undergraduate links

specializations

general information

academics : Undergraduate

Course Catalog

Visit the BCM section of the Purdue course pages for the most current course information.

100-Level Courses

BCM 100 Introduction to Construction
Class 2, Cr. 2.
A survey of the construction industry. Includes the overall construction process from initial concept through startup of the complete facility, career opportunities in the construction industry, and an introduction to the materials and systems used in construction, with an emphasis on vocabulary building.

BCM 112 Construction Surveying Fundamentals
Class 2, Lab 3, Cr. 3. Prerequisite: MA 159 or equivalent.
Introduction to basic surveying operations and computations. Development of the surveying skills necessary to measure distances, angles, and elevations to required accuracies. Calculation of tape corrections, bearing, coordinates, traverses, and areas. Emphasis is placed on instrument use and note-keeping techniques.

BCM 130 Structural Systems
Class 3, Cr. 3, NOT OPEN TO BCMT STUDENTS.
An introductory study of materials and systems used in structures. The study of materials includes structures, superstructures, special structures, and construction features. A qualitative approach is taken with emphasis on vocabulary building.

BCM 175 Construction Materials and Methods
Class 2, Lab 6, Cr. 4. Prerequisites: BCM 100, MA 159.
Students acquire basic skills in construction methods, quantity estimating, plan reading, and project documentation through hands-on laboratory experience assembling construction materials. Computer utilization includes word processing, spreadsheets and computer graphics.

200-Level Courses

BCM 212 Construction Layout
Class 1, Lab 6, Cr. 3. Prerequisite: BCM 112 or consent of instructor.
Application of surveying skills relevant to the field of construction. Projects include layout of buildings, route centerlines, indirect determination of elevation and distance, referencing, establishment of grade, topographic mapping, and earthwork computations. Instruments used will include transit, theodolite, automatic level, laser and EDM.

BCM 215 Mechanical Construction
Class 2, Lab 2, Cr. 3. Prerequisite: BCM 175.
Principles of code, design, methods, and materials are applied to plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems for buildings. The comprehension of mechanical construction plans and specifications is emphasized through exercise in mechanical estimating.

BCM 216 Electrical Construction
Class 2, Lab 2, Cr. 3. Prerequisite: BCM 175
Principles of code and basic concepts in electrical theory, materials, methods, design and estimating are applied to electrical systems for buildings. Comprehension of electrical construction plans and specifications as well as installation exercises are emphasized through lab experiences.

BCM 230 Mechanical and Electrical Systems
Class 3, Cr. 3. NOT OPEN TO BCMT STUDENTS.
An introductory study of piping, HVAC, and electrical systems, and related materials used in buildings.

BCM 250 Construction Contracts
Class 3, Cr. 3. Prerequisite: BCm 175
The study of contracts and law, documents, and administrative functions common in the construction industry. Documentation from project startup through closeout will be covered as well as ethics and professionalism, and written and oral communications in construction.

BCM 275 Construction Plans and Measurements
Class 2, Lab 3, Cr. 3 (WL); Class 3, Cr. 3 (NC) Prerequisites: BCM 175, CGT 164, and CPT 135.
Principles of graphic communication are applied to drawing and reading construction plans with emphasis on the use of computer-aided design software. Techniques for measuring items of construction work from plans and specifications are also covered.

BCM 285 Construction Mechanics
Class 3, Lab 2, Cr.4. Prerequisites: PHYS 218, CPT 135, and MA 221.
Principles of statics and strength of materials including properties of materials, forces, equilibrium, stresses and strains are studied. Emphasis is placed on understanding the behavior of structural components associated with the construction process.

BCM 291 Building Construction Practice I
Sem. 1 and 2. SS. Cr. 1. Prerequisite: Admission to the BCM Cooperative Education Program. Practice in industry and written reports of this practice.

BCM 292 Building Construction Practice II
Sem. 1 and 2. SS. Cr. 1. For Cooperative Education Program students only. Prerequisite: BCM 291.
Practice in industry and written reports of this practice.

300-Level Courses

BCM 301 Construction Accounting and Financial Management
Class 3, Cr. 3. Prerequisite: MGMT 190B.
An introduction to the long-term contract methods for recognizing revenue and their impact on financial statements. An analysis of financial statements and their use in developing budgets, projecting cash needs, pricing construction projects, and forecasting the impact of business decisions on profit.

