ARCT 234 Structural Steel Detailing I
3 CREDITS
The primary objective of this class is to broadly cover the subject of structural steel drafting, emphasizing the process of preparing structural steel design and fabrication drawings for commercial building applications. To that end, the student is introduced to a wide variety of practical drafting examples and assignments that structural steel design or detail drafters might encounter in an on-the-job situation. Job responsibilities of the major players in the structural steel design and drafting field are fully discussed. The design of beams, columns and connections are also discussed so the student is conversant in the terminology and aware of the design process.
Course Focus
This course covers two major areas: (a) statics/strength of materials and (b) structural steel design. Theories and general applications in areas such as direct stress, reaction calculation, moment calculation, shear calculation, and beam design are covered in the first half semester. In the second half, these theories are applied and the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) manual is used to calculate beam and connection sizes. Shop drawings and prepared by the student as a introduction to the drafting standards in the steel detailing industry.
ARCT 134, MATH 132, CAD 120
Textbooks and Software and Other Materials
Effective Spring 2010 - Maclaughlin, David C., Structural Steel Drafting, 2nd ed. 2009. ISBN 1401890326
Contact Coleen at the NDSCS Bookstore for the most current textbook information (1-800-342-4325, ext 2239 or coleen.thoe@ndscs.nodak.edu). You may also visit the Bookstore web site at http://www.ndscsbooks.com/ and search for book information by class by clicking the "Textbook" tab.
Software: Microsoft Word is needed for all online classes. If additional software is needed for a particular course, it will be indicated in the online course schedule.
Email: Students taking online classes from NDSCS also need a working email account. Be sure email address is updated in student record in PeopleSoft system.
Internet Access required. High speed Internet service is highly recommended. If students are unable to get high speed service, an alternate site may be needed to view some of the course components.
Gading
Information regarding the grading system for this course can be found under that heading in the syllabus. As discussed above under online exams, academic integrity is important to NDSCS and to you for your success. I regard dishonesty as a serious offense and evidence of such will result in my asking you to withdraw from the class with assignment of a failing grade.
Be aware that any cheating to achieve a passing grade will eventually return to haunt you--an employer does not ask for evidence of a good grade but for evidence of your capability to do your job well. If you do not learn what you should know, you will not be successful on the job.
Grading Scale
Your performance in this class will be based on the quality and accuracy of your sketches and answers on assignments, quizzes, and tests. Assignments that do not meet the deadlines given by the instructor will be reduced 10% per day.
Letter grades will be awarded as follows:
100.00% to 90.00% = A
89.99% to 80.00% = B
79.99% to 70.00% = C
69.99% to 60.00% = D
Below 60.00% = F
Quizzes and Exams
Online quizzes and exams are a part of this class to assess your progress and whether you have met the course objectives. Although there will be no proctored activities in this particular course - academic integrity is important to NDSCS, to me as the instructor, and hopefully to you, the student. Dishonesty will result in anything from a "0" on that activity to an "F" in the class. If you are ever tempted to "cheat" - please, instead, contact me to discuss options that exist (such as deadline extensions, etc.)
Assignments
Assignments are given in the course for completion in your textbook as well as other appropriate projects. Please follow the order of chapter completion as presented in the Schedule under the Course Navigation Area of Course Home.
Assignments within each unit are due within the time frame listed in the Class Schedule. Assignments not completed by the specified deadline may have 10% of grade points deducted at the instructor's discretion.
If you send your assignments to me as an attachment through the online Course Dropbox, please create your report in Microsoft Word and save it as an .DOC extension... or a .RTF (Rich Text File) document. I unfortunately do not have the capability to open documents created in Microsoft Works or Corel WordPerfect; I also don't have the ability to open zipped files. If you have difficulties getting your attachment to "attach," another alternative is to type your report directly into the Dropbox window--just be sure that you still spell check before pushing that "send" button!
Online Chat and Threaded Discussions
As a reminder ... an online "chat" is defined as a time when two or more people "talk" online at the same time - whereas an online "threaded discussion" is when two or more people post comments and respond to those comments at different times. There are advantages and disadvantages to both - but in both cases these discussions are very valuable whether I am involved in the discussion or not.
Participation in any scheduled online (real time) chat "meeting" is strongly encouraged - but a chat is not generally required. At times I will set up a chat, other chats may be set up by you and other students.
Participation in threaded discussions, on the other hand, ARE REQUIRED. When a threaded discussion is posted you will have a specific time period in which to participate. Make sure to make a posting relevant to the discussion topic - and then respond to other students. Discussions will be closed on a specific date, so make sure to participate in the discussion before the due date. (I do NOT give any credit for late postings ... the rest of your classmates have moved on and will not benifit from your late comments.)
