Environmental Building Sciences

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Courses - September 2025

Level 1

Course details

Conestoga 101
CON0101

Description: This self-directed course focuses on introducing new students to the supports, services, and opportunities available at Conestoga College. By the end of this course, students will understand the academic expectations of the Conestoga learning environment, as well as the supports available to ensure their academic success. Students will also be able to identify on-campus services that support their health and wellness, and explore ways to get actively involved in the Conestoga community through co-curricular learning opportunities.
  • Hours: 1
  • Credits: 0
  • Pre-Requisites:
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Building Construction
CONS8091

Description: This course explores aspects of building construction helpful to understanding the built environment and deals with the intrinsic connection between conceptual design and technological aspects of a building's structural materiality: reinforced concrete, precast and pre-stressed concrete, steel framing systems; building envelop: building science, curtain walls, window walls, glazing and roofing systems; fire protection design and the evolution of an industrialized method of designing and assembling buildings. The course studies materials and methods as applied to renovation projects and building additions. The course includes preservation and enhancement of existing materials and construction assemblies as well as the study of the juxtaposition of new materials and assemblies with those of the existing building. Studies are based on a variety of facets including visual, cost, climate, code and environment.
  • Hours: 56
  • Credits: 4
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Computer-Aided-Design and Building Information Modeling
DRWG8360

Description:

This course is an introduction to 3(BIM) with application focus on building systems including 2D and 3D design drawings development. The industry standards will be practically introduced using CAD/REVIT for in class exercises and assignments. The course will provide in depth understanding of the high precision level of commercial computer aided design, modeling and drafting for construction projects. Other related functions will be explored similar to bill of quantities, takeoffs, data acquisition, interferences and documentation.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
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Air and Water Quality
ENVR8111

Description:

The origin, measurement and control of various types of air and water pollutants are studied in this course. The course reviews the fundamental gas laws and units used to measure air pollution. The origin of various types of air pollutants is outlined. Aspects of indoor air quality and noise will also be introduced.

The methods and protocols used in the measurement of air and water quality sampling of emission sources are presented. Factors affecting the methods used to model indoor air and water pollutants are studied.

Various air pollution control technologies are studied including absorption, adsorption, incineration, cyclones, filters, electrostatic precipitation and biofiltration. Air pollution problems on the macro scale (acid rain, ozone depletion, greenhouse effects) and the meso-scale (local industrial pollution) are introduced.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Field Methods I
ENVR8121

Description:

This is a practical hands-on course that provides students with experience in using the latest field methods for work in indoor environmental sciences. In this first course, students will learn the foundations of sample collection – accepted protocols, equipment selection and use, sample preservation and transportation, safety, and methodological limitations. This course compliments the course themes explored in Air and Water Analysis, Building Sciences, and Hazardous Materials Assessment.

Students will also learn how to collect samples for the indoor environment. Students will be exposed to air quality testing procedures, measuring for considerations such as air flow, CO/CO2 saturation, air pressure, humidity, etc. Water quality testing will also be taught. Finally, students will be exposed to general sample collection practices, such as collecting mould, formaldehyde, and other known hazards. The course emphasizes learning through the use of labs, field exercises, field demonstrations and field trips.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
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Indoor Environmental Legislation
LAW8261

Description:

This course provides a working knowledge of relevant environmental legislation at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels as related to indoor environments. Emphasis will be placed on the application of environmental laws and regulations to actual situations encountered by consultants, planners, municipalities, industry and contractors.

The course studies the relevance of environmental legislation to issues including indoor air and waste quality, solid and hazardous waste management, emergency planning, spills, and noise. The course will provide an understanding of the environmental approval processes and requirements, enforcement, penalties, liabilities, and reporting requirements. Case studies will be used extensively to demonstrate the application of environmental legislation.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
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Project Management
MGMT8471

Description:

This course will provide an introduction to the principles and methodology of Project Management and the tools used to monitor and control projects. The relationships amongst the various players of a project will be explored, focusing on the role of the Project Manager. Fundamental project management topics will be explored including: project participants and stakeholders, organizing and managing projects, project chronology and related activities, project costing and scheduling, and project management controls.

