction process in a manner that sustains and enhances the natural and built environments.
• An in-depth knowledge and understanding of the business process and the necessary theoretical knowledge to match solutions to business problems.

EXIT AWARD

This degree also has a Level 6 exit award after two years titled Higher Certificate in Applied Construction Technology.  This award is designed to give students a greater understanding of domestic building elements and construction methods including, Practical Building Construction, Passive and NZEB Construction, Building Services, Health and Safety, Measurement and Management and Building Information Modelling.

PROFESSIONAL ACCREDITATION

This degree is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). In addition, this degree also has accreditation from the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI), which enables graduates to become Chartered Project Managers and manage projects in line with the industry best practices.  

CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME BROCHURE

Take a look at our Construction Brochure which gives an overview of our construction programmes and the options students have to progress through different levels.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for CAO courses at ATU Sligo are available for download below:

• Download Entry requirements for just Level 8 programmes
• Download Entry requirements for all programmes

Year 1 Entry

Students should apply through the CAO for entry into Year One of the programme.

Year 2 Entry

If you are under 23 years, you must have a Leaving Certificate which includes Mathematics and English or equivalent, e.g., National Craft Certificate (Phase 2, 4 & 6) for entry to an ordinary Level 7 degree programme. If over 23 years since 1st January, you are also applying as a mature applicant and you will be assessed by interview on the relevance and duration of your experience, and your motivation.

If you do not meet the entry requirements of a programme BUT do have substantial relevant practical experience, then it may be possible to seek admission to the programme through ATU Sligo’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process.

For more information please email admissions.sligo@atu.ie

Career Opportunities

Construction Project Management is a professional field that focuses on each part of the construction process of any built environment. The programme at ATU Sligo equips graduates with skills and knowledge in project management as well as an understanding of the business process and environment. Armed with such expertise, graduates are prepared for decision making and undertaking executive responsibilities within a number of industries, such as; construction, energy, utilities, telecommunications, architecture, production, design and service industries.

Construction project managers are in considerable demand in the built environment. Therefore, graduates from this programme are much sought after by employer organisations and opportunities are excellent. Graduates work with consultants, building contractors, architects, quantity surveyors and local authorities, as carpenters, site managers, project managers and architectural technicians. They work in areas including the design and construction management of commercial/industrial and residential buildings as well as retrofitting of existing building stock.

Further Study

Upon successful completion of this programme, graduates may progress to a Masters of Science in Project Management which is a three-year part-time programme designed for graduates or professionals who are interested in developing their skills and competencies in project management. A Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management can be achieved after two years part-time study, with a research thesis undertaken in thirs year to gain the MSc award.

MSc in Project Management

Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management

Graduates can apply to complete a Professional Master of Education (PME) in order to become a secondary school teacher of Design and Communication Graphics (DCG) and Construction Studies.

The Progression Chart below shows how students can progress from Level 6 through to Level 10 with our programmes.

Testimonials

Take a look at our BSc in Advanced Wood and Sustainable Building Technology students Capstone Project - A Passive House Design.

"We spend a lot of time in the workshop. My favourite module is Applied Construction Technology. This is our workshop module, where we draw, design and construct our own projects, from roofs and stairs to model houses. As time goes on, the projects get more complex, and hence more interesting. Days in the workshop are great, as it is real hands-on experience, rather than looking at text or pictures.

Since I started studying in first year, our different modules all link together as we progress through different topics or areas. For example, as we studied roofs in our theory class, we then started drawing different roof types in our CAD class, before constructing model roofs in the workshop. This allows for easy understanding of the different topics, as we can see them in all areas.

I also really enjoy drawing or Revit. I loved technical graphics in school, and it is great to follow it up in college relating to construction. We completed technical drawings in first year, followed by studying computer aided design (CAD). In second year, we studied building information modelling (BIM), also known as Revit. As a student who never used this software before, our lecturer Kieran Gallagher was excellent at explaining how to use the software – from basic commands right up to detailed file properties. BIM is a great skill to have in this industry, especially as we progress into the future of construction."

Nathan Wray, BSc (Hons) in Construction Project Management and Applied Technology

Did you know?

We also offer this Programme at Level 7 AU837 BSc in Advanced Wood and Sustainable Building Technology and Level 6 AU717 Higher Certificate in Applied Construction Technology

This degree is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and with the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI), which enables graduates to become Chartered Project Managers and manage projects in line with the industry best practices.

In Year 3, a work placement is undertaken within industry to utilise skills developed.

Graduates can apply to complete a Professional Master of Education (PME) in order to become a secondary school teacher of Design and Communication Graphics (DCG) and Construction Studies.

Throughout the programme, real-life practical projects are used to reinforce the theory, culminating in a major practical project combining all programme modules. In Year 4, a dissertation in the area of Construction Project Management will be undertaken.

This programme also has a Level 6 exit award after two years titled Higher Certificate in Applied Construction Technology.

Student projects are presented at The Sligo Engineering & Technology Expo. The Expo is attended by a range of companies including Fortune 500 industry leaders. This allows students to network with potential employers. View the 2023 Expo Catalogue

This programme blends traditional practical skills including carpentry and joinery, with modern construction approaches, such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Lean Construction. Students have full use of our state-of-the-art workshops and facilities.

Our staff have expertise and knowledge. Small class sizes means that students get personal mentoring from staff.

A new ATU Sligo initiative, a Female Student Network, has been established to help female students to settle into third level education and aid retention. This new peer group operates within the Civil Engineering and Construction programmes at ATU Sligo. Read more here. 

Alumni

“We undertook a vast array of interesting and practical modules. All modules that I studied have been relevant in my job since I graduated. AutoCAD, Asta Power project, Planning and Cost Control and Health and Safety have been particularly beneficial to myself as they are common areas that I use on a daily and weekly basis.”

Ciarán Blake, graduate of BSc in Advanced Wood and Sustainable Building Technology and BSc (Hons) in Construction Project Management and Applied Technology.

Junior Site Manager and Cad Technician, Grange Construction and Roofing Ltd.

Course Format

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

Semester 5

Semester 6

Semester 7

Semester 8

Semester 9