And Make An Impact

Construction Projects are Complex

If you're not ready to take the full course, How a Building is Designed and Built, you can break it down into bite-sized chunks.  This is the second block of the larger course where you'll learn all of the scopes which are underground.  This includes site utilities, earthwork and foundation systems.

No matter which role you have in a building construction project, it is vital that you understand the "guts" of a building in order to make a positive impact.  For contractors, engineers, architects, real estate developers and facilities managers, it takes years or even decades to learn the materials and systems in a building.  The typical source of this education is on-the-job because this material is not taught in schools. Young professionals spend an extraordinary amount of time trying to understand the complexities of a modern building.  Every project is different and the materials and systems can change drastically from one building to the next.  Time can be better spent by adding value to projects instead of learning terminology and construction sequencing.  The lessons in the course have been developed to boil down years of on-the-job training into high-impact, bite-sized classes.

This Course Was Designed For You

Get Started!

The complexity of a construction project is overwhelming for everyone.  Spend more time making a difference on a project, and less time learning the technical details.  This course will foster rapid growth in your education and accelerate your career.  See you in the course.

Curriculum

  • 1

    Introduction - How a Building is Designed and Built

  • 2

    Soils and Subsurface Conditions

    • Block 2 - Lesson 2 Objectives - Soils and Subsurface Conditions

    • Block 2 - Lesson 2 Soils and Subsurface Conditions

    • Block 2 - Lesson 2 Quiz - Soils and Subsurface Conditions

  • 3

    Equipment

    • Block 2 - Lesson 3 Objectives - Equipment

    • Block 2 - Lesson 3 Equipment

    • Block 2 - Lesson 3 Quiz - Equipment

  • 4

    Clearing and Grubbing

    • Block 2 - Lesson 4 Objectives - Clearing and Grubbing

    • Block 2 - Lesson 4 Clearing and Grubbing

    • Block 2 - Lesson 4 Quiz - Clearing and Grubbing

  • 5

    Site Utilities

    • Block 2 - Lesson 5 Objectives - Site Utilities

    • Block 2 - Lesson 5 Site Utilities

    • Block 2 - Lesson 5 Quiz - Site Utilities

  • 6

    Earthwork and Excavation Support

    • Block 2 - Lesson 6 Objectives - Earthwork and Excavation Support

    • Block 2 - Lesson 6 Earthwork and Excavation Support

    • Block 2 - Lesson 6 Quiz - Earthwork and Excavation Support

  • 7

    Foundations

    • Block 2 - Lesson 7 Objectives - Foundations

    • Block 2 - Lesson 7 Foundations

    • Block 2 - Lesson 7 Quiz - Foundations

  • 8

    Concrete

    • Block 2 - Lesson 8 Objectives - Concrete

    • Block 2 - Lesson 8 Concrete

    • Block 2 - Lesson 8 Quiz - Concrete

  • 9

    Grade Beams and Foundation Walls

    • Block 2 - Lesson 9 Objectives - Grade Beams and Foundation Walls

    • Block 2 - Lesson 9 Grade Beams and Foundation Walls

    • Block 2 - Lesson 9 Quiz - Grade Beams and Foundation Walls

About Your Instructor

Senior Instructor

Matt Morris

Matt Morris is a registered professional engineer and has extensive experience in many aspects of the engineering and construction industry. He holds a BS and MS in Civil Engineering from the University of Colorado, Boulder. In his roles as a civil engineering officer in the U.S. Air Force and a project manager for a major commercial general contractor, Matt has led over 160 projects totaling nearly $1 Billion. As a professor at the United States Military Academy at West Point, the University of Colorado Boulder and Colorado School of Mines, Matt has taught over 2,000 students through 16 different university courses plus thousands more students online.  Matt’s experience spans across many markets, including federal government, public works, healthcare, higher education, hospitality, manufacturing, laboratory, pharmaceutical, corporate, heavy civil and water conveyance. Additionally, Matt’s varied roles have enabled him to manage every phase of a project as an owner, contractor and designer.  Matt is currently a Senior Instructor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Skills

Include a list of items to support the central theme of your page. Bulleted lists are a great way to parse information into digestible pieces.

  • Determine soil properties and soil stability parameters

  • Describe the construction sequence for all subsurface scopes of work

  • Determine how to choose between different excavation support systems and foundation systems

  • Describe the benefits of concrete and its many applications in a building

  • Develop a Construction and Engineering Vocabulary

Endorsements

U.S. Military Academy, West Point

Student

Captain Morris is by far the most energetic instructor I have had at West Point. He is always upbeat and makes the learning fun and exciting. Captain Morris is the reason I enjoyed this course so much.

Real Estate Developer

Dan

The first day on my new job we had GC interviews. I was able to hold my own talking about drilled piers and mat slabs. I need to thank you for helping me on day one!

CU Boulder

Student

Professor Morris is enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and offers a unique perspective of real-world construction experiences in the course. He is an effective and enjoyable teacher to learn from.

Pricing

Reviews

Ready for more?

  • $599.00

    $599.00How a Building is Designed and Built

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  • $10.00

    $10.00Block 1: Building Construction Overview

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  • $149.00

    $149.00Block 3: The Structure

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  • $149.00

    $149.00Block 4: The Enclosure

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  • $99.00

    $99.00Block 5: Interiors and Site Work

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  • $299.00

    $299.00Block 6: Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection

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  • $10.00

    $10.00Block 7: Project Closeout, Turnover and Post-Occupancy

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