WESTERN
Illinois
University
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT : Knoblauch 135
COLLEGE of BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY
CSTM 334 CONSTRUCTION CONCEPTS:
Sect. 001: MW 3:00-4:15 KN 306
Dr. Denise Gravitt; (309) 298-2488 email: dd-gravitt@wiu.edu
OFFICE HOURS: (Office location KNBL B-9) MW 1:30-2:30, TR 9:30-11:30 or 1:00-3:00.
Other times available by appointment; call or email me to set up a day & time.
CATALOG DESCRIPTION: 334 Construction Concepts. (3) An introductory study of
concepts related to construction. Content includes foundations, wood framing, and light gauge and
medium gauge steel framing. Prerequisite: CSTM 232. 3 hrs. lect.
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Fundamentals of Building Construction: Materials and Methods, 5th ed. by Edward Allen
and Joseph Iano; ISBN#: 978-0-470-07468-8
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY DEPT: Goals for Student Learning
Technology (Engineering Technology, Graphic Communication, and Construction Management)
is a field of study designed to prepare technical, technical management, and technical
entrepreneurial professionals for employment in business, industry, education, and government.
By graduation, Technology students should be able to:
1.
Think critically and creatively;
2.
Understand the theoretical principles of the profession;
3.
Understand and apply relevant technology in the solution of technical problems;
4.
Develop an appreciation for ethical and professional practices;
5.
Develop and refine oral, written, and visual communication skills; and
6.
Demonstrate an overall competency in the program objectives.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to identify and explain
construction materials and methods appropriate for applications in construction for steel,
precast, walls & partitions, roofing, windows & doors, interior/exterior finishes
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Each student is expected to read all assignments and write a summary Hmwk entry on the
topics read. Two copies of the homework should be printed- one to turn in at the
BEGINNING of the class, one for the student to keep and update as the class progresses.
Grades will be assigned based upon completeness of work, grammar, spelling etc.: errors in
these will be highlighted with expectations of the student correcting future work before it is
turned in. The University Writing Center is available to assist you with general and specific
questions on writing assigned in any discipline and at any academic level. The one-on-one
assistance available at the Writing Center is valuable for generating ideas, talking about
global-level issues such as organization, and even working through grammatical problems.
The University Writing Center is located in Simpkins Hall 341. Call for an appointment
(298-2815) and be sure to bring a copy of your assignment.





Each student is expected to attend class lectures, sessions with speakers, and exams when
scheduled.
FINAL EXAMINATION: Monday May 9 or Wednesday May 11. See below.
All students are expected to participate in any lab activity. Safety glasses (at all times) and
ear plugs when appropriate are required in the lab.
The student will complete all assigned individual activities and turn them in on the due
date. Late work will not be accepted for grading unless the student has a WIU approved
absence.
It is the instructor’s responsibility to provide an atmosphere conducive to learning. This
means that I will not allow cell phones or iPODs (any MP3 players) to be used during
class- if I see them or hear them they will be mine for the duration of the class. Nor will I
allow eating or reading of papers, or side discussions with other students. Late students
may not be admitted to the classroom. I expect everyone to act professionally. Thus, I will
also not allow swearing or profanity, rude or disparaging jokes or behavior in class.
You will get one warning, and after that if you do not correct your speech or behavior
you will be asked to leave the classroom.
GRADING:
3 Exams
Final Exam* Optional
Hmwk & Quizes
Attendance/Participation
15 % ea.
45 %
10 %
100%
* Final exam counts as one of the best 3 of 4 exams used to calculate student course grade.
Final grade scale is below. No rounding up of percentages will occur.
