Sustainable Construction and Design Courses

Students will be introduced to basic residential construction safety, history, terminology, materials, and basic construction techniques. This course will cover basic information and develop manual skills needed to begin construction of a new home.

Lecture Hours: 16 Lab Hours: 32

The Construction Safety course will provide students with the requirements and expectations required to work safely in the numerous occupations of the construction industry. The course will introduce students to the national OSHA safety standards for General Construction and upon their completion of this course will receive the OSHA 10 hour General Construction certification.

Lecture Hours: 16

The Concrete Lab course will provide students with hands-on experience in estimating, ordering, forming, working, and finishing concrete.

Lab Hours: 64

Prerequisite(s): CON-130.

The concrete theory course will provide students with a basic understanding of concrete, and its relationship to residential construction.

Lecture Hours: 16

The Site Layout and Blueprint Reading course will train students to interpret and use site plans and other working drawings. Students will learn how to interpret construction symbols and building specifications. Students will develop site layouts for various projects utilizing lasers, builder’s levels, and transits using site plans and other working drawings.

Lecture Hours: 16

The Construction Technology Laboratory course offers students the opportunity to further develop their skills with hand and power tool operations, and to devote more time to hands-on construction projects while improving their skill competencies.

Lab Hours: 128

The Framing Techniques and Lab 1 course will introduce students to the methods used to layout wall lines and plates, measure and cut all required parts, and assemble a floor deck, walls, and roof/ceiling framing with an emphasis on air sealing and advanced framing techniques.

Lecture Hours: 16 Lab Hours: 32

Students will learn building science principles and methods to determine how thermal energy transfer, air infiltration and exfiltration, internal and external air pressures, moisture migration, and durable design strategies apply to today's residential design and construction industry.

Lecture Hours: 16

This course is designed to present basic facts of arithmetic including whole numbers, fractions, decimals, powers, roots, English and metric measurement, ratio-proportion, percents, introduction to algebra, and introduction to geometry. Instruction includes use of scientific hand-held calculators and emphasis placed on critical thinking, problem solving skills.

Lecture Hours: 48

This is a one semester, liberal arts mathematics course that satisfies the minimum general education requirement for math. The course is designed to impart math skills which are helpful in everyday life as well as to expose students to areas of mathematics they may not have seen before. Topics include problem-solving skills, set theory, algebra, consumer mathematics, probability, and statistics. Other topics may be included.

Lecture Hours: 48

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of D- in MAT-063 or appropriate placement score.

Begins a two semester sequence to prepare students for the calculus sequence. The central theme is the concept of functions, their properties, graphs and applications. Functions studied include polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions.

Lecture Hours: 80

Prerequisite(s): MAT-102 or appropriate placement score.

This one-semester pre-calculus course is intended for the student with a solid algebra background who intends to take calculus. It is also beneficial (but not required) for the student to have a background in trigonometry. The course will emphasize functions using an analytical, numerical, and graphical approach. The student will study linear, polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions along with their applications.

Lecture Hours: 64

Prerequisite(s): Appropriate placement scores.

The second course of a two-semester pre-calculus sequence. Topics include trigonometry and applications, vectors, analytic geometry, and polar and parametric equations.

Lecture Hours: 48

Prerequisite(s): MAT-122 or equivalent placement score.

The Carpentry Fundamentals Level I course will prepare the diploma level students to take the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Level One test. This course will serve as a review and preparation over the Level One Objectives as defined by NCCER.

Lecture Hours: 16 Lab Hours: 96

Prerequisite(s): CON-102 and CON-133.

The Construction Technology Lab 2 course will provide students with the opportunity to utilize the knowledge gained in previous construction courses with hands-on applications to construction projects. This course will reinforce construction competencies in applied mathematics, site layout, blue print reading, framing, exterior finishing, interior finishing, sustainable design, and building science.

Lab Hours: 96

Prerequisite(s): CON-133.

This course will utilize resource efficient advanced framing methods that stress energy efficiency and sustainable design. The ?Whole Systems Approach" to residential design and construction will be teamed with Universal Design principles, Optimum Value Engineering techniques, the ?Building America? program, and the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program.

Lecture Hours: 16 Lab Hours: 64

This course will present the various materials used for residential exterior finishes. Topics will include insulated sheathing, building wraps, drainage planes, shingles, soffits, venting, windows, and exterior doors. Emphasis will be on sustainable construction techniques and building science principles.

Lecture Hours: 16 Lab Hours: 64

The Utility Equipment Operation Course will introduce students to the operation of machines used in the construction industry when working in close proximity to buildings, underground utilities, and jobsites with limited operational spaces. Students will operate various machines such as Skid Steer Loaders, Mini Excavators, Loader Backhoes, All-Terrain Forklifts, Aerial Lifts,and related attachments. Students will gain experience digging over, under, and around underground utilities, excavating next to foundations and walls, and undercutting slabs for utility installations. The installation and operation of attachments, trenchers, breakers, soil conditioners, posthole digger, materials forks, and others will be introduced and practiced. Students will gain knowledge of pre-operational inspections, loading and securing equipment for transport and required licensure for various truck-trailer combinations and weight ratings.

