Construction and Building Science

CNST 0050 Print Reading I - Residential

Lecture/Lab/Credit Hours  3.5 - 0 - 3.5

This course is designed to prepare students for CNST 1010 Print Reading II - Residential/Light Commercial. It is also suggested for new students with little or no knowledge of the construction industry. Students gain a basic understanding of symbols and abbreviations used on prints. The course covers types of residential drawings including floor plans, elevation views, sectional views, detail views, and plot plans. This course does not count toward a degree.

Skill Level


CNST 1000 Introduction to Building Construction

Lecture/Lab/Credit Hours  3.5 - 0 - 3.5

This course covers common construction materials, products, and systems as well as construction efficiency and safety in the delivery, handling, and installation of building materials. It covers information on building materials, products, systems, and procedures.

Skill Level


CNST 1010 Print Reading II - Residential/Light Commercial

Lecture/Lab/Credit Hours  3.5 - 0 - 3.5

This course teaches how to read and interpret residential architectural plans including terms and definitions, architectural drawings, alphabet of lines, description of lines, and floor plan, electrical, section, and mechanical symbols. It emphasizes reading an architect's scale. The course also includes extracting specified information from a set of building specifications and simple sketching procedures.

Prerequisites
(1) CNST 0050 or assessment

Skill Level


CNST 1015 Print Reading III - Commercial

Lecture/Lab/Credit Hours  3.5 - 0 - 3.5

This course develops skills needed to interpret plans for commercial construction. It provides students with print reading experience with elements commonly included on prints for large commercial structures. It includes site work, mechanical and electrical systems, structural steel, reinforced concrete, and finish construction.

Prerequisites
(1) CNST 1010

Skill Level


CNST 1050 Introduction to Carpentry

Lecture/Lab/Credit Hours  3 - 1.5 - 3.5

This course covers the safe use of hand and power tools. Students practice the proper set up of tools and the manufacture of jigs and templates. They take part in a lab project involving all stationary and hand power tools, as well as carpentry hand tools. This course is a must for practitioners who want their tools to perform as designed.

Skill Level


CNST 1060 Vinyl Siding Installation

Lecture/Lab/Credit Hours  3 - 1.5 - 3.5

This course provides training and skills needed to work as a vinyl siding installer. It also provides entrepreneurs a foundation of skills and knowledge to form crews in the field of vinyl siding installation.

Skill Level


CNST 1070 EIFS and Stucco Finish

Lecture/Lab/Credit Hours  3 - 1.5 - 3.5

This course teaches students to apply two different exterior finishing systems: stucco, a non-insulated cement plaster wall covering, and EIFS, an exterior insulated finishing system. Students apply both in a practical lab experience.

Skill Level


CNST 1110 Construction Safety (10-Hour)

Lecture/Lab/Credit Hours  1 - 0 - 1

This course provides training outlined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). This course supplies students with the recommended safety requirements for working in the construction field.

Skill Level


CNST 1220 Remodeling and Deconstruction

Lecture/Lab/Credit Hours  6 - 1.5 - 6.5

This course prepares students for many of the unforeseen surprises that may occur in the field of remodeling, renovation, and deconstruction. Students undertake actual remodeling projects such as floor, wall, ceiling, and roof alterations. Students evaluate existing loads and calculate new structural loads for additions using the latest IRC building code and local amendments.

Prerequisites
(2) CNST 1050 and CNST 1010; or instructor approval

Skill Level


CNST 1250 Interior Finish

Lecture/Lab/Credit Hours  6 - 1.5 - 6.5

This course presents interior finish terms and definitions that are used in the construction field. It covers theory and practical application of various types of wall covering, wall finish, ceiling covering, ceiling finish, interior door hanging, and various applications of interior trim. The course emphasizes estimation of labor and materials in all areas.

Prerequisites
(2) CNST 1010 and CNST 1050; or instructor approval

Skill Level


CNST 1255 Commercial Framing

Lecture/Lab/Credit Hours  6 - 1.5 - 6.5

This course gives students a hands-on approach to metal stud framing. It covers proper layout procedures and wall types for interior, exterior, furred, structural, and fire-rated walls. Students learn methods of building headers, columns, soffits, and ceilings along with proper construction terms, definitions, specifications, and codes.

