Master of Science in Construction Management and Innovation

MScPostgraduateEngineering

Part Time Available

About This Programme

The Master’s in Construction Management and Innovation is designed to equip students and professionals with the skills and knowledge required to drive the future of construction, including advanced management principles, digital technologies, sustainable construction practices, and leadership strategies to develop industry pioneers capable of working under the next generation of smart, resilient, and efficient construction. It is a multidisciplinary program that integrates advanced construction management principles with emerging technologies such as building information modeling, digital twins, artificial intelligence, and data-driven decision-making. Emphasis is placed on sustainable construction practices, smart infrastructure, and innovative project delivery methods aligned with the UAE’s vision for innovation and future-ready built environments.

Course Highlights

33 credit hours
Taught in English
College of Engineering
Thesis track or project track
Full-time and part-time study

What You'll Study

Program Graduation Requirements The program offers two pathways thesis track and project track each structured to support different academic and professional goals. Both tracks require students to complete a set of core and elective courses of a total of 33 credit hours that include 9-credit master's thesis for the thesis track, whereas the Project Track includes a 3-credit applied project. Before graduation, student should complete all graduation requirements that include: • Completing successfully all courses requirements of the program. • Completing successfully the thesis or project based on the track and as specified in the curriculum. • Obtaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Program Structure Thesis Track Compulsory Courses (15 credit hours) Elective Courses (6 credit hours) Master Thesis (9 credit hours) Graduate Seminar (3 credit hours) Total: 33 credit hours (5 compulsory and 2 elective courses) Project Track Compulsory Courses (15 credit hours) Elective Courses (12 credit hours) Master Project (3 credit hours) Graduate Seminar (3 credit hours) Total: 33 credit hours (5 compulsory and 4 elective courses)

Thesis track, Term 1

9 credit hours

0401534Management of Construction Projects3 credits
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing
This course covers the scheduling and management aspects of construction projects. Topics include Introduction to construction management processes; Project estimating; Uncertainty in project scheduling and contingency analysis; Project planning and scope management; CPM/ PDM - critical path method; Crashing and time cost tradeoff; Resource allocation and management; Risk assessment and management; Line of balance (LOB); Program evaluation and review technique (PERT); Quality and safety management; Innovative practices and techniques to manage construction projects including digital twins, 3D printing, cybersecurity, and BIM; Presentations of research projects.
0401577AI and Data Driven Innovation in Construction3 credits
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing
Elective 1 of 2 (College Elective Courses: pick 1 course from group)3 credits

Thesis track, Term 2

9 credit hours

0401533Cost Analysis for Construction Projects3 credits
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing
This course helps the student understand the construction cost estimating process and the detailed analysis to be performed in relation to the construction life cycle. It presents the latest techniques and principles used in estimating, cost control, cash flow management and cost control. It also covers uncertainty in estimating and contingency analysis.
0401500Research Design3 credits
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing
This is an entry-level course designed to prepare civil engineering graduate students to develop their own research projects and to understand and incorporate the elements of effective research designs. Topics covered include: research design: research process and its elements and research approaches; ethical considerations of research; quantitative and qualitative research methods; academic writing strategies, and other related topics.
0401592Graduate Seminar3 credits
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing

Thesis track, Term 3

6 credit hours

Elective 2 of 2 (College Elective Courses: pick 1 course from group)3 credits
0401576Construction Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Intellectual Property3 credits
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing

Thesis track, Term 4

9 credit hours (thesis track total: 33)

0401595Master Thesis9 credits
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing

Term plans and the course codes the page lists as TBD are from the study plan document linked on the page, which prints the Master Thesis prerequisite as اختبار PROP. The page's own course distribution for the thesis track: Year 1 Fall: Cost Analysis for Construction Projects, AI and Data Driven Innovation in Construction, Elective Course 1; Year 1 Spring: Management of Construction Projects; Construction Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Intellectual Property; Elective Course 2; Year 2 Fall: Research Design, Graduate Seminar, Master Thesis (3 credit hours); Year 2 Spring: Master Thesis (6 credit hours).

