CM 4900 – Senior
Capstone
Fall 2009
Prerequisite: Graduating Semester
Classroom: H361
Class periods: Monday/Wednesday 6:00-8:00 pm or Tuesday/Thursday 8:00-10:00
Instructor: Maureen M. Weidner
Office Hours: Mon/Wed: 10:00-12:00
Tues/Thurs: 5:00-7:00 Fridays: by appointment only
Telephone: 678-915-5518
email: mweidner@spsu.edu
Catalog Description:
This project course is the application of course materials covered in the four-year curriculum to an actual construction project with a simulated business construct. Project includes developing a company organization, preparing a bid on a construction project approved by the course professor, executing all documents necessary to create the company, implement the project management plan, and complete the construction contract.
Citing References:
Students taking this course must be well-versed in documenting references. Plagiarism is a very serious breech of academic honesty that will not be tolerated. Proper citation of references is required for this and all your coursework in the CNST program. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in disciplinary action and an ‘F’ for the course. Should you have any questions, please contact the professor.
Important Notes:
Refer to the Capstone Handbook
for details about your responsibilities during this course. Students are
required to provide progress reports during all scheduled meetings.
Students shall also prepare and maintain a schedule that shows milestone dates
for the major portions of their Capstone Projects. Student-established
milestone dates will be confirmed during the semester as directed by the Course
Professor. Inadequate progress on the part
of the student, as determined by the Course Professor, shall result in the
student being placed on Probation. If a
student on probation does not address deficiencies within a one-week period,
the student may be asked to leave the course.
Students not attending scheduled meetings may receive an "I-Incomplete"
for the course, and be required to register for the course in the following
semester. Communication with the Capstone Professor shall at all times be
professional in nature. Only professionally
prepared and complete Capstone Projects will be accepted at the end of the
term. Distribution of the projects at
the end of the semester shall be as directed by the Capstone Professor.
Student Capstone Progress Schedule:
As a project manager, the student will meet regularly with the client and your team to discuss the project schedule. The student must be able to clearly explain the schedule. Therefore, it is critical that you get practice at defending a schedule that you assembled. In the first class meeting, the student will be asked to produce a detailed schedule laying out the completion of their capstone project. The minimum checklist can be used as a guide for the development of the schedule. The student’s progress will be monitored and compared to this schedule. As the milestone objectives are completed the student’s project must be reviewed by the capstone professor. The capstone professor may ask the student to have a suitable subject area professor review and comment on the milestone progress. A student will not be allowed to proceed to the next milestone until the designated signatures are obtained.
When working on the capstone project the student should remember that panelists who work in the industry ultimately grade the projects. These panelists probably will not know the students and can only grade the project on what is submitted and each student’s performance during their defense. Therefore, the projects must be completed and easily understood.
Appeals:
A student who wishes to appeal his/her grade has the right to fair consideration. If a student wishes to appeal their grade, they must submit the appeal in writing to the capstone professor within 24 hours of the conclusion of the Capstone Defense, or by noon on the following Monday when the Defense is conducted on a Friday or prior to a University Holiday. A signature, date & time, and comment block must appear on the title page of the appeal to allow for the signature of the capstone professor. Also include a check box for “Proceed with Appeal,” adjacent to the signature block. The capstone professor’s signature does not approve the appeal, but merely acknowledges that the appeal process in underway with his/her knowledge. Include a one page statement justifying the appeal. Include to the greatest extent possible, details supporting your appeal (e.g. specific dates, times, worksheets, electronic files, names. etc.). The written appeal must be prepared in word processed form (11-point Times New Roman font, 1” margins at top and bottom, 1.25” margins on left and right, pages must be numbered, all supporting materials must be attached (except the Capstone Project), single spaced text, all enclosures numbered sequentially and listed on the page after the title page). The title page must include the following information: Student Name, Semester, “CM 4900 APPEAL,” University Name, Name of Course Professor, and Defense Date and Time.
