College of Architecture

Curriculum in Construction Science

The construction industry is the largest industry in the nation with more than 6.7 million employees who annually produce more than 5 percent of the nation's Gross Domestic Product. Managing the construction process requires a broad understanding of the principles of construction science as well as leadership skills in motivating teams and integrating a wide range of tasks to produce a completed project.

The Construction Science Program, administered by the Department of Construction Science, prepares graduates for a career in construction or a construction-related industry. Courses taught by the Department include construction materials and methods; fundamental design courses in soils and foundations, mechanical and electrical systems and structures; project control systems; construction law, labor and contracts; and industry emphasis courses. In addition, related courses from other colleges are included to insure a broad base of knowledge in business, engineering and construction fundamentals.

The Construction Science Program is accredited by the American Council for Construction Education. Strong ties are maintained with the construction industry via the Construction Industry Advisory Council, an organization of construction and construction-related companies and individuals committed to supporting the Construction Science Program at Texas A&M University. Student chapters of industry professional associations offer students the opportunity for leadership roles and foster strong industry ties. These organizations are:

ABC Associated Builders and Contractors
AGC Associated General Contractors
AIC American Institute of Contractors
CMA Construction Management Association
DBIA Design Build Institute of America
MCA Mechanical Contractors Association
NAHB National Association of Home Builders
SLX Sigma Lambda Chi--national honorary scholastic construction society
SWIC Society of Women in Construction

Because of the important role of computing in the disciplines housed within the College of Architecture, all entering students are required to possess a portable, network-ready personal computer capable of running software appropriate to their academic program. Financial aid is available to assist students in their computer purchases. No student will be denied admission to Texas A&M University based on an inability to purchase a computer. Additional information is available on the college website at archone.tamu.edu.

In addition to the academic course work, each student is required to accomplish an approved internship of full-time practical work experience with a contractor, or in a construction-related work activity. Students may also participate in the University cooperative education program which allows qualifying students to gain valuable experience and professional insights. Students who wish to continue their education beyond the baccalaureate level may apply for graduate study in a Master of Science program in Construction Management, which is administered by the Department of Construction Science. For more information, please visit our website at archweb.tamu.edu/cosc.

FRESHMAN YEAR
First Semester (Th-Pr) Cr   Second Semester (Th-Pr) Cr
CHEM 101 Fund. of Chem. I (3-3) 4   COSC 253 Const. Matls. and Meth. I (3-0) 3
ENDS 115 Design Comm. Fnd. (2-4) 3   MATH 142 Business Math. II (3-0) 3
ENGL 104 Comp. and Rhetoric (3-0) 3   POLS 206 American Natl. Govt. (3-0) 3
MATH 141 Business Math. I (3-0) 3   U.S. history elective 1   3
U.S. history elective 1   3   Humanities/intl. and cultural div. elective 1   3
    16   * KINE 198 Health and Fitness Activity (0-2) 1
            16
SOPHOMORE YEAR
First Semester (Th-Pr) Cr   Second Semester (Th-Pr) Cr
ACCT 209 Survey of Acct. Princ. (3-0) 3   COSC 275 Estimating I (2-4) 4
COMM 203 Public Speaking (3-0) 3   ECON 202 Prin. of Economics (3-0) 3
COSC 254 Const. Matls. and Meth. II (3-0) 3   ENGL 210 Scientific and Tech. Writing (3-0) 3
PHYS 201 College Physics (3-3) 4   POLS 207 State and Local Govt. (3-0) 3
* KINE 199 Required Physical Activity (0-2) 1   Intl. and cultural diversity elective 1   3
    14       16
JUNIOR YEAR
First Semester (Th-Pr) Cr   Second Semester (Th-Pr) Cr
COSC 321 Structural Systems I (3-2) 4   COSC 494 Internship   6
COSC 325 Env. Control Systems I (3-0) 3       6
COSC 351 Construction Equip. and Meth. (3-0) 3        
COSC 353 Construction Project Mgmt. (3-0) 3        
COSC 375 Estimating II (2-3) 3        
COSC 381 Const. Ind. Prof. Studies (1-0) 1        
    17        
SUMMER
First Session (Th-Pr) Cr   Second Session (Th-Pr) Cr
COSC 463 Intro. to Const. Law (3-0) 3   COSC 326 Env. Control Systems II (3-0) 3
COSC 475 Const. Project Planning (2-3) 3   Leadership/management elective 2   3
    6       6
SENIOR YEAR
First Semester (Th-Pr) Cr   Second Semester (Th-Pr) Cr
COSC 323 Soils in Construction (2-3) 3   COSC 422 Structural Systems III (3-0) 3
COSC 421 Structural Systems II (3-0) 3   COSC 464 Construction Safety (3-0) 3
COSC 465 Advanced Topics in Const. Law (3-0) 3   COSC 483 Const. Inds. Contemp. Issues (1-0) 1
COSC 477 Const. Project Controls (3-0) 3   COSC 440 Interdisciplinary Capstone (2-4) 4
CVEN 201 Plane Surveying (2-3) 3   Business elective 3   3
STAT 303 Statistical Methods (3-0) 3   Technical elective 5   3
    18       17
NOTES:
  1. To be selected from the University Core Curriculum.
  2. Select from the following: ADEV 340, 341, 342 or MGMT 309.
  3. Select from the following: FINC 309, INFO 209, MGMT 209 or MKTG 309.
  4. Select from the following: ARCH 446; COSC 466/467, 484; or any 300- or 400-level course taken while on an approved study abroad program.

A grade of C or better is required in all College of Architecture courses (ARCH, ARTS, CARC, COSC, ENDS, LAND, LDEV, PLAN, and VIST) to satisfy degree requirements.

If none of the courses listed on the above degree plan satisfies the international and cultural diversity University Core Curriculum requirements found in item 6, then 6 additional hours of these courses will be required.

* See University Core Curriculum, item 7.