Project track, Term 1

9 credit hours

0401534Management of Construction Projects3 credits
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing
0401577AI and Data Driven Innovation in Construction3 credits
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing
Elective 1 of 4 (College Elective Courses: pick 1 course from group)3 credits

Project track, Term 2

9 credit hours

0401533Cost Analysis for Construction Projects3 credits
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing
0401592Graduate Seminar3 credits
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing
Elective 2 of 4 (College Elective Courses: pick 1 course from group)3 credits

Project track, Term 3

9 credit hours

0401576Construction Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Intellectual Property3 credits
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing
0401578Smart Built Environment through Digital Twin Integration3 credits
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing
Elective 3 of 4 (College Elective Courses: pick 1 course from group)3 credits

Project track, Term 4

6 credit hours (project track total: 33)

0401596Master Project3 credits
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing
Elective 4 of 4 (College Elective Courses: pick 1 course from group)3 credits

The page's own course distribution for the project track: Year 1 Fall: Cost Analysis for Construction Projects, AI and Data Driven Innovation in Construction, Elective Course 1; Year 1 Spring: Management of Construction Projects; Construction Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Intellectual Property; Elective Course 2; Year 2 Fall: Smart Built Environment through Digital Twin Integration, Elective Course 3, Graduate Seminar; Year 2 Spring: Elective Course 4, Master Project.

Elective courses

Thesis track: 2 elective courses (6 credit hours). Project track: 4 elective courses (12 credit hours).

Advanced Topics in Construction Management and Innovation3 credits
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing
Digital Construction Management and Smart Infrastructure3 credits
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing
Infrastructure Sustainability, Resilience and Risk Management3 credits
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing
Robotics and 3D Printing Workflows in Construction Projects3 credits
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing
Road and Pavement Maintenance Management3 credits
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing
Tunneling and Underground Space Technology in Smart Cities3 credits
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing
Smart Geospatial Solutions in Construction Engineering3 credits
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing
Strategic Leadership and Decision Making in Engineering Projects3 credits
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing
0401535Infrastructure Planning3 credits
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing
The course covers the following topics: Introduction to infrastructure planning and management; Role of governments in financing infrastructure projects; The fundamental characteristics of infrastructure projects, plans and programs, challenges and trends in the theories and practice of infrastructure planning and management ; Procurement of infrastructure projects through Public Private Partnership route-Types of PPP models, Contractual structure of PPP projects, Value for money evaluation, Lifecycle of PPP projects, PPP procurement process; Various financing models and risks involved in the infrastructure financing models and limitations on each models; International, national and regional policies and legislative frameworks, plus market contexts that surround mega infrastructure development, Appreciation of the diversity of stakeholders’ agendas and their interrelationships; Risk management of infrastructure projects-Risk associated with various infrastructure projects, Risk identification techniques, Risk allocation frameworks, Risk mitigation strategies; Planning Aids, Economic Analysis, Comparisons of Infrastructure Alternatives, Environmental and Social Impact Assessments; State of the art planning and monitoring methods; Review and comparison of regional planning and monitoring methods; Case studies.
0401539Construction Methods and Equipment3 credits
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing
Factors affecting selection of equipment and methods Technical and economic; Construction engineering fundamentals; Analysis of production outputs and costs; Methods and equipment for Earthmoving, Lifting and erection, Material transport, Pile driving, Dewatering; Concrete construction batching, mixing, transport, placement, finishing, formwork, scaffolding; Steel construction fabrication and erection.
0401517Repair and Rehabilitation of Concrete Structures3 credits
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing
This course covers the mechanisms of degradation of concrete structures, damage and deterioration assessment, maintenance, and repair of concrete structures. The course will introduce the latest techniques of rehabilitation and strengthening of concrete structures. Course topics include deterioration mechanisms and processes, corrosion and corrosion protection, visual and in-situ inspections, health monitoring, evaluation techniques and non-destructive testing, damage identification and assessment, rehabilitation and strengthening techniques, advanced composite materials and materials selection and design.
0401524Intelligent Transportation System3 credits
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing
An overview of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) systems and their characteristics, covering the historic developments and the current trends and including the major areas that fall under the ITS main heading. The class is organized into four modules. The first module overviews the definition and evolution of ITS and enabling technologies in surveillance, navigation and communications. The second module discusses the application of these technologies to the traditional functional areas of ITS. The third module covers intelligent vehicles including autonomous, connected, and electric vehicles. The fourth module covers the implementation of ITS, including planning and management, systems integration and standardization, institutional factors, and future trends.
0401536Construction Law and Contracts3 credits
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing
General overview of construction contracts and their administration with special emphasis on construction projects. Covers construction direct and indirect cost, construction contracts, construction claims and disputes, issue resolution systems. Discusses the following professional subjects related to the construction industry: analysis of specific issues concerning contracts, subcontracting, and construction bonds and surety. Covers strategies for avoiding litigations, dispute resolution techniques, delay analysis methods, and delays cost estimating and assessment of indirect impacts. Includes actual case studies for analysis.
0401532Advanced Materials in Construction3 credits
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing
Properties, Performance, and Applications of advanced construction materials, including Fiber Reinforced Concrete (FRC), Fiber Reinforced Polymers (FRP) including Glass and Carbon Fiber Reinforced Sheets and Rebars, Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC), alkali-activated binders (AABs) and Geopolymer Concrete (GPC)
0404543Building Information Modeling in Design, Construction, and Operation3 credits
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing
This is a theory-based course, and it includes hands-on learning utilizing up-to-date BIM tools and technology. It will explore current industry topics such as BIM implementation, BIM strategy, clash detection and BIM collaboration among many other BIM relevant topics. This course will provide students with greater insight into the world of multi-disciplinary projects, virtual construction, BIM for Facility Management (FM) as a management tool and associated technologies.
0401500Research Design (elective for the project track)3 credits
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing
0401578Smart Built Environment through Digital Twin Integration (elective for the thesis track)3 credits
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing

