Professional Development

Building, Construction & Architecture Course Descriptions

For course schedules and price lists click here. To register and for more information please call 781.238.8458.

Using Computers in Building, Design, and Construction (CIV 5050)
This hands-on, lab-based course provides an introduction to the concepts of how computer equipment and programs are used to solve business problems. The course, specifically, provides an introduction to how standard commercial software tools are applicable to the solution of building design, construction, and facilities management business problems. Tools used include word processing, spreadsheets, desk information management systems, communications, and Internet overview. For classroom exercises, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office Suite (MS-Word, MS-Excel, MS-Outlook) and Netscape will be used. Participants will develop various application solutions for problems in budgeting and cost estimating, proposal writing, and contract management.

Design of Building Plumbing Systems (CIV 5108)
Introduction to building plumbing systems design for use in residential and commercial buildings. Instruction is offered in the calculations, design, and layout of systems, including water supply and distribution, wastes, vent and drainage systems, and commercial and medical gases. Focus is on relevant aspects of the Massachusetts State Plumbing Code. Participants have an opportunity to work with and implement the statutes in the design of several complete plumbing systems.

Design of Building Electrical Systems (CIV 5109)
Introduction to the design of electrical systems for residential and commercial structures. Topics include the principles of electricity, single-phase and three-phase power, voltage selection, branch and feeder circuit design and calculations, transformer and panel board design, building load analysis, motor feeder calculation, power factor correction, and lighting fundamentals. Electrical Code article is referenced where required.

Architectural Technology and Building Materials (CIV 5111)
Introduction to materials and methods used in building construction. Light and heavy construction are reviewed, with attention to foundations, framing, roofing, interior and exterior finish, insulation, hardware, and painting. Topics include wood materials, concrete and masonry construction, steel, acoustical and insulation materials, and glass. How to select materials based on application, cost, CSI format and other factors is discussed.

Construction Law (CIV 5114)
Provides an intensive, practice-oriented introduction to construction law. Topics include principles of contract formation; roles and principal obligations of the owner, lenders, design professionals, construction manager, and contractors; types of contracts used in construction practice; bidding for private and public work; construction bonds; standard AIA, AGC, and other contract forms; rules for interpreting contracts; authority and responsibility during the construction phase; and arbitration/litigation as a means of resolving disputes. Selected chapters of the Massachusetts General Laws relating to construction are discussed. Provides the opportunity for solid grounding in the legal principles on which the construction industry operates.

Construction Cost Estimating and Bidding (CIV 5115)
Introduces construction cost estimating from receipt of plans and specifications to taking off the quantities and estimating materials and labor. Topics include subcontractor quote review, interpretation of contract documents, assessing overhead costs, determination of profit, overhead factors, adjustments, and bidding strategies.

Managing Construction Contracts (CIV 5119)
Focuses on improved methods of planning, forming, administering, and monitoring contracts. The course uses a systems approach to contract planning and formation. It introduces and examines change orders, disputes, schedule delays, and claims.

Scheduling Construction Projects (CIV 5134)
Designed for project managers, schedulers, job-site managers, foremen, and small business owners. Topics include introduction to project scheduling tools such as Gantt Charts, PERT, CP/M, and network analysis from the viewpoint of project planning and control. Computer applications and techniques are introduced. Project 'crash' techniques as applied to cash flow and the avoidance of penalties are discussed.

Construction Supervisor's Building Code Review (CIV 5168)
This course is designed to prepare participants for the Massachusetts Construction Supervisor's License Exam. Topics to be reviewed are code administration, materials and design, safety, site work, mechanical systems, fire protection, and finished roofing systems.

Construction Blueprint Reading (CIV 5170)
Develops basic skills for reading a set of architectural working drawings. Areas covered include dimensions, symbols, conventional representation, and abbreviations. The use of the architectural scale and scaling is covered.

Supervisory Management (CIV 5174)
The four functions of management are discussed: planning, directing, organizing, and controlling. The course surveys different styles of management and the role of the manager within the business. Topics include delegating authority, communication, organizing, motivating employees, selecting and appraising employees, leading employees, managing the boss, conducting meetings, handling problem employees, exercising control over productivity, quality and safety, team building, and handling personal and employee stress.

