Building Biology Course
 
 

Building Biology Training
Subjects can be started at any time for correspondence students.

 

What is Building Biology?

Originating from Germany, Building Biology is a science that investigates the health hazards in and around the built environment. These hazards include everything from the products we use to air, water and biological contaminants as well as electromagnetic fields and geopathic stress. Health statistics over the past few years tell the story. Breast cancer has more than doubled since the 1960s, 1 in 4 children now have asthma, and IVF has become the norm to have children. Could these conditions be linked to the homes in which we live? Building biologists certainly think so! According to the World Health Organisation, every year indoor air pollution is responsible for the death of 1.6 million people - that's one death every 20 seconds! (WHO, 2007). Despite the legislation and financial resources put into addressing ambient (outdoor) air pollution, very little is done to address indoor air quality even though it is 5 times more polluted (WHO, 2007). Since World War 11, with the development of the chemical and plastics industries, we have unleashed a plethora of chemicals into our air and water supplies. Most of these have never been tested to determine their impact on human health and yet they are part of our everyday lives. Despite the growing scientific evidence associating these hazards with specific disease states, there are few professionals who truly understand the synergistic impact they may have on the mental and physical state of human beings let alone the ecology of the planet. Building biology provides a wholistic examination of the built environment and provides realistic solutions to create buildings that support the mind, body and soul. For more information, advice, products and services on Building Biology, visit www.buildingbiology.com.au. The Australian College of Environmental Studies is proud to offer the NATIONALLY ACCREDITED Diploma of Building Biology (30588QLD), the first and only government accredited building biology course of its kind in Australia. We also offer a Certificate in Building Biology and Building Biology Fundamentals - an introductory course designed to assist you and your family in creating a healthier home. All of the subjects in these courses may be credited towards the Diploma. The building biology course is Austudy approved.

Flexible Study Options

With our flexible delivery options you can study the building biology course anytime, anywhere. You have two options: attend classes at the Melbourne campus (Box Hill) OR correspondence OR a mixture of the two. Studying the building biology course via correspondence has never been so easy. Once a student has enrolled in a correspondence subject, you will receive a course information pack containing a comprehensive manual, DVDs of the lectures (to enable you to watch the lectures on your TV or PC), the contact details of your lecturer, student learning guide (outlining the aims and assessments for that subject), student handbook (outlining college policies and procedures) and free access to the Yahoo group (this will enable you to communicate with other students doing the course). Once you have enrolled in a correspondence subject, you have a maximum of 14 weeks in which to complete it. You may enrol in a correspondence subject any time of the year. In order to complete the practical component of the Certificate in Building Biology course, correspondence students must attend a 9 day intensive in Melbourne (held annually). In order to complete the practical component of the Diploma of Building Biology course, correspondence students must attend a 9 day intensive in Melbourne (held annually). Students have a maximum of two years to complete the Certificate and four years to complete the Diploma. Full time students (ie those doing 8 subjects per year) maybe eligible for Austudy. Apply through Centrelink. NOTE: as from 2010, the Building Biology course will only be offered as a correspondence course with a 9 day intensive.


Role of a Building Biologist

A Building Biologist identifies the health hazards in the built environment from air, water and biological contaminants to electromagnetic field pollution and geopathic stress. They educate people and offer solutions to the health hazards that exist in their homes and workplaces and that ignoring these hazards not only has an adverse effect on their health, but in a wider sense, on the ecology of the planet. A Building Biologist also examines the use of building materials, their impact on indoor air quality as well as their embodied energy 'from the cradle to the grave' in order to assist in the selection of alternative and sustainable materials. A building biologist will identify and make recommendations to mitigate the multitude of health hazards that exist in our home and work places with the intention of creating an environment that supports our mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing. These hazards include:
* Air contaminants, air exchange rates, humidity and particulate levels.
* Water contaminants
* Soil contaminants
* Light and sound issues
* Mould and moisture problems
* Geopathic stress

* Electromagnetic radiation

Career Opportunities for Building Biologists

Most of our graduates work in private practise. For more detailed information on what you will get out of the course, click HERE.

The employment opportunities for a building biologist are potentially extensive:

Conduct energy audits of buildings.
* Work with the architectural and building industries to help design, build and renovate healthier buildings
* Work with natural therapists to determine if the home or building is contributing to a patient's illness
* Work with people who suspect their home is making them sick
* Help small businesses and large corporations determine why their staff are continually sick
* Assist businesses to comply with their occupational health and safety requirements
* Conduct air sampling of particulates and VOCs
* Training and conducting workshops to educate an unsuspecting public about the hazards in their homes
* Identify the causes of poor work productivity and staff sick leave in a business

Much more...

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