Construction & Civil Technology

15.0201

(Associate of Applied Science Degree)

Construction industry employment currently accounts for approximately ten percent of the total workforce. Recent reports by the Department of Labor indicate that over the next several years this percentage will likely increase. Nationwide, approximately 10 million construction workers are employed.

The demand for construction technicians and managers is expected to have ten percent employment growth between 2006 and 2016¹ as the level of construction activity and complexity of construction projects continue to grow. In addition, many job openings will result annually from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations, leave the labor force and/or retire. Increased spending on the Nation’s infrastructure -- highways, bridges, dams, water and sewage systems and electric power generation and transmission facilities -- will result in a greater demand for construction managers, engineers and civil technicians. The increasing complexity of construction projects as well as the proliferation of laws setting standards for buildings and construction materials will increase the demand for applicants in this field.

Traditionally, persons advance to construction management positions after having substantial experience as construction craft workers or having worked as construction supervisors or as independent contractors. With the recent rapid changes in technology this is no longer the case. Construction managers in the 21st century will require considerably more technical training as they face increasingly more complex challenges. They will require significantly more and better professional technical training as they oversee the development, construction/reconstruction and maintenance of the nations infrastructure and related civil works. Tomorrow’s construction manager will be given the designs for buildings, roads, bridges, or other projects and they will then oversee and execute the organization, scheduling and implementation of those designs. They will be responsible for coordinating and managing people, materials and equipment, budgets, schedules and contracts and the safety of employees and the general public.

The Linn State Technical College Construction & Civil Technology curriculum is designed specifically to meet these challenges. Included in this curriculum are professional courses in surveying, scheduling, cost control, construction methods, construction materials and construction safety as well as training on specific systems necessary to assure a functional and economic project.

It is a graduation requirement of the Construction & Civil Technology (CCT) program for students to earn a grade of “C” or better in all “Core Curriculum” and “Program Requirements” courses.

Program Mission
The mission of the Construction & Civil Technology program is a specialized technical program offering associate-level advanced technical education in current and future civil and construction engineering curriculums devoted to the development of engineering technicians, material testing personnel, land surveyors, construction estimators, construction management trainees and other personnel engaged in the fields of construction and civil technology.

Program Goals
The goals of the program are to assure that the student:

• Has the opportunity to develop oral and written communication skills that will enhance their ability to secure and maintain meaningful employment in the construction and civil technology industry.
• Has the opportunity to develop and demonstrate analytical problem solving and critical thinking skills necessary for employment in the construction and civil technology industry.
• Is given the opportunity to develop a professional attitude as well as leadership and management skills through in-class team projects and campus affiliated organizations.
• Is given the opportunity to earn industry specific certifications.
• Is given the opportunity to expand their knowledge of the construction industry through relevant course work, field trips to construction sites, and industry guest speakers on campus.

1 “Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition.” bls.gov/oco/. 2009. Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States Department of Labor. 4 Nov. 2008. <http://www.bls.gov/oco/pdf/ocos112.pdf>.

CCT 106 Construction Mathematics with Applied Trigonometry. This course focuses on practical mathematical computations required for various construction and civil applications. Areas, volumes, conversions, scaling and measurement of materials, and applied trigonometry are emphasized. 4 credit hours

CCT 135 Engineering Documents. Blueprint reading, development and analysis of computer aided project plans and specifications, understanding electrical and mechanical schematics and other documents used in construction. 3 credit hours.

CCT 140 Surveying I w/Lab. A basic course in surveying including theory, principles, and practices of surveying with emphasis on basic computations and safe operation of equipment including the surveyor’s tape, level, and total station. Prerequisite: CCT 106. 3 credit hours.

CCT 145 Fundamentals of Land Surveying. This course teaches elements that provide the student with the appropriate knowledge to perform any property survey. The student will examine evidence of ownership, historical information, property descriptions and legal requirements for recording documents. Applications of the Missouri Minimum Standards, American Land Title Association (ALTA)/American Congress on Surveying & Mapping (ACSM) Surveys and FEMA Certifications are also studied. 3 credit hours.

CCT 147 Construction Techniques and Codes. An introductory course in construction management, which provides a survey of light, civil, heavy highway and utility construction practices. Includes introduction to use of national, state, and local regulations applicable to specifications and performance of building construction standards. 3 credit hours.

CCT 191 Civil/Construction Internship. A planned work experience in an industry or business directly related to the implementation and management of a construction project. The student will be employed directly by an industry or business, and both parties will submit reports and evaluations of experiences to the Department Chair. 6 credit hours.

CCT 195 Construction Safety. This course reviews existing occupational safety and health standards and codes as they relate to the construction industry, and the practices utilized to comply with these regulations. Students who successfully complete this class will be prepared to complete industry safety certification tests. 3 credit hours.

CCT 202 Construction Materials Testing w/Lab. Construction materials testing and inspection procedures in laboratory and field situations. Testing soils, aggregates, concrete, and asphalt relative to AASHTO, ASTM and other construction testing standards, maintaining laboratory reports and performing hands-on as well as simulated field inspections. 3 credit hours.

CCT 208 Construction Estimating w/Lab. A study in estimating techniques and methods pertaining to residential, commercial, industrial and civil construction. Quantity takeoffs, unit pricing, estimate development, blueprint reading, resource pricing, and bidding procedures will all be covered. Introduction to computer estimating using estimating software. Prerequisites: CCT 106 and CCT 147. 4 credit hours.

CCT 215 Environmental and Construction Site Analysis. This course will focus on environmental issues relating to water and soils. Topics include the basics of hydrology, fluids and hydraulics. Water and wastewater treatment systems, along with soil and water pollution issues and related erosion issues will also be covered. 3 credit hours.

CCT 220 Contract Administration/Contract Law. Administration and understanding of construction contracts, contract documents, contract law, claim avoidance, record keeping, taxes, insurance and bonds, case studies. Subjects to be covered include types of contracts, conditions of contract, interpretation of contracts, preparation of legal bids, termination of contracts, disputes, ethics and professional liability. 3 credit hours.

CCT 230 Surveying II w/Lab. This course teaches the theory and practice of highway and railroad surveying. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Geographic Positioning Systems (GPS) are introduced. Prerequisite: CCT 140. 3 credit hours.

CCT 235 Legal Aspects of Boundary Surveying. This course includes legal principles of surveying; Missouri survey law; and principles of boundaries, property, monumentation, deed interpretations, professional liability and ethics. Prerequisite: CCT 140 or CCT 145. 3 credit hours.

CCT 271 Construction Management. This course is a study of the plan and design of major construction projects incorporating case studies, site visits to existing projects under construction, and course materials presented in the CCT curriculum. Students will be required to complete class projects that identify and describe components of the construction process and estimates of the resources required to complete the projects. Written and oral presentations of the projects will be required. 3 credit hours.

CCT 299 Special Topics in Construction & Civil Technology. Special Topics in Construction & Civil Technology (CCT) may include instruction on topics not covered in other CCT courses. Topics covered in other CCT courses may also be covered in more depth in this special topics course. Projects may be undertaken in any area related to the major program with credit hours determined by the level and amount of involvement. The minimum involvement required for one credit is 30 contact hours. The specific topic(s), objectives, plan of instruction, and evaluation criteria must be documented in the syllabus; approved by the Department/Division Chair; and filed in the Academic Records Office. Students may complete more than one Special Topics course, provided that the credits earned in this manner do not exceed a total of four (4) credits. 1-4 credit hours.