BCM 315 Mechanical Construction Estimating
Class 2, Lab 2, Cr. 3. Prerequisite: BCM 215.
Costs conditioned by the contract documents for building mechanical systems are studied. The course will focus on the methods used to estimate the cost of commercial plumbing, heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems. The course will utilize computer estimating systems.

BCM 316 Electrical Construction Estimating
Class 2, Lab 2, Cr. 3. Prerequisite: BCM 216.
Costs dictated by the contract documents for the electrical systems in residential, commercial, industrial, specialty, and line construction projects are studied. The course will utilize computer estimating systems.

BCM 345 Scheduling
Class 2, Lab 2, Cr. 3. Prerequisite: BCM 375.
A study of the planning and control of construction projects. Time schedules for materials, labor, and equipment. Emphasis is on CPM scheduling.

BCM 350 Construction Site Planning
Class 3, Cr. 3. Prerequisite: BCM 275.
A study of material handling principles and their application in preparing a site utilization plan. The selection and use of construction equipment is emphasized.

BCM 355 Construction Supervision
Class 2, Lab 2, Cr. 3. Prerequisites: BCM 212, BCM 350, and OLS 274 and 800 approved hours work experience.
A study of the duties and responsibilities of construction on-site supervisory personnel. Emphasis is placed on the methods and techniques used to ensure an efficient on-schedule operation.

BCM 375 Estimating
Class 2, Lab 3, Cr. 3. Prerequisites: BCM 215, BCM 216, and BCM 275.
A study of the methods and procedures used to identify, measure and value items of construction work. Application of computer software to estimating tasks is featured.

BCM 380 Concrete Construction
Class 2, Lab 2, Cr. 3. Prerequisite: BCM 285.
An overview of concrete construction including material composition, behavior and handling of concrete, formwork, and concrete reinforcement

BCM 385 Soils and Foundations
Class 2, Lab 2, Cr. 3. Prerequisite: BCM 285.
A study of the properties of subsurface materials and the principles of subsurface construction. Topics include soil classification and testing, soil mechanics, and foundation systems.

BCM 393 Building Construction Practice III
Sem. I and 2. SS. Cr. 1. For Cooperative Program Student only. Prerequisite: BCM 292.
Practice in industry and written reports of this practice.

BCM 394 Building Construction Practice IV
Sem. 1 and 2. SS. Cr. 1. For Cooperative Program Student only. Prerequisite: BCM 393.
Practice in industry and written reports of this practice.

BCM 395 Building Construction Practice V
Sem. I and 2. SS. Cr. 1. For Cooperative Program Student only. Prerequisite: BCM 394.
Practice in industry and written reports of this practice.

400-Level Courses

BCM 412 Field Engineering
Class 1, Lab 6, Cr. 3. Prerequisite: BCM 212 and approval of instructor.
A study of the duties of the field engineer, and their application to projects involving construction surveying techniques, site utilization and daily scheduling. Field trips are required.

BCM 415 Mechanical Construction Management
Class 2, Lab 2, Cr. 3. Prerequisite: BCM 315.
The principles of project management are applied to case studies of mechanical construction projects. Topics include estimating, trade coordination, labor productivity, labor relations, scheduling, management of subcontractors and general contractors, document control and administration, contract law, and subcontractor's risk.

BCM 416 Electrical Construction Management
Class 2, Lab 2, Cr. 3. Prerequisite: BCM 316.
The principles of project management are applied to case studies of electrical construction projects. Topics include estimating, trade coordination, labor productivity, labor relations, scheduling, management of subcontractors and general contractors, document control and administration, contract law, and subcontractor's risk.

BCM 417 Design/Build for MEP Contractors
Class 2, Lab 2, Cr. 3. Prerequisites: BCM 215 AND BCM 216.
The student will study, develop, and analyze conceptual design and conceptual estimating of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and specialty systems in construction. The principles of design/build construction will be applied to case studies of actual residential, commercial, industrial, and specialty construction projects. Topics include building systems, criteria and selection, economic feasibility, value engineering, customer control, and value-added construction services.

BCM 435 Design/Build
Class 2, Cr. 2. Prerequisite: BCM 345.
A study of the design/build project delivery system. Emphasis is placed on comparing and contrasting construction management functions in design/build with those in more traditional forms of project delivery such as general contracting and construction management.

