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Building Trades-Building Construction

Application Code: 
0420
Degree Received: 
Associate in Occupational Studies (AOS)
Academic Department: 
Building Trades
Description: 

The building construction program provides instruction in the basic skills required of the carpenter and the mason in the construction of residential or other light-frame and masonry buildings. Extensive experience is gained in building layout, foundations, framing, sheathing, exterior and interior trim, block work, brick and concrete construction.

Coupled with this experience, the program provides the necessary theory connected with carpentry and masonry operations as well as blueprint reading, cost and materials estimating, surveying for building layout and control, and safety on the job.

A large part of the program is actual on-the-job training under the supervision of qualified instructors. Frequently, concrete and lumber companies instruct students in the uses of their products.

Entrance Requirements & Recommendations: 

Recommended: Math A (algebra)

Technical Standards:

Applicants in the building trades: building construction program must be able to meet the following physical requirements.

  1. Must be able to lift 50 pounds to shoulder height.
  2. Must be able to perform safely in the laboratory.
  3. Must be able to communicate orally with a person 20 feet away.
  4. Must be able to climb a ladder.
  5. Must be able to stand for long periods of time.
  6. Must be able to visually read from a blueprint or drawing.
  7. Must be able to hear a backup warning alarm.
Features & Facilities: 
  • Focuses on classroom theory and hands-on skill training for entry-level employment in residential and light commercial construction.
  • On-campus labs and equipment for instruction linked to off-campus projects that provide opportunities to experience training in a real-world environment.
Graduation Requirements: 

A student must successfully complete all courses in the prescribed four-semester program and earn a minimum cumulative index of 2.0, which is equivalent to a "C" average.

Career Opportunities: 
  • Manufacturers
  • Cabinetmaker
  • Sales
  • Shop Foreman
  • Installer (cabinets, etc.)
  • Dealers
  • Maintenance Supervisor
  • Carpenter
  • Contractor
  • Self-Employment
  • Expediter
  • Construction Superintendent
  • Construction Foreman
  • Mason
  • Estimator
Typical Semester Layout: 

Each class day has morning lectures scheduled at various times. Lab schedules continue until 3 p.m. each day after lectures. Each student is assigned a faculty adviser who maintains the student's grade records and is available for consultation daily. Schedules are blocked with a rotation system creating varied educational opportunities in on-campus labs and at off-campus construction projects.

First Semester credits
BLCT 1021 College & Life Skills 1
BLCT 1023 Construction Essentials 1 3
BLCT 1034 Workplace Environ & Safety 4
BLCT 1022 Wood Fabrication Tech 1 2
BLCT 1132 Estimating I 2
BLCT 1142 Masonry I 2
BLCT 1024
 Construction Essentials II
 4
      18
Second Semester credits
BLCT 2044 Construction Essentials III 4
BLCT 2054 Construction Essentials IV 4
BLCT 2064 Structural Components 4
BLCT 2032 Wood Fabrication Tech II 2
BLCT 2132 Estimating II 2
BLCT 2142 Masonry II 2
      18
Third Semester credits
BLCT 3223 Home Remodeling
 3
BLCT 3313 Basic CAD for Residential Drawings 3
BLCT 3123 Construction Drawings & Specs 3
BLCT 3213 Exterior Construction Details 3
BLCT 3323 Interior Trim 3
BLCT 3233 Advanced Framing 3
      18
Fourth Semester credits
BLCT 4312 Introduction to Residential Jobsite Management 2
BLCT 4023 Form Building 3
BLCT 4042 Construction Business Operation 2
BLCT 4212
 Construction Safety 2
BLCT 4121 Labor and Management Relations 1
BLCT 4303 Interior Surfaces 3
BLCT 3033 Cabinet and Counter Top Construction 3
BLCT 3203
 Estimating III
 3
      19
Historic Preservation Electivescredits
BLCT 2093 Window and Door Restoration 3
BLCT 2084 Mechanics of Decay and Deterioration in Wood 4
BLCT 2074 Historic Roofing Materials 4
BLCT 4104 Comparison of Framing Techniques 4
BLCT 4900 Directed Study - Historic Preservation 2
Employment and Transfer Report
Employment and Transfer Rate: 
100%
Employment and Transfer Survey Details: 
Survey Details200620072008
Receiving Degrees 38
 44 39
Responding to Survey 34 (89%) 30 (68%) 29 (74%)
Employed 29 (85%) 25 (83%) 21 (71%)
Employed in Field 24 (83%) 21 (88%) 15 (71%)
Transfered 5 (15%) 4 (13%) 8 (29%)
Unemployed & Seeking Employment -- -- --
Unemployed & Not Seeking Employment -- 1 (4%) 1 (4%)
Employment and Transfer Salary Information: 

Average annual salary for ASC graduates - $70,000 (1 respondent)

Alfred State College,  10 Upper College Drive,  Alfred, NY 14802   |   1-800-4-ALFRED (425-3733)