Mar 28, 2024  
2016-2017 Undergraduate Academic Catalog 
    
2016-2017 Undergraduate Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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AE 4121 - Environmental Science in Building Construction

3 lecture hours 0 lab hours 3 credits
Course Description
This course introduces students to environmental aspects and impacts of construction-related activities. Topics include an introduction to environmental laws, regulations and policies; environmental exposures to hazardous chemicals; management and minimization of construction and demolition waste; stormwater management; air quality management and the hazardous communications standard. (prereq: AE 1231 , CH 200 , CH 201 , junior standing)
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  • Outline the major drivers of sustainable construction movement, including climate change, ozone depletion, degradation of soil, air, water and biological diversity, and resource depletion
  • Explain the scientific concepts of sustainable construction
  • Break down the economic benefits and costs of constructing high performance/green buildings
  • Compile the environmental impacts of construction materials, activities and operations
  • Differentiate the purpose of green building assessment tools including LEED and Green Globe and how they work
  • Apply the LEED(TM) suite of standards to measure the degree of sustainability of new commercial building projects using the LEED(TM) credit and certification process applied to the following categories:
  • Sustainable Sites category
  • Energy and Atmosphere category
  • Water Efficiency category
  • Materials and Resources category
  • Indoor Environmental Quality category
  • Devise options to reduce the ecological impact of the construction process, including recycling of materials, erosion and sediment control measures, and protection of indoor air quality
  • Compile the elements and benefits of building commissioning
  • Calculate the life cycle costs of high performance/green building components
  • Develop alternative technologies in area of student’s technical specialty to reduce environmental impacts (and increase LEED(TM) points) on the student’s senior design project (or other suitable project)

Prerequisites by Topic
  • None

Course Topics
  • Drivers for sustainability (2 classes)
  • Green building assessment and process (3 classes)
  • Economic analysis of green buildings (2 classes)
  • Sustainable sites (2 classes)
  • Sustainability for the structural engineer (1 class)
  • Energy and atmosphere (2 classes)
  • Water quality and quantity parameters (3 classes)
  • Materials and the environmental impact of materials consumption (3 classes)
  • Indoor environmental quality (2 classes)
  • Construction operations and building commissioning (3 classes)
  • Presentations of final projects (2 classes)
  • Global issues regarding sustainability (5 classes)

Coordinator
Willie Gonwa



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