Make An Impact

Construction Projects are Complex

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.  This course has 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

    Building Construction Overview

    • Lesson 2 Objectives - Building Construction Overview

    • Lesson 2 Building Construction Overview

    • Lesson 2 Quiz - Building Construction Overview
  • 3

    Soils and Subsurface Conditions

    • Lesson 3 Objectives - Soils and Subsurface Conditions

    • Lesson 3 Soils and Subsurface Conditions

    • Lesson 3 Quiz - Soils and Subsurface Conditions
  • 4

    Equipment

    • Lesson 4 Objectives - Equipment

    • Lesson 4 Equipment

    • Lesson 4 Quiz - Equipment
  • 5

    Clearing and Grubbing

    • Lesson 5 Objectives - Clearing and Grubbing

    • Lesson 5 Clearing and Grubbing

    • Lesson 5 Quiz - Clearing and Grubbing
  • 6

    Site Utilities

    • Lesson 6 Objectives - Site Utilities

    • Lesson 6 Site Utilities

    • Lesson 6 Quiz - Site Utilities
  • 7

    Earthwork and Excavation Support

    • Lesson 7 Objectives - Earthwork and Excavation Support

    • Lesson 7 Earthwork and Excavation Support

    • Lesson 7 Quiz - Earthwork and Excavation Support
  • 8

    Foundations

    • Lesson 8 Objectives - Foundations

    • Lesson 8 Foundations

    • Lesson 8 Quiz - Foundations
  • 9

    Concrete

    • Lesson 9 Objectives - Concrete

    • Lesson 9 Concrete

    • Lesson 9 Quiz - Concrete
  • 10

    Grade Beams and Foundation Walls

    • Lesson 10 Objectives - Grade Beams and Foundation Walls

    • Lesson 10 Grade Beams and Foundation Walls

    • Lesson 10 Quiz - Grade Beams and Foundation Walls
  • 11

    Structures

    • Lesson 11 Objectives - Structures

    • Lesson 11 Structures

    • Lesson 11 Quiz - Structures
  • 12

    Cranes

    • Lesson 12 Objectives - Cranes

    • Lesson 12 Cranes

    • Lesson 12 Quiz - Cranes
  • 13

    Cast-In-Place Concrete Structures

    • Lesson 13 Objectives - Cast-In-Place Concrete Structures

    • Lesson 13 Cast-In-Place Concrete Structures Part 1

    • Lesson 13 Cast-In-Place Concrete Structures Part 2

    • Lesson 13 Quiz - Cast-In-Place Concrete Structures
  • 14

    Precast Concrete

    • Lesson 14 Objectives - Precast Concrete

    • Lesson 14 Precast Concrete

    • Lesson 14 Quiz - Precast Concrete
  • 15

    History of Steel

    • Lesson 15 Objectives - History of Steel

    • Lesson 15 History of Steel

    • Lesson 15 Quiz - History of Steel
  • 16

    Steel Structures

    • Lesson 16 Objectives - Steel Structures

    • Lesson 16 Steel Structures

    • Lesson 16 Quiz - Steel Structures
  • 17

    Masonry, Tilt-Up Concrete, Wood

    • Lesson 17 Objectives - Masonry, Tilt-Up Concrete, Wood

    • Lesson 17 Masonry, Tilt-Up Concrete, Wood

    • Lesson 17 Quiz - Masonry, Tilt-Up Concrete, Wood
  • 18

    Structures Summary

    • Lesson 18 Objectives - Structures Summary

    • Lesson 18 Structures Summary

    • Lesson 18 Quiz - Structures Summary
  • 19

    Enclosure

    • Lesson 19 Objectives - Enclosure

    • Lesson 19 Enclosure

    • Lesson 19 Quiz - Enclosure
  • 20

    Cold Formed Steel Stud Exterior Walls

    • Lesson 20 Objectives - Cold Formed Steel Stud Exterior Walls

    • Lesson 20 Cold Formed Steel Stud Exterior Walls

    • Lesson 20 Quiz - Cold Formed Steel Stud Exterior Walls
  • 21

    Cladding

    • Lesson 21 Objectives - Cladding

    • Lesson 21 Cladding

    • Lesson 21 Quiz - Cladding
  • 22

    Curtain Wall

    • Lesson 22 Objectives - Curtain Wall

    • Lesson 22 Curtain Wall

    • Lesson 22 Quiz - Curtain Wall
  • 23

    Roofing

    • Lesson 23 Objectives - Roofing

    • Lesson 23 Roofing

    • Lesson 23 Quiz - Roofing
  • 24

    Doors, Frames and Hardware

    • Lesson 24 Objectives - Doors, Frames and Hardware

    • Lesson 24 Doors, Frames and Hardware

    • Lesson 24 Quiz - Doors, Frames and Hardware
  • 25

    Windows, Glass and Glazing

    • Lesson 25 Objectives - Windows, Glass and Glazing

    • Lesson 25 Windows, Glass and Glazing

    • Lesson 25 Quiz - Windows, Glass and Glazing
  • 26

    Interior Partitions

    • Lesson 26 Objectives - Interior Partitions

    • Lesson 26 Interior Partitions

    • Lesson 26 Quiz - Interior Partitions
  • 27

    Finishes

    • Lesson 27 Objectives - Finishes

    • Lesson 27 Finishes

    • Lesson 27 Quiz - Finishes
  • 28

    Specialties and Furnishings

    • Lesson 28 Objectives - Specialties and Furnishings

    • Lesson 28 Specialties and Furnishings

    • Lesson 28 Quiz - Specialties and Furnishings
  • 29

    Paving, Hardscape and Landscaping

    • Lesson 29 Objectives - Paving, Hardcape and Landscaping

    • Lesson 29 Paving, Hardscape and Landscaping

    • Lesson 29 Quiz - Paving, Hardscape and Landscaping
  • 30

    Thermal Comfort

    • Lesson 30 Objectives - Thermal Comfort

    • Lesson 30 Thermal Comfort

    • Lesson 30 Quiz - Thermal Comfort
