Demand for graduates within the construction sector remains high, writes Brian Mooney. The top choices of students interested in the industry are civil engineering or architecture.
Up to 40 per cent of those working in the construction industry have qualifications in engineering such as electrical, electronic, mechanical, and computer engineering.
A huge number of options is available for those interested in this sector.
Architecture
First, there are the architects who oversee the design of buildings.
There are three five-year, Level 8 architectural degree courses, available through the CAO: (DN001) in UCD, (LM099) in the University of Limerick, and (DT101) in DIT Bolton Street.
Entry to UCD is by points only. The DIT and UL courses are restricted application courses, which must be listed by the February 1st deadline, with aptitude tests followed by interviews and portfolio presentation.
A maximum of 200 points are awarded during this process. Last year the points required were 525 for UCD and UL and 576 for DIT. The National Building Agency (www.nba.ie) awards a scholarship for architecture to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. In recent years UCD has introduced (DN078), a five-year, 3+2 structural engineering with architecture degree. This required 510 points last year.
Architectural technology
Architectural technologists, sometimes known as architectural technicians, usually work alongside architects.
They prepare the paperwork used in construction, including schedules, as well as free hand- and computer-aided designs. DIT's (DT105) is a restricted application course. GMIT is this year offering two new programmes, (GA472) and (GA473) in Castlebar. Other providers are Cork IT (CR090); Waterford IT (WD094); Carlow IT (CW 064); and (CW119) on the Wexford campus. All offer Level 7 degree programmes, where the points required will range from 340 to 450.
Interior architecture
Interior architecture/design graduates also work with architects. The institutes of technology in Cork (CR053) and Sligo (SG336) offer interior design courses, which required 330 and 275 points respectively in 2005. Griffith College Dublin offers such a course at a cost of €4,950.
Civil and structural engineering
Civil engineering deals with construction and design. Civil engineers create cities. They design, plan and build roads, airports, bridges, dams, harbours, and highways.
As a professional, a civil engineer will often be a manager of vast resources including budgets, manpower and materials.
Honours degrees in civil engineering are offered in UCD (DN072), NUI Galway (GY402), and TCD. DIT offers an ordinary and honours degree in civil and structural. UCC offer a Level 8 civil and environmental engineering course.
Structural engineers are responsible for the design of all types of structures, from bridges to buildings.
They must ensure the structure is stable and strong enough to support all the weight that may be applied to it. The structural engineer has skills varying from mathematical skills at the design stage to practical skills when the structure is being built.
Surveying
Two degree programmes at DIT train graduates for this work, which involves land surveying (DT112) and planning and environmental management (DT116).
The number of points required will probably fall to between 300 and 400 this year.
Quantity surveying
Once an architect has designed a building, a quantity surveyor will analyse the design for the purpose of cost planning, detailed tendering, cost, and control. The DIT (DT111) and Limerick IT (LC471) offer four-year degrees in quantity surveying, where the points required are around 400.
Construction management
Managing the building process involves the organisation of contracts for labour and materials and negotiations with contractors. Waterford IT (WD025), Limerick IT (LC491), and Galway-Mayo IT (GA442) offer Level 8 degrees. UL has begun a new bachelor of science in construction management and engineering.
Points required for all courses may be in the 300-400 range. DIT also offers a Level 7 construction technology ordinary degree (DT103).
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