Lecture Hours: 16 Lab Hours: 64

Pre/Co-requisite(s): A minimum grade of C in CON-108 or HEQ-203.

This course provides students with opportunities to gain on-the-job experience in the construction industry. Students will gain an understanding of the qualities and skills needed to be successful in the construction industry. Coordination and guidance will be provided by Department Instructors.

Lecture Hours: 0 Co-op Hours: 256

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C in CON-102.

The CAD SoftPlan course will introduce students to an object based CAD program and the process involved in generating a complete set of residential working drawings. Emphasis will be placed on setting up a drawing, using file management, organizing architectural information, paying attention to detail, converting sketches to CAD, modifying CAD drawings, and applying problem solving skills.

Lecture Hours: 32 Lab Hours: 32

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C in CON-102.

In the Methods of Interior Finishing course, students will discuss the theory and history of the residential interior system. The lab portion of this course will focus on gypsum wallboard installation, taping, finishing, texturing, and painting. The gypsum wallboard work will be followed by the installation of pre-hung door units, casing, base molding, custom trim, closet finishes, hardware, and cabinetry. Universal Design and a focus on indoor air quality will be stressed. Custom interior finish packages may be included.

Lecture Hours: 16 Lab Hours: 64

This course builds upon concepts learned in CON 302 Building Science. Students will focus on applying advanced building science concepts to actual design applications.

Lecture Hours: 16

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C in CON-302.

The Construction Technology Lab 3 course will provide students with the opportunity to utilize the knowledge they have gained in their previous construction courses with hands-on applications to construction projects. This course will require that students use their knowledge of construction codes and construction documents and computer aided drafting to provide detailed drawings adhering to the International Energy Conservation Code and Universal Design Principles.

Lab Hours: 96

Prerequisite(s): CON-146.

Human Relations is the study of self and social behavior. Emphasis is placed on the understanding and application of social science theories and research for the development of effective interpersonal and organizational relationships.

Lecture Hours: 48

This course provides an introduction to the study of behavior with emphasis in the areas of learning, cognition, motivation, personality, behavioral disorder, therapy, and social influence. An understanding of the impact of both theoretical perspectives and experimental evidence on the formulation of the science of human behavior is also stressed. Psychological theories and principles are utilized to explain and predict behavior.

Lecture Hours: 48

This course surveys the basic principles, concepts, and research findings of social life from small groups to societies. The course examines a range of sociological explanations for the various forms of social behaviors and establishes a basis for reflection and further study in the field.

Lecture Hours: 48

This course presents elements of the oral communications process with emphasis on developing interpersonal, small group, and public speaking skills. Students will be involved in activities that provide opportunity for the understanding and improvement of their oral communication skills.

Lecture Hours: 48

The Softplan 2 Course will introduce students to advanced Softplan skills involved in generating a complete set of residential working drawings. Emphasis will be placed on advance organization of architectural information, attention to detail, modifying CAD drawings, and applying problem-solving skills.

Lecture Hours: 32 Lab Hours: 32

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C in CAD-200.

This course focuses on composition and editing of curriculum-specific technical and business-related writing projects. Instruction includes formatting, information gathering, document drafting, editing, and written employment strategies.

Lecture Hours: 48

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of D- in ENG-061.

Composition I emphasizes fluency, thesis-driven organization, the use of supporting details, and research techniques. Writing is approached as a recursive process that includes prewriting strategies, drafting, revising, and editing. The course helps students shape writing to serve readers' needs and define a sense of purpose in their writing. It also gives students strategies for reading college-level material.

Lecture Hours: 48

Prerequisite(s): Appropriate placement scores or equivalent.

The Construction Estimating and Project Management course will link construction estimating with project management and scheduling.

Lecture Hours: 16 Lab Hours: 32

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C in CON-510.

The Construction Technology Lab 4 course will provide students with the opportunity to utilize the knowledge they have gained in their previous construction, energy, building science, and design courses with hands-on applications to construction projects. This course will require students to use their knowledge of sustainable construction principles; adhering to the International Energy Conservation Code and Universal Design principles.

Lab Hours: 96

Prerequisite(s): CON-510.

The Residential Energy Auditing course covers residential energy auditing and associated heating and air-conditioning equipment. The concepts of heat flow, energy audit software, building science, building envelope diagnostics, construction practices, material costs, moisture concerns, proper insulation and airsealing techniques, energy pricing, energy modeling, and residential HVAC systems. Equipment selection, layout, piping techniques, troubleshooting, codes, preventive maintenance, diagnostics, multiple systems, and accessories are also covered.

Lecture Hours: 32 Lab Hours: 64

The Manual J and Manual D Residential HVAC Design course will provide students with the necessary skills to analyze a building's heating and cooling loads and design appropriate ductwork systems. Students will begin the process using manual worksheets and then finish by using Manual J and Manual D software programs.

Lecture Hours: 16

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C in CON-102.