School of Construction

Desmond Fletcher, Director
118 College Drive, Box 5138
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
601.266.4895

Crosby, Hamilton, Hannon, Kemp, Rahman, Rose, Sarder, Sulbaran, Vajpayee

The School of Construction offers four undergraduate programs with direct application to industry. The Architectural, Construction and Industrial Engineering Technology programs are accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (TAC of ABET), 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202; 410.347.7700.

The Construction Engineering Technology program is also accredited by the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE), 1717 North loop 1604 East, Suite 320, San Antonio, Texas 78232-1570; 210.405.6161.

The Interior Design program is accredited as a first professional-level degree program by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA; formerly FIDER) and the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). Requirements are in accordance with the published standards and guidelines of the CIDA and the NKBA.

The school offers a two-year Pre-architecture program and a Master of Science in logistics, trade and transportation technology.

The baccalaureate programs provide career-oriented technology education that enable graduates to enter positions with skills that are in high demand in modern industry. All programs are designed to accept transfer students from accredited community/junior colleges and technical institutes. Guidance for transfer students is provided with the individual program information in this section; however, students planning to transfer to the School of Construction are urged to contact the appropriate program coordinator for details. A minimum grade of C is required on all major courses.

Minors available from the School of Construction are outlined following the corresponding major programs. Minor requirements may not be satisfied by transfer courses from other institutions that are not accredited by each program’s respective accreditation association.

Architectural Engineering Technology

(Accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology)

Desmond Fletcher, Director
Doris Kemp, Coordinator
601.266.4895 or Fax: 601.266.5717
construction.usm.edu

The Architectural Engineering Technology program educates future architectural engineering technologists in the process of producing design projects from schematics through construction. The program is designed to prepare its graduates for employment in architecturally related firms, including architects’ offices, design-build firms, engineering firms, governmental agencies, real estate development firms, planning offices, and architectural materials suppliers and manufacturers. Major courses of study include architectural design, architectural history, architectural working drawings, building materials, computer-aided design and drafting, electrical systems, estimating, mechanical systems, office practices, specifications, structural design and surveying. Students desiring to transfer to a school of architecture should consult with their adviser early in their courses of study.

Construction Engineering Technology

(Accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology and the American Council for Construction Education)

Desmond Fletcher, Director
601.266.4895 or Fax: 601.266.5717
construction.usm.edu

The Construction Engineering Technology program emphasizes the technology, engineering and construction business requirements that have been historically needed by the construction industry. Construction is one of the largest and most diversified industries in the world, accounting for approximately 12 percent of the country’s gross national product. The key professional in this vast industry is the constructor. Various job titles for the constructor are estimator, scheduler, superintendent, project manager, project engineer, controls manager, materials manager or owner. These skilled professionals are indispensable in meeting the global needs for new residential, commercial, industrial, manufacturing, civil and environmental projects.

While requiring basic business courses, the interdisciplinary Construction Engineering Technology program offers students specialized course work in surveying, building systems, construction practices/procedures, cost estimating, scheduling, construction contracts and structural design. Graduates are employed in both office and field positions. Employers include contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, consultants and government agencies.

Industrial Engineering Technology

(Accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology)

Desmond Fletcher, Director
Dr. M. Sarder, Coordinator
601.266.4895 or Fax: 601.266.5717
construction.usm.edu

The major in industrial engineering technology is designed to prepare students to meet the growing demands of industry for employees with expertise in manufacturing processes, statistical quality control, production management, automation and computer-aided manufacturing. In addition to the traditional program emphasizing productivity improvement, a special emphasis area in manufacturing is offered. Both programs provide the graduate with a strong background in the technical sciences and applied mathematics, and prepares him or her for a wide spectrum of jobs in the manufacturing, service and government sectors in either technical or management positions.

Interior Design Program

Desmond Fletcher, Director
Claire L. Hamilton, Coordinator
118 College Drive, Box 5113
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
Fax: 601.266.5166
interior.design@usm.edu
construction.usm.edu/interiordesign

C. Hamilton, M. Rose

Overview of Major

The interior design program prepares students to identify, research and solve problems related to the needs of people in residential, institutional and commercial environments in order to enhance the quality of life and protect public health, safety and welfare. The program’s interdisciplinary approach addresses the demands and standards of qualification of the profession and related fields. The core of program requirements includes sequential studio courses covering the analysis, planning and design of human environments, to include instruction in sustainable design, universal design, presentation, HVAC systems, lighting, plumbing, acoustics, codes, special needs, historic and contemporary furnishings/design, aesthetics and professional procedures.

Professional designers, architects, manufacturers and allied representatives serve the program in an advisory capacity as members of advisory boards, guest lecturers, part-time faculty, critics and supervisors of interns. Further contact with professionals is supported through the student chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and student membership in the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). All faculty members have had professional experience and are members of professional organizations.

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities exist in the following areas: residential and contract interior design/space planning firms; architectural and engineering firms; facilities planning, independently or within the structure of corporations, institutions or government agencies; antique dealerships; furniture and textile manufacturers and distributors; furniture showrooms for trade and retail; preservation and restoration design; and interior design education.

Computer Equipment Requirements

ID majors are required to own a specifically equipped laptop computer as a prerequisite for all 200-level and above ID studio courses. Specifications are available through the ID office.