The signed appeal package must be submitted to the Construction Department Chairperson during an appeals meeting that is held within 48 hours of the conclusion of the Capstone Defense, or by Noon on the following Monday when the Defense is conducted on a Friday or prior to a University Holiday. Additional recourse may be available to the student and, if desired, should be discussed with the Department Chairperson at the time of the appeals meeting.
Students with
Disabilities
Students with disabilities who believe that they may need accommodations in
this class are encouraged to contact the counselor working with disabilities at
(678) 915-7226
as soon as possible to better ensure that such accommodations are implemented
in a timely fashion.
Plagiarism
It is assumed that by this time in the student's matriculation, he/she is
well-versed with what constitutes plagiarism. Proper citation of references
is required for this and all your coursework in the Construction Management
program. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in
disciplinary action.
Supplemental
Information/Requirements
§ Students in this course are responsible for behaving in accordance with academic honor code.
§ Capstone Calendar posted on Vista
§ Relevant information and samples posted on Vista
§ Timesheets are to be uploaded to Vista Assignments folder in the appropriate week. Late timesheets will not be accepted.
§ Attendance is mandatory on Mondays (6:00-7:00). Wednesdays are to be considered as an open work session and you are encouraged to utilize the time. Instructor will be available for assistance either in the class room or office.
§ The use of cell phones/PDAs/pagers during class will not be tolerated. Turn them OFF before entering class and are to remain off until the class is completed. Any student that does not comply will be required to leave the class and it is your responsibility to acquire missed information. The classroom environment will be treated the same way as if this was a corporate meeting in a large conference room in which your boss was delivering a presentation. He/she would not tolerate their use and a “wise” young employee would probably shy away from their use in order to prevent their discharge from the firm as a result of their rudeness. Use of cell phone/PDA/Pager during class will result in the dismissal of the student from that particular class and the receipt of a “zero” for that class’s particular assignment, exercise, exam, quiz, etc.. The second use of the device during class will result in the withdrawal of the student from the class by the instructor. Withdrawal of the student by the instructor after the official “drop date” will result in the grade of a “WF” for the student.
§ It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to obtain information/notes/assignments from class mates if you miss classes. DO NOT ask instructor to provide for you.
§ Methods of Communicating: If you have questions, need clarification or additional information, ask during class, send an email (through Vista only), or visit instructor during office hours (or make an appointment).
§ You are responsible for obtaining faculty signatures by the dates indicated on the sign-off sheet and per protocol determined by the faculty member:
1. Contracts
Professor Toson: by appointment only to be scheduled via email
2. Schedule
Dr. Meadati-General: (to be announced at a later date)
Professor Hicks-Development: by appointment only to be scheduled via email
Dr. Makarechi-Specialty: by appointment only to be scheduled via email
3. Estimate
Dr. Itr-General & Development: during sign-off session indicated on Calendar
Dr. Mench-Specialty:
first come first serve during posted office hours
4. Financials
Dr. Mench-General & Specialty: first come first serve during posted office hours
Professor Hicks-Development: by appointment only to be scheduled via email
5. Safety
Dr. Banik: first come first serve during posted office hours (preferred)
(but if conflicts, by appointment scheduled via email)
6. 75% Completion
Dr. Meadati-General: (to be announced at a later date)
Dr. Makarechi-Specialty: by appointment only to be scheduled via email
Professor Hicks-Development: by appointment only to be scheduled via email
§ Final grade: is determined by panel member’s assessment (80%) and progress throughout the semester (20%) which is based on attendance, meeting deadlines, and timely submittal of required information. Discussions concerning grades will be done in person only. Instructor will not discuss grade information through email.
Conflicts, problems, and/or issues with this course should be discussed
as early as possible with instructor and it will be at instructor’s discretion
to solve as equitably as possible. Do not delay discussion as sympathy for
conflicts or problems diminishes with time.
After the fact is not acceptable nor is bringing to instructor’s
attention towards the end of the semester.