Construction engineering and design (180 credits)

Job opportunities and the future

On graduation from this programme, students are familiar with techniques connected with constructing and planning buildings, smaller-scale roads and bridges that are sustainable – from both a construction and an environmental perspective. Students know where it is most suitable to build and the best material to use. Students apply a holistic approach to the various construction phases and understand the work of both the engineer and the architect. This educational programme prepares students for work with planning, project planning and production within building and construction engineering as well as for the financial management of buildings and facilities. For example, students will be able to work as production managers, supervisors, planners, constructers, purchasers, property managers, project managers, CAD coordinators, quality officers or quantity surveyors

The programme

Construction engineering and design provides a holistic approach to the construction process. This programme maintains a practical connection to business/industry in that each student group carries out a number of study visits to construction sites, to construction industries and to project offices. Several of the technical courses include sections on building design. Construction engineering and design maintains an extensive range of courses in several stages from start up to Year 3 within CAD and Building Information Modelling (BIM). In Year 3 students have the opportunity to create a study profile by selecting from a number of different course combinations.

The specialisations on offer:

• House building, planning and construction
• Production/construction economics and organisation
• Construction
• Real estate development and installation coordination
• Architecture for construction engineers

Construction engineering is also combined with design in several project courses. This programme also contains courses in business administration and organisation, management, environment, work sciences, energy optimisation, installation technology and coordination. The programme is concluded by a degree project of approximately 10 weeks. On graduation there are many options available. Students may begin work or go on to further studies at Master’s level in Sweden or abroad.

Year 1

Term 1 will see students taking a course entitled technical operations which provides an overview of the technical construction field, plus insights into what it means to work as an engineer. Students will study group dynamics, presentation techniques and how to work in a project-oriented manner. Students receive a good introduction to CAD-supported drawing through two sub-courses. In their first year students gain basic knowledge within buildings construction technology, sustainable construction, construction physics, materials science and construction mechanics. Students study the characteristics of different construction materials and how heat, damp and air affect these. Students will carry out calculations for heat and damp transport and energy needs for buildings. Construction mechanics helps students to understand the connections between outer and inner forces’ affects on materials. Students also learn how to analyse the effects of different loads on beams.

In Year1, students study both maths 1 and 2. These courses are to reinforce mathematical knowledge from previous studies, but will also add to students’ knowledge of algebra and analysis. Other areas covered include linear equation systems, matrices, determinant, derivation and integrals. Students will understand how maths is used within the engineering profession.

In the spring term students also take a course within field measurement techniques and mathematical statistics in which they will learn to use methods for measurement and setting out as well as how to use the most common measuring instruments. On completion of this course students must be able to interpret coordinates from drawings and calculate data from them. In addition students will also learn how GPS works and how to use some of the calculation programs available.

Year 2

In order for students to be able to work professionally within the construction industry they must be aware of how the construction process works, the roles and work tasks of the various actors, the tools used for planning and production, how procurements work and the requirements imposed by society. Students must also be familiar with the legal stipulations governing contracting and what applies in the case of a dispute. This they learn in the course entitled construction process. Students also study environmental and work sciences and the legislation concerning these fields, as well as gaining a holistic view of environmental activities and impact and the various environmental techniques for sustainable construction. Students will also be able to work to prevent industrial injury and to actively participate in environmental activities at their future workplaces. These two courses include a project in which the project groups will have to find answers at a construction site. Economics and organisation provides students with an understanding of company finances, organisation and context. Business concepts, company cultures, marketing and accounting are some of the aspects covered.

In Year 2 there is also a course in fluid mechanics for water and air. Design methods for hydrological engineering, air flow and energy management in buildings plus measurement techniques and calculation methods are some of the areas covered. How to build houses that last? This is one of the questions answered in the construction engineering course. Students gain knowledge on the general rules and loads common to bearing structures and how to plan and design simpler structures in concrete and steel.

In the spring students take Building Information Modelling (BIM) which provides insights and knowledge on modern project planning technology. Project planning methodology is aimed at designing buildings that fulfil requirements and current bodies of regulations as concerns construction, construction physics, architecture and financial calculations. Students gain more in-depth skills in project planning using CAD tools in 2D and 3D plus insights into BIM tools in 3D, 4D and 5D project planning.

