Building Construction Science
Program Director: Craig D. Capano
Office 132 Howell Hall
The Building Construction Science degree program is a four year Bachelor of Science degree designed to prepare graduates for careers in construction or construction-related fields. The 124 credit hour program is an interdisciplinary curriculum that builds upon expertise existing within the School of Architecture and the Colleges of Engineering and Business and Industry to provide a knowledge base in business, engineering, and construction sciences. The curriculum’s foundational areas are based on a problem-and inquiry-based learning. Through the four year studio curriculum, students learn by applying skills and knowledge to complex construction problems that integrate multiple subject areas. The studio-based teaching puts a focus on the use of case studies and integration of multiple subject areas. This integration of a broader scope of architectural, engineering, construction, and business practices is a different approach than a traditional construction technology curriculum that separates subject areas into distinct courses.
The Building Construction Science curriculum includes a general education foundation of mathematics, science, business, and construction specific courses: construction systems, building technology, structures, materials and methods of construction, estimating, scheduling, safety, project management, and construction law. Course development is built upon the strengths of the three colleges that are collaborating in the effort. Many colleges involve hands-on making using both materials and material constructions. Building Construction Science students collaborate with architecture, engineering, and interior design students as a regular part of their course work. The Building Construction Science curriculum has been designed to meet the criteria established by the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) and program accreditation is being pursued.
Admissions
Admission to the Building Construction Science degree program is limited and competitive. Prospective students are encouraged to tour the program's facilities to be introduced to the program and talk with students and faculty. Instructions and contact information ca be found at www.caad.msstate.edu/bcs/scheduleavisit.php .
Application Process:
1. Apply to Mississippi State University
2. Submit all required materials including high school transcripts and ACT or SAT scores
3. Indicate your choice of major as "Building Construction Science."
4. Once admitted to MSU, complete the Building Construction Science application.
BCS program applications are reviewed upon receipt and accepted upon verification that the applicant meets the identified criteria. Preference may be given to highly qualified students who submit applications by February 15. After this date highly qualified students may be considered as space permits.
Students not accepted into the Fall Building Construction Studios are placed in the Pre-Building Construction program. Pre-Building Construction students follow a similar course of study, but will take BCS 1116 and BCS 1126 (First Year Studio courses) at a later semester. There are many reasons why a student may not be admitted to the fall Building Construction studio; late application, lower ranking in the applicant pool, and lack of pre-requisites are among the reasons. The Building Construction Science program attracts talented students. It is a rigorous program of study, and the program wants to ensure students who enter will succeed. Pre-Building Construction Science students may re-apply for summer admission into the program after completing all first year requirements. During the summer terms the student will take BCS 1116 and BCS 1126. Successful completion of these summer studios will allow the student to join the second year studio in the fall pending a successful Foundation Courses review, as described in the following section.
Foundation Courses Review
All BCS students automatically participate in a Foundations Courses Review after completing BCS 1126 with a grade of "C" or above. The review is a faculty evaluation of course grades and associated student work from construction studios BCS 1116 and BCS 1126 and all completed MSU and transfer coursework. Only students who pass the Foundations Courses Review may continue in the BCS studio sequence. Students may not continue in the BCS major if they have been denied twice. The Foundation Courses Review is competitive and is subject to the limits of resources and studio space.
Student Fees
Additional course fees are charged for BCS construction studios and other major core courses and are collected with the MSU tuition. Fees are also charged for field trip expenses that occur in specific construction studio courses. Field trip fees are non-refundable after the 6th day of classes.
Computer Requirement
The BCS program requires all students to purchase a laptop computer with related software and peripherals when they enter the studio course sequence. Computer hardware and software specifications are available on the BCS program web site.
Grades
Once accepted in to the BCS program, students are required to maintain a cumulative 2.0 MSU GPA. Only courses taken at MSU will raise or lower the MSU average.
Degree Requirements
| English Composition | ||
| EN 1103 | English Composition I | 3 |
| or EN 1163 | Accelerated Composition I | |
| EN 1113 | English Composition II | 3 |
| or EN 1173 | Accelerated Composition II | |
| Mathematics 1 | ||
| MA 1613 | Calculus for Business and Life Sciences I | 3 |
| ST 2113 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| Science | ||
| PH 1113 | General Physics I | 3 |
| PH 1123 | General Physics II | 3 |
| BCS 2713 | Passive Building Systems | 3 |
| Humanities | ||
| See General Education courses | 6 | |
| Fine Arts | ||
| ARC 1013 | Architectural Appreciation | 3 |
| Social Sciences | ||
| EC 2113 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| EC 2123 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| Major Core | ||
| CE 2213 | Surveying | 3 |
| ID 3363 | 3/D CAD/Modeling | 3 |
| BCS 3723 | Active Building Systems | 3 |
| BCS 3904 | Structures I | 4 |
| BCS 3914 | Structures II | 4 |
| BCS 1116 | Building Construction Studio A | 6 |
| BCS 1126 | Building Construction Studio B | 6 |
| BCS 2116 | Building Construction Studio 1 | 6 |
| BCS 2226 | Building Construction Studio 2 | 6 |
| BCS 3116 | Building Construction Studio 3 | 6 |
| BCS 3126 | Building Construction Studio 4 | 6 |
| BCS 4116 | Building Construction Studio 5 | 6 |
| BCS 4126 | Building Construction Studio 6 | 6 |
| BCS 3213 | Electrical Systems | 3 |
| BCS 3323 | High Performance Construction | 3 |
| BCS 4222 | Professional Communication and Practice | 2 |
| ACC 2013 | Principles of Financial Accounting | 3 |
| ACC 2023 | Principles of Managerial Accounting | 3 |
| BL 2413 | The Legal Environment of Business | 3 |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Computer Literacy Requirement | ||
| Satisfied by successful completion of the BCS studio courses | ||
| Oral Communication Requirement | ||
| Satisfied by successful completion of the BCS studio courses | ||
| Writing Requirement | ||
| Satisfied by successful completion of the BCS studio courses | ||
| Total Hours | 124 | |
| 1 | MA 1313 College Algebra and MA 1323 Trigonometry should be completed prior to beginning studies in the BCS program. Students with 24 or higher on the math portion of the ACT are excused from MA 1313. Students may also take the College Level Exam (CLEP) to place out of MA 1313. Students with a grade of "B" or better in a full semester of high school trigonometry may be excused from MA 1323. College Algebra and Trigonometry may also be taken at a community college or another university. Incoming freshmen and transfer students should be aware that demonstrated proficiency in algebra and trigonometry is required prior to enrolling in PH 1113. |
Courses
BCS 1001 First Year Seminar: 1 hour.
