TAR 1271 - Professional Practice

Engineering and Building Arts Department

Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 47
Effective Term Spring 2025 (645)

Requisites

Prerequisite ARC 2461C with a minimum grade of C and
((Prerequisite BCN 1272 with a minimum grade of C or
Prerequisite BCN 1251C with a minimum grade of C) or
Permission of the Program)

Course Description

This course is a general survey of office practices for the small entrepreneur in the Building Arts. It includes information on setting up an office, costs fees, legal implications, local, state, and federal regulations, and employee and client relationships.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the problems, pitfalls, and responsibilities of being an "Entrepreneur" by:
    1. listing and describing those state and federal employee regulations pertaining to withholding, Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA), workman's compensation, and unemployment compensation.
    2. describing standard legal documents, leases and contracts.
    3. describing main features of bidding procedures, contract negotiations, awarding of contracts, and contract administration.
    4. listing and describing methods of compensation for services.
    5. listing at least three advantages and disadvantages of sole proprietorships versus partnerships.
    6. describing the general characteristics of corporations.
    7. describing the procedures for project cost analysis.
    8. describing differences between balance sheets, profit-and-loss statements and financial reports and how each is used.
    9. listing and describing five main points with regard to budgets and expenses including consultant fees.
    10. listing and describing at least eight main points regarding employee interview procedures.
    11. listing and describing at least five main points regarding client interview and development procedures.
    12. describing the importance of public relations as a tool for the marketing of professional services and describe current trends in public relations including:
      1. professional and trade organizations (American Institute of Architects (A.I.A), Associated General Contractors (A.G.C.), National Association of Home Builders (N.A.H.B), etc.)
      2. community involvement (business organizations, community service organizations, etc.)
      3. newspaper/magazine/trade journal publications (i.e., how to get published, where to get published, etc.)
      4. community education (i.e., open house, lectures, presentations, workshops, etc.)
    13. describing the importance of establishing a professional image through the use of business cards, office letterhead, standardized title blocks, office brochure, etc.
    14. describing current trends in advertising professional services, including voluntary ethical standards for advertising media (office brochure, direct-mail flyers, community bulletin board, newspaper/magazine, yellow pages, etc.) and the success of marketing professional services through the use of advertisements.

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of the course the student will, with a minimum of 70% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course instructors.

History of Changes

Revised 8/84 DBT 5/19/88 Effective Session 19881. SCN Change 9/15/89. Effective Session 19901. 3 YR C&I Review 1993-94. 3 Year Review 9899. 3 Year Review 2008.
C&I Approval: , BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Spring 2025 (645)

Related Programs

  1. Building Design and Construction Management (ARCH-AS) (640) (Active)