The construction industry is large, varied, and complex. It is intimately interwoven with, and exerts significant influence on, the overall economy of our nation. Constructors — the modern construction professionals — are educated in engineering and architectural principles in the building process, allowing effective communication with the many persons with whom contact is necessary: the design professionals (engineers and architects), specialty subcontractors, manufacturers and distributors of construction materials and products, financiers and others. Additionally, and most importantly, the constructor is a manager. The constructor’s education must include the essentials of contemporary management philosophy, sound business and construction practice, and enlightened human relations. This multidisciplinary curriculum has been developed from these aims which are in consonance with the goals of the Associated Schools of Construction, and with the philosophy of the American Institute of Constructors.
The program was developed for the typical student interested in general preparation for a construction career. A minor in business administration or management is possible by careful selection of electives and a total of 130 semester hours. The Bachelor of Science in Construction (BSC) degree requires a minimum of 126 approved semester hours.
Listing of Construction Courses
CON 100 Introduction to Construction 1 hr.
Introduction to the construction profession. Computer applications, problem
solving concepts, design concepts and visualization, industry ethics, professional
societies, and university services
CON 132 Construction Graphics 2 hrs.
Symbols, conventions, details of construction drawings, and blueprint reading.
Emphasis on interpretation and communication of requirements of contract drawings.
CON 200 Construction Co-op 0 hrs.
Full-time cooperative education assignment for construction students who alternate
periods of full-time school with periods of full-time academic or career-related
work in industry. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory.
CON 262 Mechanical and Electrical Systems I 3 hrs.
Survey of basic principles, methods, and equipment for building component
systems related to human health and comfort. Introduces heating/cooling systems,
electrical systems, plumbing, and lighting systems. Prerequisite: CON 132.
CON 270 Construction Materials and Methods I 3 hrs.
Characteristics and use of basic construction materials including concrete,
metals, wood, masonry, and asphalt. Introduction to materials specifications,
excavation, foundation systems, roofing, exterior and interior framing, doors
and windows, glass and glazing, and finishes. Prerequisite: CON 132.
CON 272 Construction Materials and Methods II 3 hrs.
Applications of materials and construction techniques used in structural systems
of wood, steel, concrete, and masonry. Placement of foundations, asphalt,
cladding systems, and interior construction methods. Prerequisite: CON 270
CON 320 Soil Mechanics 3 hrs.
Introduction to soil mechanics and foundation construction. Soil index properties,
classification, stress analysis, soil compaction, settlement, seepage, dewatering,
excavations, and foundation construction. Prerequisite: IMT 222.
CON 326 Construction Estimating 3 hrs.
Feasibility estimates, design estimates, quantity takeoff, direct and overhead
costing, and cost control. Material, equipment, and labor estimates of construction
projects, bidding strategy, and basic concepts in management and business.
Includes laboratory. Prerequisite: CE 224
CON 330 Housing 3 hrs.
Planning residential areas: geographic location, orientation, functions, and
interrelationships of functions. Fundamentals of residential design which
can result in quality living environments for all income levels. Prerequisite:
CON 132.
CON 342 Construction Equipment 3 hrs.
Characteristics of construction equipment; includes types, methods for their
efficient use, and production calculations. Risk and cost analysis. Prerequisite:
CE 206; CON 320.
CON 352 Sustainable Urban Environment 3 hrs.
Principles of land utilization, feasibility, subdivision planning, and other
elements related to planning and developing sustainable urban environments.
Prerequisite: CON 132.
CON 356 Construction Safety 3 hrs.
Introduction to OSHA Construction Safety Standards. Design of a safety program,
risk analysis of a company's home office and field safety performance characteristics,
potential problems, contingency planning, and safety audit analysis. Prerequisites:
CON 262; CON 270
CON 368 Mechanical and Electrical Systems II 3 hrs.
Survey of large scale integrated building component systems related to human
health, comfort, and sustainability. Topics include lighting, electrical design
and layout, vertical transportation, alarm and security systems, fire protection,
total space conditioning, plumbing systems, and industrial piping design.
Prerequisite: CON 262.
CON 372 Construction Productivity 3 hrs.
Principles and methods for productivity improvement; uses and limitations;
personnel management; labor and equipment productivity and productivity modeling.
Prerequisite: CON 270.
CON 380 Construction Contracts 2 hrs.
Introduction to AGC and AIA construction contract documents. Types of contracts;
contents including specifications, general conditions, bidding requirements.
Introduction to construction law, bonding, insurance, and DBE requirements.
Preparation of contract documents. Prerequisite: BMA 342.
CON 392 Construction Scheduling 3 hrs.
Economic considerations and tools of management: cost reporting; scheduling.
