Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Capstone Project (Face-to-Face)

CM 4900-01

Course: CM 4900-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: ET
CRN: 30796

Course Description

This course is designed to bring all of the knowledge and work of the senior student into a single culminating project. The projects will be individualized by the student with the help of the capstone administrator/mentor. (Fall, Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): Senior standing required

Required Texts

Textbook: No textbook is required.
Software: Students are expected to utilize all AI tools and software previously used throughout their degree coursework. 

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
  • Develop professional written communications tailored to the construction industry, incorporating AI-assisted editing and documentation tools.
  • Deliver effective oral presentations using industry-standard and AI-enhanced visualization platforms.
  • Prepare comprehensive construction project scopes of work and method statements for major project components, utilizing collaborative AI tools for technical drafting and planning.
  • Facilitate and apply Value Engineering (VE) workshops to optimize project value, supported by AI-driven cost-benefit analysis tools.
  • Generate detailed construction project cost estimates, integrating AI-based quantity takeoff and estimating software.
  • Create and manage construction project schedules using advanced scheduling software and AI algorithms for scenario planning and optimization.
  • Allocate and level construction project resources efficiently, leveraging AI tools for resource forecasting and allocation.
  • Analyze construction financial management systems, applying AI for predictive financial modeling and cash flow analysis.
  • Evaluate construction project quality control systems, supported by AI-based inspection and defect tracking platforms.
  • Assess project risk management strategies, using AI-driven risk analysis tools to identify and mitigate potential project threats.
  • Apply time control techniques and perform project schedule updates using real-time data and AI-enhanced tracking systems.
  • Implement construction cost control processes, utilizing AI for cost monitoring, forecasting, and variance analysis.
  • Design and apply Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to assess and improve project performance, supported by AI analytics and dashboard tools.
  • Develop and implement comprehensive construction project safety plans, incorporating AI-based hazard detection, simulation, and reporting technologies.

Course Requirements

The CM 4900 Capstone Project course is evaluated through a combination of individual and team-based assignments. Students are expected to demonstrate their ability to research, plan, and execute a comprehensive construction management project, as well as present their findings in professional formats. The grading is based on the following components:
1. Conference Capstone Presentations – 2 Conferences (Individual)
  • Students must deliver two professional-level individual presentations at conferences.
  • Points: 300
2. Interim Research Reports (Teamwork)
  • Teams will submit detailed interim research reports that highlight project progress, key findings, and challenges.
  • Points: 150
3. Interim Project Reports (Teamwork)
  • Teams will prepare and submit interim project reports summarizing planning, design, and management milestones.
  • Points: 200
4. Capstone Final Presentation (Individual)
  • Each student will deliver an individual final presentation showcasing their contributions and project outcomes.
  • Points: 100
5. Capstone Final Presentation (Teamwork)
  • Teams will conduct a collaborative final presentation, demonstrating overall project integration and teamwork.
Points: 50
6. Capstone Project Final Report (Teamwork)
  • A comprehensive final report, prepared by the team, summarizing the research, project design, analysis, and outcomes.
  • Points: 200
Total: 1000 points

Course Outline

Part (1): Introduction
1.     Capstone Overview
2.     Construction Site Visits

Part (2): Capstone Project
3.     Construction Project Scope of Work
4.     Construction Method Statement
5.     Construction Project Cost Estimating
6.     Construction Project Planning and Scheduling
7.     Construction Project Resource Management
8.     Project Final Report 
9.     Project Final Presentation 

Part (3): Capstone Research
10.  Research Proposal
11.  Literature Review
12.  Problem Statement
13.  Research Objectives
14.  Research Methodology
15.  Research Analysis
16.  Research Implementation
17.  Research Conclusions & Recommendations 

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

  1. Missed Lectures: Students are responsible for all material covered in class during an absence. Students who are absent from a lecture should ask a classmate or the instructor for lecture notes. The PowerPoint slides do not cover everything discussed in class. 
  2. Missed/Late Assignments: Contact the instructor to check about missed assignments. Students are responsible for completing assignments made on time during their absence. Assignments handed in late will be penalized 15% of the total point value for each class day late.
  3. Missed Quizzes: Quizzes are usually given during the first 10 minutes of class. There will be no makeups for missed quizzes. 
  4. Missed Labs: In-class portions of the labs cannot be made up. An absence will result in a 0 for that day’s lab activity, and the lowest lab grade will be dropped. When students are asked to finish a lab at home, labs handed in late will be penalized 15% of the total point value for each class day late.

Attendance Policy

Attendance is required if you are registered for a Face-to-Face, Synchronous Remote, or Hybrid course. If you are ill, you may request a faculty member record the class and share it with you or request other reasonable accommodations. Your instructor will work with you to develop a plan for completing coursework. To receive academic accommodations and ensure that your request is communicated to faculty, you must submit this self-report form.

Course Fees

N/A

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.