MSc in Construction Informatics (IT)
Full time - DT167 Part time - DT168
Programme co-ordinator
Dr. Alan Hore (Assistant Head of School)
School of Real Estate & Construction Economics
College of Engineering & Built Environment
Dublin Institute of Technology Bolton Street Dublin 1
T: 01 402 3873
E: alan.hore@dit.ie
E: alan.hore@cita.ie
Duration
Full Time - 1½ Years (3 Semesters)
Part Time - 2½ Years (5 Semesters)
Closing date
Friday, 30th August 2013
Start date
September 2013
Introduction
This exciting new course has been designed to provide experienced professionals and graduate students in the Architect, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry an opportunity to become educated in the field of construction informatics. It has been developed in response to considerable demand for an additional qualification and specialisation in this discipline. The primary emphasis of the programme is on learning how existing technologies can be more efficiently applied throughout the construction process for example inception of design to completion and management of completed facilities. The programme is presented within the School of Real Estate and Construction Economics in the College of Engineering and the Built Environment in DIT. The total intake of students each year will be approx. 25-30 students. Because of the applied nature of the programme, it is expected that, initially at least, the students will come with an honours 2.2 undergraduate qualifications in a level 8 degree in civil, building or structural engineering, as well as architecture or practitioners/professionals who have a recognised degree in qualification and are currently working in the construction industry. The content of the programme, delivered both on a full time and a part time basis includes modules pertinent to the practice of namely architects, engineers, construction managers, facility managers and quantity surveyors. The programme’s focus is strongly oriented towards the development of the underlying knowledge and the skills involved in the application of ICT in the AEC industry.
For further details see Course Content & http://www.cita.ie/msc
Course Content
Introduction to Construction Informatics; CAD information Systems; CAD information Systems (Extended Project); eBusiness in Construction; eBusiness in Construction (Extended Project); Applied Knowledge Management; Applied Knowledge Management (Extended Project); Project Planning and Scheduling; Project Planning and Scheduling (Extended Project); Building Collaborative Technologies; Building Collaborative Technologies (Extended Project); Mobile Computing in Construction; Mobile Computing in Construction (Extended Project); Energy Integrated ICT Applications; Energy Integrated ICT Applications (Extended Project); Research Studies; Integrated Master Project; Dissertation.
Structure of Modules
All candidates will need to complete the following obligatory modules.
Introduction to Construction Informatics (5 ECTS)_
Research Studies (10 ECTS)
Integrated Project (15 ECTS)
Dissertation (30 ECTS).
The remaining 8 modules are elective comprising basic modules and extended project modules. Students have the choice to select 6 additional modules from the suite of modules on offer. Extended project modules can only be chosen after the relevant basic module has been completed. Students can gather 15 ECTS credits in semesters 1-4 and 30 ECTS credits in semester 5, which equates to a total of 90 credits in the 5 semesters of the part time programme and a total of 30 credits per semester, which equates to 90 credits in the 3 semesters of the full time programme.
Assessment
The programme is assessed 100% by project assessments only. The assessment methodology will be closely aligned to the learning outcomes of the modules.
Location
The programme is predominantly delivered online using readily available and robust online web conferencing technology. The students normally gather in DIT Bolton Street prior to the start of each module for typically a morning, where the module leaders will introduce the students to each module and provide them with the project brief and assessment. Thereafter, students can study from the comfort of their homes.
Timetable / Hours
A typical 5 credit module would equate to 120 hours of learning. Each 5 credit module is delivered over a 5 week block, with online lecturers and tutorials taking place on two evenings a week, typically between 19.30-21.30.
Entry Requirements
The minimum entry level is an honours 2.2 undergraduate Level 8 degree along with relevant work experience in the construction sector. Selection will be made on a combination of interview, academic achievement and interest in and critical awareness of the particular application of ICT in the construction process.
Award
The Dublin Institute of Technology’s MSc in Construction Informatics (IT) will be awarded to participants who successfully pass the formal assessments of the programme. Students will have the option to exit the programme with a Post Graduate Certificate (30 credits) or a Post Graduate Diploma (60 credits).
Career Opportunities
The programme aims to provide graduates with knowledge and skills in ICT in the AEC sector.
Frequently Asked Questions
What subjects are covered in the programme?
The programme is designed to firstly build the foundation of the course with an introduction to the field of Construction Informatics and its role in the AEC sector. The programme will progress to provide students with an understanding of CAD Information Systems, eBusiness , Web communication technologies and the ability to use Web based collaboration systems. Modules such as Applied knowledge Management are designed to enable the student to understand fundamentals of knowledge management and knowledge technologies and apply it in the AEC sector. The selection of an extended project module option will allow the student to benefit and illustrate his/her knowledge gained in more depth than in the lead 5 credit module. The overall profile of the course has an elective pattern of providing the student with the opportunity to gain knowledge through a mixture of project based modules.
Additional modules, such as, the project planning & scheduling, mobile computing and energy integrated ICT applications will provide students with the skills necessary to plan, prepare and update construction project schedules and other reports from intelligent building models. The modules of mobile computing and energy integrated ICT applications in addition are designed to provide the student with an understanding of the potentials and the importance of mobile computing in construction and to ensure candidates are capable of using Irish national calculation methods (DEAP & NEAP) to produce Building Energy Rating Assessments in accordance with the Energy performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) for domestic dwelling types.
The final phases of the programme introduce a mandatory module on Research Studies and the Integrated Master Project. The Integrated Master Project is designed to upgrade the student’s knowledge gained from previous modules in an integrative way through a realistic team project, which will cover all major design and planning. The final component of assessment is the completion of a minor dissertation on a subject of the students choice, under the expert supervision of an allocated tutor.
What can I gain from the course?
The programme is designed for students who wish to gain advance information and knowledge on Information and Communication Technology techniques to construction. Graduates of this course go on to pursue successful multidisciplinary careers. Roles include business application consultant/architect, project manager, and software engineer.
What is the duration of the course?
The course runs on a full time basis for 1½ years and a part-time basis over 2½ years.
How do I apply?
For further details see Course Content and http://www.cita.ie/msc
Please register your interest by emailing;
How often does the programme run and when does the next programme begin?
Students can commence at any module, but there are two main intakes per year, January and September. We are currently taking enquiries for the September 2011 intake.
How much does it cost?
Students may qualify for CITA Skillnet training discount. To Find out more please contact l.cullen@cita.ie, CITA Skillnet Manager.
Potential Tax Relief
Tax relief is available for tuition fees paid for approved postgraduate courses in private and publicly funded colleges in the state. Courses must be for at least one academic year but not more than four academic years in duration and must lead to a postgraduate award based on either a thesis or an examination.
Contact
For further information regarding enrolling for this course please contact
Dr. Alan Hore via email alan.hore@dit.ie or telephone 01-402 3873
