Faculty Syllabus

douglas.hain@austincc.edu

830-822-1471

Course Description

Instruction on conventional wall and floor systems and the installation of trusses of wood frame construction. Topics include math to solve construction problems, identification of components, slab and building layout, build up of floor and wall members, construction of a floor and wall system and layout and installation of wood trusses. Also covered are safe work practices and the use, maintenance and selection of tools and equipment. 

Lecture and hands-on lab work. 

Materials Required

• Pens/pencils and notebook paper
• 3 ring binder for handouts
• hammer (at least 16 oz)
• tape measure-25' or more
• calculator
• nail pouch (can be cloth nail pouch)
• cat's paw nail puller
• speed square
• utility knife
• torpedo level

Attendance

Attendance, attitude and class participation are extremely important in this class due to the in-class lectures and assignments. We have much to cover; students are expected to attend all classes, arrive on time and bring all required equipment to each class beginning with the second class. Assignments will not be accepted more than one class period late. Please note: cell phone use is prohibited during class.  This includes the use of earbuds.

Grades

Grades will be calculated according to the following system:

1. Attendance
2. Class participation
3. Exams

Every time you come to class you must sign in!!! I transfer that information to my grade book.

Each time you come to class and sign in you get 2 points – 2 x 16 weeks = 32 points.

Each time you participate in class activities you get 2 points = 2 x 16 weeks = 32 points

If you are more than 10 minutes late for class or leave early, you will not receive the 2 points for signing in but you can still receive points for participation.

Total of 4 points x 16 class meetings = 64 points

There are a total of 36 points for exams and assignments

Breakdown

90 – 100 pts = A

80 – 89 pts = B

70 – 79 pts = C

60 – 69 pts = D

Below 60 = F

Behavioral Expectations

• Create a supportive and encouraging environment for all students.  No disrespect for other students or instructor will be tolerated.  
• You have a right to receive respect.  This goes for student to student relationships, and for instructor to student relationships.  I speak directly and bluntly at times.  This is typical for construction site work environments.  However, if you ever feel disrespected, please bring it to my attention immediately so that we can have a conversation about it.  I will do the same.  
• excessive cell phone use will result in student placing cell phone in inaccessible area.  refusal is grounds for dismissal.  policy is at discretion of instructor.  
• Class Demonstrations shoud be observed quietly and respectfully.  Any side conversations will be a distraction and considered disruptive behavior.  Please do bring any and all questions forward for class discussion.  Group discussions are encouraged.  

Safety Requirements

1. Students are required to furnish and wear protective eyewear when using or observing the use of hand and power tools.
2. Proper footwear must be worn. No sandals or open toe shoes.
3. Long hair must be tied back.
4. Necklaces, bracelets and anything that hangs from the body must be removed.
5. Loose shirts / jackets must be restrained.
6. Pants must be worn at the waist
7. Any behavior that is considered unsafe or disruptive to the jobsite/classroom is grounds for removal from the area.  Upon conference, you will be allowed to return.  Any second incidence is grounds for dismissal from the class permanently.  

Weather and Clothing

Please dress appropriately for the weather. Check the weather forecast.   Assume we will be outside and wear/bring the appropriate clothing.  Construction can be messy.  Please consider that we use materials that can stain and ruin the appearance of clothes. 

Modern Carpentry is recommended as a textbook.  It will be required in all future semesters.  

