Carpentry and Buiding Trades - AAS, AOS

The Field

This field of study represents those skilled occupations that are instrumental in the construction and remodeling of residential and commercial buildings and structures. The construction industry is continually responding to our expanding population’s need for housing, and new materials and techniques are being used to create energy-efficient, environmentally friendly buildings. These factors have combined to produce an industry that offers many career opportunities.

The Instructional Program

This program leads to an A.A.S. degree in Carpentry. Delhi also offers an A.O.S. degree in Carpentry and Building Trades as well as an A.A.S. degree in Construction Technology. The Carpentry programs place greater emphasis on the hand skills and techniques used in construction. These programs have a theoretical side as well, but their primary objective is to educate skilled craftsmen and craftswomen. Students in the Carpentry programs have regular assignments on actual job sites where they learn "on the job." The related Construction Technology program places less emphasis on hand skills and techniques and more on construction management. This program's objective is to educate students in both the techniques of construction and the management side of supervising, estimating, planning, and coordinating the building site.

It is possible to transfer to a four-year bachelor's degree program from any of the above programs, but in general the Construction Technology program is better for transfer. The Carpentry programs are better for someone wishing to start their own remodeling or woodworking business, for example.

The A.A.S. Carpentry curriculum contains about seven liberal arts, math, and science courses. The related A.O.S. Carpentry and Building Trades curriculum contains two or three liberal arts, math, and science courses. The A.A.S. lends itself to employment and/or transfer. The A.O.S. is primarily aimed at employment. The A.O.S. degree also has greater flexibility for choosing woodworking, masonry, or remodeling as a concentration.

Career Options

The career opportunities in this field are numerous and diverse. For example, a carpenter, woodworker, or mason can work as an individual contractor and sole proprietor, or can be employed by a large corporation or institution as part of a building maintenance team. Other opportunities exist working for larger construction firms, building subcontractors, or specialized construction businesses. Those specializing in woodworking have other types of opportunities in cabinetmaking and interior finish construction.

The job titles associated with graduates of this program are:

• Carpenter
• Mason
• Woodworker
• Cabinetmaker
• Remodeler

A second option for graduates is to transfer to a four-year program in this field. Two regional colleges that offer a bachelor’s degree in a related field to which graduates could transfer are Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, PA (B.S. in Construction Management), and the College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) at Syracuse (B.S. in Wood Products Technology).

A related career option would be to transfer to a school with a Technology Education or a Vocational Education bachelor’s degree, which would lead to a teaching career at the high school level. In New York State, two schools that offer this degree are SUNY Oswego and SUNY Buffalo.

Curriculum

Carpentry A.A.S.

SUNY Curriculum Code: 1392

First Semester

Course No.	Course	Cr. Hrs.
CARP 101	Construction Safety	1
CARP 120	Construction Plans and Specifications	3
CARP 130	Light Frame Construction Theory	3
CARP 140	Light Frame Construction Laboratory	4
MATH 128	College Algebra*	3
PEDH 220	First Aid: Responding to Emergencies	2
	Total	16

Second Semester

Course No.	Course	Cr. Hrs.
CARP 150	Finish Carpentry	3
CARP 160	Finish Carpentry Lab	4
CARP 180	Energy-Efficient Construction	3
ENGL 100	Freshman Composition	3
MATH 138	Trigonometry*	3
	Total	16

Third Semester

Course No.	Course	Cr. Hrs.
CARP 210	Residential Remodeling Theory	3
CARP 220	Residential Remodeling Laboratory	4
WDWK 110	Basic Woodworking	3
ARCH 110	Computer-Aided Residential Drawing	4
____ ___	Social Science Elective	3
	OR
WDWK 110	Basic Woodworking	3
WDWK 120	Basic Woodworking Laboratory	4
WDWK 130	Cabinet Design and Joinery	3
ARCH 110	Computer-Aided Residential Drawing	4
____ ___	Social Science Elective	3
	Total	17

Fourth Semester

Course No.	Course	Cr. Hrs.
WDWK 210	Cabinet Construction Theory	3
WDWK 220	Cabinet Construction Laboratory	4
PHYS 150	General Physics	4
ENGL 200	Advanced Composition
	or	3
COMM 100	Public Speaking
____ ___	Social Science Elective	3
	Total	17

Degree Requirement: 66 credit hours

Carpentry and Building Trades A.O.S.

