Heartland Community College
Master Course Syllabus
Division name:
Course Prefix and Number:
Course Title:
Methods
DATE PREPARED:
DATE REVISED:
PCS/CIP/ID NO:
IAI NO. (if available):
TECH
CNST 101
Construction Materials and
July 7, 2009
September 21, 2009
1.2-460403
na
EFFECTIVE DATE OF FIRST CLASS: August 1, 2010
CREDIT HOURS:
3
CONTACT HOURS:
4
LECTURE HOURS:
2
LABORATORY HOURS: 2
CATALOG DESCRIPTION (Include specific prerequisites):
An introduction to light commercial and residential construction techniques and
materials. The course is designed to provide information on the basic construction principles
and the materials used in the industry.
TEXTBOOKS:
An example textbook is: Allen, E. (2009) Fundamentals of Building Construction:
Materials and Methods. New York, New York: Wiley.
RELATIONSHIP TO ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND
TRANSFERABILITY:
This course was designed to meet the specific needs of an Associate of Applied Science
degree and not necessarily as a transfer course, particularly in relation to the Illinois
Articulation Initiative. This course may transfer to various institutions in a variety of ways.
Please see an academic advisor for an explanation concerning transfer options.
COURSE OBJECTIVES (Learning Outcomes):
Outcomes
General
Education
Outcomes
1. Demonstrate an understanding of
CT1
typical construction materials and
Range of Assessment Methods
written work, lab
assignments/final project, and
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
related terminology by identifying
the composition, units of
measurement, standard
designations, sizes, and grades; and
by describing selected building
processes and product applications.
Locate building component
requirements and product data in
reference materials such as
Underwriters Laboratories
Directories and Sweets Catalog.
Explain the advantages,
disadvantages, and common usage
of construction materials such as
concrete, masonry, steel, and wood.
Interpret blueprints and understand
specifications and referencing
conventions.
Explain how constraints and
regulations such as type of soil,
terrain, land costs, building codes,
and zoning, affect building design
and construction processes.
Communicate technical ideas
through effective writing,
sketching, and computer
applications.
Demonstrate professionalism and
commitment to the construction
industry by actively participating in
student chapters of professional
construction organizations such as
the National Association of Home
Builders, Associated General
Contractors, or Building Officials
and Code Administrators.
quizzes/tests
written work, lab
assignments/final project, and
quizzes/tests
CT2
written work, lab
assignments/final project, and
quizzes/tests
written work, lab
assignments/final project, and
quizzes/tests
written work, lab
assignments/final project, and
quizzes/tests
CO2
written work, lab
assignments/final project, and
quizzes/tests
written work, lab
assignments/final project, and
quizzes/tests
COURSE/LAB OUTLINE:
1. Design considerations
a. Zoning
b. Building codes
c. Occupational Safety and Health
d. Other legal constraints
e. Information resources (UL, ASTM, ANSI)
f. Construction Standards Institute CSI Master Format
2. Foundations
a. Foundation loads and settlement
b. Soils, excavation, slope support
c. Waterproofing and drainage
d. Designing foundations
e. Shallow foundations
f. Deep foundations
g. Waterproofing and drainage
3. Wood products
a. Lumber
b. Manufactured wood products
c. Characteristics of wood
d. Wood treatment
e. Fasteners
4. Light frame construction
a. History
b. Balloon and platform framing
c. Frame components and layout of floors, walls, stairs, and roofs
d. Building codes
e. Energy efficiency & alternative methods
5. Exterior finish systems
a. Light frame & commercial cladding
b. Roofing
c. Windows
d. Siding
e. Curtain walls
f. Exterior finishes
6. Interior finishes
a. Sequence of interior finishing operations
b. Thermal insulation and vapor barriers
c. Walls and partitions
d. Ceiling finishes
e. Flooring and ceramic tile
f. Millwork and finish carpentry
7. Masonry
a. Bricks
b. Concrete masonry units
c. Mortar
d. Bearing walls
e. Waterproofing
f. Crack control
8. Steel frame construction
a. Cast iron vs. steel
b. Steel manufacturing
c. Steel nomenclature
d. Details of steel framing
e. Methods of bracing and lateral reinforcement
f. Fireproofing of steel framing
g. Light-frame steel
9. Concrete construction
a. Cement and concrete
b. Formwork and reinforcement
c. Placing concrete
d. Prestressed reinforcement
e. Sitecast concrete systems
METHOD OF EVALUATION (Tests/Exams, Grading System):
Course evaluations may be based on written work (5-20%), lab assignments/final project (6075%), and quizzes/tests (20-35%). Heavier evaluation emphasis will be placed on activities
requiring hands-on use of software/equipment. More specific methods of evaluation will vary
by instructor. Course grades will be determined by the use of the following grading scale:
A
90-100%
B
80-89%
C
70-79%
D
60-69%
F
Below 60%
REQUIRED WRITING AND READING:
There will be assigned readings throughout this course. There will be at least one writing
assignment to be completed in this course.