Students will need specific hardware and software to complete the MEng in Construction Engineering Management. As with all technology, the required equipment is subject to change and additional items may need to be acquired or purchased. The Needed Equipment includes, but is not limited to:
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Hardware
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Laptop Computer
Operating System: Windows 11 - 64-bit (caution: Windows S-Mode is not supported).
Processor: Multi-core Xeon or Intel i-Series or AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 2.5 GHz or equivalent.
Memory: 16 to 32 GB RAM.
Hard drive: 320 GB and 25 GB free hard-drive space.
Laptop or Desktop Monitor: student's choice.
- Second Monitor (required): 24" to 27" Screen - 1,280 x 1,024 with true color.
Mouse: Wireless with scroll wheel (recommended).
Graphics Card: A high quality graphics card for advanced graphics (DirectX11 capable graphics card with Shader Model 5 and a minimum of 4 GB of video memory). This particular high-end graphics card is required to run specific software programs (i.e. Autodesk Revit) in the CECM 689 Building Information Modeling (BIM) course. You will be using the latest version of the software.
Learn more about Autodesk software requirements by browsing the internet for the latest versions of Autodesk Revit and Autodesk Naviswork Manage.
Note about Computer Choice
We strongly recommend that CEM students purchase their own Windows-based personal computer. CEM students will need to have full administrative rights for their computer to install software applications for use in their CECM 669, CECM 673, and CECM 689 courses. In the past, some students attempting to use their work computers have encountered issues installing these software applications due to administrative rights restrictions and/or conflicting software on work computers.
Additionally, some students have experienced issues during exams due to incompatibility with web proctor service when using work computers. During exams, students need to have full administrative rights to allow remote access on their computer and monitor by the proctor.
Students wishing to use an Apple computer will need to take additional steps to install and run specific Windows-based software programs. This includes Microsoft Project (used in CECM 669: Advanced Project Management), Oracle Primavera Contractor (used in CECM 673: Techniques of Project Planning and Control), or Autodesk Revit and Naviswork (used in CECM 689: Building Information Modeling).
- Students will need to purchase and install either Parallels Desktop, Boot Camp, or VMWare Fusion on their Mac. Second, they will need to purchase and install a copy of the Windows Operating System.
- After completing these two tasks, students should be able to install and run the required Windows-based course software programs.
The most effective and issue-free way to install and learn how to use the various required software packages taught in CEM is on a Windows-based computer. Typically, students who encounter issues with the Windows-based programs are those who choose to use a Mac. Students using Windows-based computers do not encounter similar issues when installing or running these applications. Although we can provide general information and guidance, Mac users will be responsible for resolving issues that they encounter while choosing to run Windows and Windows programs on a Mac.
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Printer/Scanner
Office Jet, Desk Jet, All-in-One Printer, and Scanner (student's choice).
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Storage
Back-up Drive: 1 TB External Drive, OneDrive, or a Cloud Service. Original work and back-up copy to be kept in different places.
Carry-on: Flash drives: 4GB or 8GB (optional).
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Audio/Video (Virtual Class Participation and Online Proctored Examinations)
- Headset/Earbuds
- Webcam [Internal/External]
- Microphone [Internal/External]
Virtual Class Participation:
Internal laptop webcams and microphones are suitable for virtual class participation only. However, internal speakers cannot be used for virtual classes. Students are required to use an external headphone/headset or earbuds.
Online Proctored Exams:
Internal webcams and microphones are not suitable for online proctored exams. An external webcam and microphone is required for use during proctored exams.
For students using a laptop with an external monitor, the laptop must be closed and an external keyboard is required.
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Internet Service
To be successful in the program, students are required to have a strong reliable high-speed Internet and connectivity connection — cable modem or DSL broadband — with the following bandwidth:
- Internet download speed: 12 Mbps
- Internet upload speed: 3 Mbps
It is recommended that students use a dual-band router and have a direct hard-wired connection from their computer to the internet source (modem/router). NO WIFI.
Hotspots and tethering are not allowed during proctored exams.
Test your internet speed at speedtest.net.
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Digital Textbooks/eBooks
Tablets, smart phones, and other electronic devices are not acceptable to access ebooks during proctored examinations. If ebooks are allowed by the instructor during a proctored examination, they must be accessed on the computer monitored by ProctorU. Students purchasing Kindle ebooks will need to install the Kindle for PC app on their proctored computer.
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Calculator
Standard hand-held scientific calculator.
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Laptop Computer
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Software
Students will need recent versions of:
- MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Adobe Acrobat Standard to create multi-page PDF files (or equivalent)
- Media player
- Firefox or Chrome Internet browser
- Screenshot and Image creating tool (Snipping Tool, One Note or similar)
All CEM course content is delivered through Canvas, UAB's e-learning software platform. Learn about Canvas' browser requirements.
Software Discounts
As a UAB CEM student, you have access to free or discounted software through UAB IT's OnTheHub website.
Of particular interest to CEM Students:
- Microsoft Office 365 (includes student email and storage via OneDrive)
- Email for students through Office 365 – set-up instructions
- UAB Microsoft Azure — Microsoft Project for CECM 669 and VMWare Fusion to use Windows on a Mac
- Antivirus software: Windows Defender (Windows 8.1, Windows 10), or Sophos Anti-virus (OS X).
Software can also be purchased at discounted prices at thinkedu.com.