Prerequisites
(2) CNST 1015 and CNST 1050

Skill Level


CNST 1260 Introduction to Cabinet Making

Lecture/Lab/Credit Hours  3 - 0 - 3

This course covers all aspects of cabinet making, beginning with cabinet design and ending with industrial production and potential employment opportunities in cabinet making. Other topics include materials used in cabinets, cabinet hardware, cabinet-making tools, and built-in cabinets. In addition, students spend time making sketches and working drawings of different cabinet styles.

Prerequisites
(1) CNST 1010 or instructor approval

Skill Level


CNST 1261 Basic Cabinet Construction

Lecture/Lab/Credit Hours  6 - 1.5 - 6.5

This course covers fabricating basic cabinets, cabinet materials, tool usage, safety, joinery, and material costs. It stresses methods of assembling and installation.

Prerequisites
(2) CNST 1050 and CNST 1260

Skill Level


CNST 1270 General Painting, Staining, and Cabinet Finishing

Lecture/Lab/Credit Hours  2.5 - 1.5 - 3

This course demonstrates professional painting and finishing techniques. Cabinets completed in CNST 1261 may be finished. Topics include surface preparation, application of finishing materials, and surface preparation for topcoating. Students gain practical experience in the lab using the latest materials and techniques in the construction industry.

Skill Level


CNST 1350 Floor, Wall, and Ceiling Framing

Lecture/Lab/Credit Hours  6 - 1.5 - 6.5

This course deals with floor framing, wall parts, wall construction, and installation of ceiling joists. Students construct a full-scale house in the indoor lab.

Prerequisites
(1) CNST 1010 or instructor approval

Skill Level


CNST 1355 Commercial Finish

Lecture/Lab/Credit Hours  6 - 1.5 - 6.5

This course covers the latest and most innovative building materials, techniques, and codes related to commercial finish. Students learn how to install and finish materials including drywall, fireproofing, acoustical ceilings, doors, windows, and hardware. Students practice applying these materials in a lab setting to develop the skills and knowledge required in the commercial construction field.

Prerequisites
(1) CNST 1255

Skill Level


CNST 1370 Exterior Finish

Lecture/Lab/Credit Hours  6 - 1.5 - 6.5

This course includes terms and definitions used in the construction field pertaining to exterior finish. It covers theory and practical application of various types of wall covering, roof covering, exterior doors, windows, and trim and emphasizes estimation of labor and materials in all areas. Students install exterior siding, roofing, windows, doors, and roofing materials on a house in the indoor lab.

Prerequisites
(2) CNST 1010 and CNST 1050; or instructor approval

Skill Level


CNST 1400 Introduction to Masonry

Lecture/Lab/Credit Hours  6 - 1.5 - 6.5

This course emphasizes brick and block construction. Students mix mortar and use the trowel, spread mortar, cut brick and concrete blocks, and level and plumb laid-up units. It includes dry bonding techniques and various brick-block patterns.

Skill Level


CNST 1410 Advanced Masonry Construction

Lecture/Lab/Credit Hours  6 - 1.5 - 6.5

Students gain skill and knowledge in brick and stone veneering. Students perform layout and resection of pipe chases, fireplaces, arch work, and columns in practical applications.

Prerequisites
(1) CNST 1400 or instructor approval

Skill Level


CNST 1500 Introduction to Concrete

Lecture/Lab/Credit Hours  6 - 1.5 - 6.5

Students learn about preplanning requirements, structural loads, frost line variations, carrying capacities of soils, and building loads and permits. Students conduct various structural stress and load testing in lab projects. Other hands-on work includes forming, placing, and curing concrete pours. Students also practice different concrete finishes (float, trowel, broom, stamped, colored, and exposed aggregate). The course covers estimating costs.

