Civil Construction Technology

The Civil Construction Technology program is designed to provide those who are interested in State Tech’s popular Heavy Equipment Operations (HEO) one-year certificate program with the opportunity to complete an Associate of Applied Science Degree in one additional year to prepare for supervisory and management roles in the development and implementation of essential infrastructure that is relied upon daily.

During the first year of the Civil Construction Technology program, students complete HEO courses that start in June and run for eleven months.  HEO courses include extensive education on a 40-acre operation site in the major classifications of earth moving equipment including dozers, scrapers, wheel loaders, backhoes, excavators, graders, and skid steers.  HEO courses also include classroom instruction on a number of related subjects such as grade operations, blueprint reading, and preventive maintenance.  During the HEO portion of the program, skills are developed on both simulated and actual construction projects.  The college works with local agencies, high schools, and colleges in providing practical on-the-job experience when possible. Students will perform manual labor typically associated with construction tasks such as bolting pipe and shoveling.  Attendance for all 1,235 instructional hours of HEO course work is critical due to the hands-on nature of the program.  The Heavy Equipment Operations portion of the program is accredited by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER).

The HEO portion of the program also includes 120 hours of classroom and driving instruction to prepare students for the Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) written and driving examinations.  In order to enroll or continue in the program, students must be eligible to take the Class A CDL examination and maintain eligibility until a Class A CDL is obtained.  If the student becomes ineligible to take the Class A CDL examination or loses their Class A CDL, the student will not continue in the program.  As in industry, students will be required to pass random drug tests to enter and remain enrolled in this program.  Due to state licensing requirements, students must earn a grade of “B” or better in the CDL class.

The second year of the Civil Construction Technology program includes courses such as construction management, estimating, and materials testing along with written communications, mathematics, and other general education subjects to prepare graduates for additional high demand career options and opportunities for advancement.  Civil Construction Technology graduates are prepared to support construction projects such as roads, bridges, tunnels, ports, railways, airports, energy systems, utilities, public water supply, waste management, and solutions to environmental problems.  In addition to earning a “B” or better grade in the CDL class, it is a graduation requirement of the Civil Construction Technology program for students to earn a grade of “C” or better in all “Core Curriculum” courses.

To view program outcome data, visit https://statetechmo.edu/civil-construction-technology-program-facts/.

Program Mission

The mission of the Civil Construction Technology program is to provide the opportunity for students to develop the technical and interpersonal skills required to be successful in supervisory and management positions in the horizontal construction industry.

Program Goals
The goals of the program are to provide the opportunity for students to develop:

• A combination of skills from both the heavy equipment operations and  civil construction courses to prepare for additional employment opportunities and advancement in the civil construction industry.
• Technical competencies in the major classifications of earth moving equipment.
• Effective communication and analysis skills necessary to succeed in the industry.

Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS)

Classification of Instructional Programs - 46.0412

Core Curriculum

			Credit Hours
HEO	100	First Aid and Safety	1
HEO	102	Basics of Heavy Equipment Operation	1
HEO	105	Orientation to the Trade	1
HEO	106	Introduction to Heavy Equipment Operations	1
HEO	108	Introduction to OSHA Regulations	1
HEO	121	Environmental Compliance	1
HEO	122	Applied Measurements in Construction	3
HEO	131	Heavy Equipment Operations Internship	3
HEO	134	Safety and Loss Control	3
HEO	138	Advanced Operating Techniques	1
HEO	139	Grade Operations	2
HEO	146	Backhoe and Excavator	4
HEO	147	Dozer, Scraper, and Compaction Equipment	4
HEO	148	Loader	4
HEO	149	Motor Grader and Skid Steer	4
HEO	150	Commercial Drivers License	4
CVT	125	Construction Materials Testing	6
CVT	225	Construction Estimating	5
CVT	250	Construction Management	3
SUB-TOTAL			52

General Education Requirements

Refer to the General Education Requirements and General Education Courses in the College Catalog.

			Credit Hours
General Education Requirements			19
May Not Include:
ASC	104	Human Anatomy and Physiology with Lab I	4
ASC	106	Human Anatomy and Physiology with Lab II	4
NST	101	Network Fundamentals	3
SUB-TOTAL			19

Graduation Requirements

			Credit Hours
COM	125	Job Search Strategies	1
It is a graduation requirement of the Civil Construction Technology program for students to earn a grade of "C" or better in all "Core Curriculum" courses; due to state licensing requirements, students must earn a grade of "B" or better in the CDL class.
SUB-TOTAL			1

PROGRAM TOTAL

72

Courses

CVT 125: Construction Materials Testing

This course introduces the basic properties of construction materials. Students learn to test and inspect soil, aggregate, concrete, and asphalt in laboratory and fields situations. Tests are performed in accordance with industry standards including American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), and other standards. Laboratory record keeping and reporting are also introduced.

Credit Hours: 6

CVT 225: Construction Estimating

This course teaches the estimating process including estimate development, bidding procedures, and analyzing plans to perform quantity takeoffs and unit pricing.

Credit Hours: 5

CVT 250: Construction Management

This course presents the various project delivery systems that are used for construction projects, documentation requirements, and critical path scheduling.

Credit Hours: 3

HEO 100: First Aid and Safety

This course is designed to introduce students to the possible safety hazards associated with working around heavy equipment. Students will become familiar with procedures sanctioned by the American Red Cross and receive training in the identification of emergency situations and safe performance of common construction applications.

