Course Syllabus
Overview
This course takes you on a journey of exploration and discovery about the key legal instruments (i.e. 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: 2
Course Standards
This course is designed to build an introductory knowledge of contract documents for the later successful attainment of the following program learning outcomes:
- As a team, present a solution for a construction project case study.
- Write an effective persuasive argument paper.
- Develop an estimate for a residential construction project.
- Develop a schedule for a commercial construction project.
- Create a computer-generated building information model to meet project requirements.
Requirements
Prerequisites
Successful completion of VDC 170.
Required Resources
- No required textbook
- The department has arranged for you to access Bluebeam on your personal computer
- Bluebeam will NOT function on a Mac (Apple) computer.
- Bluebeam has a mobile app but it will not work for the Bluebeam course presentations.
- Access to a laptop computer that has the minimum technology as described by the BYU-I IT Help Center.
- Although not required, the contract documents experience is better when utilizing a large computer monitor.
Proctored Exams and Assessments
This course will use an online proctoring software called Proctorio. This makes it possible for students to take assessments and exams without a human proctor present. Proctored exams can be accessed like any other exam, once the software has been installed. Exams will be recorded by Proctorio and reviewed by the BYUI Testing Center. Any questionable exams will be forwarded to the instructor for further review.
For step-by-step instructions on Proctorio installation, please refer to this help guide article.
Structure
Course Outcomes
- Produce common written construction management documents for common construction scenarios.
- Analyze the external forces exerted on the development of construction documents.
- Identify the various documents utilized for common construction processes.
- Explain various project delivery methods used in construction management.
- Place design and construction steps into the appropriate phases of the applicable project delivery method.
Major Assignments
The table below is meant to help you see the relevance of each major assignment as it pertains to the course outcomes.
| Major Assignment | Description | Course Outcome # |
|---|---|---|
| Bluebeam Topic Presentation | You will learn then teach how to use one feature of the Bluebeam software. | N/A |
| Project Delivery Methods | Compare and analyze the various different project delivery methods. | 4, 5 |
| Predesign & Design | Summarize a space summary and create a preliminary opinion of probable cost. | 2, 5 |
| Write an RFI | Produced to ask questions and clarify understanding, the Request for Information (RFI), is one of the most oft used documents in construction. You will write one based on a real case study. | 1, 3 |
| Produce a Submittal Log | The specifications define various types of information required to be submitted for review prior to acquiring products and materials. The submittal log summarizes all of this information in one spot. Since submittal logs can be hundreds of items long, you will create a portion of a submittal log. | 1, 3 |
| Bid Leveling | General Contractors (GC) obtain pricing from various subcontractors. Bid leveling is the process by which the GC evaluates and compares pricing to determine which subcontractor to utilize. You will level a sampling of bids received. | 1, 3 |
| Bidding | Bidding is the process by which actual costs are assembled and submitted to the Owner for evaluation and approval. You will participate in a "Design-Bid-Build" bidding process. | 1, 3 |
| Schedule of Values and Payment Applications | The general contractor (GC) assembles a schedule of values representing all of the products, materials, and labor required to complete a project. When payment is requested by the GC, the GC's payment application is based on the schedule of values. You will evaluate both a schedule of values and payment application from a real project. | 1, 3 |
| PB&J Specification | To understand how construction specifications are generated, you will create a specification for a PB&J sandwich utilizing the industry standard format, MasterFormat. | 1, 3 |
| Submittal | The specifications define various types of information required to be submitted for review prior to acquiring products and materials. You will create a bona fide submittal as well as review a submittal. | 1, 3 |
| Change Management | Technically speaking, ASIs, RFIs, PCOs, COs, and CCDs are all documents utilized in construction processes to help manage information and changes. You will be exposed to each type of document, and in some instances, you will create them. | 1, 3 |
| Quality Control | One of the major roles of the General Contractor is ensuring the Owner receives what they are paying for. One way to ensure quality control (QC) is through a QC plan. Additionally, minimizing rework can have a huge impact on quality. You will analyze to real cases to determine how rework could have been mitigated. | 1, 3 |
| Project Closeout | The last 5% of a project always seems to take more time than the other portions of a project. You will be given the opportunity to learn about the documents utilized in the closeout process including punch lists, certificate of substantial completion, and an occupancy permit. In fact, you will create and analyze these documents. | 1, 3 |
| Final | This, not your average, comprehensive assignment involves multiple steps designed to test your understanding of drawings, specifications, and a few of the various documents utilized in the preconstruction and construction phases of a project. | 1, 3 |
| Seminar Reports (Professional Development) | Four times throughout the semester, you will attend live or watch a recording of a seminar you have never seen before. | N/A |
Weekly Patterns
The table below displays typical weekly activities, due dates, and activity descriptions.
Note: For each credit hour, you should expect to spend 3 hours total on course-related work and learning.
| Due Date* | Learning Model | Activity Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midweek | Prepare | Read & Watch | Read assigned material and/or watch a video and answer questions |
| Midweek | Teach One Another | Discussion | Share insights and collaborate on assigned prompts |
| Midweek | Ponder & Prove | Learning Assignment | Demonstrate concepts & produce industry-based documents |
| End of Week | Prepare | Read & Watch | Read assigned material and/or watch a video and answer questions |
| End of Week | Teach One Another | Discussion | 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:
Prepare
Students prepare each week by completing the assigned reading and/or watching the assigned videos.
Ponder & Prove
Students ponder what they have learned by completing weekly learning assignments.
Teach One Another
Each week there are Padlet discussions that require students to research, comment on, discuss, and reflect on the weekly material, as they share their ideas with each other and provide constructive feedback.
Expectations
Feedback
You can expect to receive grades and feedback within 7 days of the due date for all assignments.
Workload
- The typical time commitment for this course is approximately 6 hours per week. Students less familiar with construction should budget additional time.
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.
Level 1: Red Light (No AI Usage)
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Level 2: Yellow Light (Conditional AI Usage)
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Level 3: Green Light (Encouraged AI Usage)
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Group Work
You are frequently encouraged to collaborate with classmates; however, your work must always be your own.
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.
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
BYU-Idaho is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere that accommodates qualified students with disabilities. If you have a disability and require accommodations, please contact Accessibility Services. Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified documented disabilities. Services are coordinated with students and instructors by Student Wellness.
This course may require synchronous meetings. If you are currently registered for accommodations and need a transcription for these meetings, please contact Accessibility.
Student Honor and Other Policies
Please read through the University Policies. There is 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 for further resources and information.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|