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Building Trades: Building Construction

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AOS Degree – Code #0420

Daniel Helveston, Department Chair
Email address: helvesdr@alfredstate.edu

Tim Rohrer, Program Coordinator
Email address: rohrerta@alfredstate.edu

The building construction program will provide you with instruction in the basic skills required of the carpenter and the mason in the construction of residential or other light-frame commercial and masonry buildings. You will also gain extensive experience in building layout, foundations, framing, sheathing, exterior and interior trim, block work, brick, and concrete construction.

Advantages

  • Coupled with practical experience, the program provides the necessary theory connected with carpentry and masonry operations, as well as blueprint reading, cost and materials estimating, surveying for building layout and control, and safety on the job.
  • A large part of the program is actual on-the-job training under the supervision of qualified instructors. Frequently, concrete and lumber companies instruct students in the uses of their products.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

  • Measure, layout, and cut materials accurately and build various construction systems.
  • Safely set up and operate construction tools and equipment.
  • Accurately estimate materials for a project and explain how to manage materials and supervise people.
  • Read and interpret construction prints.
  • Demonstrate essential problem-solving skills generally employed in the construction industry.
  • Demonstrate effective written construction communication.
  • Demonstrate effective oral communication.
  • Perform common mathematical construction calculations.
  • Demonstrate the proper selection and installation of materials used to build various construction projects.
  • Perform computer-based research and communication.

Direct Entry Into Baccalaureate Degree Program

Alfred State building trades: building construction graduates may enter directly into the construction supervision BTech or technology management BBA degree program. Graduates who have credit for freshman composition, statistics, literature, history, and speech may complete the baccalaureate program in two additional years; others may complete the program in two-and-one-half years.

Occupational Opportunities

  • Manufacturers
  • Cabinetmaker
  • Sales
  • Shop foreman
  • Installer (cabinets, etc.)
  • Dealers
  • Maintenance supervisor
  • Carpenter
  • Contractor
  • Self-employment
  • Expediter
  • Construction superintendent
  • Construction foreman
  • Mason
  • Estimator

Employment Statistics

Employment and continuing education rate of 100 percent – 53 percent are employed; 47 percent continued their education. 

Related Programs

Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
Architectural Technology
Construction Engineering Technology
Electrical Construction and Maintenance Electrician
Masonry
Surveying Engineering Technology

Required Tools/Equipment

A list of required tools, equipment, PPE, etc. for all of the programs mentioned above can be found at http://www.alfredstate.edu/tool-lists.

A tier 1 laptop computer is required for students entering this degree program. Laptop specifications are available at www.alfredstate.edu/required-laptops.

Entrance Requirements/recommendations

Recommended: Algebra and Geometry

Office of Accessibility Services

Students who believe they need a reasonable accommodation to properly participate in this program may contact Melanie Ryan in the Office of Accessibility Services. This office may be contacted by email at oas@alfredstate.edu  or by phone at 607-587-4506. Please keep in mind that some accommodations may take time to implement, so students seeking accommodations are encouraged to contact OAS as early as possible.

Building Trades: Building Construction - AOS Degree

TYPICAL FOUR-SEMESTER PROGRAM

First

BLCT 1202 Portable Tools & Fastening Sys 2
BLCT 1002 Intro to Construction Safety 2
BLCT 1212 Foundation Systems & Layout 2
BLCT 1222 Construction Math 2
BLCT 1232 Framing I 2
BLCT 1242 Framing II 2
BLCT 1206 Building Construction Lab I 6
      18

Second

BLCT 2202 Insulation and Drywall 2
BLCT 2212 Exterior Building Envelope 2
BLCT 2232 Siding and Cornices 2
BLCT 2242 Wood Products & Fabrication 2
BLCT 2252 Intro to Print Reading & Estim 2
BLCT 2262 Masonry 2
BLCT 2206 Building Construction Lab II 6
      18

Third

BLCT 3602 Residential Remodel 2
BLCT 3612 Roofing Systems 2
BLCT 3622 Advanced Print-reading & Estim 2
BLCT 3632 Exterior Construction Details 2
BLCT 3642 Interior Trims 2
BLCT 3652 Advanced Framing 2
BLCT 3606 Building Construction Lab III 6
      18

Fourth

BLCT 4302 Basic CAD-Residential Drawing 2
BLCT 4332 Green Building & Bldg Science 2
BLCT 4482 Construction Entrepreneur 2
  OR  
BLCT 4492 Commercial Construction 2
BLCT 4342 Mechanical Systems 2
BLCT 4352 Interior Finishes 2
BLCT 4362 Cabinetry 2
BLCT 4306 Building Construction Lab IV 6
       18

Technical Standards

It is crucial that all student applicants in this degree program must be able to meet the following requirements, with or without reasonable accommodation. Students who are enrolled in this degree program should have the physical capabilities to be able to engage in all training, field, and laboratory environments in a safe and ethical manner. Students must be able to:

  • Lift and carry up to or 50 pounds of building materials/equipment without accommodations.
  • Perform and function in a safe manner in all laboratory and classroom environments and off campus job site locations.
  • Effectively communicate with classmates and instructional staff using appropriate visual and/or auditory communication from a distance of 20 feet.
  • Physically setup, move, or climb ladders, scaffolding, etc., unaided, using the designated safety method.
  • Identify and react to safety alarms which include, but not limited to, fire alarms, back up alarms and those meant for emergencies.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

A student must successfully complete all courses in the prescribed four-semester program and earn a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 in major courses.