Principles of Facilities Management (CIV 5228)
This course attempts to link and integrate the specialized technical and engineering skills that form facilities management and which are presented in the certificate. The course examines the various practices that combine principles of engineering sciences, architecture, human behavior, and business administration to create facilities management.

Landscape and Grounds Management (CIV 5232)
This course is designed for those who maintain either small or large areas. Money-saving tips on equipment, fertilizer, and the use of proper design to cut maintenance costs will be explored. Also included will be discussions on safety, scheduling, flower planting, types of grasses and shrubs, and snow removal. Fall and spring classes will include a site survey of the school grounds.

Construction Project Management I (CIV 5245)
Initiates a project management approach to planning, scheduling, and controlling a project through a case study method of analysis. Participants will understand new project management techniques, organization principles, and group synergism. Prepares the participant for Construction Project Management 2 (CIV 5246).

Construction Project Management II (CIV 5246)
Introduces successful construction project management from project planning and design through project award, buyout, implementation, on-site monitoring and control, completion, and start-up. Project management techniques are utilized to solve actual construction cases in a team-oriented environment. A step-by-step project management analysis of a typical medium-sized construction project's requirements is examined. Recommended for all those aspiring to a responsible position in project management.

Introduction to Fire Protecting Systems (CIV 5307)
Introduction to the fire protection and safety industry. Covers a wide variety of topics including: chemistry and physics of a fire, building construction considerations, smoke and heat detection systems, fire suppression systems and extinguishing agents (CO2, Halon 1301, sprinkler), fire extinguishers, and means of egress considerations. Course materials cover applicable State Building Codes and NFPA standards.

Civil Engineering Structural Focus (PE License Exam Prep) (CIV 5450)
This 11-week/33-hour course will help you prepare for the Principles and Practice (PE) License Examination in Civil and Structural I Engineering. Preparation for the multiple choice exams include a review of: structural analysis; hydraulics; concrete, steel, timber, and masonry design; traffic and highway engineering; engineering economy; soils, shallow and deep foundations, and retaining structures; and bridge and seismic design. Sample problems are reviewed in class. The course concludes prior to the state exam.

Introduction to AutoCAD (CIV 5655)
This course introduces the student to the concept of Computer-Aided Drawing using the industry standard AutoCAD for Windows. The course is designed to help engineering professionals, facilities managers, plant engineers, building owners, HVAC technicians, and maintenance personnel to convey sketches and ideas in a professional manner. Topics include an overview of computer hardware; common problems and solutions; file structure; setting up new drawings; drawing coordinate title blocks; layer concepts; block creation; and editing and text tools. Printing of all drawings and projects will provide students with a complete portfolio of their work. Most of the drawings will be completed in class, but some homework assignments will require the student to use AutoCAD for their completion. The computer labs are available to students after hours for this purpose.

Electrical Engineering Focus (PE Exam Prep) (EE 5799)
This 11-session/33-hour course will assist you in preparing for the Principles and Practice (PE) License Examination in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering. A thorough review of electrical engineering fundamentals is provided in addition to the important advanced topics common to all electrical engineers. Sample multiple choice problems are included and reviewed in class. The course concludes prior to the state exam.

Civil Engineering Environmental Focus (PE Exam Prep) (ENV 5350)
This 11-session/33-hour course will assist you in preparing for the Principles and Practice (PE) License Examination in Environmental Engineering. A thorough review of environmental engineering fundamentals is provided in addition to the important advanced topics common to all environmental engineers. Sample multiple choice problems are included and reviewed in class. The program concludes prior to the state exam date.

Fundamentals of Construction Safety (ENV 5640)
This course explores employer and employee rights and responsibilities as they relate to construction safety and federal and state safety regulations. Course participants will examine the importance of establishing and implementing a Safety Plan to address hazard recognition, selection of appropriate safety measures to minimize likelihood of injury such as work practices and engineering controls, training, supervision, and record keeping. During this course, participants will gain an understanding of how an employer achieves and maintains compliance and a safe working environment. This course fulfills the requirements of the OSHA 10-hour construction safety and health outreach program, and participants who successfully complete the course will receive an OSHA course completion wallet card.