Emphasis on network methods of scheduling: resource allocation and least-cost
expediting. Introduction to computerized scheduling with emphasis on Primavera
and MS Project.. Prerequisite: CON 326; QM 262 or Equivalent.
CON 394 Construction Labor and Unions 3 hrs.
Union and non-union activities in construction industry: history, analysis,
organizing, bargaining, contract language, jurisdictional disputes, training,
and restrictions on operating non-union. Prerequisite: BMA 342.
CON 395 Construction Claims and Change Orders 3 hrs.
Regulations and types of potential claims and change orders. Documentation,
presentation, risk analysis, partnering, CM, CM at risk, Cost-Plus, Design-Build,
and dispute resolution. Prerequisite: CON 380.
CON 481, 482 Projects I and II 1-3 hrs. each
Supervised individual study of construction projects. Prerequisite: Consent
of advisor
CON 487 Design of Steel and Concrete Structures 3 hrs.
Introduction to structural analysis and design of steel and reinforced concrete
members; application to construction problems. Prerequisite: IMT 324 or Equivalent.
CON 489 Design of Wood and Masonry Structures 3 hrs.
Design and detailing of wood and masonry structures. Application to industry
problems in bracing, formwork, and temporary excavation supports. Prerequisite:
CON 487 or Equivalent
CON 490, 491 Special Topics I and II 1-3 hrs. each
Topics of special interest which may vary each time course is offered. Topics
are stated in the current Schedule of Classes. Prerequisite: Consent of advisor.
CON 493 Senior Project Planning 1 hr.
First of a two-semester course design project sequence. Discussions of the
relationship between the owner, architect, consultant, superintendent, construction
manager, general contractor, and subcontractors. Methods of project delivery,
project concept through construction, design phases and project challenges.
Leadership, ethics, public policy issues, LEED, and basic business management
practices. Oral and written report of preliminary plan. Prerequisite: CON
380 and consent of advisor.
CON 494 Construction Practice 3 hrs.
Business ethics in construction; responsibilities and professionalism; construction
business practices . Prerequisite: CON380
CON 498 Senior Project 3 hrs.
Application of construction principles to actual industry projects. Detailed
estimate of the project, bidding strategies, site layout/development plan
for construction staging, preparation of sample contracts using AIA and AGC
formats, construction scheduling, project closeout plan, jobsite safety plan,
and strategies to achieve LEED rating points. Prerequisite: CON 493.
CON 520 Advanced Construction Practice 3 hrs.
Issues of the processes affiliated with the construction and engineering consulting
profession: project delivery, conception through construction of projects,
phases of design, and unique challenges. Case studies will be utilized. Prerequisite:
CON 494
CON 522 Advanced CADD 3 hrs.
Applications of CAD systems. Visualization and optimization of the processes
used in construction through three-dimensional modeling and utilization in
various civil engineering and construction applications.
CON 524 Building Information Modeling 3 hrs.
Application of state-of-the-art technology in projects during various phases
from inception to completion including planning, design, procurement, construction,
handing over, and operation and maintenance. Investigation of different available
tools and technologies in recording, storing, and sharing project information.
Prerequisite: CE 224
CON 526 Advanced Construction Estimating 3 hrs.
Advanced techniques in taking-off quantities, pricing techniques, computer
estimating, and bidding strategy models. Prerequisite: CON 326
CON 528 Advanced Construction Scheduling 3 hrs.
Project scheduling methods with emphasis on network scheduling techniques,
work breakdown structure (WBS), resource and cost loading, scheduling under
uncertainties, project time compression, resource leveling, scheduling for
linear projects (LOB), time-cost trade-offs, project status, reporting and
updating, schedules as tools for claims documentation. Case studies. Computer
based. Prerequisite: CON 392
CON 529 Advanced Construction Contracts 3 hrs.
Issues in the administration and implementation of a construction contract.
Coordinating and controlling the construction project under legal and ethical
considerations. Prerequisite: CON 380
CON 536 TQM Principles 3 hrs.
Theory and analysis of the Total Quality Management system as applied within
the construction industry. Case studies.
CON 537 Construction Simulation 3 hrs.
Decision making using simulation and simulation languages to model construction
operations. Simulation of construction process using what-if analysis. Role
of simulation and decision making in the planning and scheduling phases in
the construction industry. Topics include introduction to discrete event simulation,
generation of random numbers, queuing, simulation languages for construction.
CON 540 Project and Company Management 3 hrs.
Unique issues of company and project management in the construction industry
not traditionally found in construction programs, such as fraud, regulatory
issues, and international construction. Presentations on project and company
management by renowned experts will give the student knowledge and insights
on new trends, innovative procedures, practical case studies, and exposure
to innovation in construction. The course will give the student knowledge
of the business aspects of running a wide range of construction companies
and a variety of projects. Prerequisite: CON 326 and CON 392
This page was last updated October 4, 2010