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2006-07 Undergraduate Catalog

Course Descriptions


M.E. Rinker Sr. School of Building Construction

BCN 1210 Construction Materials
Credits: 3.
Sources, properties and uses of construction materials.

BCN 1252C Construction Drawing
Credits: 3.
Provides basic working knowledge of architectural graphics, practice in instrumental drawing, and experience in free hand sketching.

BCN 1582 International Sustainable Development
Credits: 3.
Provides an overview of international trends in reducing the environmental impacts of land development and construction. Surveys best practices in a dozen countries around the world. (S, I)

BCN 2400C Construction Mechanics Statics
Credits: 2; Prereq: PHY 2004 and PHY 2004L.
An introductory course in the evaluation of structural behavior as it relates to building. Primarily for building construction majors. The combination of BCN 2400 and 2401 is equivalent to BCN 2405.

BCN 2401C Construction Mechanics Strength of Materials
Credits: 2; Prereq: BCN 2400.
Structural behavior of load resisting members in buildings. Properties of structural materials. Primarily for building construction majors. The combination of BCN 2400 and 2401 is equivalent to BCN 2405.

BCN 2405C Construction Mechanics
Credits: 4; Prereq: PHY 2004 and PHY 2004L.
An introductory course in the evaluation of structural behavior as it relates to buildings, the properties of structural materials, and the structural behavior of load resisting members. Primarily for building construction majors.

BCN 3012 History of Construction
Credits: 3.
Traces western building technology from prehistoric man to the present. Development of the art and science of building. (H, I)

BCN 3027 The Construction Profession and Ethics
Credits: 3; Prereq: junior standing, or permission of instructor.
Examination of role of the professional constructor or builder contemporarily and historically. Importance of ethical conduct in all aspects of construction business and operations. Development of advanced writing and presentation skills for construction professionals.

BCN 3223C Soils, Foundations and Equipment
Credits: 3.
Study of the construction process to include soils, demolition, foundations, concrete mix design and earth-moving equipment. Includes field visits, soils and concrete laboratories and CADD project.

BCN 3224C Construction Techniques - Superstructures
Credits: 4; Prereq: BCN 1210 and BCN 1252C.
Study of the vertical construction process to include wooden platform frame construction, cast-in-place and pre-cast concrete construction and steel erection. Included are interior and exterior finishes, vertical transportation systems, roofing and other building components.

BCN 3255C Graphic Communication in Construction
Credits: 3; Prereq: BCN 1252C.
Study of construction communication tools, including the use of computer-aided drafting, blueprint reading, free hand sketching, model building, piece-based simulations and the Internet.

BCN 3281C Construction Methods Laboratory
Credits: 2.
Construction aspects of surveying with field and classroom exercises in the use of transit, level, chain and related equipment.

BCN 3423C Timber, Formwork Design and Construction
Credits: 3; Prereq: BCN 3431.
To familiarize the student with the material properties, design procedures and code requirements for timber, formwork and construction.

BCN 3431C Steel Design and Construction
Credits: 3.
To familiarize the student with the material properties, design and construction procedures and code requirements for steel.

BCN 3461C Concrete, Masonry Design and Construction
Credits: 3.
To familiarize the student with the material properties, design and construction procedures, and code requirements for concrete and masonry construction.

BCN 3500 Mechanical Systems 1 - Plumbing and Piping
Credits: 2.
Principles and practices of building piping systems, hydraulics and pumps, and consideration of code requirements and cost estimation.

BCN 3521C Electrical Systems
Credits: 2.
Principles and practices of electrical systems, including code provisions and cost estimations.

BCN 3611C Construction Estimating 1
Credits: 3; Prereq: BCN 3224C and BCN 3255C.
Classification of work, quantity survey techniques and basic estimating principles applied to simple construction projects.

BCN 3700 Construction Contracts
Credits: 3.
Function of the construction industry, construction contracting practices and construction contracts and delivery methods.

BCN 4023 Creating Affordable Housing
Credits: 3; Prereq: senior standing, or permission of instructor.
To familiarize students with the need for affordable housing. Factors in the housing delivery processing that contribute to affordability problems and potential methods to facilitate the provision of affordable housing will be emphasized.

BCN 4237 Roofing Systems
Credits: 3.
Study and analysis of building various roof systems, including design, materials, installation, inspection and maintenance. Includes damp-proofing and waterproofing techniques.

BCN 4284C Advanced Construction Layout
Credits: 3; Prereq: BCN 3224, BCN 3255, BCN 3281C and senior standing.
To familiarize students with principles of building layout. Covers methods and techniques in controlling lines and grades in multistory buildings, including computer applications.

