ARCH313-6 Building Construction I
ARCH313-6 Building Construction I
Syllabus | International University of Sarajevo - Last Update on Oct 10, 2025
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Architecture
Nerma Omićević
Course Lecturer
Course Objectives
To introduce students to the principles of building systems, construction methods, and techniques, to get students familiarized with structural as well as finish works to be implemented in the construction process.
Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
Course Materials
Required Textbook
Ching, F. D. K. (2008). Building construction illustrated (4th ed.). Wiley.
Additional Literature
Jahić, E. (2022). Roof construction: An illustrated introduction. International University of Sarajevo (IUS). Allen, E., & Iano, J. (2009). Fundamentals of building construction: Materials and methods (5th ed.). Wiley. Jahić, E. (2013). Arhitektonske konstrukcije: Principi, sistemi i materijali. International University of Sarajevo (IUS).Teaching Methods
Face-to-face lecture
Guided tutorials
Project-based learning
Weekly Topics
| Week | Topic | Readings / References |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Syllabus overview. Introduction to Buildings. Building systems. Foundations. | |
| 2 | Wall systems. Wall types. Frames. Lintels. | |
| 3 | Floor systems. Floor types. Concrete floor systems: Cast-in place, Precast floor slabs | |
| 4 | Steel floor systems, beams, open-web joists, steel decks; Wooden floors: beams and decks | |
| 5 | Wooden roofs. Pitched and flat wooden roofs | |
| 6 | Stairs. Shapes and slopes. Types and design | |
| 7 | Stairs constructions. Elevators. Escalators | |
| 8 | Midterm exam | |
| 9 | Project design assignment: Floor plans 1:50 | |
| 10 | Project design assignment: Floor plans 1:50 | |
| 11 | Project design assignment: Floor plans 1:50 | |
| 12 | Project design assignment: Cross sections 1:50 | |
| 13 | Project design assignment: Cross sections 1:50 | |
| 14 | Project design assignment: Cross sections 1:50 | |
| 15 | Final review of the project. Submission of the Project |
Course Schedule (All Sections)
Office Hours & Room
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Assessment Components
Final Exam
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2
Midterm exam
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2
Project
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 3 4 5
Homework
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4 5
IUS Grading System
| Grading Scale | IUS Grading System | IUS Coeff. | Letter (B&H) | Numerical (B&H) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - 44 | F | 0 | F | 5 |
| 45 - 54 | E | 1 | ||
| 55 - 64 | C | 2 | E | 6 |
| 65 - 69 | C+ | 2.3 | D | 7 |
| 70 -74 | B- | 2.7 | ||
| 75 - 79 | B | 3 | C | 8 |
| 80 - 84 | B+ | 3.3 | ||
| 85 - 94 | A- | 3.7 | B | 9 |
| 95 - 100 | A | 4 | A | 10 |
Late Work Policy
Information about late submission policies will be shared during class and posted in this section. Please check back for official guidelines.
ECTS Credit Calculation
📚 Student Workload
This 6 ECTS credit course corresponds to 150 hours of total student workload, distributed as follows:
Final exam
4 hours ⏳ (1 week × 4 h)
Midterm exam
4 hours ⏳ (1 week × 4 h)
Lectures
14 hours ⏳ (7 week × 2 h)
Active tutorials
14 hours ⏳ (7 week × 2 h)
Tutorials
28 hours ⏳ (7 week × 4 h)
Home study
78 hours ⏳ (13 week × 6 h)
Final exam study
8 hours ⏳ (2 week × 4 h)
150 Total Workload Hours
6 ECTS Credits
Course Policies
Academic Integrity
All work submitted must be your own. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in disciplinary action according to university policies. When in doubt about citation practices, consult the instructor.
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to adhere to the attendance requirements as outlined in the International University of Sarajevo Study Rules and Regulations. Excessive absences, whether excused or unexcused, may impact academic performance and eligibility for assessment. Mandatory sessions (e.g., labs, workshops) require attendance unless formally exempted. For detailed policies on absences, documentation, and penalties, please refer to the official university regulations.
Technology & AI Policy
Laptops/tablets may be used for note-taking only during lectures. Phones should be silenced and put away during all class sessions. Audio/video recording requires prior permission from the instructor.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage: The use of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini) varies by assessment component. Please refer to the AI usage indicator next to each assessment item in the Assessment Methods and Criteria section above. Submitting AI-generated content as your own work, where AI is not explicitly allowed, constitutes an academic integrity violation.
Communication Policy
All course-related communication should occur through official university channels (institutional email or SIS). Emails should include [ARCH313-6] in the subject line.