Students also take a course in urban planning that deals with the building and social planning process including land development/planning for housing, other premises plus planning of roads, water supply and waste water disposal. The course includes a project in which the groups design a housing area with infrastructure in an environmentally sustainable manner. Elements included are, for example, planning and construction legislation, the Environmental Code, district plans, the living environment and residential planning plus society’s water supply and waste water disposal.

In addition students take a course on geology and geotechnology where they learn about soil preconditions for choice of foundation methods. Students gain knowledge on types of soil and bedrock in Sweden, how they are formed and their technical characteristics. Students learn about the most common survey methods in the field and in the laboratory, as well as various calculation models.

Year 3

In the final year students have the opportunity to undertake more in-depth studies in the subject areas that are in demand by the industry. Currently on offer are the following specialisations:

• House building, planning and construction
• Production/construction economics and organisation
• Construction
• Real estate development and installation coordination
• Architecture for construction engineers

This educational programme is concluded by a degree project worth 15 credits.

House building, planning and construction

This course package provides more extended knowledge of construction and design plus planning for sustainable construction. Students increase their knowledge within design with steel, timber and concrete. Students also learn more about installation and energy issues. This field provides a stable labour market for Bachelors of Science in Engineering.

Production/construction economics and organisation

This course package includes courses within construction production, economics and methods for efficient production control for building and construction engineering construction. Management and organisation are covered in several of these courses. Students are tasked to plan various construction and infrastructure projects taking construction and production methods into consideration. Production/construction economics and organisation provides a stable labour market for Bachelors of Science in Engineering.

Construction

The speed of social development is rapid which generates major infrastructure projects/construction engineering construction including roads, railways, bridges, tunnels, harbours, water and sanitation systems. These operations include both new production and renovation and maintenance of existing plant. This course package provides students with increased knowledge within several areas important to this field. Students extend their knowledge within both project planning and practical construction engineering works. This is a growing labour market for Bachelors of Science in Engineering.

Real estate development and installation coordination

This group of courses offers many interesting challenges. Knowledge of BIM is necessary. Through subject- integrated knowledge the coordination of both new production and renovation, remodelling and extension of buildings is learned. In property, installations often form the largest investments. Property development/management is a growing labour market for Bachelors of Science in Engineering.

Architecture for construction engineerers

Many Bachelors of Science in Engineering become project designers at architect offices. Their role is often to realise the architect’s vision. Students must understand how architects work. The measurement techniques and documentation of buildings course forms the foundation of the production of correct basic material for project planning. Students gain extended skills in project planning using CAD tools in 2D and 3D plus insight into BIM tools in 3D, 4D and 5D project planning. This field provides a stable labour market for Bachelors of Science in Engineering.

Degree project

Educational programmes are concluded with a degree project worth 15 higher education credits (equivalent of approx.10 weeks of study). Normally degree projects are carried out jointly with another student. The aim is for students to use this opportunity to utilise and demonstrate all the knowledge and skills acquired during their educational programmes. Students must prove they are able to work using good engineering praxis and that they can report on their work in a professional manner. Students are responsible for identifying suitable degree projects. The aim is for them to carry out this work within business/industry or in the public sector. This also provides students with the opportunity to establish a valuable professional contact network in preparation for their future careers. Degree projects are interesting, enjoyable and stimulating and bring many challenges. High levels of demands are imposed on students by both the university and the project principal. Degree projects provide students with good preconditions for success as engineers.

Further studies

A Bachelor of Science in Engineering brings several opportunities for further studies after certain additional credits have been obtained. For example, students may go on to further studies on a one or two-year master’s educational programme. There is a large selection of one and two-year master’s programmes available at KTH. These programmes vary between 60-120 credits and are given in English which means they also attract foreign students. This brings opportunities for exciting international contacts. It is also possible to apply to join the later part of a Master of Science in Engineering programme within the same, or closely connected, fields (although this may require additional maths or science courses, please contact Study Counselling for more information). In most cases these studies encompass 120-150 credits (2-2.5 years of study).

Please note! Certain changes may be made to the range of courses.