One hour lecture. First-year seminars explore a diverse array of topics that provide students with an opportunity to learn about a specific discipline from skilled faculty members
BCS 1013 Architecture Appreciation: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Illustrated study of architecture's role in shaping the quality of man's environment. Architectural history, design theory, and process as it affects daily life. Intended for non-majors. (Same as ARC 1013)
BCS 1116 Building Construction Studio A: 6 hours.
(Prerequisites: MA 1313 and MA 1323). Twelve hours laboratory. Introduction to construction materials and methods, construction drawing and modeling, building systems, project life cycles and management, and professional thinking and action
BCS 1126 Building Construction Studio B: 6 hours.
(Prerequisite:BCS 1116 ). Twelve hours laboratory. Development of building assemblies and construction sequencing, drawings and computer applications, project management skills, and professional thinking and action
BCS 2116 Building Construction Studio 1: 6 hours.
(Prerequisite: BCS 1126). Six hours laboratory. In depth examination of building construction materials and methods, systems, construction drawing and details, and construction finishes
BCS 2226 Building Construction Studio 2: 6 hours.
(Prerequisite: BCS 2116). Twelve hours laboratory. In depth study of building assemblies and systems, fabrication, construction methods and sequences, computer modeling and analysis, and design and construction integration
BCS 2713 Passive Building Systems: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Architecture majors-ARC 1546 and PH 1123; BCS majors-PH 1123; others-instructor consent). Three hours lecture. Investigation of the morphological impacts of various environmental energies on building forms/systems. Includes light, climatic, and ecological factors. Same as ARC 2713
BCS 3006 Construction Internship/Co-Op: 6 hours.
(Prerequisite: BCS 2116 and consent of instructor) Supervised professional work experience of 480 hours with a professional construction firm in which the student obtains on-the-job experience in aspects of construction management
BCS 3116 Building Construction Studio 3: 6 hours.
(Prerequisite: BCS 2226). Six hours laboratory. In depth study health and safety, project management, construction management, plant and equipment management, logistics and operations management, and building pathology
BCS 3126 Building Construction Studio 4: 6 hours.
(Prerequisite: BCS 3116). Six hours laboratory. In-depth evaluation of the principles and applications of construction productivity, estimating and bidding procedures, cost alternatives, scheduling, sequencing, budgeting and project cashflow management
BCS 3213 Electrical Systems: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: BCS 3723). Three hours lecture. A detailed examination of the design and construction of building electrical systems
BCS 3323 High Performance Construction: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: BCS 3116). Three hours lecture. Advanced building fabrication and construction systems are explored including high-performance construction materials such as fiber-reinforced cement, fiber-reinforced plastics, polymeric materials, geosynthetics, masonry materials and coatings
BCS 3723 Active Building Systems: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: ARC 2546 and ARC 2713 and for non-architecture majors-ARC 2713 and BCS 2116 or consent of instructor). Three hours lecture. Concentrates on defining the mechanical and electrical (active) techniques available to architects for integrating thermal comfort and life safety into the built form. (Same as ARC 3723)
BCS 3904 Structures I: 4 hours.
(Prerequisite: MA 1613 and either ARC 2546 or BCS 1126). Three hours lecture. Three hours laboratory. Application of the principles of statics and the strength of materials on structural elements. Construction material. (Same as ARC 3904)
BCS 3914 Structures II: 4 hours.
(Prerequisite: ARC 3904 or BCS 3904). Three hours lecture. Three hours laboratory. Design and analysis of structural elements as part of frames and other structural systems. (Same as ARC 3914)
BCS 4000 Directed Individual Study in Building Construction Science: 1-6 hours.
Hours and credits to be arranged
BCS 4116 Building Construction Studio 5: 6 hours.
(Prerequsite:BCS 3126). Six hour laboratory. In-depth evaluation of the legal and contractual environment for construction activities/projects. Emphasis on specifications;dispute resolution; construction contracts and procurement systems; and project delivery modeling
BCS 4126 Building Construction Studio 6: 6 hours.
(Prerequisite:BCS 4116) Six hours laboratory. In-depth study of project controls, risk management, strategic management, construction accounting, facilities and maintenance management, and international construction and contracting
BCS 4222 Professional Communication and Practice: 2 hours.
(Prerequisite: BCS 3126). Two hour lecture. Construction practice is reviewed in the broader context of ethics and the built environment. Emphasis on developing professional communication
BCS 4223 Professional Practice: 3 hours.
(Prerequisistes:BCS 3126) Three hours lecture. Construction ethics are reviewed in the broader context of architecture relative to social responsibility. Additional exploration includes professional ethics and emerging best practices
BCS 4990 Special Topics in Building Construction Science: 1-9 hours.
Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)
BCS 7000 Directed Individual Study in Building Contruction Science: 1-6 hours.
Hours and credits to be arranged