Course Introduction

This course takes you on a journey of exploration and discovery about the key legal instruments (for example, drawings, specifications, and other documents) utilized in design and construction processes. The journey explores two main questions. First, how does the architectural and engineering team effectively communicate the design so it can be built? And second, how does the contractor effectively understand and question what has been communicated? Your increased ability to read, analyze, and interpret construction documents prepares you to enter the work force with the ability to contribute in meaningful ways.

Credits: 1

Requirements

Prerequisites

No prerequisites.

Required Resources

• A laptop with Internet access
• Bluebeam software (you'll have free access to Bluebeam through the Construction Management Department)
  • Here's the Bluebeam support page.

Structure

Course Outcomes

1. Identify the organizational structure of drawings and specifications.
2. Identify drawing symbols, hatch patterns, callouts and notation systems.
3. Interpret drawings produced by the construction disciplines: architecture, landscape, irrigation, civil, structure, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, fire suppression, and telecommunications.

Weekly Patterns

The table below displays typical weekly activities, due dates, and activity descriptions. 

Due Date*	Learning Model	Activity Title	Description
End of Week	Prepare	Watch	Watch a video and answer questions.
End of Week	Teach One Another	Collaboration	Share insights and collaborate on assigned prompts
End of Week	Ponder & Prove	Learning Assignment	Demonstrate concepts & produce industry-based documents

*Set your time zone within user preferences so the dates and times for course activities will display correctly for your time zone.

Learning Model

This course utilizes the BYU-Idaho Learning Model in its design. The activity types are represented as follows:

Expectations

Late Work

As a sign of professionalism and respect, you should complete your work on time. However, this course has the following policy for work turned in after the due date:

• Work submitted within the first 24-hour period following the published due date is accepted with a 7% grade reduction.
• Work submitted between 24 and 48-hours after the published due date is accepted with an additional 7% grade reduction.
• Work submitted after 48-hours of the published due date is accepted with an additional 7% grade reduction for every subsequent 24-hour period.

Work Improvement

• In the spirit of true learning, improving and resubmitting work is accepted.
• Resubmissions are not accepted unless a complete, on-time, original submission exists.

AI Use in This Course

This course integrates and encourages the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, such as Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, or other generative AI platforms, as part of your learning experience. The goal is to foster a deeper understanding of course material while building critical thinking and ethical skills in leveraging AI for academic purposes.

Each activity will have a stoplight indicator, which is a visual cue for the acceptable level of AI usage. Below you can select each level of usage (Red, Yellow, or Green) to reveal the corresponding visual cue and detailed information about that level. Be sure to review the instructions for each level carefully to understand how AI can or cannot be used to complete your assignments.

Extra Credit

There are two opportunities for extra credit in this course. Each opportunity is worth 1-point (or 1% point). The extra credit opportunities are labeled as such and may be found in the "Modules" section of Canvas.

Grading Scale

Letter Grade	Percent
A	100% – 93%
A-	92% – 90%
B+	89% – 87%
B	86% – 83%
B-	82% – 80%
C+	79% – 77%
C	76% - 73%
C-	72% – 70%
D+	69% – 67%
D	66% – 63%
D-	62% – 60%
F	59% and lower

University Policies

Students with Disabilities

Brigham Young University-Idaho is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere that accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. If you have a disability and require accommodations, please contact the Accessibility Services Office at 1-208-496-9210 or visit their website and follow the Steps for Receiving Accommodations. Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified documented disabilities. Services are coordinated with students and instructors by the Disability Services Office.

[This course may require synchronous meetings, or this course includes required synchronous meetings.] If you are currently registered with the Accessibility Services Office and need an interpreter or transcriber for these meetings, please contact the deaf and hard of hearing coordinator at 1-208-496-9219.

Other University Policies

Student Honor and Other Policies

Please read through the document called University Policies. It gives important information about the following topics:

• Student Honor
  • Academic Honesty
  • Student Conduct
    • Sexual Harassment
• Student with Disabilities
• Complaints and Grievances
• Copyright Notice

Go to the Student Resources module to review further resources and information.