BCM 450 Construction Documentation and Administration
Class 3, Lab 3, Cr. 3. Prerequisites: BCM 375 and MGMT 455.
The study of contracts and law, documents, and administrative functions common in the construction industry. Documentation from project startup through closeout, will be discussed as well as ethics and professionalism, and written and oral communications, and dispute resolution in construction.

BCM 455 Construction Company Management
Class 3, Lab 2, Cr. 4. Prerequisite: BCM 450.
Business policy and management aspects of construction companies are studied. Included are ethics, public relations, business development, business plans, bonds, insurance, and human resource management considerations. Students organize and operate a construction company as a semester project.

BCM 457 Construction Safety
Class 3, Cr. 3. Prerequisite: Senior Standing.
Construction safety management studies from the point of view of the construction manager or general contractor. Studies include safety administration, program development, federal and state regulations, and certification training.

BCM 460 Residential Land Development
Class 2, Lab 3, Cr. 3. Prerequisites: BCM 345 and BCM 375
The principles of residential land development are applied to a case study of an actual planned residential project from concept to completion. Topics include subdivision development, planning, estimating, scheduling, construction process management, customer service, cost analysis, proposal writing, and individual and team presentations.

BCM 475 Construction Costs
Class 3, Cr. 3. Prerequisite: BCM 375.
A study of construction costs, including analysis of field records, job cost accounting, job cost control, and determination of unit prices.

BCM 484 Residential Construction
Class 2, Lab 2, Cr. 3.
A study of house planning, construction methods, marketing techniques, and other related information needed to establish or participate in a business in residential construction.

BCM 487 Construction Industry Practices
Class 1, Lab 1, Cr. 2. Prerequisites: Senior standing, BCM 345 and and a BCM elective; co-requisites BCM 355 and BCM 475
Industry practices will be studied and their applications implemented into a comprehensive project that uses knowledge from previous coursework, industry participants, and internships.

BCM 492 Construction Career Seminar
Class 1, Cr. 1. Prerequisite: Senior Standing.
Discussion of current career opportunities and career planning in the construction industry.

BCM 499 Special Assignments
Cr. 1-4. (may be repeated for credit.)
Special assignments for students who wish to undertake individual study on approved topics.

BCM 900 Building Construction Seminar
Class 1, Cr. 0. AVAILABLE ONLY TO BCM STUDENTS.
A weekly meeting for communicating to the entire Building Construction Management student body. Topics will include: Lectures by notable persons in the construction industry, demonstrations of the latest in construction technology, workshops in job seeking activities, discussion of work experiences, course scheduling information, dissemination of curriculum requirements, callouts by student construction organizations, presentations by faculty, and other topics of interest to building construction students.

Periodically Offered Courses

BCM 180 Statics
Class 2, Lab 2, Cr. 3. Prerequisites: MA 159 and CPT 135.
The principles of static equilibrium. Computation of loads, reactions, shears and moments for simple structures; centroids and moments of inertia.

BCM 451 Computers in Construction
Class 2, Lab 2, Cr. 3. Prerequisite: BCM 375.
A study of computer applications in construction. Topics include project costs control, field data collection and processing, estimating, scheduling, and productivity analysis.

BCM 480 Temporary Structures
Class 3, Cr. 3. Prerequisite: BCM 380.
A study of the temporary structures used in construction including formwork, temporary bridges, scaffolding, and bracing.

BCM 481 Heavy Construction & Quality Control
Class 3, Cr. 3. Prerequisites: BCM 350 and BCM 380.
Methods, equipment, and procedures used in construction highways, bridges, earthwork, dams, and pipelines.

BCM 482 Steel Construction
Class 3, Cr. 3. Prerequisite: BCM 285.
A study of the steel construction process emphasizing how structural members are fabricated, delivered, and erected into buildings and bridges. Field trips are required.

BCM 483 Wood Construction
Class 3, Cr. 3. Prerequisite: BCM 285.
A study of the design and construction practices for both residential and heavy timber construction.

BCM 490 Construction Experience IV
Cr. 1-6.
Credit for extensive work experience in the construction industry. The quantity quality, and variety of the experience are used as a basis for evaluating the amount of credit.

Purdue University

College of Technology

Building Construction Management