BCN 4301 3D Modeling for Construction
Credits: 3; Prereq: BCN 3223C, BCN 3224C, BCN 3255C or equivalent experience.
Course explores a number of related computer graphics programs and how they can be combined to enhance construction communications. Includes 3D modeling software, HTML and VRML authoring tools, and illustration and drawing programs.

BCN 4471 Construction Productivity
Credits: 3; Prereq: BCN 4612C, 4720, senior standing.
Analysis of productivity and construction techniques through various time and cost control methods, including time management, preplanning and scheduling, field evaluation techniques, time-lapse video, and human factors.

BCN 4510C Mechanical Systems 2 - HVAC
Credits: 3; Prereq: BCN 3500, BCN 3521C, and senior standing.
Principles and practices of comfort conditioning systems for buildings, heating and refrigeration equipment, building code considerations, plan reading and cost estimation.

BCN 4583 Natural Hazards - Designing, Planning and Building
Credits: 3.
A college-wide course focused on effects of natural disasters on design, planning, and construction including impacts of flood, fire, radon, hurricane, and earthquakes as well as environmental sustainability issues, by examining theories, techniques and codes.

BCN 4612C Construction Estimating 2
Credits: 3; Prereq: BCN 3611C and senior standing.
Analysis and determination of cost of construction operations including applicable indirect and overhead costs and the preparation of bid proposals for commercial construction projects. A cost control system is introduced and implemented with sample field generated problems.

BCN 4709C Construction Project Management
Credits: 3; Prereq: BCN 4612C and senior standing.
Understanding of management and administration of a construction project through an extensive case study of a project.

BCN 4712 Managing Construction Operations
Credits: 3; Prereq: senior standing.
Management principles, methods and problems relating to personnel, including labor relations.

BCN 4720 Construction Planning and Control
Credits: 3; Prereq: BCN 3611C and senior standing.
Computer application of cost and manpower estimates as construction scheduling and management techniques.

BCN 4735 Construction Safety
Credits: 3; Prereq: senior standing.
Construction safety issues, concerns, requirements and procedures. The analysis includes costs, planning, administration, inspection, prevention, loss control and the drug-free work place.

BCN 4751C Project Planning and Feasibility
Credits: 3; Prereq: BCN 4612C, BCN 4720, BCN 4753 and senior standing.
Principles and practices of residential and commercial land development.

BCN 4753 Construction Financing
Credits: 3; Prereq: senior standing.
Basic principles and applications of construction finance with an emphasis on the acquisition and management of construction loans, mortgages and construction accounting.

BCN 4770 Housing Transactions for Homebuilders
Credits: 4; Prereq: senior standing, or permission of instructor.
An introduction to ownership rights in real property and limitations on those rights, the transfer of rights, and the process of selling property including contracts and closing, mortgages, markets, and valuation of property. Course emphasis providing the homebuilder with a working knowledge of the sale and leasing of property.

BCN 4773 Construction Business Management
Credits: 3; Prereq: BCN 3700 and senior standing.
This course studies the management of a construction company. Topics include company organization, incorporation structures, policies and procedures, finance, accounting, information modeling, bidding strategies, operation and business ethics.

BCN 4787C Construction Project Simulation
Credits: 3; Prereq: BCN 4612C, BCN 4720, BCN 4753 and senior standing.
A construction project will be simulated with each student being responsible for designing, developing, estimating, scheduling, contracting and administering the works for the completion of a small commercial, residential, or light industrial project.

BCN 4905 Special Studies in Construction
Credits: 1 to 4.
Special areas of study in construction adjusted to the needs of individual students. Enrollment upon recommendation of director only.

BCN 4949 Construction Management Internship
Credits: 3.
Minimum two-term employment in construction management. Requires advance approval. Internship work reports and oral presentation also required. (S-U)

BCN 4956 International Studies in Construction
Credits: 1 to 4; can be repeated with a change in content up to 6 credits. Admission to a UF approved study abroad program and permission of the school director.
Formal course work taken at a foreign university as part of an approved study abroad program. The course focus is on the construction industry in the host country. Course content will vary and may address various construction issues including local construction techniques, construction materials, and the influence on construction of the local culture, traditions, architecture, history, and political climate.



General Education Categories
Consult Schedule of Courses for specific information.

  • Composition (C)
  • Mathematical Sciences (M)
  • Humanities (H)
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (S)
  • Physical (P) and Biological (B) Sciences
  • International (I) and Diversity (D) focus


Symbols Used in Course Descriptions
Consult Schedule of Courses for specific information.

  • (WR) indicates the course satisfies the writing requirement.
  • (MR) indicates the course satisfies the math requirement.
  • (S-U) indicates the course must be taken on a satisfactory-unsatisfactory basis.