Course Subjects

Week 1: Intro to Framing, Syllabus, Safety and Math

Week 2: Building Layout, Introduction to Skill Saw

Week 3: Under Floor Construction

Week 4: Cut Floor Joists, Rim Joists, Blocking, Sub Sheating

Week 5: Continue on Floor System. Test on Under Floor Construction

Week 6: Introduction to Exterior and Interior Wall Members

Week 7: Cut Framing Members, Trimmers, Headers for Windows and Doors

Week 8: Start Framing Front and Back Walls

Week 9: Finish Exterior Walls

Week 10: Frame Interior Walls

Week 11: Plumb and Line Exterior and Interior Walls

Week 12: Set up Scaffolding. Layout of Roof Framing. Test

Week 13: Load, Spread, Stand and Brace Trusses

Week 14: Trim Rafter Tails, Frame In Out-Lookers and Barge Rafters

Week 15: Finish Sub Fascia, Final Test

Class 16: Final Test and Course Review

*Please Note: Course Outline Subject to Change*

Course-Level Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

• Demonstrate safe-work practices
• Select, use and maintain tools and equipment
• Describe parts of a wall system
• Construct a wall to specifications
• Perform building layout
• Perform a material takeoff and cost estimate 
• Construct a wood floor frame
• Install plywood subfloor
• Layout wall locations according to floor plan
• Calculate door and window rough openings
• Calculate header length
• Frame, brace, stand, align and plumb walls
• Set and brace roof trusses
• Identify important details of managing a framing project

Program-Level Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the AAS in Construction Management and the Construction Manager certificate, students will be able to:

• Identify and understand the safety concepts, regulations and work practices set forth by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) in the 29 CFR 1926 construction industry standards.
• Create a project schedule, demonstrating proper sequencing of construction methods
• Create a material take off and produce an estimate utilizing construction documents, including working prints
• Demonstrate competency in Construction Management skills (Residential and Commercial level – projects)
• Demonstrate strong communication skills including fluency in construction terminology and building codes

Upon completion of the Carpentry Specialization certificate, students will be able to:

• Identify and understand the safety concepts, regulations and work practices set forth by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) in the 29 CFR 1926 construction industry standards.
• Create a material takeoff based upon shop drawing or blueprints
• Demonstrate strong communication skills including fluency in construction terminology and building codes
• Demonstrate knowledge of building products and installation procedures including concrete, wall systems, interior and exterior finishes.

Attendance/Class Participation

Regular and punctual class and laboratory attendance is expected of all students.  If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class.

Excessive cell phone useage, as determined by instructor, may result in student being asked to place cell phone in car or other location to allow for focus to be on class. Refusal is grounds for dismissal from class.  

Withdrawal Policy

It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the roll should he or she decide to withdraw from the class.  The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should he or she feel it is necessary.  If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is submitted before the Final Withdrawal Date. This semester that date is April 27, 2026.   The student is also strongly encouraged to retain their copy of the withdrawal form for their records.

Students who enroll for the third or subsequent time in a course taken since Fall, 2002, may be charged a higher tuition rate, for that course.

State law permits students to withdraw from no more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career at Texas public colleges or universities.  With certain exceptions, all course withdrawals automatically count towards this limit.  Details regarding this policy can be found in the ACC college catalog.

Incompletes

An instructor may award a grade of “I” (Incomplete) if a student was unable to complete all of the objectives for the passing grade in a course.  An incomplete grade cannot be carried beyond the established date in the following semester. The completion date is determined by the instructor but may not be later than the final deadline for withdrawal in the subsequent semester.

Statement on Scholastic Dishonesty

A student attending ACC assumes responsibility for conduct compatible with the mission of the college as an educational institution.  Students have the responsibility to submit coursework that is the result of their own thought, research, or self-expression.  Students must follow all instructions given by faculty or designated college representatives when taking examinations, placement assessments, tests, quizzes, and evaluations.  Actions constituting scholastic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, collusion, and falsifying documents.    Penalties for scholastic dishonesty will depend upon the nature of the violation and may range from lowering a grade on one assignment to an “F” in the course and/or expulsion from the college.  See the Student Standards of Conduct and Disciplinary Process and other policies at http://www.austincc.edu/current/needtoknow

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Students at the college have the rights accorded by the U.S. Constitution to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, petition and association. These rights carry with them the responsibility to accord the same right to others in the college community and not to interfere with or disrupt the educational process. Opportunity for students to examine and question pertinent data and assumptions of a given discipline, guided by the evidence of scholarly research, is appropriate in a learning environment. This concept is accompanied by an equally demanding concept of responsibility on the part of the student. As willing partners in learning, students must comply with college rules and procedures.