Skill Level


CNST 1510 Concrete and Wall Forms

Lecture/Lab/Credit Hours  6 - 1.5 - 6.5

Students learn definitions, concrete forms for footings, piers, columns, foundation walls, and various foundation wall openings. They study fluid pressure checks, rate of pour, and monitoring the pour. The course also includes types of wall forms, advantages of gang and panel forms, estimating materials and number of forms, methods of bracing forms, and monitoring form stability during pouring operations. Students construct a foundation wall form with pilaster door and window openings.

Skill Level


CNST 2050 Builders Level, Transit, and Building Layout

Lecture/Lab/Credit Hours  3 - 1.5 - 3.5

This course covers common building layout procedures. Students use builders levels, Theodolites, and EDMS to practice actual procedures used in the construction field. They learn to read and shoot elevations using the latest equipment available, including lasers. Students also gain practical experience laying out and staking building sites. The course stresses understanding surveyor's terms and markings.

Skill Level


CNST 2100 Construction Safety (30-Hour)

Lecture/Lab/Credit Hours  4.5 - 0 - 4.5

This course provides students with training outlined by the Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Many contractors require this course for anyone working in a supervisory capacity.

Skill Level


CNST 2130 Construction Estimating

Lecture/Lab/Credit Hours  3.5 - 1.5 - 4

Students gain knowledge and skills needed to estimate construction projects. The course includes quantity take-offs and the actual estimation of materials and labor encountered in the field of construction today. Students design Excel spreadsheets to organize take-offs.

Skill Level


CNST 2140 Job Site Management

Lecture/Lab/Credit Hours  4.5 - 0 - 4.5

Students go beyond the physical erection of a project and concentrate on the procedures and methods used by contractors during the construction and post-construction phases of a project: systematic planning, organizing, managing, controlling, and documenting job site activities.

Prerequisites
(2) CNST 1000 and CNST 1010; or instructor approval

Skill Level


CNST 2150 Construction Law

Lecture/Lab/Credit Hours  3.5 - 0 - 3.5

This course teaches students the legal rights, duties, and responsibilities of the contracting parties involved in all aspects of the construction industry. It focuses on contract law as the foundation of construction relationships and also includes various duties implied by law. Students apply legal concepts to practical situations and learn to use acquired knowledge and skills to benefit owners, design professionals, contractors, sub-contractors, and suppliers. Various construction industry professionals contribute practical experience and knowledge in the areas of law, insurance, bonding, government procurement, design, contracting, sub-contracting, and supplying construction materials.

Skill Level


CNST 2360 Roof Framing

Lecture/Lab/Credit Hours  6 - 1.5 - 6.5

This course covers the principles, calculations, and cutting of all components of gable, hip, and valley rafters. Students frame an actual roof on a house in the indoor lab.

Prerequisites
(1) CNST 1010 or instructor approval

Skill Level


CNST 2380 Stair Construction

Lecture/Lab/Credit Hours  3 - 1.5 - 3.5

This course deals with the construction of rough and finished stairs. Students learn definitions dealing with various types of stairs, rules for rise and run, and calculation of rises and runs for various specified dimensions. They also estimate materials and perform actual layout assembly of rough and finished stairs.

Prerequisites
(1) CNST 1050 or instructor approval

Skill Level


CNST 2900 Special Topics in CNST

Lecture/Lab/Credit Hours  0 - 0 - 0

This course permits instruction in special content areas not included in other courses of the Construction Technology program.

Prerequisites
(1) Instructor approval

Skill Level


CNST 2981 Internship

Lecture/Lab/Credit Hours  0 - 0 - 0

This internship gives students the opportunity to develop skills in the field and exposes them to established craftspeople. Applications for internships must be made through the program full-time faculty. Based on state guidelines, students must complete 40 hours of work for each credit hour. NOTE: Students with four or more years of experience in the construction field may waive the internship requirement upon instructor approval. Contact a full-time instructor for more information. Credits toward the degree must be made up in other ways.

Prerequisites
(2) GPA of 2.5 and Specialist Diploma or equivalent in framing, concrete, masonry management, cabinetry, or commercial construction; or instructor approval

Skill Level