Const - 103 - Blue Print Reading for Construction - Claudenice Braga-McCalister

Introduction

Hello and welcome to CONST 103: Blueprint Reading for Construction!

My name is Claudenice Braga-McCalister, and you may call me Professor McCalister. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and bring professional experience in project management and construction safety. I have taught at College of the Canyons since 2018, covering subjects such as construction fundamentals, blueprint reading, building codes, planning and scheduling, estimating, and construction inspections.

Construction drawings are one of the industry’s most important forms of communication. Contractors, project managers, estimators, inspectors, engineers, architects, superintendents, and skilled trades professionals must be able to locate, interpret, and communicate information accurately from plans and specifications.

In this course, you will learn how a set of construction drawings works and how the different plans, elevations, sections, details, schedules, symbols, and specifications communicate the requirements of a project. You do not need previous blueprint-reading experience, but you should be prepared to practice regularly and work carefully with construction documents.

This is a fully online and asynchronous course, which means there are no required in-person or real-time class meetings. However, the course is not self-paced. You will need to participate consistently, follow the schedule established for your section, and complete the required activities by their posted deadlines.

Blueprint reading is a skill developed through practice. The more consistently you work with the drawings and apply the concepts, the more confident and proficient you will become. I look forward to supporting you as you develop this essential construction-industry skill.

Course Description

This Course presents reading, interpreting, analyzing, and visualizing construction drawings and specifications prepared by architects and engineers, emphasizing reading and extracting information from detailed drawings for both residential and commercial construction.

What This Means to You

In this course, you will learn how to navigate complete sets of construction drawings and related specifications through practical, industry-related activities. You will work with plans, elevations, sections, details, symbols, schedules, and other documents commonly used in residential and commercial construction.

You will learn how the different parts of a drawing set work together, how construction documents are organized, and how professionals locate and cross-reference project information. You will also use architectural and engineering scales, apply construction mathematics, identify building systems and materials, and extract measurements and other important information from drawings and specifications.

The course introduces drawings from different construction disciplines, including architectural, structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing. You will also examine accessibility requirements, industry terminology, drawing conventions, and the organization of specifications using the CSI MasterFormat system.

Whether you are preparing for a career in construction management, estimating, inspection, project engineering, architecture, or the skilled trades, this course will help you develop the ability to interpret construction documents accurately and communicate your findings using appropriate industry terminology.

Because blueprint reading is learned through practice, the course emphasizes active engagement, visualization, critical thinking, problem-solving, and application rather than memorization.

What to Expect in this Course

This is a fully online and asynchronous course. There are no required in-person or real-time lectures. Course materials, instructional videos, assignments, discussions, quizzes, exams, blueprint-reading activities, and projects are delivered through Canvas.

Although you may complete your work at different times, this course is not self-paced. Modules, assignments, and assessments follow the schedule established for your section. You are expected to review Canvas regularly, read announcements, follow module instructions, and submit your work by the posted deadlines.

Most modules include textbook readings, supplemental resources, instructional videos, practice activities, graded assignments, discussions or reflections, quizzes, and hands-on blueprint-reading exercises. You will also complete online exams, smaller application projects, and a final project that requires you to apply the skills developed throughout the course.

You should plan to dedicate approximately 8 to 12 hours per week to the course. The workload may increase as you begin working with more detailed drawing sets and project-based activities. The weekly time commitment will also depend on the length and pace of your section. Shorter and accelerated sections cover the same material in less time and therefore require a substantially greater weekly commitment.

Regular access to a desktop or laptop computer and a reliable internet connection is strongly recommended. Construction drawings contain detailed information that may be difficult to view and navigate accurately on a smartphone or small tablet. You will also need a current web browser, a PDF reader, and word-processing software. A webcam and microphone are not required for routine participation but may be needed for optional meetings, individual support, or an academic integrity review.

You will also need a calculator, an architect’s scale, an engineer’s scale, the required textbook, and the printed Drawings Folder. Colored highlighters are recommended for marking plans, identifying information, and cross-referencing construction documents.

Types of Assessments

Assessments may include online research activities, homework assignments, blueprint-reading exercises, practice quizzes, graded quizzes, discussion boards and peer responses, short written reflections, drawing analysis activities, micro-projects, online exams, and a final project.

Practice quizzes and homework activities may be ungraded and are provided to help you check your understanding, develop your print-reading skills, and prepare for graded assessments. Exams assess your ability to understand and apply the course concepts, while projects require you to locate, interpret, analyze, and communicate information from construction drawings and specifications.

All required work must be completed and submitted through Canvas according to the instructions and deadlines established for your section.

Textbook Information

Required Textbook:

Print Reading for Construction: Residential and Commercial, Eighth Edition

Authors: Walter C. Brown and Daniel P. Dorfmueller
Publisher: Goodheart-Willcox
ISBN: 978-1-63776-467-1

Please use the ISBN listed above when purchasing your materials to ensure that you obtain the correct edition.

Required Printed Drawings Folder:

The printed Drawings Folder is a required course material and must be available throughout the course. Although digital copies of the drawings may be provided in Canvas for reference, the printed drawings are essential for developing professional print-reading skills, including locating information, cross-referencing drawings, extracting dimensions, marking up plans, and analyzing construction documents.

