Building Construction

University Exemplary Department

Yvan J. Beliveau, Head

Georgia Anne Snyder-Falkinham Professor of Building Construction: Y.J. Beliveau

William E. Jamerson Professor: R. R. Wakefield

Associate Professors: F. L. Auchey; T. H. Mills

Assistant Professors: N. Boschi; W.Y. Thabet

This curriculum prepares students with a professional capability to address the present and evolving needs of the construction industry. To perform successfully in the construction industry, students must develop an understanding of the technical aspects of construction and be able to apply and adapt useful management practices and tools to maintain control of costs and quality and provide informed optimal decisions. Therefore, the program focuses on the development of an understanding of construction technology and management processes.

Professional information exchange seminars, field visits, and collaboration with firms in the construction and management fields complement and reinforce the core program.

The Building Construction program is accredited by the American Council for Construction Education.

Upon successful completion of the four-year program of 134 credit hours of study, a bachelor of science in building construction is awarded.

Satisfactory Progress Policy

In addition to the university requirement, upon completion of 72 semester hours (including transfer, advanced placement, advanced standing, credit by examination, freshman rule), students must have completed BC 2014, ESM 2204, and Math 2224 with a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or above.

¹ Option: AcIS 2115 may be substituted for AcIS 2004.
CEE 3014 may be substituted for BC 1214.
CEE 4804 may be substituted for ARCH 4044.
CEE 3684 may be substituted for ESM 3054, 3064.
² Satisfies university core curriculum requirements.

Notes: 18 credits of electives are included in the 134 credits required. They are to be selected as follows:

• 6 credits of free electives (of which 3 credits shall meet Area #7 and 1 credit shall meet Area #6). Please see University Core Curriculum Guide. (Can be taken at any time allowed in the student's program of study.)
• 9 credits of Business and Management electives (to be selected from an approved list of courses supplied by the department). May not be taken pass/fail.
• 3 credits of a directed BC elective.

Core Requirement: Foreign Language The student shall have earned 2 credit hours of a single foreign or classical language in high school, or 6 credit hours of same at the college level, or have passed an equivalency exam (in addition to the total number of credits required for graduation).

Minor

Students from related professional concentration departments may pursue a minor in Building Construction. The concentration requires the completion of 18 credits as follows:

Students who wish further information or advice about minoring in Building Construction should consult a faculty member of the Department of Building Construction.

Undergraduate Courses (BC)

1214: INTRODUCTION TO BUILDING CONSTRUCTION I

Introduction to the world of construction with an overview of the important areas of contracting and the workings of the construction industry. Emphasis is placed on the theory and terminology of the construction industry supplemented with the graphical representation of construction documents. (3H,3C) I.

1224: INTRODUCTION TO BUILDING CONSTRUCTION II

Continuation of introduction to the world of construction with an overview of the important areas of contracting and the workings of the construction industry. Emphasis is placed on the application of theory, processes and vocabulary of the construction industry supplemented with computer aided graphical representation of construction documents. Pre: 1214. (2H,3L,3C) II.

2014: CONSTRUCTION PRINCIPLES I

This course covers the fundamentals of construction technology and processes emphasizing materials, methods, techniques and sequences for the construction of buildings (CSI Divisions 1-6). Planning, scheduling and quantity surveying for the management of construction resources are among the topics studied. Pre: 1224. (2H,3L,3C) I.

2024: CONSTRUCTION PRINCIPLES II

This is a continuation of the fundamentals of construction technology and processes emphasizing materials, methods, techniques and sequences for the construction of buildings in CSI divisions 7-16. Planning, scheduling, quantity surveying and control systems for the management of these construction resources are among the topics studied. Pre: 2014. Co: 2064. (3H,3C) II.

2064: CONSTRUCTION PRINCIPLES INTEGRATED LAB

This is an integrated fundamentals of construction laboratory. In this lab, the student, working as a team member with other building construction Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors, will develop a competency in applying the construction means and methods learned in BC 2014 and BC 2024 as they relate to quantity takeoff, cost management, scheduling and resource management in the senior's capstone project. Pre: 2014. Co: 2024. (3L,1C) II.