Studies Abroad

Students are offered the opportunity to earn six hours of credit while studying abroad through the British Studies Program or other studyabroad courses offered through International Programs.

Admission Policy

Admission to The University of Southern Mississippi as an interior design major does not ensure progression to the upper-division studio courses. Criteria for progression to the upper-division 300/400-level studio courses include 1) a letter of application, 2) specified GPA requirements, 3) completion of specified courses and 4) portfolio review.

Application forms and instructions may be obtained from the student’s adviser or the Interior Design program coordinator. The deadline for completion of the forms is the spring semester prior to enrollment in ID 320 and ID 339 . Dates will be posted in the studio and announced in the lower-division studio courses.

Students who have completed or who are currently enrolled in the following prerequisite course may apply to the Interior Design program for progression to the upper-division studio courses:

Progression Criteria

Pre-ID Curriculum Requirements: The following courses must be completed prior to entry in 300/400-level studio courses (additional prerequisites may apply for individual 300/400-level courses):

University Core (24 hrs.)
(6 hrs.) ENG 101 and ENG 102
(3 hrs.) MAT 101 or higher level
(6 hrs.) HIS 101 and HIS 102
(3 hrs.) ART 130
(3 hrs.) CMS 111 , CMS 305 , CMS 320 or CMS 330

The following courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher prior to entry in 300/400 studio courses (additional prerequisites may apply for individual 300/400-level courses):

Interior Design (17 hrs.)
(3 hrs.) AEC 132 /AEC 132L
(3 hrs.) ID 140
(3 hrs.) ID 210
(3 hrs.) ID 238
(3 hrs.) ID 240
(2 hrs.) ID 242
(3 hrs.) ID 311
Art (12 hrs.)
(3 hrs.) ART 101
(6 hrs.) ART 111 and ART 112
(3 hrs.) ART 113

Portfolio Review: Applicants will submit a portfolio of work completed in the above course prerequisites for review by the interior design faculty, typically the summer semester prior to enrolling in ID 320 and ID 339 . Declared interior design majors will be issued written directions that will include format and project inclusions.

Grade Point Average: Student must have earned a cumulative GPA of 2.5 in the pre-ID curriculum and a 2.5 in all courses completed under the major area of study.

Assessment Method: A written evaluation criteria list will be issued to all students declaring an interior design major and made available for students enrolling in 100/200-level interior design courses and prospective students. The evaluation criteria will incorporate the Council for Interior Design Accreditation standards and guidelines applicable to predetermined competency level expectations.

Due Date: Applicants will submit the progression application the semester prior to expected enrollment in ID 320 and ID 339 , typically the spring semester of the second year. Dates will be posted in the studio and announced in the ID 200-level studios. Students are encouraged to work with an adviser in completing the application.

Continued Progression in Interior Design Studio Course Sequence

According to the Council for Interior Design Accreditation standards, the interior design curriculum is designed to encompass continuity, repetition of significant concepts, sequential ordering of content, progression of learning and interrelationships among learning experiences. The student must earn a grade of C or higher in each course of the interior design studio sequence before taking the next ID studio in the sequence. The sequential order of the design studio course sequence is as follows:

AEC 132 /AEC 132L
ID 140
ID 238 , ID 240
ID 240 , ID 311
ID 242 , ID 320 , ID 339
ID 340 , ID 439
ID 342 , ID 438 , ID 440
ID 490
ID 442

To remain in the ID degree plan, a student must maintain a 2.5 GPA on all Southern Miss course work.

A student who drops below the 2.5 GPA requirement will have one probationary semester (not including summer) to bring up grades. A student whose grades do not improve after probation will be barred from taking any additional ID courses. However, a student may seek permission from the program director to retake an ID course in which he or she earned a D or F, for the purpose of attaining a better grade, within the university’s regulations regarding the repeating of course work. Students progressing in the ID sequence according to their original progression schedule will have enrollment precedence over students retaking or taking studio courses out of their original schedule of progression.

Summer Internship Prerequisites

Before enrolling in ID 442 - Interior Design Internship , a student must have completed ID 340 and ID 439 with a grade of C or better, and have a 2.5 GPA in the major area of study. Approval must be obtained through an application form available from the student’s academic adviser.

Graduation Requirements

In addition to all university and major course requirements, the following requirements must be met for the degree in interior design:

Fifty percent of required courses in the major must be completed at Southern Miss.
All required 300 and above-level studio courses must be completed at Southern Miss.
A grade of C or higher must be earned in all courses in the major area of study.
A cumulative GPA of 2.5 must be earned under the major area of study and the last 60 hours of courses attempted.

Transfer Credits

Transfer students are admitted to the program upon admission to the university. Students who wish to transfer from another college within the university must have a 2.0 GPA. Application for transfer may be made to the Interior Design program throughout the year. The evaluation criteria for transfer credits in the major are as follows:

Quality and representation of course objectives documented in portfolio of previous work completed in interior design studio and support courses
Work completed at a program accredited by the Council for Interior Design
Accreditation (Transfer of 300- and above-level interior design credits from programs not accredited by Council for Interior Design Accreditation-accredited institutions will be considered on an individual basis.)
Course syllabi and project description
Grades earned in the courses
ID progression criteria met prior to enrollment in 300- and above-level ID studio courses
Course descriptions published in school catalog

Programs

Bachelor of Science

Non-degree