This course will cover mostly residential construction methods and materials (although all topics covered are utilized in both residential and commercial construction). It is designed to expose the student to principles, materials, systems, methods and terminology related to the facets of commercial building construction and how they integrate with one another.

Although the basic practices for residential building has generally remained the same for hundreds of years, improvements at every level have increased bringing essential improvements and knowledge to the industry.

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
Principles, Materials, and Systems 3rd Edition
(Mehta, Scarborough, Armpriest)

ABET Student Learning Outcomes

Students will have …..

• ….. An ability to develop and conduct experiments or test hypotheses, analyze and interpret data and use scientific judgement to draw conclusions.
• ….. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
• ….. An ability to understand ethical and professional responsibilities and the impact of technical and/or scientific solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.

Course Objectives

Expose the student to and have them obtains a general knowledge of the principles, methods, and terminology related to materials and systems as they pertain to residential building construction.

Course Structure

This course is designed as a lecture style discussion with assigned reading, homework, practical theory, terminology, projects, quizzes (scheduled and unscheduled) and exams. Attendance is key and required for this course.

Assigned Homework

To be determined. NOTE: The instructor reserves the right to substitute and/or add quizzes and/or assignments as applicable.

What you will turn in

Assignments may accompany material discussed in class from each chapter and possible real life, practical examples.

Midterm 150-250 points

The midterm exam will be given during class time. Date of the midterm exam will be announced at a later time.

Final 150-250 points

As per policy the final exam will be administered during the scheduled time during finals week. Do not ask to take the final exam early. There will be NO make-up if a student misses the final exam.

Evaluation

Student assignments may vary in value from 10 to 100 (homework, projects, assignments) points. All quizzes typically range in value of 10-50 points each (there may be some exception here). Midterm Exam is anticipated to be worth 100-250 points. Final Exam is anticipated to be worth 100-250 points. Student Presentation is anticipated to be worth 100-250 points.

Assessment

Assessment will be performed under the following criteria:
100 - 94% = A   69 – 67% = D+
93 – 90% = A-   66 -64% = D
89 – 87% = B+   63 -60% = D-
86 - 84% = B   59 – 57 = F+
83 - 80% = B-   56 – less = F
79 – 77% = C+
76 - 74% = C
73 - 70% = C-

Potential Scenarios

(These are rough scenarios used as an object lesson example for your course grade goals)

To earn a grade of “A” students must complete at least 95% of the work satisfactorily (at/above 94% grade) and attend class 95% of the time.

To earn a passing grade students must complete at least 75% of the work satisfactorily (at/above 95% grade) and attend class 75% of the time.

Tentative Schedule

Chapters and other corresponding course work will likely be in the following order:

• Ch. 1: Overview of Building Delivery Process
• Ch. 2: Construction Regulations & Standards
• Ch. 3-4: Loads on Buildings & Load Resistance (Structural)
• Ch. 5-6: Properties of the Envelope
• Ch. 11: Soils & Excavations
• Ch. 12: Below-Grade Construction (Foundations Systems & Basements)
• Ch. 13-14: Materials for Wood Construction
• Ch. 15-16: Wood Light-Frame Construction – I & II
• Ch. 17: Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)
• Ch. 31: Windows & Doors
• Ch. 34: Roofing – II (Steep Roofs)
• Ch. 35: Stairs
• Ch. 36: Floor Coverings
• Ch. 21-22: Concrete
• Ch. 26: Masonry & Concrete Bearing Wall Construction

Late Assignments and/or makeup work

Make up work or extra credit work is possible. For extra credit work come see me. Late quiz will only be allowed with prior communication, from the student to the professor, and if taken prior to the return of graded quizzes. Late quizzes will be worth half credit.

Final Exam Makeup/Early Requests

Do not ask to take the final exam early. There will be NO make-up if a student misses the final exam.

Attendance Credit

Students receive 10 points of attendance credit for each class period they attend providing they are not late. Arriving to class late can result in NO attendance credit. Attendance credit will be added towards your final course grade.

Attendance is mandatory for passing this course. Your attendance will be calculated into your final grade using the criteria described above. Simply getting the assignments from a class mate is not permitted.

Attendance is only taken once per class period at the beginning. You will receive 10 points of attendance credit for being on time to class and staying the entire time. If you are late to class you will lose 1 point of attendance credit for each minute you are late. If you are 10 minutes or later to class you will not receive any attendance credit for that day. This does not mean you have to leave class, is simply means that for that day, you will not receive any attendance credit.

Students are required to bring text books and all other materials to each class meeting. Any student who attends class without a text book and other materials will receive an absence.

Any student who does work from another class in class will be given an absence.

Attendance

Attendance is mandatory for passing this course. Your attendance will be calculated into your final grade using the criteria described above. Simply getting the assignments from a class mate is not permitted.

You will be given 10 points per day for each day you attend class. At the end of the semester your attendance credit will be calculated with your performance credit.

Attendance is only taken once per class period at the beginning. You will receive 10 points of attendance credit for being on time to class and staying the entire time. If you are late to class you will lose 1 point of attendance credit for each minute you are late. If you are 10 minutes or more late to class you will not receive any attendance credit for that day. This does not mean you have to leave class, it simply means that for that day, you will not receive any attendance credit.

Class participation

Students are required to bring text books and all other materials to each class meeting. Any student who attends class without a text book and other materials may receive an absence. Any student who does work from another class in class will be given an absence.

Policies

There will be none of the following:

• Vulgar jokes or comments said to other students of the same sex or of the opposite sex, or to the instructor.
• Chewing tobacco.

Violation of any of these policies will result in an absence for the first warning.

We will aspire to gain an environment of professional courtesy and build a culture of interaction and shared learning in this course.

Mentoring Statement: COMMUNICATION IS OF KEY IMPORTANCE

If by chance you start falling behind through no fault of your own, PLEASE communicate with me and do not drop the class at the first sign of turbulence, I understand that life is also a test. The sooner you come see me, the sooner we can develop an intervention plan to get you back on track. I am available to work with any student willing to put forth a little extra effort. If for some reason you are feeling bad about life in general come and see me, I may be able to provide some insight that will help you feel better about everything.

Course Prerequisites

Desire to learn and ability to join in course work.

Grading Process and Communication

Please do not come and ask what your grade is before grades are posted. The grading process is long and tedious. For this class your instructor will review and/or grade all papers, quizzes, and exams. Graders may or may not be used for this course. First assignments have to be examined as a whole. Then assignments must be graded. Then those grades must be entered, calculated, and finally submitted. Your grades will appear as soon as they are submitted.

Safety and Professional Behavior

Safety and Professional Behavior: Projects may involve the use of lab or other university equipment. Students should maintain professional behavior at all times, but particularly when operating equipment. Students are required to read and follow instructions for use of equipment and only to use the equipment in a safe manner to minimize the danger to oneself and others. Disregarding safety and/or other procedures will result in your dismissal from the lab area and a grade of zero for the associated project (at a minimum). If you are unsure as to how to operate equipment in a safe manner, ask for help.