  • 31

    Indoor Air Quality

    • Lesson 31 Objectives - Indoor Air Quality

    • Lesson 31 Indoor Air Quality

    • Lesson 31 Quiz - Indoor Air Quality
  • 32

    Mechanical Systems - HVAC

    • Lesson 32 Objectives - Mechanical Systems - HVAC

    • Lesson 32 Mechanical Systems - HVAC Part 1

    • Lesson 32 Mechanical Systems - HVAC Part 2

    • Lesson 32 Quiz - Mechanical Systems - HVAC
  • 33

    Plumbing Systems

    • Lesson 33 Objectives - Plumbing Systems

    • Lesson 33 Plumbing Systems

    • Lesson 33 Quiz - Plumbing Systems
  • 34

    Electrical Systems and Equipment

    • Lesson 34 Objectives - Electrical Systems and Equipment

    • Lesson 34 Electrical Systems and Equipment Part 1

    • Lesson 34 Electrical Systems and Equipment Part 2

    • Lesson 34 Electrical Systems and Equipment Part 3

    • Lesson 34 Quiz - Electrical Systems and Equipment
  • 35

    Audio Visual, Tele-Data and Security

    • Lesson 35 Objectives - Audio Visual, Tele-Data and Security

    • Lesson 35 Audio Visual, Tele-Data and Security

    • Lesson 35 Quiz - Audio Visual, Tele-Data and Security
  • 36

    Fire Suppression

    • Lesson 36 Objectives - Fire Suppression

    • Lesson 36 Fire Suppression

    • Lesson 36 Quiz - Fire Suppression
  • 37

    Fire Alarm and Life Safety

    • Lesson 37 Objectives - Fire Alarm and Life Safety

    • Lesson 37 Fire Alarm and Life Safety

    • Lesson 37 Quiz - Fire Alarm and Life Safety
  • 38

    Conveying Equipment

    • Lesson 38 Objectives - Conveying Equipment

    • Lesson 38 Conveying Equipment

    • Lesson 38 Quiz - Conveying Equipment
  • 39

    MEP Trim, Startup and Commissioning

    • Lesson 39 Objectives - MEP Trim, Startup and Commissioning

    • Lesson 39 MEP Trim, Startup and Commissioning

    • Lesson 39 Quiz - MEP Trim, Startup and Commissioning
  • 40

    Project Closeout, Turnover and Post-Occupancy

    • Lesson 40 Objectives - Project Closeout, Turnover and Post-Occupancy

    • Lesson 40 Project Closeout, Turnover and Post-Occupancy

    • Lesson 40 Quiz - Project Closeout, Turnover and Post-Occupancy
  • 41

    Course Conclusion

    • Lesson 41 Course Conclusion

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.

  • Identify the Numerous Components, Materials and Systems in a Commercial Building

  • Describe the Sequence of Construction and Relationships Between Construction Activities

  • Identify the Roles of the Major Parties Involved in the Design and Construction of Building Systems & Materials

  • Describe the Numerous Considerations When Choosing Different Building Materials and Systems

  • Develop a Construction and Engineering Vocabulary

  • Evaluate Key Constraints and Select All of the Appropriate Major Systems and Materials in a Building

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

5 star rating

Excellent Resource for Comprehensive Understanding of all...

janeen minguillo

Highly recommend this course by MMI! Great for folks getting ready to take exams or just getting their feet wet in the construction management, engineering, ...

Read More

Highly recommend this course by MMI! Great for folks getting ready to take exams or just getting their feet wet in the construction management, engineering, or architectural roles to understand what happens outside the office. Excellent opportunity to get a handle on what things look like in the field with practical examples and diagrams for thorough understanding of concepts, principles and physical construction throughout all of the stages!

Read Less
5 star rating

I highly recommend this course, very useful and clear, ex...

Avdija Hamzic

I just love how professor Morris is presenting and tailoring each section, so calm, detail-oriented, knowledgeable and passionate professional. Can't wait ...

Read More

I just love how professor Morris is presenting and tailoring each section, so calm, detail-oriented, knowledgeable and passionate professional. Can't wait to keep moving with the rest of the courses he provides! Well done professor Morris and thank you!

Read Less
5 star rating

Path-To-Success

Rick Zani

I recently began my professional career working in the construction industry. Managing different scopes of work can be very challenging to someone with littl...

Read More

I recently began my professional career working in the construction industry. Managing different scopes of work can be very challenging to someone with little to no experience, however these courses helped me create a solid foundation towards understanding the scopes I manage daily on the job site. The terminology which I learned in these courses has been immensely helpful for my job. Watching the lessons made me more confident in my work! This is perhaps the best "one-stop-shop" for better understanding how buildings are designed and constructed!

Read Less

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