Welcome Message from Dr. Duane Dunlap

Welcome to a school on the cutting-edge. The optoelectronics age is spawning revolutionary technological advancements, and engineering technology and science is at the heart. Our students-tomorrow's leaders-learn in a world-class environment so that they can not only live in that changing world, but they create and shape those changes as well. On campus, students can exercise their creativity and entrepreneurship in both coursework and through extracurricular opportunities such as design competitions and hands-on experience creating new technology solutions.

Today's advanced construction, engineering, and technology tools and multidisciplinary projects make technology more vital than ever, and the department’s talented faculty excel in many areas, including automation, robotics, optoelectronics, product design, computer graphics, construction management, telecommunications, and engineering sales. The department’s industrial advisory committees and partnership with UNC-Charlotte help our applied research and electrical engineering initiatives.

I invite you to explore our website. Learn about all the exciting innovations the Kimmel School of Construction Management, Engineering and Technology faculty, staff and students are creating. Study student life, curricula and extracurricular activities. Investigate industry partnership opportunities. Read about the latest new releases and catch up on the photographs of our new and renovated laboratories in the Belk and Center for Applied Technologies (CAT) buildings. Please give us a call, we have a wonderful story to tell. Make the Kimmel School of Construction Management, Engineering and Technology at Western Carolina your second home!

Discover a school on the cutting-edge.

Thanks for visiting us in cyberspace.

Sincerely,

Duane Dunlap
Director, Kimmel School of Construction Management, Engineering and Technology

What is Engineering Technology?

Engineering technology is the profession in which a knowledge of mathematics and natural sciences gained by higher education, experience, and practice is devoted primarily to the implementation and extension of existing technology for the benefit of humanity. Engineering technology education focuses primarily on the applied aspects of science, math, and engineering aimed at preparing graduates for practice in that portion of the technological spectrum closest to the product improvement, manufacturing, and engineering operational functions.

The engineering technology programs at Western Carolina can be characterized by their focus on application and practice and by their approximately 50/50 mix of theory and laboratory experience.

Graduates of the engineering technology program are recruited by most major technological companies in the United States. They are employed across the technological spectrum but are better suited to areas that deal with application, implementation, and production as opposed to the conceptual design and research functions. The technical sales and customer services fields also account for many placements.

What is Construction Management?

Construction Management is a professional service that applies effective management techniques to the planning, design, and construction of a project from inception to completion for the purpose of controlling time, cost and quality.

Construction Management is a discipline and management system specifically created to promote the successful execution of capital projects for owners. These projects can be highly complex. Few owners maintain the staff resources necessary to pay close, continuing attention to every detail--yet these details can "make or break" a project.

A professional Construction Manager can plan, direct, coordinate, and budget through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures and facilities such as commercial, residental, heavy highway, mechanical, electricial, marine, and industrial. Construction managers can also participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, and implementation.