ARCH312 Building Construction
Syllabus | International University of Sarajevo - Last Update on Oct 10, 2025
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Architecture
Edin Jahić
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 , Wiley
Additional Literature
Jahić, E. (2022). Roof Construction: An Illustrated Introduction, IUS Allen, E. & Iano, J. (2009) Fundamentals of Building Construction: Materials and Methods, Wiley Jahić, E. (2013) Arhitektonske konstrukcije: Principi, sistemi i materijali, IUSTeaching Methods
PowerPoint and hand drawing presentations
Active tutorial sessions for engaged learning and continuous feedback on progress
Individual homework
Project design assignment (Building)
Weekly Topics
| Week | Topic | Readings / References |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Overview of syllabus; Introduction to Buildings. Building systems. Foundations. | 2.02, 2.03, 3.02 - 3.26 |
| 2 | Wall systems. Wall types. Frames. Lintels. | 5.02 - 5.49 |
| 3 | Floor systems. Floor types. Concrete floor systems: Cast-in place, Precast floor slabs | 4.02 - 4.40 |
| 4 | Steel floor systems, beams, open-web joists, steel decks; Wooden floors: beams and decks | 4.02 - 4.40 |
| 5 | Wooden roofs. Pitched and flat wooden roofs; | 6.19 - 6.30 |
| 6 | Stairs. Shapes and slopes. Types and design. | 9.03 - 9.12, 9.14, 9.17 |
| 7 | Stairs constructions. Elevators. Escalators. Project design information delivery | 9.14 - 9.17 |
| 8 | Mid-term exam | 5.0 |
| 9 | Project design assignment: Floor plans 1:50 | 5.0 |
| 10 | Project design assignment: Floor plans 1:50 | 5.0 |
| 11 | Project design assignment: Floor plans 1:50 | 5.0 |
| 12 | Project design assignment: Cross sections 1:50 | 5.0 |
| 13 | Project design assignment: Cross sections 1:50 | 5.0 |
| 14 | Project design assignment: Cross sections 1:50 | 5.0 |
| 15 | Final review of the project. Submission of the Project |
Course Schedule (All Sections)
| Section | Type | Day 1 | Venue 1 | Day 2 | Venue 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARCH312.1 | Course | - | - | - | - |
Office Hours & Room
| Day | Time | Office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 09:00 - 13:00 | A F3.15 | or by e-mail appointment |
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Assessment Components
Final exam
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4 5
MId-term exam
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3
Project evaluation
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 3 4 5
Homework
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 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 4 ECTS credit course corresponds to 100 hours of total student workload, distributed as follows:
Lectures
14 hours ⏳ (7 week × 2 h)
Homework assignment
10 hours ⏳ (5 week × 2 h)
Project
14 hours ⏳ (7 week × 2 h)
Home study and work
60 hours ⏳ (15 week × 4 h)
Prepare to print project
2 hours ⏳ (1 week × 2 h)
100 Total Workload Hours
4 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 [ARCH312] 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 | |||||||||
| ARCH312 | Building Construction | 1 | 1 | 4 | Thursday 9:00 - 11:00 | |||||
| Prerequisite | Junior Standing | It is a prerequisite to | - | |||||||
| Lecturer | Edin Jahić | Office Hours / Room / Phone | Tuesday: 9:00-13:00 or by e-mail appointment |
|||||||
| ejahic@ius.edu.ba | ||||||||||
| Assistant | Zeynep Nihan Malčinović | Assistant E-mail | znihan-malcinovic@ius.edu.ba | |||||||
| 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 , Wiley | |||||||||
| Additional Literature |
|
|||||||||
| Learning Outcomes | After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to: | |||||||||
|
||||||||||
| Teaching Methods | PowerPoint and hand drawing presentations. Active tutorial sessions for engaged learning and continuous feedback on progress. Individual homework. Project design assignment (Building). | |||||||||
| Teaching Method Delivery | Face-to-face | Teaching Method Delivery Notes | ||||||||
| WEEK | TOPIC | REFERENCE | ||||||||
| Week 1 | Overview of syllabus; Introduction to Buildings. Building systems. Foundations. | 2.02, 2.03, 3.02 - 3.26 | ||||||||
| Week 2 | Wall systems. Wall types. Frames. Lintels. | 5.02 - 5.49 | ||||||||
| Week 3 | Floor systems. Floor types. Concrete floor systems: Cast-in place, Precast floor slabs | 4.02 - 4.40 | ||||||||
| Week 4 | Steel floor systems, beams, open-web joists, steel decks; Wooden floors: beams and decks | 4.02 - 4.40 | ||||||||
| Week 5 | Wooden roofs. Pitched and flat wooden roofs; | 6.19 - 6.30 | ||||||||
| Week 6 | Stairs. Shapes and slopes. Types and design. | 9.03 - 9.12, 9.14, 9.17 | ||||||||
| Week 7 | Stairs constructions. Elevators. Escalators. Project design information delivery | 9.14 - 9.17 | ||||||||
| Week 8 | Mid-term exam | 5.0 | ||||||||
| Week 9 | Project design assignment: Floor plans 1:50 | 5.0 | ||||||||
| Week 10 | Project design assignment: Floor plans 1:50 | 5.0 | ||||||||
| Week 11 | Project design assignment: Floor plans 1:50 | 5.0 | ||||||||
| Week 12 | Project design assignment: Cross sections 1:50 | 5.0 | ||||||||
| Week 13 | Project design assignment: Cross sections 1:50 | 5.0 | ||||||||
| Week 14 | Project design assignment: Cross sections 1:50 | 5.0 | ||||||||
| 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 | 1,2,3,4,5 | Not Allowed | |
| Semester Evaluation Components | |||||
| MId-term exam | 1 | 30 | 1,2,3 | Not Allowed | |
| Project evaluation | 1 | 20 | 3,4,5 | Not Allowed | |
| Homework | 5 | 10 | 3,4,5 | Not Allowed | |
| *** ECTS Credit Calculation *** | |||||
| Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | |||
| Lectures | 2 | 7 | 14 | Homework assignment | 2 | 5 | 10 | |||
| Project | 2 | 7 | 14 | Home study and work | 4 | 15 | 60 | |||
| Prepare to print project | 2 | 1 | 2 | |||||||
| Total Workload Hours = | 100 | |||||||||
| *T= Teaching, P= Practice | ECTS Credit = | 4 | ||||||||
| Course Academic Quality Assurance: Semester Student Survey | Last Update Date: 21/10/2025 | |||||||||