Points will be earned in the gradebook for your participation in the assigned discussions. Points will be assigned using the following method and may be computed on a combination of columns 1 through 3:
BEST |
Pts |
GOOD |
Pts |
MINIMIUM |
Pts |
| You respond with an opinion or information pertinent to the topic. Use
two or more complete sentences. |
5 max | You respond with an opinion or information that is pertinent to the
topic but in only one sentence. |
3 max | You respond with an opinion or information not pertinent to the topic.
|
2 max |
| You not only post your thoughts, but also post reaction to another student
as described above. |
3 max | You post reaction to another student - but not as described. |
1 max | You do not post your reaction to another student as described. |
0 max |
| 0 spelling or grammar errors | 2 max | 1 spelling or grammar errors | 1 max | 2 or more spelling or grammar errors | 0 max |
| Total Possible Points Rubric #1 |
10 max | Total Possible Points Rubric #2 |
5 max | Total Possible Points Rubric #3 |
2 max |
Students should estimate approximately three hours of course work per credit per week for NDSCS classes. For example, a three-credit class may require approximately nine hours of work time a week for the student. This amount may vary by class and by student.
Policies and Procedures
Assignments are given in the course for completion in your textbook as well as other appropriate projects. Please follow the order of chapter completion as presented in the Schedule. Assignments within each unit are due within the time frame listed in the Class Schedule. Assignments not completed by the specified deadline may have 10% of grade points deducted at the instructor's discretion.
Participation in threaded discussions ARE REQUIRED. When a threaded discussion is posted you will have a specific time period in which to participate. Make sure to make a posting relevant to the discussion topic - and then respond to other students. Discussions will be closed on a specific date, so make sure to participate in the discussion before it closes. Points will be earned in the gradebook for your participation in the assigned discussions.
NDSCS online students should be aware of various policies and procedures such as those listed below.
Attendance - Students are expected to log into their online classes frequently during each week of the semester and to submit course work on time to meet due dates set by the instructors. Attendance and class participation is monitored and students not submitting work in their online classes may be dropped from the class. Review the Attendance Policy for further details.
Computer Access - It is the student's responsibility to maintain access to a working computer and Internet connection to keep up in online class assignments. Because computer problems do occur, students should have a plan for alternative computer access in case of computer problems. Students will be able to access their online classes from any computer with an Internet connection.
Refund Policy/Withdrawal Refund Schedule
Academic Calendar - Online classes follow the same calendar as regular on-campus classes. They begin with the semester begins and students do not need to log in at specific days/times but instructors do set due dates for assignments and exams to be submitted so there is structure to the classes. Online classes are not self-paced but do provide flexibility in that they are accessible 24/7 to allow students to work around other commitments when doing their course work.
Academic Integrity - Integrity is an NDSCS core value and there is an expectation that all students, as members of the college community, adhere to the highest levels of academic integrity.
Dishonesty in class, laboratory, shop work or tests is regarded as a serious offense and is subject to disciplinary action by the instructor and dean of the respective division. For more information, refer to the NDSCS Student Planner or College Catalog under College Policies and Basic Regulations of Conduct.
Types of Misconduct
Disabilities and Special Needs
If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you are encouraged to contact both your instructor and the Disability Support Services Office, 225 Mildred Johnson Library (phone 701-671-2623, 800-342-4325, ext 32623) as early as possible in the term.
Other College Policies can be found in the Catalog.
Student-Instructor Communications
While an online class is available 24 hours a day and offers greater flexibility for the student and instructor, keep in mind that your instructor will not be available 24 hours a day. I will check my email, voicemail, and Cyber Office messages on a regular basis, but there may be times when I am unavailable due to other commitments and job responsibilities. I will respond to email, voicemail, or Cyber Office messages as time allows. As a general rule, you can expect your direct question to be answered within 24 hours during week days.
When sending an email, please include your full name so I know to whom I'm responding. Often, the email address does not indicate who is sending the message.
Exams are done online. Instructors may require a proctor be present for online exams. When the semester begins, check your course information for the proctor form and proctor criteria.
Online classes follow the same academic calendar for start and end dates as regular on-campus classes. While there is no set time for students to be logged into a class each day, instructors do set due dates for assignments and exams. Students should lot into classes frequently to keep up with announcements and to keep up with course work. Online classes are not self-paced.
You may want to print the NDSCS Academic Calendar reference during the year. It includes semester start and end dates, final days to add/drop classes for each semester, vacation dates, etc.
Instructors may vary from semester to semester.
