Contrary to the associations with superheroes and children at play, comics can demonstrate a sophisticated use of visual language that can illuminate relationships between seemingly unrelated concepts. This course will explore comics as a unique and robust communication form, with an emphasis on understanding comics by the process of "making." We will take a multifaceted approach to analyzing the medium, from examining the various genres across the globe, to delving into the formal elements and interdisciplinary connections.

This writing-intensive course helps to prepare students for future writing in the world, focusing on writing related to their BDIC concentrations. Students will work on skills that cross disciplines and jobs, including how to find, use and evaluate resources, techniques and feedback that can help with writing, how to plan larger writing projects and how to use revision strategies effectively. Coursework includes several projects designed around the students' concentrations, an annotated bibliography, and a cover letter and resume. Prerequisite: BDIC 396P

Not available at this time

The NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) Student Chapters Residential Construction Management Competition (RCMC) is one of the highlights of the annual International Builders' Show. The competition gives students the opportunity to apply skills learned in the classroom to a real construction company by completing a management project/proposal. Proposals are submitted to a group of construction company executives who act as judges. During the convention, students defend their proposals to the judges in front of an audience.

This course introduces students to the principles and applications of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in the built environment. Students will learn how to assess environmental impacts associated with building materials, construction activities, and operational energy use. The course will emphasize Whole-Building LCA (WBLCA), Embodied Carbon (EC) accounting, and integration with Building Information Modeling (BIM). Case studies and real-world data will be used to analyze sustainability trade-offs and decision-making in design and construction.

This course introduces students to material testing and technological environments in which the construction industry operates today. The program is designed for students with a passion for technologies such as cloud data, drones, photogrammetry, additive manufacturing, AI, Robotics, VR, and AR in the Built Environment and a passion to influence the design and engineering of the built environment through material testing such as nondestructive testing and evaluation, chemical testing, thermal analysis, and code compliance testing.

The success of a construction project is dependent on a schedule that is well-defined yet flexible to allow for inevitable delays or changes. Without an effective schedule, projects often run over budget and deadlines are missed which can jeopardize the success of the project. The Construction Project Scheduling and Control, is a comprehensive course that examines the analytical methods used to devise an efficient and successful schedule for construction projects of all sizes.

An introduction to building energy use focusing on the minimization of energy costs and dependence on non-renewable fossil fuel sources through the implementation both time honored passive design strategies and effective building envelope construction practices. The course also introduces students to the fundamentals of building system loads and building annual energy consumption calculations providing the necessary metricized evaluation of a building's energy and associated climate impacts in relation to other buildings of similar types and program in similar climates.

The Commonwealth Honors College thesis or project is intended to provide students with the opportunity to work closely with faculty members to define and carry out in-depth research or creative endeavors. It provides excellent preparation for students who intend to continue their education through graduate study or begin their professional careers. The student works closely with their 499Y Honors Research sponsor to pursue research on a topic or question of special interest to them in preparation for writing a 499T Honors Thesis or completing a 499P Honors Project.

Honors Thesis expectations are high. The intended end-product is a traditional research manuscript with accompanying artifact(s), all theses: - are 6 credits or more of sustained research on a single topic, typically conducted over two semesters. - begin with creative inquiry and systematic research. - include documentation of substantive scholarly endeavor. - culminate in an oral defense or other form of public presentation.