Construction Innovation (MSc)

Program Overview

The MSc in Construction Innovation is a one-year blended learning program that equips students with the skills to develop sustainable technological solutions for the construction industry. Students learn about sustainability, digitalization, and modern methods of construction, and gain advanced research, analytical, and project management skills. Graduates can pursue leadership positions in the construction sector and lead its modernization.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The MSc in Construction Innovation is a one-year program designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to develop sustainable technological solutions for the construction and built environment sector. The program is targeted at individuals seeking to upskill or reskill to meet the growing demand for expertise in innovation, digital adoption, sustainability, and modern methods of construction.

Objectives:

The MSc in Construction Innovation aims to enable students to:

• Develop skills in sustainability, digitalization, and modern methods of construction.
• Enhance advanced research and analytical skills, including expertise in a specific field, effective communication, teamwork, and project management.
• Cultivate critical thinking, curiosity, and problem-solving abilities to manage the innovation process.
• Identify opportunities (and challenges) for innovation in the construction sector.
• Create novel technology and service solutions to previously unmet, under-met, and unrecognised problems.
• Advance their professional development to meet the future needs of the sector.

Outline:

Course Description:

The program is delivered through blended learning, combining pre-recorded lectures, live online webinars, live online workshops, self-directed learning materials, online activities, extensive resources, and on-campus sessions. Each module consists of:

• Online materials and guided reading.
• Weekly lectures with associated activities.
• One full-day workshop with discussions.

Course Content:

Core Modules:

• CE5104 Sustainability Planning in Construction (10 ECTS; Year 1, Semester 1; Blended; No-prerequisites): This module focuses on developing sustainable construction processes and products, emphasizing energy performance of buildings, retrofitting existing structures, decarbonization of construction processes, and circularity.
It also introduces the concept of a just transition for the construction sector.
• CE5105 Digital Construction Technologies (10 ECTS; Year 1, Semester 1; Blended; No-prerequisites): This module covers building information modeling (BIM) technology, digital twinning, visualization methods, and their standard approaches within the construction sector.
It explores how digitalization is transforming construction team interactions and the role of technologies like BIM in monitoring materials and products delivered to construction sites.
• CE5106 Modern Methods of Construction (10 ECTS; Year 1, Semester 2; Blended; No-prerequisites): This module focuses on developing skills in MMC, covering standardization, certification, next-generation rapid build systems, automation, and autonomous construction.
• CE5108 Innovation & Entrepreneurship (10 ECTS; Year 1, Semester 2; Blended; No-prerequisites): This module focuses on the overall innovation process, from identifying domain-specific needs, validating those needs, brainstorming, and concept creation for new technology products.
It utilizes the Massachusetts Institute of Technology "Disciplined Entrepreneurship" approach and emphasizes business analysis and communication skills.

Optional Modules (Full-Time Course):

• CE5109 Research Project in Construction Innovation (30 ECTS; Year 1, Full Year; Blended; No-prerequisites)
• CE5110 Work Based Placement in Construction Innovation (30 ECTS; Year 1, Full Year; Blended; No-prerequisites)

Core Module (Part-Time Course):

• CE5109 Research Project in Construction Innovation (30 ECTS; Year 2, Full Year; Blended; No-prerequisites)

CE5107 Innovation Project (20 ECTS; Year 1, Semester 3; Blended; No-prerequisites):

This module involves students working in teams to identify a real-world problem in the construction/built environment area that requires a technology/service solution. Students invent and implement the solution, demonstrate its validity and commercial viability, and may develop pitches for angel and venture capital funding.

Teaching:

Faculty:

• Programme Director: Prof Jamie Goggins, School of Engineering, College of Science and Engineering
• Programme Board: Prof Jamie Goggins (Chair), Dr Magdalena Hajdukiewicz, Dr Paul Moran, Dr Edelle Doherty
• Module Leads:
• CE5104 Sustainability Planning in Construction (J Goggins)
• CE5105 Digital Construction Technologies (J Goggins)
• CE5106 Modern Methods of Construction (P Moran)
• CE5108 Innovation & Entrepreneurship (E Doherty)
• CE5107 Innovation Project (J Goggins)
• CE5109 Research Project in Construction Innovation (TBC)
• CE5110 Work Based Placement in Construction Innovation (TBC)

Teaching Methods:

• Blended learning approach
• Pre-recorded lectures
• Live online webinars
• Live online workshops
• Self-directed learning materials
• Online activities
• Extensive resources
• On-campus sessions

Careers:

Career Opportunities:

The course is designed to provide upskilling opportunities for graduates in industrial and commercial construction, construction technology, and sustainable development sectors. Graduates are expected to take up leadership positions in the construction industry to lead change in the modernization of the sector.

Graduate Skills:

The MSc in Construction Innovation aims to produce graduates who are creative, inquisitive, agile, and distinctive. They will have access to state-of-the-art knowledge, tools, and techniques in construction and the opportunity to apply these in real-world contexts. They will have the ability to:

• Identify, formulate, and analyze complex construction-related problems.
• Identify opportunities (and challenges) for innovation in the construction sector.
• Investigate, experiment, and apply standard and specialized research methods.
• Lead in the sustainable transition of the construction sector with consideration of people, planet, and place, embedding the principles of Sustainable Development Goals in their work.
• Work effectively independently and in diverse and inclusive teams, and to prepare for lifelong learning.
• Communicate effectively on complex construction-related activities to diverse audiences.

Transferable Skills Employers Value:

• Enhanced skills in problem-solving.
• Enhanced skills in research, communication, and innovative thinking.
• Communication Skills: Communicating difficult ideas clearly and persuasively, listening to others, and understanding different points of view.
• Design and Planning Skills: Looking at problems from diverse points of view.
• Research and Investigation Skills: Identifying a problem and formulating relevant questions to clarify an issue or set of issues.

Fees: EU€8,640 p.a. (including levy) 2024/25 Fees: Tuition€8,500 p.a. 2024/25 Fees: Student levy€140 p.a. 2024/25 Fees: Non EU€27,000 p.a. (€27,140 including levy) 2024/25