2114: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

A web-based computer applications laboratory course related to the introduction, application, and utilization of basic informational technologies used in the design and construction profession. Production and project management improvements through the use of computer applications are explored, including Internet-based project management, CADD design and database integration, spreadsheet applications, computer programming, and computer-based project management software. (1H,3L,2C) II.

2974: INDEPENDENT STUDY

Variable credit course.

2984: SPECIAL STUDY

Variable credit course.

3064: BUILDING SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY LAB

Integrated Building Systems Technology Laboratory. In this lab, the student, working as a team member of fellow Building Construction Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors, will develop a competency in the application of the theory of Building Environmental Systems, learned in BC 4004, to models, experiments and the senior capstone project. Pre: 4004. Co: 4014. (3L,1C) II.

3124: HOUSING & LAND DEVELOPMENT

A comparison of the problems and strategies of delivering single and multi-family housing in urban and suburban contexts. The interdependency of subdivision and zoning ordinances, utility infrastructure, environmental impact, economic feasibility, purchasing versus rental programs, and availability of housing systems are concerns examined. Junior standing required. (3H,3C).

4004: BUILDING SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY I

The student is exposed to the theory and analysis methods relative to the design and integration of Mechanical and Electrical Building Systems. Topics covered include: conceptual design, technical operations and maintenance issues necessary for determining the selection of passive and active environmental control systems within a building including: Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Lighting, Acoustical and Plumbing. Pre: PHYS 2306. (3H,2L,4C) I.

4014: BUILDING SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY II

This course places an emphasis on the physical installation and integration of Passive and Active environmental control systems including: Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Lighting, Acoustics and Plumbing. Lectures by faculty and seminars by construction industry practitioners address issues that are relevant to illustrating the applications resulting from the theory studied in BC 4004. Pre: 4004 or CEE 3014. Co: 3064. (3H,3C) II.

4024 (CEE 4014): ESTIMATING, PRODUCTION, & COST ENGINEERING

Interpretation of plans and specifications, preparation of construction estimates, and cost control. Methods analysis, resource requirements, and resource costs in building systems, including system components, and in large-scale civil engineering works such as highways, bridges, and hydraulic structures. Pre: 3014. (3H,3C).

4034 (CEE 4034): CONTRACT SPECIFICATIONS

The course work provides an overview of the basics of the Project Manual (a collection of the contractual provisions of a nontechnical nature together with the technical provisions). Techniques of specification writing, interpretation of intent, and complimentary documents are studied. Senior standing required. (3H,3C).

4054 (CEE 4054): CONSTRUCTION LAW: ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

A study of current legal problems associated with the construction industry. Traditional roles of the various industry participants are examined from a management's perspective. The entire building process, from pre-design to owner use, is covered with emphasis on claims avoidance. Pre: or ARCH 4044, 4434 or CEE 3014. (3H,3C) II.

4064: CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE LAB

This lab applies the business and construction practices related to operation of a construction company to the execution of a senior capstone project. All project management concepts learned in prior courses are applied in this capstone lab experience. This course is formally designated as a writing intensive course. Formal written and oral presentations are presented and critiqued by the BC faculty team, students and industry professionals. Co: 4444. (3L,1C) II.

4434: CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE I

Business and construction practices related to operation of a construction company are studied. Construction law is examined as it relates construction, financial and personnel management. Project management topics studied in this course include permitting, site evaluations, design development and design phase considerations such as preliminary estimates and project constructability. Pre: CEE 3424. (3H,3C) I.

4444: CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE II

This course explores and applies the business and construction practices related to operation of a construction company to a capstone experience. Construction law is examined as it relates construction, financial and personnel management. Project management topics studied in this course are applied in the corequisite lab. This course is formally designated as a writing intensive course. Formal written and edited and oral presentations are presented and critiqued by the BC faculty team, the writing resource center, students and industry professionals. Pre: 4434, CEE 3424. Co: 4064. (3H,3L,4C) II.

4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY

Variable credit course.

4984: SPECIAL STUDY

Variable credit course.

Please see the Graduate Catalog for graduate course listings.

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Virginia Tech -- Undergraduate Catalog, 2002-2004
Last update: August 2002

URL: http://www.vt.edu/academics/ugcat/ucdBC.html