Course Syllabus
Contact Information
Course Details
For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Course Delivery
- Asynchronous Online: Learning takes place online and asynchronously within Canvas.
Course Materials
- Main Textbook: Fundamentals of Building Construction - Materials and Methods (7th Edition) by Joseph Iano and Edward Allen.
- All additional required materials can be found linked to the individual weekly modules within Canvas. They are also available at the RESOURCES: Course Materials page in the Start Here Module.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLO)
This course primarily supports PLO 3 (Pre-construction Management) through all Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs). Additionally, CLOs B and C contribute to PLOs 2 (Project Management & Budget) and 4 (Software and Technology). By mastering construction materials, applications, and vocabulary, students enhance their pre-construction management skills and technological proficiency.
- Contracts, Bids & Negotiations: Identify the processes and variables that impact a contractor's efforts to get work.
- Project Management & Budget: Apply concepts of effective project management controls and interpret how they impact a contractor's efforts to execute a project.
- Pre-construction Management: Apply concepts and best practice of construction estimating, planning, and scheduling.
- Software and Technology: Employ current technologies and concepts to make contractors effective and productive.
- Leadership & Management: Differentiate between hard and soft skills in effective construction management and communication among a diverse group of stakeholders.
Course Learning Outcomes (CLO) Alignment
| CLO | Description | PLO |
|---|---|---|
| A | Identify the most common materials used in the construction process. | 3 |
| B | Explain the use and application of these common construction materials. | 3, 4 |
| C | Define common construction vocabulary and vernacular. | 3, 4 |
Grades
Breakdown
| Activity | Description | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Building Materials Scavenger Hunt | Locate and photograph (selfie) specific building materials or systems in your local area. Enhances understanding of course concepts through real-world observation. Exercise caution and respect private property. | 120 |
| Terminology Quizzes | Ten multiple-choice questions on common construction terms. Two attempts per quiz. Improves industry communication skills. | 70 |
| Final - Opinion Piece |
Choose one building system or material covered in the course and write a 1200-1500 word opinion piece analyzing its pros and cons. **Submit a brief description of your chosen material or system during week 4** |
100 |
| Total | 290 |
Scale
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 90–100% | A |
| 80–89% | B |
| 70–79% | C |
| 60–69% | D |
| Below 60% | F |
Course Components
Building Materials Scavenger Hunt
As this course progresses throughout the term, you will be given assignments that will help you develop an understanding of the building systems and construction materials used within the construction industry. Each assignment will work to expand your understanding of materials and processes which are key to building projects within the industry. Much of this information will be available through the textbook, but the assignments you will be responsible for completing each week will involve searching out these materials and building systems within your local community and area. Each week, you will participate in a scavenger hunt for the building materials and systems being discussed. You will then be asked to take a selfie with the materials or building systems in the background. This will hopefully allow you to see the materials used in the built environment around you. While getting your selfie for submission, please exercise caution and do not put yourself in any danger. Do not access or go onto property which you do not have permission to enter.
Terminology Quizzes
Each week, you'll take a 10-question multiple-choice quiz on common construction industry terms. These quizzes are designed to enhance your industry communication skills. You'll have two attempts for each quiz. The terms covered are used daily in the field, preparing you for efficient project communication.
Final - Opinion Piece
This course will explore various building systems and materials in the built environment, from basic elements like concrete and brick to complex systems like waterproof membranes and on-site power generation. For this assignment, you will conduct an in-depth analysis of one building system or material covered during the term. Your task is to write an opinion piece that critically examines the pros and cons of your chosen subject, considering factors such as cost, lifespan, and long-term value. Your analysis should weigh the initial costs against the long-term benefits and drawbacks of your chosen material or system. Consider its impact on the overall value of a commercial construction project, keeping in mind that the ideal solution balances quality and longevity with a good return on investment. By Week 4 of the course, you are required to submit a brief description of your chosen material or system. This preliminary submission will help you formulate your ideas and receive early feedback. This assignment challenges you to apply the knowledge gained throughout the course, think critically about construction choices, and present a well-reasoned argument for your position.
Course Policies
Communication
If you need to contact me, please e-mail me directly at terry.clinefelter@ou.edu. Canvas messaging is unreliable, please only use OU email for communication with me. I will do my best to respond within 24 hours, 48 hours max. Please note that work-life balance is very important to me, and I make an effort to avoid checking e-mail on the weekends if at all possible.
How will we address each other? In terms of titles, Terry works just fine. If you go by a name other than the one listed in Canvas, please tell me how you prefer to be addressed. Additionally, if I mispronounce your name, do not hesitate to correct me. Respecting another's preferred pronouns, titles, and pronunciations is an easy way to show respect to your colleagues and is something I take very seriously.
