Environmental Building Sciences

Program Overview

The Environmental Building Sciences Graduate Certificate Program at Conestoga College is a one-year program that equips graduates with the skills to manage indoor environmental conditions throughout a building's lifecycle. The program emphasizes experiential learning through exercises, case studies, and practical building science laboratories. Graduates will be able to identify, test, and remediate building environmental problems, apply sustainable building design and energy management principles, and comply with environmental legislation related to buildings.

Program Outline

Environmental Building Sciences Graduate Certificate Program at Conestoga College

Degree Overview:

• one-year graduate certificate designed to equip graduates with the skills and knowledge to manage indoor environmental conditions throughout a building's lifecycle
• This program focuses on building sciences, sustainability, energy management, environmental legislation, air and water quality, hazard assessment and abatement, and project management.
• Objectives: Graduates will be able to:
• Identify, test, and remediate building environmental problems.

• Apply sustainable building design and energy management principles.

• Comply with environmental legislation related to buildings.

• Evaluate air and water quality.

• Assess hazardous materials and implement abatement strategies.

• Apply sampling and testing methodologies.

• Manage building environmental projects and prepare technical reports.

• experiential learning
• In the final term, students work on a major project addressing a current building environmental issue.
• professionals in the environmental industry

Outline:

Curriculum

• Building science: Learn fundamental principles of heat transfer, moisture control, indoor air quality, ventilation, acoustics, and building performance.
• Building environment assessment: Understand how to conduct building assessments for various environmental concerns like indoor air quality, mold, asbestos, and lead.
• Remediation strategies: Gain the knowledge and skills needed to identify and implement appropriate remediation strategies for different building issues.
• Building codes and standards: Study the relevant environmental codes and standards governing building design, construction, and operation.

Modules

• Fundamentals of Building Science (60 hours)
• Building Envelope Performance (60 hours)
• Indoor Environmental Quality Management (60 hours)
• Building Environment Assessment (60 hours)
• Building Remediation Techniques (60 hours)
• Building Codes and Standards (30 hours)
• Environmental Legislation and Regulations (30 hours)
• Project Management and Technical Writing (30 hours)
• Capstone Project (150 hours)

Assessment:

Students will be assessed using diverse methodologies, including:

• Assignments: Individual or group projects, research papers, and reports.
• Examinations: Tests and quizzes evaluating the student's understanding of key concepts.
• Presentations: Sharing research findings and project outcomes through presentations.
• Capstone Project: A comprehensive final project demonstrating learned skills and knowledge, requiring independent research, analysis, and presentation.

Teaching:

• Interactive Learning Environment: The program prioritizes interactive learning through discussions, group projects, case studies, and hands-on activities.
• Experienced faculty: Instructors with extensive industry experience and expertise teach in the program, offering practical insights alongside theoretical knowledge.
• Guest Lecturers: Industry professionals share their expertise and case studies during dedicated guest lecturer sessions.
• Experiential Learning: Through laboratory sessions and real-world case studies, students apply the learned principles to real-world scenarios, developing problem-solving skills and hands-on experience.
• Technology-Enhanced Learning: The program utilizes online resources, simulations, and software applications to enhance understanding of complex building science concepts.
• Small Class size: Smaller student-to-faculty ratios facilitate personalized learning opportunities and individual feedback.

Careers:

• Environmental Consultant
• Building Inspector
• Indoor Air Quality Specialist
• Hazardous Materials Management Professional
• Energy Auditor
• Sustainability Coordinator
• Research & Development Specialist
• Building Envelope Specialist
• Construction Manager
• Facility Manager