Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Construction Documents and Administration (Face-to-Face)

CM 4880-01

Course: CM 4880-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: ET
CRN: 30795

Course Description

Study of construction plans, accompanying specifications, and related documents emphasizing document communication. Construction administration of contract documents, work group development, and assessment with associated legal ramifications. (Fall, Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): CM 3240 and (CM 1000 or ENGR 1050) - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C-

Required Texts

Required Textbook
  • Lectures (i.e., there is no designated published textbook; lecture content serves as the primary instructional material).

Suggested Readings
  • Richard H. Clough, Construction Contracting - Eighth Edition: Practical Guide to Company Management, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey, 2015.

Learning Outcomes

I. Knowledge and Understanding

By the end of the course, students are expected to:
  • KU-1: Have a critical awareness of the context in which construction documents and administration are undertaken.
  • KU-2: Understand the strategic importance of construction documents and administration to client organizations and their potential contributions.
  • KU-3: Demonstrate an in-depth, systematic understanding of the theories, concepts, and principles underpinning effective construction documentation and administration.
  • KU-4: Have a comprehensive understanding of the techniques involved in construction documentation and administration for construction projects.

II. Specific Skills

Students should be able to:
  • SS-1: Understand the process of construction documents and administration.
  • SS-2: Understand the Project General Scope of Work.
  • SS-3–SS-5: Perform necessary calculations to prepare Procurement Requirements, Contracting Requirements, and Contract Conditions.
  • SS-6: Apply proper techniques to develop Construction Specifications and Drawings.
  • SS-7: Prepare Project Procedure Manuals and Forms.
  • SS-8: Conduct a Value Engineering Study.
  • SS-9: Implement a Quality Control System.
  • SS-10: Execute a Project Claim Case Study.

III. Key Transferable Skills

On successful completion, students will be able to:
  • TS-1: Communicate complex academic and professional ideas in written, graphical, and oral formats.
  • TS-2: Work effectively in teams, assuming roles of either leader or member.
  • TS-3: Utilize diverse information sources and learning resources.
  • TS-4: Identify research problems and apply appropriate research methodologies.
  • TS-5: Take responsibility for independent, self-critical learning.
  • TS-6: Use appropriate tools and technologies (e.g., spreadsheets, templates) to estimate construction costs and calculate overhead, profit, and markups.
  • TS-7: Develop accurate bid proposals for construction projects

Course Requirements

1. Class Participation
  • Active participation in lectures and discussions
  • Worth: 100 points

2. Hands-On Assignments
  • Individual assignments related to lecture content and project documentation
  • Includes tasks such as procurement, contracting, and value engineering exercises
  • Worth: 100 points

3. Quizzes
  • Regular quizzes on course modules and lecture materials
  • Worth: 100 points

4. Computer Labs / Certifications (Procore)
  • Students must complete three Procore certifications:
    • Core Tools
    • Project Management
    • Quality and Safety
  • Worth: 100 points

5. Group Projects
  • 8 term projects done in teams of 5, acting as Owners, Consultants, or Contractors
  • Projects include:
    • M1: General Scope of Work (P-01)
    • M2: Procurement Requirements (P-02)
    • M3: Contracting Requirements (P-03)
    • M4: Construction Specifications (P-04)
    • M5: Contract Drawings (P-05)
    • M6: Value Engineering Study (P-06)
    • M7: Quality Control System (P-07)
  • Worth: 200 points

6. Exams
  • Mid-Term Exam: Covers Modules 1–5 (Family of Construction Documents)
    • Worth: 200 points
  • Final Exam: Covers both document and administration components
    • Worth: 200 points

7. Attendance Policy
  • 5 points of credit per class attended (on time)
  • Being late can result in no attendance credit
  • Attendance points are added to the final course grade

8. Late Work and Makeup Policy
  • Late quizzes are allowed only with prior communication and must be taken before graded quizzes are returned
  • Late quizzes earn half credit
  • Extra credit work may be arranged—students are encouraged to see the instructor

Course Outline

Course Format:
  • Lectures: 2 sessions/week (Tuesdays and Thursdays)
  • Projects/Assignments: Weekly
  • Certifications: Through Procore
  • Final Deliverables: Mid-Term, Final Exam, Group Projects

Week 1
  • Course Introduction
  • Overview of Construction Document Families
  • Team formation for group projects
  • Start Term Project M1

Week 2
  • Procore Certification #1: Core Tools
  • Detailed Study: M1 – Project General Scope of Work
  • Document structure: sections, contracts, coordination, occupancy

Week 3
  • Continue M1 scope details
  • Site access, coordination, survey data, future work
  • Submit Term Project M1 (P-01)
  • Procore Certification #2: Project Management

Week 4
  • Module M2: Procurement Requirements
  • Bidding forms, insurance, pre-bid meetings, compliance
  • Submit Term Project M2 (P-02)
  • Assignment: Tendering Methods & Procedures

Week 5
  • Quiz #1: Tendering Methods
  • Module M2 continues: Delivery Methods
  • Quiz #2: Delivery Methods
  • Assignment: Construction Contracts

Week 6
  • Quiz #3: Construction Contracts
  • Module M2 continues: Bid Evaluation
  • Assignment: Bid Evaluation

Week 7
  • Quiz #4: Bid Evaluation
  • Module M3: Contracting Requirements
    • Agreement Forms, Bonds, Notices, Payment Applications
  • Panel Q&A: Legal Counsel

Week 8
  • Module M4: Construction Specifications (Divisions 00–49)
  • Submit Term Project M4 (P-04)
  • Module M5: Contract Drawings
    • Site/Civil, Structural, MEP, Architectural
  • Submit Term Project M5 (P-05)
  • Mid-Term Review

Week 9
  • Mid-Term Exam
  • Assignment #5 (Modules 3–5)

Week 10
  • Quiz #5: Modules 3–5
  • Module M6: Value Engineering
  • Industry Panel: Architect, Engineer, GC, Owner

Week 11
  • Continue Value Engineering
  • Submit Term Project M6 (P-06)
  • Procore Certification #3: Quality and Safety

Week 12
  • Module M7: Quality Control System
  • Focus: Practical documentation, punch lists
  • Site Visit (if applicable)

Week 13
  • Continue Quality Control
  • Submit Term Project M7 (P-07) (via Procore & Bluebeam)

Week 14
  • Wrap-up: Quality Control & Bluebeam Documentation
  • Final Exam Review

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late Work Policy
  • Late quizzes are only allowed if:
    • The student has communicated with the instructor in advance, and
    • The quiz is taken before the graded version is returned to the class.
  • Late quizzes are worth half credit.

Makeup Work / Extra Credit
  • Makeup work is possible with instructor approval.
  • Extra credit opportunities may be available.
    • Students must contact the instructor directly to discuss eligibility and options.

Attendance Policy

Attendance Policy
  • Attendance is required for all class sessions, including Face-to-Face, Synchronous Remote, or Hybrid formats.
  • Students earn 5 points of attendance credit per class period, only if they are on time.
  • Arriving late may result in no attendance credit for that day.
  • Attendance points will be added to the final course grade.

Illness or Emergency Absences
  • If you are ill or unable to attend due to a valid reason:
    • You may request the instructor to record the class or provide other accommodations.
    • You are encouraged to fill out the self-report form to request formal accommodations.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.