Program Overview

Building Construction Technology Program

The Building Construction Technology program offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers various aspects of the construction industry. The program includes courses in building trades, construction methods, safety procedures, and management techniques.

Course Descriptions

• BCT 100: Building Trades I: This course covers equipment and general safety, human relations, building construction surveying, footings, foundation form work, framing, sheathing, insulation, basic electrical wiring, and plumbing. It includes classroom instruction, on-the-job training, and problem-solving.
• BCT 101: Introduction to Construction I: This course introduces basic safety, including personal protective equipment, how to perform basic construction tasks safely, and what to do if an accident occurs. It also covers basic construction methods.
• BCT 102: Introduction to Construction II: This course introduces power and hand tools, blueprints, and basic rigging hardware and techniques.
• BCT 103: Introduction to Construction Laboratory: This course provides students with the opportunity to practice skills acquired in BCT 101 and BCT 102. It includes task-oriented projects that apply skills and knowledge presented throughout the National Center for Construction and Education Research (NCCER) Carpentry Program.
• BCT 104: Woodworking Skills I: This course covers the use and care of hand tools and elementary power tools, safety procedures, and supervised project construction.
• BCT 105: Woodworking Skills II: This course covers advanced woodworking skills, including the use of advanced power tools, power tool safety, and supervised construction.
• BCT 106: Woodworking Theory and Practice: This course covers the history of wood manufacturing, industrial techniques, wood characteristics, stains, and finishes. It also includes the design and construction of minor wood projects.
• BCT 109: Plumbing I: This course covers orientation to the trade, materials used in the plumbing industry, and different types of plumbing fixtures. It includes task-oriented projects that apply skills and knowledge presented throughout the NCCER Plumbing Program.
• BCT 110: Blueprint Reading for Building Trades: This course covers blueprint reading for building trades, including same content as DRFT 151, OEET 101, and OEPB 110.
• BCT 111: Small Equipment Maintenance and Repair: This course covers small engine theory, troubleshooting and repair, auto maintenance, hydraulic theory and repair, lubricants, batteries, and scheduled tool maintenance.
• BCT 114: Basic Carpentry: This course covers orientation to the trade, wood building materials, fasteners, and adhesives. It also includes detailed descriptions and explanations of hand-operated and power tools, including safety, framing basics, and roughing in of door and window openings.
• BCT 115: Carpentry Level I: This course describes various kinds of roofs and provides instructions for laying out different roofing systems. It also describes various types of windows, skylights, and exterior doors and provides instruction for installation.
• BCT 116: Basic Carpentry Lab: This course provides students with the opportunity to practice skills acquired in BCT 114 and BCT 115. It includes task-oriented projects that apply skills and knowledge presented throughout the NCCER Carpentry Program.
• BCT 117: Plumbing 1A: This course introduces students to the plumbing profession, including tasks and responsibilities of plumbing professionals in the construction industry and basic knowledge of the plumbing field.
• BCT 118: Math for Building Trades: This course covers geometry, algebra, arithmetic, and basic trigonometry pertaining to mathematical applications in the building trades field.
• BCT 123: Residential Wiring I: This course introduces residential electrical wiring trade, electrical safety practices, basic electrical circuits and theory, reading and interpreting applicable construction prints/drawings, and introduction to basic National Electric Code (NEC).
• BCT 130: Professional Development and Leadership: This course provides students with experience in leadership, team building, and community service as members and/or officers of various student professional organizations.
• BCT 150: Forklift Operation: This course provides classroom instruction and hands-on practice to prepare students to operate a forklift safely in the workplace.
• BCT 200: Building Trades II: This course continues BCT 100, covering roofing, exterior and interior finish, masonry, door, window, and cabinet installation.
• BCT 206: Advanced Cabinetmaking: This course covers advanced cabinetmaking skills, including expert use of hand and power tools, professional construction and finishing techniques.
• BCT 209: Plumbing II: This course continues BCT 109, providing students with the opportunity to gain more practice in skills and knowledge learned in Plumbing I.
• BCT 217: Building and the Environment: This course introduces LEED's and Green Building Fundamentals, sustainability, sustainable design, and green building, evaluating cost implications of green building.
• BCT 218: Plumbing 2: This course builds on skills and knowledge gained in previous BCT introduction to plumbing courses, focusing on installation of plumbing systems.
• BCT 219: Weatherization in Construction: This course introduces industry weatherization standards and practices utilized in the construction of buildings for the purpose of energy conservation.
• BCT 221: Cooperative Experience I: This course provides a supervised cooperative work program where students are employed in an approved occupation and supervised and rated by the employer and instructor.
• BCT 223: Residential Wiring II: This course introduces electrical raceways and fittings, electrical conductors and cables, basic electrical construction drawings, residential electrical services, and electrical test equipment.
• BCT 255: Special Topics: This course covers topics to be announced in the Schedule of Classes, which may be repeated up to 12 credits.
• BCT 290: Special Problems in Building Technology: This course provides individual studies in areas directly related to building technologies.

Program Requirements

• Students must complete all required courses with a minimum grade of C to graduate from the program.
• Students must also complete a cooperative work experience or an internship to gain practical experience in the field.
• Some courses may have prerequisites or corequisites, which must be completed before enrolling in the course.

Admission Criteria

• Students must apply to the program through the university's admissions office.
• Students must meet the university's admission requirements, including a high school diploma or equivalent and a minimum GPA of 2.0.
• Some courses may require additional admission criteria, such as a background check or immunizations.

Tuition Fees

• Tuition fees vary depending on the student's residency status and the number of credits taken.
• Students should check with the university's bursar's office for the most up-to-date tuition fee information.

Research Areas

• The program focuses on various research areas, including building construction, sustainability, and energy efficiency.
• Students have the opportunity to participate in research projects and present their findings at conferences and seminars.

Career Opportunities

• Graduates of the program can pursue various career opportunities, including construction management, building inspection, and sustainability consulting.
• The program also prepares students for certification exams, such as the Certified Construction Manager (CCM) exam.