SUNY Curriculum Code:  0503

First Semester

Course No.	Course	Cr. Hrs.
CARP 101	Construction Safety	1
CARP 120	Construction Plans and Specifications	3
CARP 130	Light Frame Construction Theory	3
CARP 140	Light Frame Construction Laboratory	4
MATH 102	Mathematics for Applied Technology	3
PEDH 220	First Aid: Responding to Emergencies	2
	Total	16

Second Semester

Course No.	Course	Cr. Hrs.
CARP 150	Finish Carpentry	3
CARP 160	Finish Carpentry Lab	4
CARP 170	Construction Estimating	3
CARP 180	Energy-Efficient Construction	3
CARP 190	Construction Employment Skills	3
	Total	16

The second-year A.O.S. options are these:

Option 1:  Remodeling-Masonry

Third Semester

Course No.	Course	Cr. Hrs.
CARP 210	Residential Remodeling Theory	3
CARP 220	Residential Remodeling Laboratory	4
CARP 240	Advanced Framing Principles	3
CARP 290	Mechanical Systems	2
MASN 110	Masonry Fundamentals	3
	Total	15

Fourth Semester

Course No.	Course	Cr. Hrs.
MASN 150	Finish Masonry	3
MASN 160	Finish Masonry Laboratory	4
MASN 170	Foundation Design	3
ARCH 110	Computer-Aided Residential Drawing	4
____ ___	Technical Elective	3
	Total	17

Degree Requirement: 64 credit hours

Option 2: Remodeling-Cabinetmaking 

Third Semester

Course No.	Course	Cr. Hrs.
CARP 210	Residential Remodeling Theory	3
CARP 220	Residential Remodeling Laboratory	4
CARP 240	Advanced Framing Principles	3
CARP 290	Mechanical Systems	2
WDWK 110	Basic Woodworking	3
	Total	15

Fourth Semester

Course No.	Course	Cr. Hrs.
WDWK 210	Cabinet Construction Theory	3
WDWK 220	Cabinet Construction Laboratory	4
WDWK 230	Residential Millwork	4
ARCH 110	Computer-Aided Residential Drawing	3
____ ___	Technical Elective	3
	Total	17

Degree Requirement: 64 credit hours

Option 3:  Woodworking-Cabinetmaking

Third Semester

Course No.	Course	Cr. Hrs.
WDWK 110	Basic Woodworking	3
WDWK 120	Basic Woodworking Laboratory	4
WDWK 130	Cabinet Design and Joinery	3
____ ___	Technical Elective	3
____ ___	Technical Elective	3
	Total	16

Fourth Semester

Course No.	Course	Cr. Hrs.
WDWK 210	Cabinet Construction Theory	3
WDWK 220	Cabinet Construction Laboratory	4
WDWK 230	Residential Millwork	3
ARCH 110	Computer-Aided Residential Drawing	4
____ ___	Technical Elective	3
	Total	17

Degree Requirement: 65 credit hours

Notes

*MATH 128 College Algebra and MATH 138 Trigonometry are the minimum exit-level mathematics requirement for the A.A.S. degree. MATH 102 Mathematics for Applied Technology is the minimum exit-level math requirement for the A.O.S. degree.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must have earned a high school or equivalency diploma. Two years of high school mathematics are recommended. Students must meet the College requirements for English and reading competency.

