Students develop hands-on experience with basic measuring instruments used by the A/E/C industry through lab and field activities. Students develop a methodology for recording field measurements that can be accurately converted into digital documentation. Students also develop the ability to interpret industry standard construction documentation produced by others.

This course provides a foundation of computer skills common to classroom and work environments in engineering related fields. These include skills with using operating systems, networks, the internet, common office productivity tools, and graphics tools. Assignments will include engineering communication and problem solving components. Effective communication strategies will be explored in giving a presentation. Students will also develop a basic website which will be used as a basis for the student's electronic portfolio.

Course goals are to prepare students to secure a cooperative or professional work experience in the student's major and to assist the student in acquiring the skills for accessing information, networking, developing resumes and letters, completing various employment-related forms, interviewing, and using various communication techniques in preparing students for the job search process. This course also includes a lab where students will design and create a hard-copy and a web-based electronic portfolio, and students will engage in practice interviews to effectively communicate the contents of their portfolio.

Students learn to apply 3-D CAD techniques to a multi-level construction project situated on a site with significant topographic features. Students will function as a team to create a total project model. Structural systems will be integrated into the construction of the building model. Students will extract and refine a series of orthographic views of the site and building models such that a comprehensive set of working drawings is produced.

This course explores the fundamental relationship between building systems and energy. It also, addresses the building envelope (outside walls, roofing) and how location, siting, landscaping, and material selections affect the energy consumption of a project. Students will be introduced to energy analysis software available through the United States Department of Energy. Students will also learn to apply BIM software to analyze the energy efficiency of building design iterations.

Students study soil, aggregate, Portland cement concrete, asphalt cement concrete and wood products used for construction. Laboratory work focuses on testing soil, aggregates and Portland cement concrete. ASTM standards are used in all testing. Students also test mortar using ASTM standards and follow building codes for framing construction. Students will engage in hands-on lab activities.