Energy and Environmental Design Postgraduate Certificate

Program Overview

The Energy and Environmental Design Postgraduate Certificate equips building professionals with advanced knowledge and skills in environmental design. Through core modules on climate positive environments and energy and carbon, students gain expertise in post-occupancy evaluation, energy assessment, and sustainable refurbishment strategies. The part-time program offers hands-on building analysis, industry links, and a faculty of experienced practitioners and scholars. Graduates contribute to a sustainable built environment with specialized knowledge in environmental design.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Energy and Environmental Design Postgraduate Certificate is a part-time program designed for building professionals seeking to update their knowledge and skills in environmental design. The program aims to equip students with a deeper understanding of environmental design principles and their application in architectural practice.

Objectives:

• Gain knowledge of energy and carbon counting methods and tools.
• Make informed design decisions based on post-occupancy feedback and performance analysis.
• Evaluate existing buildings using a combined bioclimatic and building occupant-focused approach.
• Develop an evidence-based design approach, applying specialized software and analytical tools to evaluation projects and case study analysis.
• Understand the principles and methodology of environmental design.
• Develop critical thinking skills to challenge established practices.
• Acquire the knowledge and practical tools to evaluate buildings and propose refurbishment strategies.
• Contribute to a truly sustainable built environment.

Outline:

Course Structure:

• Core Modules:
• Climate Positive Environments (40 credits):
This module introduces the concept of Climate Positive Environments through direct observation and analysis of existing built environments. It covers methodological and practical tools for performance evaluation, fieldwork methods, post-occupancy evaluation protocols, and case study analysis. The module also addresses environmental retrofit towards a climate positive impact.
• Energy and Carbon (20 credits): This module explores the principles of energy and carbon assessment in relation to current policies.
It covers advanced energy and control systems, mechanical services strategies, building services, renewable technologies, and building life cycle analysis. The module also introduces industry-compliant software for estimating carbon emissions and undertaking energy compliance modeling.

Assessment:

Assessment Methods:

• Presentations
• Podcasts
• Blogs
• Essays
• In-class tests
• Portfolios
• Dissertation

Teaching:

Teaching Methods:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Workshops
• Problem-based learning
• Blended learning
• Practical application

Faculty:

• Dr Rosa SCHIANO-PHAN - Reader
• Dr Mehrdad Borna - Visiting Lecturer
• Dr Paolo Cascone - Senior Lecturer
• Amedeo Scofone - PTVL - DCDI
• Professor Joana Soares Goncalves - PTVL - DCDI
• Kartikeya Rajput - Staff
• Dr Juan Vallejo - PTVL - DCDI

Careers:

Potential Career Paths:

• Environmental design consultancy
• Specialized roles within architectural practices

Opportunities:

• The course provides a compact timeframe to refresh or acquire knowledge in building sustainability, fieldwork methods, and energy systems.
• It is ideal for professionals who would like to study part-time.

Other:

• The program offers industry links, including lectures from guest speakers from academia and practice.
• Students will engage in fieldwork and hands-on building analysis, using specialist equipment and instrumentation for conducting on-site environmental and energy monitoring.
• The program is taught by a dedicated group of experienced architectural practitioners, world-renowned scholars, and engineers.
• The University of Westminster offers a range of volunteering opportunities, entrepreneurial skills development programs, and access to free online courses.
• The program is supported by the University's Careers and Employability Service, which provides access to a network of employers and experienced consultants.
• The program is recognized by the Westminster Employability Award, which allows students to formally document and demonstrate their personal and professional development activities.
• The program is part of the University of Westminster's commitment to empowering architects, engineers, and building professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to design healthier, more comfortable, and sustainable built environments.

UK Fees:

£3,900 (Price per academic year)

International Fees:

• This opportunity is available if you have a personal tuition fee liability of £2,000 or more and if you are self-funded or funded by the Student Loans Company.