This course is designed to provide the student with an overview of the structure, functions and operations of projects. A significant emphasis will be on problem solving and teamwork skills while also providing practical training on the software tools and project planning processes/techniques.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
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Level 2

Course details

Building Systems
CONS8101

Description:

Through this course, the student will be introduced to the concept of the building as a living entity. The variety of systems within a building will be examined in relation to the problems which can result when these systems are poorly designed or do not function as intended. Physical factors that influence good design for performance, durability, health efficiency and sustainability of buildings will be studied. Common building design/construction problems that result in poor performance, expensive repairs, litigation, etc., their causes and solutions will be explored through studying famous, infamous and vernacular buildings, materials, details, etc. The principles of building science will be utilized to establish the appropriate performance characteristics of the systems as well as the preventative/corrective actions which could be prescribed when things go wrong.

  • Hours: 56
  • Credits: 4
  • Pre-Requisites:
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Energy and Sustainable Design
ENVR8131

Description:

This course centers on issues surrounding the integration of Sustainable and Energy Conservation Design principles into conceptual and practical architectural design. Topics include: solar geometry, climate/regional limitations, vernacular architecture, lighting, and energy efficient design and sustainability initiatives. Projects will be used extensively as a vehicle to discuss the success/failure of ideas and their physical applications.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
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Risk Assessment and Communication
ENVR8141

Description:

This course provides the student with an understanding of environmental risk pertaining to the built environment. The student will develop a working knowledge of the processes, components, data requirements, and methodology required for assessing indoor environment building risks and how to manage, document and communicate these.

Students will be exposed to considerations related to the processes of evaluating, quantifying and communicating the identified risks through course work, group discussion and case studies.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
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Field Methods II
ENVR8155

Description:

This course expands on the Field Methods I course and provides in-depth exposure to other indoor environmental concerns. Students will continue to learn about building environments through hands-on use of equipment and sampling methodologies. This course compliments the course themes explored in Energy & Design, and Building Sciences. With foundational knowledge in air, water and other substances sampling, students will learn how to test and analyze for other environmental hazards and parameters. They will learn about the waste management process and how to measure building efficiency systems, such as heat flow and leakage, noise, and lighting. Students will also be exposed to special considerations in various airborne contaminants and infection control.

  • Hours: 56
  • Credits: 4
  • Pre-Requisites:
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Project and Technical Report Writing
ENVR8161

Description:

Students will complete this course in their final semester of the program using the skills learned in this course and other courses within the program to plan and execute a major project, present their project, and submit a technical report. The project, will be an extension of the concepts covered throughout the program, work experience and independent research, and will tackle relevant problems experienced in the built environment. Students are expected to apply their knowledge and provide workable solutions to case study projects, including addressing the technical, regulatory, social and economic elements of the issue. Students will learn how to create a detailed proposal identifying the scope of work, technical approach, project team, schedule, and budget.

Students will learn how to communicate scientific and technical information concisely and accurately using appropriate formats and graphical support. Students will study technical communication theory/ practice and apply the knowledge to creating, critiquing, and presenting technical documents. The oral project presentation will emphasize clear and concise communication of technical details and the use of appropriate visual support for technical information.

  • Hours: 56
  • Credits: 4
  • Pre-Requisites:
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Building Performance
ENVR8171

Description: This course introduces an overview of facilities management principles and approaches to measure a building’s performance. Utilizing standards developed to measure space, facility serviceability and benchmarking are key practice areas of study. An individual’s perception of a building is also considered. This is viewed by human physiology, environmental psychology and psychosocial as factors that have an effect on the performance of a facility to support its comfort and workplace goals. These types of building and human measures lead to solutions for improved design and work performance.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
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Program outcomes

  1. Evaluate building specifications and drawings to facilitate the design, construction and maintenance of buildings that are environmentally sound and provide a healthy indoor atmosphere.
  2. Apply regulations and control processes to address the major sources of chemical, biological, and physical hazards within building environments.

    # Make recommendations to address potential hazards to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements governing the indoor built environment encompassing environmental and industrial guidelines, government codes, and standards.

  3. Manage risk by identifying and assessing sources of contamination in the building environment while ensuring timely, ongoing and appropriate communications to stakeholders.
  4. Provide recommendations to the design team incorporating the principles of sustainability and green architecture into building design.
  5. Apply the principles of building systems to achieve occupant comfort, energy management and operational objectives during the life cycle of the building.
  6. Apply sample collection and field measurement techniques using appropriate testing equipment to ensure compliance with industry and government standards and guidelines.
  7. Analyze and interpret results from sample collection and field measurement data in order to support recommendations for environmental improvements.
  8. Organize data and information to prepare and deliver technical reports and specifications according to applicable standards and guidelines.
  9. Manage technical projects and teams using appropriate methods and tools to support achievement of project goals.
  10. Design solutions to address environmental building systems problems based upon stakeholder requirements and in compliance with environmental standards.