Sustainable Design and Construction
The Sustainable Design and Construction (SDC) program prepares students for careers in planning, designing, building and operating sustainable buildings and infrastructure to maximize their life-cycle economic value, their net contribution to environmental functions and services, and their social equity. The program offers courses in: project finance; sustainable multidisciplinary, multi-stakeholder planning and design processes; green architecture; performance-based structural design; building energy systems; and sustainable construction processes and materials. Classes on strategy, economics and organization design for new businesses, and corporate or governmental initiatives focusing on enhancing the sustainability of buildings and infrastructure round out the program. This degree program is being launched in 2008-2009 and is intended for students with undergraduate degrees in architecture, engineering, science, construction management, economics or business who wish to pursue careers that enhance the sustainability of the built environment. Potential employers include architectural or engineering design firms, sustainability consultants. construction firms focusing on green buildings, green-tech start-ups and green-tech venture funds.