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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
E SD071.
Course Title (CB02)
Introduction to Sustainable Buildings
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2024
Course Description
This course presents a holistic overview of sustainable building design. Specific topics to be covered include the environmental and human impacts of buildings, sustainability principles applied to building design, typical sustainable building design strategies, and a brief introduction to other systematic design approaches to sustainable buildings.
Faculty Requirements
Discipline 1
[Environmental Technologies (Environmental hazardous material technology, hazardous material abate- ment, environmentally conscious manufacturing, waste water pretreatment, air pollution control technology, integrated waste management, water treatment, sewage treatment)]
Discipline 3
[Ecology]
FSA
[FHDA FSA - FACILITIES MAINTENANCE TECH]
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course is CSU transferable and a requirement of the CTE Energy Management and Building Science Certificate and Degree. It introduces the importance of sustainable buildings to the environment and society and gives a good understanding of the complexities involved with designing buildings sustainably.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to CSU only

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
2.0
Maximum Credit Units
2.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours2.04.0
Laboratory Hours0.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
24.0
Laboratory
0.0
Total
24.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
48.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
48.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

ESL D272. and ESL D273., or ESL D472. and ESL D473., or eligibility for EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion of assigned reading

Discussion and problem-solving performed in class

In-class essays

In-class exploration of Internet sites

Quiz and examination review performed in class

Homework and extended projects

Field observation and field trips

Guest speakers

Collaborative learning and small group exercises/projects

Assignments

  1. Reading assignments from text and other relevant readings
  2. Writing assignments involving calculations, summary, analysis, and synthesis of data and/or information.
  3. Individual or team reports / presentations/projects on an assigned topic

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Weekly in-class and homework assignments to practice student comprehension of principles and concepts.
  2. Presentation of individual or team project to demonstrate the ability to analyze, synthesize, and organize information on an assigned topic.
  3. A final assessment (exam) to demonstrate student comprehension of principles and concepts.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • Calculator with advanced functions such as exponents, root, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions, etc.
  • Device with word processing and spreadsheet capabilities
Essential College Facilities:
  • Kirsch Center (KC) for Environmental Studies (a sustainable building with sustainable materials and design features), energy management lab (KC239), solar photovoltaic (PV) demonstration arrays (KC West, outdoors), building renewable energy systems (solar thermal system, solar PV system, controls room & other related equipment), and building mechanical (KC204) and electrical (KC205) rooms

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Fleming, R. & Roberts, S. H.Sustainable Design for the Built EnvironmentRoutledge20199781138066182
Keeler, M., & Vaidya, P.Fundamentals of Integrated Design for Sustainable BuildingJohn Wiley & Son, Inc.2016/2nd Edition9781118881910
Bergman, D.Sustainable Design: A Critical GuidePrinceton Architectural Press20129781568989419
Sassi, P.Strategies for Sustainable ArchitectureTaylor & Francis20069780415341424

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

None.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Describe the connection between buildings, the environment, and humans
  • Identify the meaning of sustainability and its application to buildings
  • Outline the fundamental design strategies of sustainable building design
  • Review other more systematic building design approaches

CSLOs

  • Account for the impact of buildings on the natural environment and humans

  • Describe the concepts of sustainability and how they pertain to buildings

  • Explain some of the typical sustainability design strategies of buildings

  • Identify other more comprehensive building design approaches

Outline

  1. Describe the connection between buildings, the environment, and humans
    1. Building consumption and resource depletion
    2. Resource depletion and environmental degradation
    3. Environmental degradation and human impacts
  2. Identify the meaning of sustainability and its application to buildings
    1. Principles of sustainability
    2. Sustainability applied to buildings
  3. Outline the fundamental design strategies of sustainable building design
    1. Location and site optimization
    2. Energy-efficient design
    3. Green materials selection
    4. Indoor environmental quality and health
    5. Water conservation
    6. Management of waste
    7. Building operations and maintenance scheduling
    8. Construction, renovation, anf demolition recycling
  4. Review other more systematic building design approaches
    1. Integrative design process
    2. Bio-inspired design
    3. Other design approaches
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