Academic Quality Assurance Policy
Course Academic Quality Assurance is achieved through Semester Student Survey. At the end of each academic year, the institution of higher education is obliged to evaluate work of the academic staff, or the success of realization of the curricula.
Learning Tips
Be prepared to contribute thoughtfully during class discussions, labs, or collaborative work. Active participation deepens understanding and encourages critical thinking.
Complete assigned readings or prep materials before class. Take notes, highlight key ideas, and jot down questions. Aim to grasp core concepts and their applications—not just facts.
Use course frameworks or methodologies to analyze problems, case studies, or projects. Begin early to allow time for reflection and refinement. Seek feedback to improve your work.
Don’t hesitate to reach out when something is unclear. Use office hours, discussion boards, or peer networks to clarify concepts and stay on track.
Syllabus Last Updated on Oct 10, 2025 | International University of Sarajevo
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Referencing Curricula Print this page
| Course Code | Course Title | Weekly Hours* | ECTS | Weekly Class Schedule | ||||||
| T | P | |||||||||
| ARCH313-6 | Building Construction I | 1 | 3 | 6 | TBA | |||||
| Prerequisite | ARCH204-6 | It is a prerequisite to | ARCH358-6, ARCH403-6, ARCH408-6 | |||||||
| Lecturer | Nerma Omićević | Office Hours / Room / Phone | Wednesday: 9:30-12:00 Thursday: 9:30-12:00 |
|||||||
| nomicevic@ius.edu.ba | ||||||||||
| Assistant | TBA | Assistant E-mail | ||||||||
| Course Objectives | To introduce students to the principles of building systems, construction methods, and techniques, to get students familiarized with structural as well as finish works to be implemented in the construction process. | |||||||||
| Textbook | Ching, F. D. K. (2008). Building construction illustrated (4th ed.). Wiley. | |||||||||
| Additional Literature |
|
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| Learning Outcomes | After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to: | |||||||||
|
||||||||||
| Teaching Methods | Face-to-face lecture, guided tutorials, project-based learning | |||||||||
| Teaching Method Delivery | Face-to-face | Teaching Method Delivery Notes | ||||||||
| WEEK | TOPIC | REFERENCE | ||||||||
| Week 1 | Syllabus overview. Introduction to Buildings. Building systems. Foundations. | |||||||||
| Week 2 | Wall systems. Wall types. Frames. Lintels. | |||||||||
| Week 3 | Floor systems. Floor types. Concrete floor systems: Cast-in place, Precast floor slabs | |||||||||
| Week 4 | Steel floor systems, beams, open-web joists, steel decks; Wooden floors: beams and decks | |||||||||
| Week 5 | Wooden roofs. Pitched and flat wooden roofs | |||||||||
| Week 6 | Stairs. Shapes and slopes. Types and design | |||||||||
| Week 7 | Stairs constructions. Elevators. Escalators | |||||||||
| Week 8 | Midterm exam | |||||||||
| Week 9 | Project design assignment: Floor plans 1:50 | |||||||||
| Week 10 | Project design assignment: Floor plans 1:50 | |||||||||
| Week 11 | Project design assignment: Floor plans 1:50 | |||||||||
| Week 12 | Project design assignment: Cross sections 1:50 | |||||||||
| Week 13 | Project design assignment: Cross sections 1:50 | |||||||||
| Week 14 | Project design assignment: Cross sections 1:50 | |||||||||
| Week 15 | Final review of the project. Submission of the Project | |||||||||
| Assessment Methods and Criteria | Evaluation Tool | Quantity | Weight | Alignment with LOs | AI Usage |
| Final Exam | 1 | 40 | 1,2 | Not Allowed | |
| Semester Evaluation Components | |||||
| Midterm exam | 1 | 30 | 1,2 | Not Allowed | |
| Project | 1 | 20 | 3,4,5 | Not Allowed | |
| Homework | 5 | 10 | 1,2,3,4,5 | Not Allowed | |
| *** ECTS Credit Calculation *** | |||||
| Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | |||
| Final exam | 4 | 1 | 4 | Midterm exam | 4 | 1 | 4 | |||
| Lectures | 2 | 7 | 14 | Active tutorials | 2 | 7 | 14 | |||
| Tutorials | 4 | 7 | 28 | Home study | 6 | 13 | 78 | |||
| Final exam study | 4 | 2 | 8 | |||||||
| Total Workload Hours = | 150 | |||||||||
| *T= Teaching, P= Practice | ECTS Credit = | 6 | ||||||||
| Course Academic Quality Assurance: Semester Student Survey | Last Update Date: 27/10/2025 | |||||||||