Revised 08/2010

BLD 200 - Sustainable Construction (2 CR.)

Course Description

Teaches students the specialized construction management best practices that must be utilized when managing a sustainable project. Course will include industry standards for green construction as identified by popular building rating systems. Lecture 2 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

To prepare students for the special role those construction professionals must play in constructing ecologically sustainable projects. 

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

BLD 101 plus BLD 165 or Instructor’s Permission.

Course Objectives

Upon completing the course, the student will be able to:

  • Recognize and articulate the importance of the role of the construction management professional in the construction of a sustainable project.
  • Appreciate and communicate the importance of a collaborative team effort between owner, developers, architects, engineers, constructors, and consultants and identify the role that each member of the team performs.
  • Compare and contrast green building technologies and innovations.
  • Identify the techniques available for minimizing the environmental impacts caused by construction activity. Contrast with the current more commonly practiced techniques. Identify field best practices.
  • Identify key construction management related components of building rating systems (LEED, Green Globes and other international systems).
  • Ascertain and demonstrate the best way to meet the construction related requirements of the building rating systems.
    • Utilize green building resources and references.
    • Identify building products which are produced, delivered and installed while producing the smallest carbon footprint.
    • Identify recyclable building products and the importance of their embodied energy.
  • Forecast and analyze typical cost and schedule impacts encountered while managing sustainable projects
  • Demonstrate ethical decision making with regard to sustainable construction practices.
  • Develop and present a comprehensive construction management plan for implementation on a project utilizing a building rating system.

Major Topics to Be Included

  • Sustainable project roles and responsibilities
  • Review of sustainable principles
  • Construction activity impact on the environment
  • Building Rating Systems: What are they? Why are they implemented?
  • Building Rating Systems: Their relation to the construction management professional
  • Building Rating Systems: Field decisions and their impact to the owner
  • Potential for cost and schedule impacts
  • Case studies of existing facilities

Optional Topics

  • A field trip to a local site