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Environmental Systems (ABPL90086)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
Please refer to the return to campus page for more information on these delivery modes and students who can enrol in each mode based on their location.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 - Dual-Delivery |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject provides a coverage of the different systems significant in the design of buildings, which are described in terms of 3 interlocking systems: human, mechanical and natural systems.
Human Systems
- Concepts of environmental comfort: heat, light and sound
- Occupational Health, Safety and Environment
- Post-Occupancy Evaluation
Mechanical Systems
- energy efficiency, alternative energy sources and energy management
- active solar heating and cooling systems;
- electrical, telecommunications, transportation and building management systems;
- air-conditioning system designs; refrigeration, heating and air handling plants;
- façade design, natural ventilation and mixed mode systems;
- displacement ventilation, evaporative cooling and radiant cooling systems;
- special servicing conditions
- acoustical design and noise control
Natural Systems
- passive design techniques for buildings
- waste and water treatment techniques, WSUD (water sensitive urban design)
- green infrastructure and ecological services
- integrated greenery – green roofs and vertical greenery
Sustainable building standards like Green Star and NABERS will also be introduced and used in the discourse of the lectures.
Intended learning outcomes
Having completed this unit the student is expected to:
- Have a fundamental knowledge of issues related to sustainable building design;
- Understand relative importance of human, mechanical and natural system as they apply to building construction;
- Demonstrate familiarity with issues such as : concepts of environmental comfort, post-occupancy evaluation, mechanical system efficiency; and passive design techniques.
Generic skills
On completion of the subject students should have developed the following skills and capabilities:
• Knowledge of technical terms and ability to communicate with specialized consultants in the environmentally sustainable design of buildings
• An understanding of sustainability issues relating to the work of specialized consultants
• An understanding of integrated environmental systems in building design
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
702-465 Environmental Systems
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Passive systems foundation individual report
| Week 6 | 15% |
HVAC systems foundation individual report
| Week 8 | 10% |
Class group presentation, outlining the ESD report that outlines overall environmental system strategies for the delivery of environmentally sound healthy building with zero energy operation (equivalent to 300 words per student, 600 words per presentation from a two-student group)
| Week 11 | 10% |
Advanced ESD group report (1250 words per student, 2,500 words per submission from a two-student group)
| Week 11 | 25% |
Individual essay assignment, focusing on the ability to think creatively and research and evaluate the traditional and alternate methodologies that drive social, environmental and economic outcomes,
| Week 14 ( first week of examination period) | 45% |
Additional details
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Christopher Jensen Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours 1 x 2 hours of lectures per week; 1 x 2 hours of tutorials per week Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 1 March 2021 to 30 May 2021 Last self-enrol date 12 March 2021 Census date 31 March 2021 Last date to withdraw without fail 7 May 2021 Assessment period ends 25 June 2021 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Szokolay, S. V. Introduction to Architectural Science: the Basis of Sustainable Design. London : Elsevier/Architectural Press, 2008.
Gonçalves, Joana Carla Soares. The Environmental Performance of Tall Buildings. London: Earthscan, 2010.
Kibert, Charles J. Sustainable Construction: Green Building Design and Delivery. 2nd ed. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley, 2008.Recommended texts and other resources
Parlour, R. P. Building Services: a Guide to Integrated Design & Engineering for Architects. Pymble, N.S.W: Integral Publishing, 2000.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Construction Management Course Master of Architecture Course Master of Urban Design Course Master of Architecture Major Tailored Specialisation Major Tailored Specialisation Major Energy Efficiency Modelling and Implementation Informal specialisation Research and Development Major Tailored Specialisation - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022