Construction Course

Lesson 1 • Project Delivery Methods

Compares design-bid-build, design-build, and construction management models. Students select appropriate delivery methods based on project goals.

Lesson 2 • Construction Contracts and Agreements

Introduces contract types, key clauses, and risk allocation principles. Connects legal frameworks to daily site and office decisions.

Lesson 3 • Codes, Standards, and Permitting

Explains building codes, zoning regulations, and the permit process. Students navigate approval workflows without referencing jurisdiction-specific identifiers.

Lesson 4 • Industry Overview and Key Stakeholders

Maps the construction sector's segments and the roles within them. Provides context for every subsequent technical topic in the course.

Lesson 1 • MEP Drawings and Coordination

Covers mechanical, electrical, and plumbing drawing conventions and clash detection. Prepares students to coordinate trades before installation.

Lesson 2 • Addenda, RFIs, and Change Documents

Addresses how design changes are communicated and incorporated into the contract. Students track document revisions to maintain an accurate record set.

Lesson 3 • Architectural and Structural Drawings

Teaches floor plans, elevations, sections, and structural framing plans. Students extract dimensions and member sizes for field use.

Lesson 4 • Specifications and Project Manuals

Explains specification divisions, quality standards, and submittal requirements. Students use specs to verify material compliance and contractor obligations.

Lesson 1 • Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment

Teaches systematic hazard recognition and risk-ranking methods. Students apply job hazard analysis to real construction tasks.

Lesson 2 • Fall Protection and Elevated Work

Covers fall hazard standards, equipment selection, and rescue planning. Addresses the leading cause of construction fatalities.

Lesson 3 • Personal Protective Equipment and Hazcom

Covers PPE selection, fit, and maintenance alongside hazard communication standards. Ensures workers are protected from chemical and physical hazards.

Lesson 4 • Safety Regulations and Employer Obligations

Outlines worker safety regulations, employer duties, and recordkeeping requirements. Grounds all subsequent safety topics in legal and ethical responsibility.

Lesson 1 • Quantity Takeoff Methods

Teaches manual and digital takeoff techniques for all major CSI divisions. Accurate takeoffs form the foundation of reliable cost estimates.

Lesson 2 • Cost Control and Budget Tracking

Introduces cost codes, earned value, and variance analysis for active projects. Students identify cost overruns early and implement corrective actions.

Lesson 3 • Labor, Material, and Equipment Pricing

Explains how to price labor hours, material costs, and equipment rates. Students build unit-cost databases for repeated use.

Lesson 4 • Estimating Fundamentals and Bid Strategy

Introduces estimate types, accuracy levels, and competitive bidding strategy. Sets the framework for all cost-related work in the chapter.

Lesson 1 • Scheduling Concepts and Activity Definition

Introduces schedule types, work breakdown structures, and activity sequencing logic. Provides the vocabulary and structure for all scheduling work.

Lesson 2 • Critical Path Method and Network Logic

Teaches forward and backward pass calculations, float, and critical path identification. Students manually calculate and verify CPM networks.

Lesson 3 • Scheduling Software and Reporting

Applies scheduling concepts using industry-standard software tools and reporting formats. Students produce owner-ready schedule submittals.

Lesson 4 • Resource Loading and Leveling

Covers assigning labor and equipment to activities and resolving resource conflicts. Balanced resource plans reduce cost spikes and crew inefficiency.

Lesson 1 • Concrete Construction

Covers mix design, formwork, reinforcement, and curing for cast-in-place concrete. Students specify and inspect concrete work to meet structural requirements.

Lesson 2 • Sitework, Earthwork, and Foundations

Explains grading, compaction, and foundation systems for various soil conditions. Connects geotechnical data to foundation selection decisions.

Lesson 3 • Roofing, Cladding, and Envelope Systems

Covers roofing types, exterior cladding, and building envelope performance. Students evaluate envelope systems for weather resistance and energy efficiency.

Lesson 4 • Structural Steel and Masonry

Addresses steel erection sequences, connection types, and masonry wall systems. Students coordinate structural work with architectural and MEP requirements.

Lesson 1 • Progress Meetings and Reporting

Covers meeting facilitation, meeting minutes, and owner progress reports. Consistent reporting maintains stakeholder trust and project transparency.

Lesson 2 • Project Startup and Mobilization

Covers preconstruction meetings, site logistics planning, and contract kickoff tasks. A strong startup prevents costly problems throughout the project.

Lesson 3 • Project Closeout and Commissioning

Guides substantial completion, punch list resolution, and systems commissioning. Students deliver a complete closeout package that satisfies contract requirements.

Lesson 4 • Subcontractor and Vendor Management

Teaches scope coordination, performance monitoring, and payment management for subs. Students resolve scope gaps and enforce contract obligations.

Lesson 1 • Claims Avoidance and Dispute Resolution

Covers contemporaneous documentation, notice requirements, and dispute resolution methods. Students prevent claims through proactive record-keeping and communication.

Lesson 2 • Risk Management and Contingency Planning

Applies qualitative and quantitative risk analysis to construction projects. Students build risk registers and allocate contingency based on probability and impact.

Lesson 3 • Lean Construction and Waste Reduction

Introduces Last Planner System, pull planning, and value stream mapping for construction. Students redesign workflows to eliminate non-value-adding activities.

Lesson 4 • Strategic Bidding and Business Development

Addresses market positioning, client relationship management, and go/no-go analysis. Students align project pursuit strategy with company capacity and growth goals.