GRADES BREAKDOWN:
*A+
A
AB+
B
B-
(97.0% - 100%)
(93.0% - 96.9%)
(90.0% - 92.9%)
(87.0% - 89.9%)
(83.0% - 86.9%)
(80.0% - 82.9%)
C+
C
CD+
D
D-
(77.0% - 79.9%)
(73.0% - 76.9%)
(70.0% - 72.9%)
(67.0% - 69.9%)
(63.0% - 66.9%)
(60.0%- 62.9%)
NOTE: WIU does not count A+. Any grade above 93% will be reported as an A. A temporary
symbol of I (Incomplete) for a course may be given only when a student, due to circumstances
beyond his or her control, has been unable to complete the course requirements within the official
limits of the term. The circumstances must be documented to the instructor’s satisfaction.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
Preamble
Western Illinois University, like all communities, functions best when its members treat
one another with honesty, fairness, respect, and trust. Students have rights and
responsibilities (http://www.wiu.edu/provost/students/) and students should realize that
deception for individual gain is an offense against the members of the entire community,
and it is the student's responsibility to be informed and to abide by all University
regulations and policies on Academic Integrity.
Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty constitute a serious violation
of University conduct regulations. Students who engage in dishonesty in any form shall be
charged with academic dishonesty.
It is a duty of faculty members to take measures to preserve and transmit the values of the
academic community in the learning environment that they create for their students and in
their own academic pursuits. To this end, they are expected to instill in their students a
respect for integrity and a desire to behave honestly. They are also expected to take
measures to discourage student academic dishonesty, to adjust grades appropriately if
academic dishonesty is encountered, and, when warranted, to recommend that additional
administrative sanctions be considered. Grading policies are the exclusive prerogative of
the faculty; administrative sanctions are under the authority of the Director of Student
Judicial Programs. This document provides policies and procedures to be followed when
academic dishonesty is encountered.
Definitions of Academic Dishonesty
The following definitions and examples are not meant to be exhaustive. The University
reserves the right to determine, in a given instance, what action constitutes a violation of
academic integrity. (See www.wiu.edu/policies/acintegrity.php for complete descriptions
of the following topics:
1.
2.
3.
Plagiarism
Fabrication and Falsification
Cheating
4.
5.
6.
Complicity in Academic Dishonesty
Abuse of Academic Materials
Multiple Submissions
Reporting Academic Dishonesty
All members of the University community share the responsibility and authority to
challenge and make known acts of apparent academic dishonesty. Any student, faculty
member, or staff person who has witnessed an apparent act of student academic
dishonesty, or has information that reasonably leads to the conclusion that such an act has
occurred or has been attempted, has an ethical responsibility for reporting said act(s).
Confronting and reporting academic dishonesty can be done in a variety of ways, and
people should choose the manner most appropriate for the circumstances. Acts of apparent
academic dishonesty that occur in the classroom should be reported directly to the course
instructor, and/or the course instructor's Department Chair, and/or the instructor's College
Dean. The Council on Admission, Graduation, and Academic Standards (CAGAS) or the
Graduate Council will not accept or act upon anonymous reports, but will hold in strict
confidence the identity of any person reporting a suspected instance of academic
dishonesty, unless that person consents to having his/her identity revealed.
STUDENT ACCESS & DISABILITY SERVICES:
In accordance with University policy and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA),
academic accommodations may be made for any student who notifies the instructor of the
need for an accommodation. For the instructor to provide the proper accommodation(s),
you must obtain documentation of the need for an accommodation through Disability
Resource Center and provide it to the instructor. It is imperative that you take the initiative
to bring such needs to the instructor's attention, as he/she is not legally permitted to
inquire about such particular needs of students. Students who may require special
assistance in emergency evacuations (i.e. fire, tornado, etc.) should contact the instructor
as to the most appropriate procedures to follow in such an emergency. Contact Disability
Resource Center at 298-2512 for additional services.
If you have emergency medical information to share with me, if you need special
arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, or if you need accommodations in
this course because of a disability, please make an appointment with me as soon as
possible. My office location and hours are at the top of this syllabus. If you plan to request
disability accommodations, you are expected to register with the Disability Resource
Center (DRC) at 298-2512.
COURSE CALENDAR/ BREAKDOWN OF ASSIGNMENTS:
Note: This syllabus may be revised at the instructor’s preference or due to class progress.