The page lists the codes of the new courses as TBD. Its course descriptions are empty; the descriptions shown for the department's existing courses (0401500, 0401517, 0401524, 0401532 to 0401536, 0401539) are from the university's MSc Civil Engineering page, and for 0404543 from its MSc Architectural Engineering page.

What You'll Learn

The curriculum combines theoretical foundations with practical applications through research-led teaching, case studies, and industry engagement. Students will develop competencies in strategic leadership, project planning and control, risk management, and innovation management, enabling them to effectively bridge the gap between engineering, business, and technology. Upon graduation, students will be able to: 1. Demonstrate an understanding of construction and infrastructure management principles and advanced practices. 2. Apply innovative solutions to improve construction planning, execution, quality control, and cost management across different project lifecycle phases. 3. Evaluate state-of-the-art construction methods and technologies that meet evolving industry requirements, standards and regulations. 4. Manage the impact of technological and managerial decisions on industry, society, and the environment. 5. Describe innovative leadership principles, ethical responsibility, professional accountability, effective communication, and the importance of continuous development. Program Goals • Developing construction industry leaders with mastery of advanced project management techniques, cutting-edge construction technologies, and leadership strategies tailored to the unique challenges of construction projects. • Empowering professionals to revolutionize construction practices through data-driven decision making, adoption of disruptive technologies, and innovative approaches to project delivery, cost control, and risk management. • Bridging the gap between theory and field practice by emphasizing real-world applications, case studies, and industry collaborations that address contemporary challenges like sustainable construction, renovation technologies, and safe and secure digital workflow integration. Program Learning Outcomes • Integrate advanced construction management theories with innovative technologies to improve project planning, execution, and performance. • Apply specialized knowledge and analytical methods to enhance construction productivity, safety, and quality across different project phases. • Evaluate and implement emerging construction materials, digital systems, and sustainable practices that align with evolving industry standards and regulations. • Lead multidisciplinary project teams effectively through strategic decision-making, negotiation, and stakeholder management. • Assess the ethical, social, environmental, and economic implications of managerial and technological decisions in construction projects, ensuring accountability and professional integrity. • Communicate effectively with diverse professional audiences through advanced written, oral, and digital means. • Conduct independent research and innovation projects that generate new insights or solutions to contemporary challenges in construction management and the built environment.

Entry Requirements

Academic: Admission requirements for master programs: • The student must hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent from a recognized university with a CGPA of 3.00 out of 4.00. • Students with a CGPA between 2.5 and 2.99 may be admitted conditionally. • The degree must be in a major that qualifies the student to study the master's program. • Students must meet the English language proficiency requirement. • Attachment of ‘no objection of study certificate’ from the authorities responsible for national service for male Emirati students (ages from 18 to 30 years old). • Attachment of a letter of study approval from the Kuwait Embassy Cultural Office for Kuwaiti students only. • Attachment of People of Determination card (if applicable). • In case the student works in a certain place, please attach a letter from the employer stating that the student is working for this agency. • For individuals with foreign qualifications, it is necessary to provide a Certificate of Equivalency.

English: For programs taught in English, a score of 550 in TOEFL (ITP) (or its equivalence), or 6 in IELTS must be obtained. Native English speakers are exempt from the English proficiency requirement if the language of instruction for their undergraduate studies was English. Additionally, students who graduated from academic institutions where English is used as the primary medium of instruction for bachelor’s studies are also exempt. Equivalent scores (EmSAT / paper-based TOEFL ITP / IELTS academic): 950-1075 / 450 / 4.5; 1100-1225 / 500 / 5.0; 1250-1375 / 530 / 5.5; 1400-1525 / 550 / 6.0. The paper-based TOEFL ITP is offered only by the University of Sharjah, AMIDEAST Dubai, and Abu Dhabi head offices. The UoS reserves the right to require students to attend an interview in the Languages Institute. Students may be required to take a further in-house test to ensure their scores are consistent with their English Language proficiency.