Feedback
Assignments will be graded within one week of submission. If you would like a deeper dive into any feedback or grade you receive, I am happy to set up individual Zoom meetings to discuss further.
Late Policy
Late work will be accepted with a grade penalty as specified in the assignment rubrics. All assignments must be submitted by the due date. Extensions must be arranged prior to the deadline. Late submissions will incur a 10% grade reduction per day, and assignments submitted 3 or more days late will receive zero points. Late work will be graded as soon as possible, but preference will be given to grading on-time submissions in the current week of the course.
Faculty members are not obligated to initiate contact with you before giving assignments or final grades. If you have several outstanding/late assignments, your grade may be seriously impacted. Students are expected to abide by the guidelines in the OU Student Handbook. Failure to abide by these guidelines can lead to sanctions as outlined in the OU Student Rights and Responsibilities Code.
Additional Support for Learning
The College of Professional and Continuing Studies provides links to writing resources. If you have questions about assignment requirements or would like to request feedback on a rough draft, you are encouraged to communicate with your course instructors while giving them enough lead time to respond before assignments are due.
The OU Writing Center is a wonderful resource available to all students and is funded in part by your student course fees. The Writing Center is equipped to help students both online and in-person.
OU Libraries resources are available to all PACS students, including the ability to live chat, e-mail, and/or call a reference librarian with questions you may have about finding and evaluating sources for research papers. Students also have access to PACS Library Guides.
Technical Support
Offered through Canvas Student Support and OU IT.
College of Professional and Continuing Studies Teaching Philosophy
We in the College of Professional and Continuing Studies (PACS) believe that higher education is a crucial ingredient in becoming a successful, personally fulfilled human being and an actively engaged citizen of the state, nation, and world. Further, we operate with the foundational assumption that a University of Oklahoma education should be available to all qualified students regardless of their age, geographic location, or life circumstances.
Acting on these assumptions, PACS strives to create significant and meaningful learning experiences through online and accelerated course delivery methods. All PACS courses incorporate interdisciplinary perspectives and provide students with a well-rounded, life-enriching liberal education combined with specialized study in selected program areas, thus preparing them for ever higher levels of learning. PACS faculty members provide instruction, encouragement, timely response, and constructive feedback to broaden and deepen the student's understanding of course materials.
We understand that adult learners prefer and have the best achievement within a collaborative and interactive learning environment while functioning on their own personal schedules. We also believe that all students are capable of learning, and we aspire to enable students' self-agency in attaining their personal learning goals.
College of Professional and Continuing Studies Expectations and Policies
You can expect instructors to:
- Challenge you to think about and understand the material in this course.
- Encourage you to learn the material in the course and become a lifelong learner.
- Be available to return e-mails in a timely fashion, within 48 hours.
- Engage you in discussions.
- Provide feedback.
As the student, you are expected to:
- Accept responsibility for your learning.
- Have all textbooks and course materials before the class starts.
- Be engaged in the course by logging in to the course early each week, checking online discussions for replies and questions related to your postings, reading course announcements, knowing when assignments are due, and turning in all assignments on time.
Many PACS courses are offered in compressed formats, so the time devoted to each class per week should be adjusted accordingly. Set aside enough time to read and understand assigned course materials early in the week, actively participate in class discussions, and successfully complete assessments such as quizzes, projects, written assignments, and research papers.
Read and apply feedback from your instructor. Reach out to ask your instructor any questions you have about the feedback.
Use only your OU email address for all OU correspondence and assignments.
Ask your advisor if you have questions about your degree program or other questions not related to a specific course.
Have a reliable computer and a reliable Internet connection. Do some pre-planning and have a backup plan ready in the event you should have computer or Internet problems.
Submit all assignments and communications related to your coursework in the Canvas online class; do not email assignments to the professor.
Practice your writing skills. Use tools to edit and proofread your papers prior to submission for grading.
Assignment Completion Policies
The College of Professional and Continuing Studies expects students to complete all assignments to earn a final grade in a given course.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct at OU. There is no college-level assignment that can be satisfactorily completed by copying. OU's basic assumption about writing is that all written assignments show the student's own understanding in the student's own words. That means all writing assignments, in class or out, are assumed to be composed entirely of words generated (not simply found) by the student, except where words written by someone else are specifically marked as such with proper citation. Including other people's words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly. When you don't, it's plagiarism.
For more information about plagiarism, watch this video and then take this short course offered by University Libraries.
Errata and Changes
Errors and omissions to this syllabus or class presentations will be revised as observed and do not constitute incomplete or late work from students. Students are responsible for bringing the professor’s attention to any and all possible errata they encounter. The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the syllabus and content based on course pacing and current events that may be relevant to the material.
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Access the University Academic Policies Document.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|