Direct Digital Controls and Energy Management Systems (ME 5100)
This course examines state-of-the-art HVAC computerized controls. Emphasis is on available system configurations, applications, feasibility determination and on avoiding common system problems. Topics include automatic controls, energy management systems, and data communications.

Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) License Exam Preparation (ME 5168)
The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam Prep Review Course covers a review of Chemistry, Computers, Dynamics, Thermodynamics, Ethics, Statics, Electrical Circuits, Fluid Mechanics, Material Science/Structure of Matter, Engineering Economics, Mechanics of Materials, and Mathematics. In addition, you will review classes in one of the following disciplines for a focused area of study: civil, chemical, electrical, environmental, mechanical, and general.

Mechanical Engineering Focus (PE License Exam Prep) (ME 5170)
This 11-session/33-hour course will assist you in preparing for the Principles and Practice (PE) License Examination in Mechanical Engineering. A thorough review of mechanical engineering fundamentals such as fluid dynamics, hydraulics, mathematics, mechanics, etc., is provided in addition to the important advanced topics common to all mechanical engineers. Sample multiple choice problems are included and reviewed in class. The course concludes prior to the state exam.

Mechanical Cost Estimating and Bidding (ME 5182)
Introduces mechanical cost estimating from receipt of plans and specifications to taking off quantities and estimating materials and labor. Specific topics include subcontractor pricing, interpretation of contract documents, profit determination, overhead factors, adjustments, claims, optimizations, and bidding strategy. This course is specifically geared for HVAC trades plus subtrades.

Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing HVAC Systems/Air and Water (ME 5206)
There are an increasingly large number of systems installed without proper 'tune up.' Topics include how to estimate these jobs, instruments used, fan systems involved, air distribution devices, and how to test, adjust, and balance the various types of HVAC systems. This course includes a three-week on-site field practicum.

HVAC Temperature Controls and Systems Design (ME 5301)
Concentrated study of the control industry. Fundamentals of electric, pneumatic, and electronic controls are discussed. Current practices relating to the application and design of residential and commercial systems (electric, gas, and oil), cooling controls, heat pump, commercial, and solar controls are also presented.

Introduction to HVAC Systems Design I (ME 5303)
Fundamentals of the design and installation of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems for personnel currently or potentially involved in the HVAC field. Topics include basic calculation of heating and cooling loads, warm air-duct heating systems design, commercial air-conditioning systems design, air handling and duct systems design, and techniques for estimating labor and material for HVAC jobs. Relevant aspects of the Massachusetts State Building Code, Article 31 are included. Course provides background for more advanced courses in HVAC systems.

HVAC Systems Design II (ME 5304)
Application and design of HVAC systems on psychrometric charts, correlating the calculations and selection of equipment with psychrometrics. In-depth discussion focuses on air distribution and duct design, selection of HVAC equipment, fans and fan laws, design of refrigerant piping systems and pump application. Case studies illustrate some of the field problems with HVAC systems are included.

Intelligent Building Systems (ME 5307)
Introduces and examines the 'intelligent building.' Topics surveyed include the integrated building automation system, integrated energy management, fire management, security management, HVAC lighting, and other design trends in intelligent buildings, electrical wire management, use of digital telephone techniques for building automation communications, and office furniture. Case studies review intelligent buildings and the intelligent healthcare facility. A field trip is planned.

Fundamentals of Steam and Hydronic Systems Design and Applications (ME 5350)
This course takes an in-depth look into the world of hydronic heating and low pressure steam heating. It is specifically designed for maintenance personnel, HVAC contractors and installers, and anyone who wants to learn more about the operation of hot water and steam systems. The hydronic portion of the course describes the proper operation, location, and selection of various components found in all hydronic systems. For example, the proper sizing and selection of centrifugal pumps, the various methods of air control and expansion tank sizing, as well as the various pumping methods such as primary/secondary and parallel and series pumping. The steam portion covers how these low pressure systems were designed to operate. Descriptions of the components found in one-pipe and two-pipe steam systems are detailed. By understanding how these systems were designed to operate, it becomes much easier to either troubleshoot a specific problem or improve the overall operating efficiency of these systems. If you are involved in the design, maintenance, or servicing of these types of heating systems, this course is for you!