Bachelor of Science in Construction Management is one of the various programs offered at College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology at the prestigious Makerere University , Kampala.

The program duration is currently Three Years but there are tentative plans to increase its duration to four years. Here are five facts i learnt about the program while i pursued it

1. Contact hours

It is a day program, so to mean that the contact hours with lecturers are slated for only day time. This Implies that if one is pursuing this degree, there is little or no time to engage themselves in part time business or jobs unless they prefer not to attend lectures which is not a good idea

2. Program Content

The course is not entirely about management because it is specialized hence the name Construction Management. Hence one should be ready to interface with Physics and Mathematics disciplines for they are applied in several technical course units of the program for example Elements of Structural Analysis, Measurement and Design Appraisal to mention but a few. Studens who majored in Entrepreneurship, I.C.T and Technical Drawing are an added Advantage .

The Curriculum is designed to equip one with knowledge of what the professionals in the Construction Industry do, so as to manage them better for successfulful projects

3. Social Interations 

It is imperative for a student to develop good relations with his or her colleagues pursuing this same course. The University has provided for students associations where one can meet and interact with fellow students pursuing the same course even though in different years. The Makerere Association of Construction Management Students (MAC) can help one achieve crucial connections with other students who can offer guidance on how to cope with the demands of the course.

Furthere more, social interactions help a student Identify colleagues with whom he or she can make a good team with to do course works assigned by lectures 

4. Industrial Training / Internships

At the end of second year, students pursuing a degree in Construction Management are required to find a Construction Company and train with them for a minimum of two months. The objective of this is to help students apply what has been taught in class because it is an opportunity to be exposed to the real world of construction. One should therefore choose wisely and also learn as much as possible as they can while they are at the Company. In short,it is usually a time to get one's hands really dirty

5. Final Year Project or Thesis

This is one of the most important course units of the program. Under this course unit , a student is required to identify a problem related to the contruction Industry. Since the project is Undertaken in the final year, it is wise that a student takes note of the several challenges in the Industry as they carry out the Industrial Training, pick out one and then come up with ways of solving it.

The Student is expected to write and present a research proposal defining the problem and how it can be solved to a panel of lecturers and thereafter carry out the research 

The findings are then presented to explain if the solution proposed can be taken on. With the assistance of a supervisor, a student is tasked to show their aptness in problem solving, creativity and the presentation of the idea

In Conclusion, In totality , pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Construction Management is a great opportunity as it establishes one in a Lucrative career of a rapidly expanding construction Industry 

Compiled by 
Mirembe Mercy
Graduate of Bachelor of Science in Construction Management
Makerere University