Construction Management Department
College of Architectural and Environment Design
California Polytechnic State University
CM 341 - COURSE SYLLABUS
1999/2000
Residential & Light Commercial Construction Practices
Instructor:
Office:
Hours:
Tele/e-mail:
Dr. Barbara Jackson
Bldg. 21 Engineering West – Room 118
1:00 – 3:00 M & W or by appointment
756-1723
bjackson@calpoly.edu
3 Units: 10:10-12:00 MTWR* (plus 1 hour of independent study each week)
Prerequisite: Third year standing
______________________________________________________________________________
Course Description:
Building systems, materials, and techniques. Construction practices related to residential and
light commercial structures. Several field trips will be scheduled for this class.
Texts:
Required:
Allen, Edward, Fundamentals of Building Construction-Materials and Methods,
3th Edition, John Wiley & Sons (1999).
Reference:
Ching, Francis D.K., Building Construction Illustrated, 2nd Edition, Van
Nostrand Reinhold, New York, (1991)
Course Objectives:
Through instructional presentation, assigned reading, field trips, student research, and student
interaction, the Student should develop a basic knowledge of the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
The properties of most of the materials incorporated in residential and light
commercial construction and how they are assembled and used.
The methods of job site construction and installation methods common to light
framing, from a general contractor’s perspective.
Site fabrication, installation, and assembly of major non-structural subcontractor
trades.
Distribution, purchasing of typical construction materials and products.
Improving design details and dimensions to facilitate construction and enhance
economics.
Standard residential construction company business practices, including
marketing, customer services, and quality management.
The Professional Trade Associations affiliated with the residential construction
industry.
8.
Current trends and additional sources for detailed construction information in the
individual’s pursuit of professional self-improvement.
Teaching Philosophy:
Research shows that learning is far more effective if content, application, and meaning
are part of the learning process. In other words, if the material is shown to be relevant.
Students are motivated to learn if topics are taught in a hands-on setting and if subject
matter is presented in the context of how it is used in the workplace, home, and the
community.
It is the instructor’s intent and mission to make learning of the course content
understandable, achievable, and attractive in an experiential fashion through the use of
class projects, guest speakers, and actual examples from business and industry, focusing
on real world application.
Course Design:
Although the instructor can be counted on to make every effort to present all course
material in a relevant manner, each student will be responsible for his or her own
learning. In other words, you will get out of this course as much as you are willing to put
into it.
Instructor Availability:
I welcome and encourage every student to visit my office at least once during the quarter.
Regular office hours are posted and appointments may be arranged. "Drop-ins" are
welcome, however, please keep in mind that the instructor has deadlines to meet as well,
and that "drop in" visits can not always be accommodated.
Required Office Visit: Each student in the class is required to schedule an appointment
with the instructor once before the end of the third week of classes. This is mandatory!
Performance Expectations:
Each and every student seated in this class will be viewed as a potential future leader of
the construction industry. As such, each student is expected to behave in a professional
manner. Examples of expected professional behavior are listed below:
1. On-time Arrival and Participation
You are expected to arrive on time, be prepared for, and participate and contribute in
class each day. Commit early to manage your life in such a way that making it to class on
time is not a problem.
2. Course Attendance & Communication
Treat your course attendance as if it were your job. It is! If you were not going to be at
work or you were running late you would COMMUNICATE with your employer. I have
voice mail. I expect the same courtesy. Your contribution is a valuable asset to the
success of the class. You are missed when not in attendance. It is the student’s
responsibility to communicate any unavoidable absences to the instructor in advance
when possible. When properly communicated, your absence will be excused. Otherwise,
excessive absenteeism will affect your grade.
3. Absolutely No Profanity Will Be Tolerated in the Classroom
Break this bad habit NOW before it cost you or your employer dearly in a law suit or
harassment charge. It is unprofessional and a sign of ignorance. If you must vent your
frustration, find new, inoffensive language to use.
4. Team / Class Member Support
On occasion you will be asked to work in groups. Professionals automatically support
one another for the good of the project. Support does not mean to do someone else’s
work for them. Support means to stay in communication, provide encouragement, and
most of all to hold team members accountable for their word.
5. Academic Honesty
You are about to enter a profession that relies and focuses on character, professionalism,
integrity, and a sense of fairness. While all practitioners may not always demonstrate
these traits in business and industry, you will quickly become known by your reputation –
positive or negative.
Given the importance of a reputation for honesty and
trustworthiness, an expressed policy on academic honesty for this class would seem
unnecessary.
However, to make this very clear, there will be absolutely no tolerance for any violation
of the intent of university policies on plagiarism, cheating, copying, or in any way
representing the work of any past or current student as your own. Any evidence of such a
violation will result in an immediate failing grade and possible dismissal from the course.
Any student with knowledge of academic dishonesty who fails to report it will be subject
to the same consequences.
Student Evaluation: Students will be evaluated based on their performance on a series of
individual and group tasks as follows:
Exam #1
Exam #2
Exam #3 (Comprehensive)
Homework Assignments
Pop Quizzes
Term Project / Presentation
Miscellaneous/Participation, etc.
TOTAL
15%
15%
20%
10%
10%
25%
05%
100%
A = 90 -100%
B = 80 - 89%
C = 70 - 79%
D = 60- 69%
F = Below 60%
Notes:
 No grades are curved. You get exactly what you earn regardless of the class performance.
 Quizzes will be given at the beginning of class, if you are late, you risk missing the quiz. No
make up quizzes will be given.
 Office Visit Required – by end of third week of classes.
Policies:
1. Reading Assignments: Each student will be required to complete all reading
assignments prior to attending class. The instructor will not necessarily lecture from the
required reading. Discussion questions from the reading may be brought up during class
time. Exam questions will cover both reading assignments and class lectures discussions.
2. Homework & Class Assignments: Each assignment must be prepared in a neat and
organized fashion. If I cannot read your writing than I can not grade your assignment. If
I am unable to read your work I will return it to you ungraded and you will be expected to
resubmit it. You will be assessed a penalty as stated below for late assignments.
3. Late Assignments: All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the date
specified. Any assignments turned in late shall be penalized 10% per day up to three
calendar days. After three days, a zero shall be assigned to that assignment.
4. Exams: Each student will complete (3) exams. Exams will consist of various types
of questions taken from lecture, classroom discussions, assigned readings, and class
activities.
(a) All exams will be returned after grading for student review and analysis, and then
will be collected and retained by me. Students may take any notes they wish from
the graded exam, but then will not be allowed to keep a copy of the exam.
(b) Make-ups will only be given under extreme circumstances, and only if you obtain my
approval prior to the exam date, and you take it before I return the exam to the class.