Credit Hours: 1

HEO 102: Basics of Heavy Equipment Operation

This course is designed to give the student a basic understanding of basic tools and blueprints used in the construction trade.

Credit Hours: 1

HEO 105: Orientation to the Trade

This course introduces students to the different aspects and requirements for the heavy equipment operations trade as well as educates the student in the proper identification of the various types of equipment used in the industry.

Credit Hours: 1

HEO 106: Introduction to Heavy Equipment Operations

This course introduces students to the identification, use, and application of heavy equipment including bulldozers, scrapers, excavators, and loaders. Students are provided a broad introduction to the processes of planning and executing earth moving activities on various types of construction projects.

Credit Hours: 1

HEO 108: Introduction to OSHA Regulations

This course provides the required industry training that meets the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) 10 hour safety training regulation. The areas of required studies are Introduction to OSHA, General Safety and Health, Personal Protective Equipment, Electrical Safety, Fall Protection, Cranes, Confined Space Entry, Excavations, Stairways and Ladders, Hand and Power Tools, and Motor Vehicles. To complete this course and receive the OSHA 10 hour certification card, the student must pass the OSHA written exam.

Credit Hours: 1

HEO 121: Environmental Compliance

This course provides an introduction to the various federal and state laws which govern the construction industry, followed by more in-depth learning about the specific issues students are likely to encounter as heavy equipment operators. Students will gain an awareness of topics ranging from solid and hazardous waste management, to water and air quality, to cultural resources, endangered species, and specifics of regulations related to demolition and earthmoving that are common to the industry.

Credit Hours: 1

HEO 122: Applied Measurements in Construction

This course teaches practical mathematics with applications that apply to the horizontal construction industry. Topics include reading an engineer's scale, conversions of decimals to fractions and percentages, and basic calculations for earth work quantities. Methods and practice in calculating the areas and volumes of various geometric shapes as well as formulas and methods used to calculate cut and fill requirements on a job are also covered.

Credit Hours: 3

HEO 131: Heavy Equipment Operations Internship

The Heavy Equipment Operations Internship is comprised of on-the-job training provided by employers on actual construction sites. A training agreement specifies the tasks the student will be expected to perform.

Requisite:
Prerequisite Earn a grade of "C" or better in all "Core Curriculum" courses, a grade of "D" or better in all General Education Requirement courses, pass the exit exam, and obtain the approval of their advisor.

Credit Hours: 3

HEO 134: Safety and Loss Control

This course provides classroom instruction on the responsibilities of the finish operator and how these responsibilities affect financial losses due to safety and operation decisions. The student is introduced to basic skills for the finish operator covering basic project planning and scheduling techniques as well as coordination and communication of work assignments to heavy equipment operators and other trades and crafts. This course also describes project setup, materials purchasing, effects of soil testing, and primary safety programs.

Requisites:
Prerequisite HEO 100 minimum grade C
Prerequisite HEO 102 minimum grade C
Prerequisite HEO 105 minimum grade C
and
Prerequisite HEO 106 minimum grade C

Credit Hours: 3

HEO 138: Advanced Operating Techniques

This course teaches advanced topics for equipment operators including safety, controlling and working around water, calculating costs, and the effects of different soil types.

Requisite:
Prerequisite HEO 134 minimum grade C

Credit Hours: 1

HEO 139: Grade Operations

This course provides the student with details about the staking and grading operations of construction projects. It addresses staking requirements for roads, commercial buildings, and trenches. Students are trained to read and interpret various plan sheets that contain grading information.

Credit Hours: 2

HEO 146: Backhoe and Excavator

This course introduces basic identification of components, backhoe and excavator safety, use of operators manual, daily servicing and operation of the machine teaching students to start the machine, move it, and shut it down. Included are basic backhoe and excavator operation and maintenance so that students will operate a backhoe and excavator to perform specific tasks.

Credit Hours: 4

HEO 147: Dozer, Scraper, and Compaction Equipment

This course teaches operation, maintenance, and component identification of dozers, scrapers, and compactors . Students learn how to operate this equipment to perform specific tasks. This course also covers the use of operators manuals and daily servicing of these machines.

Credit Hours: 4

HEO 148: Loader

The student will be introduced to the practical operation of a front end loader to perform specific tasks, basic loader operation and maintenance. Students will also be introduced to basic identification of components, front-end loader safety, use of operators manual, daily servicing and operation of the machine to the point where the students can start the machine, move it, and shut it down. Operation of a front end loader to perform specific tasks will be taught.

Credit Hours: 4

HEO 149: Motor Grader and Skid Steer

This course will introduce basic machine operation and maintenance including identification of components, safety, use of operators manuals, daily servicing and operation of the machine to the point where the student can start the machine, move it, and shut it down. The student will also operate a motor grader and skid steer loader to perform specific tasks.

Credit Hours: 4

HEO 150: Commercial Drivers License

The Commercial Driver's License (CDL) course is a professional course focused on the fundamentals of safe driving practices and identifying the hazards of a Class "A" Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV). The student will be able to inspect a commercial motor vehicle, perform basic maneuver skills, and display safe on-road skills on public streets and highways.

Requisite:
Prerequisite Instructor's permission based on verification of: 1) driving record that is eligible for a Missouri Class A CDL, 2) complete, current, and valid Medical Examination Report and Certificate for Commercial Driver Fitness Determination, and 3) successful drug screen(s).

Credit Hours: 4