Program Objectives

A graduate of the Carpentry A.A.S. program should be able to:

1. Understand and apply knowledge of safe construction practices. 
2. Understand and interpret blueprints in the building trades. 
3. Understand and apply the principles of building layout, footing and foundation construction, and the framing of floor, wall, and roof sections of residential construction.
4. Understand and apply the theory related to the exterior and interior finish of a residential structure. 
5. Demonstrate knowledge of the materials used to insulate a residential structure, the NYS Energy Code, and the theory of how a building loses heat and how this loss is calculated.
6. Demonstrate knowledge of the safe operation and maintenance of major power tools used in cabinetmaking. 
7. Understand and apply the principles of residential remodeling theory or apply an increasing level of skill and familiarity with basic woodworking hand and power tools to an increasingly complex series of projects.
8. Understand and apply knowledge concerning cabinet design, joinery, abrasives, adhesives, coloring, and finishing as it applies to cabinetmaking. 
9. Understand and apply the fundamental techniques, skills, and computer usage necessary in the construction industry including word processing, spreadsheets, and CAD. 
10. Recognize and respond to emergencies by making appropriate decisions regarding first-aid care. 

A graduate of the Carpentry and Building Trades A.O.S. program, regardless of concentration, should be able to:

1. Understand and apply knowledge of safe construction practices.
2. Understand and interpret blueprints in the building trades.
3. Understand and apply the principles of building layout, footing and foundation construction, and the framing of floor, wall and roof sections of residential construction.
4. Understand and apply the theory related to the exterior and interior finish of a residential structure, including stair design, layout, and construction.
5. Perform the common quantity take-off procedures for estimating residential construction materials using a computer spreadsheet. 
6. Demonstrate knowledge of the materials used to insulate a residential structure, the NYS Energy Code, and the theory of how a building loses heat and how this loss is calculated. 
7. Demonstrate knowledge of the requirements essential to the establishment and operation of a small contracting business. 
8. Recognize and respond to emergencies by making appropriate decisions regarding first-aid care.

In addition to numbers 1-8 listed above for all concentrations, a graduate of the Carpentry A.O.S. program with a concentration in Remodeling and Finish Masonry should be able to:

1. Understand and apply the principles of residential remodeling theory, including additions to existing structures, dormers, kitchen and bathroom design, renovating and remodeling, re-roofing, and re-siding.
2. Understand and apply mathematical solutions to various advanced framing situations.
3. Demonstrate a basic understanding of plumbing and electrical systems so that he/she may work efficiently with tradespersons in these fields. 
4. Understand and apply the principles of construction theory as they relate to stone masonry, chimney and fireplaces, ornamental brickwork, and tile.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the design, building techniques, and structural details of the various foundation systems available to the modern contractor.
6. Understand and apply the fundamental techniques, skills, and computer usage necessary in the construction industry including word processing, spreadsheets, and CAD.

In addition to numbers 1-8 listed above for all concentrations, a graduate of the Carpentry A.O.S. program with a concentration in Remodeling and Cabinetmaking should be able to:

1. Understand and apply the principles of residential remodeling theory, including additions to existing structures, dormers, kitchen and bathroom design, renovating and remodeling, re-roofing and re-siding.
2. Understand and apply the mathematics of advanced framing principles, principles of truss construction, and residential member sizing.
3. Demonstrate a basic understanding of plumbing and electrical systems so that he/she may work efficiently with tradespersons in these fields. 
4. Understand and apply knowledge concerning cabinet design, joinery, abrasives, adhesives, coloring, and finishing as it applies to cabinetmaking.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of advanced finish carpentry techniques such as complicated interior trim work and advanced stair construction as well as other aspects of residential millwork. 
6. Understand and apply the fundamental techniques, skills, and computer usage necessary in the construction industry including word processing, spreadsheets, and CAD. 

In addition to numbers 1-8 listed above for all concentrations, a graduate of the Carpentry A.O.S. program with a concentration in Woodworking should be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the safe operation and maintenance of major power tools used in cabinetmaking.
2. Build a series of woodworking projects which demonstrate an increasing level of skill and familiarity with the basic woodworking hand and power tools.
3. Discuss and demonstrate familiarity with the fundamentals of furniture design and joinery techniques. 
4. Understand and apply knowledge concerning cabinet design, joinery, abrasives, adhesives, coloring, and finishing as it applies to cabinetmaking. 
5. Demonstrate knowledge of advanced finish carpentry techniques such as complicated interior trim work and advanced stair construction as well as other aspects of residential millwork. 
6. Understand and apply the fundamental techniques, skills, and computer usage necessary in the construction industry including word processing, spreadsheets, and CAD.