Before purchasing your materials, verify whether the textbook package includes the printed Drawings Folder. If it does not, you must purchase the Drawings Folder separately. Students who purchase a digital version of the textbook are still required to obtain the printed Drawings Folder.

Optional Individual Access Key:

The publisher’s Individual Access Key is not required, but it is strongly recommended for students with limited construction or blueprint-reading experience. It provides access to supplemental practice activities, interactive tutorials, videos, and demonstrations. These supplemental materials are not graded.

Access keys are generally one-time-use codes included with new textbook packages. Used textbooks typically do not include a valid access key.

Other Relevant Course Information

Active and consistent participation is essential for success in an online blueprint-reading course. Simply logging into Canvas does not count as attendance or participation. You demonstrate academic participation by submitting assignments, completing blueprint-reading activities, contributing to required discussions, taking quizzes and exams, working on projects, and engaging with other required course activities.

Blueprint reading cannot be learned effectively by reviewing several modules at the last minute. Each new skill builds upon concepts introduced earlier in the course. You should establish a consistent study schedule and practice working with the drawings throughout each module.

Carefully review all instructions before submitting your work. Assignments must be submitted through Canvas unless otherwise directed. Before submitting, verify that you have uploaded the correct file for the correct assignment and that the file opens properly. A blank, corrupted, incorrect, or unrelated file does not constitute a valid submission.

You should obtain the textbook, printed Drawings Folder, calculator, architect’s scale, and engineer’s scale as early as possible. Waiting to obtain the required materials may prevent you from completing drawing interpretation and measurement activities successfully.

Your interest in learning is one of the most important components of success in this course. A growth mindset will help you view challenges as opportunities to develop your knowledge and skills. Consistent effort, effective time management, and dedication to meeting assignment and exam deadlines are also essential. The video Developing a Growth Mindset with Carol Dweck - YouTube provides additional guidance on developing this approach to learning.

It is also important to identify your academic and professional goals. The video Setting SMART Goals - How To Properly Set a Goal (animated) - YouTube introduces a helpful method for creating goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. When you understand what you want to accomplish and where you would like to go, I can better support you in reaching those goals.

Students on the official waitlist will be considered for enrollment as seats become available. Students who are not on the waitlist may be considered only if space remains after eligible waitlisted students have been served. Enrollment is not guaranteed and depends on seat availability.

Before the course begins, I will send an email with additional information to students who are officially enrolled. Please monitor your COC email and Canvas announcements regularly so you do not miss important course information.

I will be here to answer questions, provide guidance, and support your progress. I hope to see you in this course and look forward to helping you work toward your goals!

Additional Resources

Canvas

This course can be accessed on the first day of class via Canvas at https://coc.instructure.com. Log into Canvas using your CanyonsID single sign-on:

• CanyonsID Username is your COC student email address (Ex: username@my.canyons.edu)
• CanyonsID Password is your COC student email password

Please visit the Get to Know Your Online Classroom page for help logging into Canvas and for tips on using Canvas and Zoom. Canvas Chat Support is also available 24/7 for any Canvas related issues.

Online Education

Check out the Online Education website for more information on a variety of topics that can help you be a successful online student such as: exam proctoring, learning styles, computer skills, and tips for student success. If this is your first online course, feel free to take our online learning readiness assessment to assess your skills.

The Learning Center (TLC)

The TLC provides FREE online tutoring resources to COC students!

Academic Accommodation Center (AAC)

College of the Canyons AAC provides educational services and access for eligible students with documented disabilities who intend to pursue coursework at COC. A variety of programs and services are available which afford eligible students with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of the college programs and activities through appropriate and reasonable accommodations. For more information on their services visit the Academic Accomodation Center website.

Online Counseling

The Counseling Department offers appointments online. You can schedule an appointment by visiting the Online Counseling website. Counselors can help you map out a plan to reach your educational goals as well as advise you on course selection and registration.

Management of Stress and Mental Health

Often the pressure on our students is very strong, involving academic commitments, relationships, outside jobs and family pressure to name a few. The staff and faculty of College of the Canyons are here to see you succeed academically and care about your emotional and physical health. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential student services, including counseling and mental health services available on campus by visiting the Student Health & Wellness Center in the Student Services Building (across from the bookstore). The phone number is 661-362-3259 that you can call 24/7. You can also e mail for an appointment at StudentHealthCenter@canyons.edu. At the Canyon Country Campus the Health Center will be in the new Student Services Building.

Also, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number is now 988. All students at COC are encouraged to enter that phone number in their cells. You can call it when you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of suicide or is in severe distress.

You can also now use the Crisis Text Line: Just text "Courage" to 741741. Someone will get back to you immediately. Its free, 24/7, and confidential.

Veterans Resource Center

The College of the Canyons Veterans Resource Center is a department within the Student Services Division at the college, created to help veterans and veteran dependents with applying to College of the Canyons, enrolling in classes, and requesting VA Education or Vocational Benefits. For more information please visit the Veterans Resource Center website, email veterans@canyons.edu or phone (661) 362-3469.

Library

The Library provides live online and in-person research help, access to a full range of e-resources and physical materials that support the curriculum, individual and group study areas, and much more!

Last updated: 08/04/2026 Sub#: 975 Sub ID: 106284