Statement on Students with Disabilities

Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented disabilities.  Students with disabilities who need classroom, academic or other accommodations must request them through the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD).   Students are encouraged to request accommodations when they register for courses or at least three weeks before the start of the semester, otherwise the provision of accommodations may be delayed.

Students who have received approval for accommodations from OSD for this course must provide the instructor with the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from OSD before accommodations will be provided.   Arrangements for academic accommodations can only be made after the instructor receives the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from the student.  

Students with approved accommodations are encouraged to submit the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ to the instructor at the beginning of the semester because a reasonable amount of time may be needed to prepare and arrange for the accommodations.   

Additional information about the Office for Students with Disabilities is available at http://www.austincc.edu/support/osd/

Safety Statement

Austin Community College is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for study and work. You are expected to learn and comply with ACC environmental, health and safety procedures and agree to follow ACC safety policies. Additional information on these can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/ehs. Because some health and safety circumstances are beyond our control, we ask that you become familiar with the Emergency Procedures poster and Campus Safety Plan map in each classroom. Additional information about emergency procedures and how to sign up for ACC Emergency Alerts to be notified in the event of a serious emergency can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/emergency/.

Please note, you are expected to conduct yourself professionally with respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual will be dismissed from the day’s activity, may be withdrawn from the class, and/or barred from attending future activities.

Use of ACC email

All College e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACCmail account, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion. ACC will send important information and will notify you of any college related emergencies using this account.  Students should only expect to receive email communication from their instructor using this account.  Likewise, students should use their ACCmail account when communicating with instructors and staff.  Instructions for activating an ACCmail account can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/accmail/index.php.

Testing Center Policy

Under certain circumstances, an instructor may have students take an examination in a testing center.  Students using the Academic Testing Center must govern themselves according to the Student Guide for Use of ACC Testing Centers and should read the entire guide before going to take the exam.  To request an exam, one must have:

• ACC Photo ID
• Course Abbreviation (e.g., ENGL)
• Course Number (e.g.,1301)
• Course Synonym (e.g., 10123)
• Course Section (e.g., 005)
• Instructor's Name

Do NOT bring cell phones to the Testing Center.  Having your cell phone in the testing room, regardless of whether it is on or off, will revoke your testing privileges for the remainder of the semester.  ACC Testing Center policies can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/testctr/

Student and Instructional Services

ACC strives to provide exemplary support to its students and offers a broad variety of opportunities and services.  Information on these services and support systems is available at:   http://www.austincc.edu/s4/

Links to many student services and other information can be found at: http://www.austincc.edu/current/

ACC Learning Labs provide free tutoring services to all ACC students currently enrolled in the course to be tutored.  The tutor schedule for each Learning Lab may be found at:  http://www.austincc.edu/tutor/students/tutoring.php

For help setting up your ACCeID, ACC Gmail, or ACC Blackboard, see a Learning Lab Technician at any ACC Learning Lab.

Note-Campus Carry policy does not apply to classes held on AISD campuses.  Firearms and any/all weapons are prohibited as per AISD policy.

The Austin Community College District concealed handgun policy ensures compliance with Section 411.2031 of the Texas Government Code (also known as the Campus Carry Law), while maintaining ACC’s commitment to provide a safe environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

Beginning August 1, 2017, individuals who are licensed to carry (LTC) may do so on campus premises except in locations and at activities prohibited by state or federal law, or the college’s concealed handgun policy.

It is the responsibility of license holders to conceal their handguns at all times. Persons who see a handgun on campus are asked to contact the ACC Police Department by dialing 222 from a campus phone or 512-223-7999.

IMPORTANT: Construction classes may involve considerable physical activity. Bending, stretching, lifting, and other rigorous activities associated with (class name) occur regularly in class. Such activities may expose concealed weapons and place the license holder in violation of state law. Therefore, it is recommended that concealed weapons be stored in a secure place as defined by college policy prior to entering the classroom, studio, or learning space.

Refer to the concealed handgun policy online at austincc.edu/campuscarry.