108 Construction Equipment and Methods

Class Syllabus

Introduction
Learning Objectives
Class Organization and Grading
Grading Policies
The Textbook

Introduction --- $465 for members, $495 for non-members

The purpose of this course is to give the student an overall and elementary understanding of construction equipment and selected construction methods. This includes selection, economy, and productivity of common construction equipment and construction procedures for site development and industrial, heavy and civil construction. The course will introduce students to civil construction plans, determining earthwork quantities, equipment economics and utilization, equipment production rates, fundamentals of earthmoving and excavating, loading and hauling equipment.

Each class is 10 weeks and on average a student can expect to spend 3-5 hours per class.

Learning Objectives

Learn how to best utilize construction equipment on site work and heavy civil projects
Become familiar with construction equipment and their capabilities
Understand standard designations, sizes, and gradations of equipment
Properly select heavy equipment based on applications, utilization, productivity, and other factors
Understand the elements of equipment cost and evaluating investment alternatives.
Develop a basic understanding of unit price and earthwork quantities
Develop an increased awareness of civil construction blueprints
Be able to demonstrate awareness of construction safety related to earthmoving operations

Top

Class Organization and Grading

The following table lists the learning modules, the maximum point value a student can receive within each module, and the week in which the modules must be finished.

In each module there are discussions (10 points), homework (10 points), and a quiz (10 points)

Module	Topic	Point Value	By End of Week
0	Student Orientation	0	Before start
1	Introduction to Construction Equipment	30	1
2	Equipment Accounting and Acquisition Decisions	30	2
3	Heavy Construction Blueprint Reading and Estimating	30	3
4	Fundamentals of Earthmoving	30	4
5	Pushing, Ripping, and Dozing Equipment	30	5
6	Digging and Hauling Equipment	30	6
7	Trenching Equipment	30	7
8	Compressors and Pumps	30	8
9	Drilling and Blasting Equipment	30	9
10	Course Review	30	10
	Total Points	300

Top

Grading Policies

Graded assignments will consist of one homework, one quiz and participation in at least two class discussions for each module. Each quiz will count 10 points, each homework 10 points, and class discussions will count 10 points per module. Students should provide at least 3 contributions to the class discussions each week to gain the maximum points.

Grades will be posted on a weekly basis. You will have full access to your grade sheet and can keep track of how you are doing at all times.

Your overall grade in the course will be determined by the total number of points you have accumulated on quizzes and assignments. The grading scale is as follows.

A 270 to 300 points
B 240 to 269 points
C 210 to 239 points
D 180 to 209 points
Anything less will be considered either failure or an unauthorized withdrawal from the course

You will be given more information about the grading and other course matters in the Orientation Module.

Textbook

Detailed textbook information can be found at this link http://www.constructionclasses.com/textbooks.htm#108

Top

WITHDRAWAL POLICY: You may withdraw from a course by sending an email to tina@aspeNational.org. Non-attendance or notifying the instructor does not constitute officially dropping or withdrawing from a course. Students who stop attending courses without officially dropping will receive a grade of U (unauthorized withdrawal) in the class. Refunds are not automatic. NO refunds are due unless the course is officially dropped within stated guidelines in the refund schedule. Please type your name in the text box agreeing to the withdrawal policy.

Refund Schedule

a. Withdrawal postmarked at least one working day before the first day of class – total fee less a $20 handling fee.

b. Refund requests postmarked on or after the first day and no later than two weeks after the first day of class will be refunded 65% of the fee, after which time there is no refund.