HOMEWORK/Journal entries etc. is due at the beginning of the class per the due date below.
Date Topics covered; Homework Assignments (due ON the date of the line entry)
1/18 Introductions, Learning styles, Critical Thinking. Buy the textbook if haven’t already!
1/23 Review CSTM 232 Materials: Read Chpt 19. Do Learning Styles if haven’t already.
1/25 Chpt 19:
Hmwk #1 for Chapter 19 due
1/30 Chpt 20:
Hmwk entry #2 on Chapter 19 due at beginning of class.
2/1
Chpt 20:
Hmwk #1 for Chapter 20 due.
2/6
Chpt 21:
2nd Hmwk entry on Chpt 20 due.
2/8
Chpt 21:
1st Hmwk entry for Chpt. 21 due.
2/13 No Class
2/15 Review chpts 19, 20, 21: 2nd Hmwk entry for Chpt. 21 due.
2/20 Exam #1:
Read Chpt. 11
2/22 Chpt 11:
1st Hmwk entry for Chpt. 11 due
2/27 Chpt 11:
2nd & 3rd Hmwk entry for Chpt. 11 due; Read Chpt. 12
2/29 Chpt 12:
Hmwk entry for Chpt. 12 due; Read Chpt 14
3/5
Chpt 14 :
1st Hmwk entry for Chpt. 14 due
3/7
Chpt 14 :
2nd Hmwk entry for Chpt. 14 due
3/12-3/16
Spring Break
3/19 Chpt. 14 :
3rd Hmwk entry for Chpt. 14 due; Read Chpt 15
3/21 Chpt. 15 :
1st Hmwk entry for Chpt. 15 due
3/26 Chpt. 15 :
2nd & 3rd Hmwk for Chpt. 15 due
3/28 Review Chpts. 11, 12, 14, 15
4/1
Last Day to drop
4/2
Exam #2:
Handout Scavenger Hunt Lab assignment; Read Chpt 16
4/4
4/9
4/11
4/16
4/18
4/23
4/25
4/27
4/29
5/2
5/9
Chpt 16:
Hmwk entry #1 for Chpt. 16 due
Chpt 16 & 17: Hmwk entry #2 & #3 for Chpt. 16 due; Read Chpt 17
Chpt 17:
1st & 2nd Hmwk entry for Chpt. 17 due; Read Chpt 18
Chpt 18:
3rd Hmwk entry for Chpt. 17 due, 1st Hmwk entry for Chpt. 18 due; Read
Chpt 23
Chpt 23:
2nd Hmwk Entry for Chpt. 18 due; 1st Hmwk entry for Chpt. 23 due
Review: Chpts 16, 17, 18, 23: 2nd Hmwk Entry for Chpt. 23 due
Exam #3:
Read Chpt. 22
Chpt 22:
Scavenger Hunt Lab due;1st Hmwk entry for Chpt. 22 due; Read Chpt 24
Chpt 22 & 24: 2nd Hmwk Entry for Chpt. 22 due; Hmwk #1 Chpt. 24 due.
Semester Review: Hmwk entry #2 Chpt. 24 due
Final Exam 3:00-4:50 PM
LATE HOMEWORK POLICY:
Late, or un-excused absence homework will NOT be graded or accepted for any credit.
Excused absence homework will NOT be accepted more than 1 week past the assigned due
date assigned based upon the student situation. Homework emailed in WILL NOT be
graded or be used for deciding if work was done by the due date and time. It must be turned
in on paper to be counted and graded. If approved by the instructor prior to special
needs, homework may be allowed to be submitted via email. All sketches (if required)
must be included in the email for it to be considered 100% complete homework.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION:
Should a problem occur, students should speak to their instructor first. If the problem is
not resolved, meet with the chair of the department. If the problem continues to be
unresolved, go to the College of Business and Technology’s Dean.
Students should observe the following sequence for the resolution of problems:
Student --- Instructor --- Chairperson --- Dean