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This subject focuses on the causes and adverse health effects arising from poor indoor air quality. These include those arising from unflued gas appliances, chemicals in household products, car exhaust, dust and microbiological contaminants (mould). Particular attention will be given to internationally recognised indoor air pollutants with explanations of the types, sources and known health effects. Ventilation and local exhaust ventilation will be introduced, along with the use of plants, ionisers, ozone generators, air filters and vacuum cleaners as a way to improve indoor air quality. |
| Prerequisites? |
No |
| Availability |
*Correspondence |
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Using
occupational hygiene practices, this subject provides the theoretical
and practical skills required to identify and evaluate chemical and particulate contaminants found in and around the built environment.
Air sampling will be described and demonstrated with a specific
focus on chemical and dust sampling. Passive and active sampling for
gases and vapours will be demonstrated and described. Students will learn how to carry out an audit, comply with aseptic procedures, analyse laboratory results, compare the results with relevant Australian Standards, and be able to write professional reports. Practical
exercises and demonstrations will consolidate the information in
this subject. For the timetable click here. |
| Prerequisites? |
*Yes - Air
Pollution |
| Availability |
*Practical intensive (February) |
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This
elective subject will examine the building biology principles that underpin
good building design with a focus on suitable designs for temperate,
hot humid and arid climates commonly found in Australia. Site selection,
evaluation of its microclimate and the importance of establishing
a relationship between the building and the local environment is highlighted.
The building site footprint will look at foundations, framing, water flow management and
the use of non-chemical forms of pest management. The various ways in which passive solar design
and energy efficiency can be incorporated into the building design
will be evaluated. Alternative building designs including mud brick,
straw bale and other unique alternative and experimental building
styles will be introduced. This subject is ideal for anybody in the building industry such as architects, draftpersons or anyone intending to build their own home. |
| Prerequisites? |
*Yes - Building
Materials |
| Availability |
* Correspondence
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With the shift towards creating energy efficient buildings, few builders, architects or government authorities have considered the adverse impact this may have on the health of the occupants. Using the building biology rating criteria, this subject provides the knowledge and the skills to assess a building material’s effect on human health and its impact on indoor air quality, electroclimate, emissions of toxic vapours, radioactivity and life cycle analysis. The issues surrounding natural versus synthetic building materials
including recycled products are explored and their embodied energy
from the "cradle to the grave" considered. Building materials
and the use of vapour barriers will be examined in regard to their
impact on the indoor living climate. Students will research and source the use of ‘healthier’ building materials. |
| Prerequisites? |
*No |
| Availability |
*Correspondence |
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This
elective subject provides a comprehensive overview of the basics required
to successfully operate a small business. Strategic business planning
provides the foundation for students to confidently take their nvironmental
studies into the marketplace. Students will learn how to position
themselves within their chosen markets in an innovative and entrepreneurial
manner. Students will be given a theoretical and practical framework
with which to enhance their unique personal and professional skills.
The subject provides a strong focus on marketing as an essential
element of any successful business plan. Students will learn how
to use the key tools of brand/image, pricing, promotion, advertising,
publicity, public relations, sales and customer service in order
to build their business. |
| Prerequisites? |
*No |
| Availability |
*Correspondence
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This subject introduces the basic concepts of electricity including the scientific units, terminology and its underlying principles (volts, current, resistance and circuits, Ohms law, Power law and magnetism). Students will learn about the various bands of the electromagnetic spectrum and more specifically which frequencies impact the built environment. A detailed theoretical knowledge of how electricity is produced and conducted through the power distribution network and ultimately through a building will be described.
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| Prerequisites |
*No |
| Availability |
*Correspondence |
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Learn how to conduct an electromagnetic field audit of a building. The health
concerns associated with specific frequencies and what those concerns
mean in our modern society will be described. The legislation underpinning electromagnetic
fields both in Australia will be discussed and compared
with building biology recommendations. The sources and causes of
ionising and non-ionising radiation in a residential and commercial
building will be described with a focus on AC electric and AC magnetic
fields and microwaves. The types of meters used to measure these
fields will be discussed and demonstrated. Using the Hierarchy of Control, the ways in which these fields can be reduced and/or
mitigated including the use of shielding, will be described and demonstrated. The building biology protocol required
to conduct an electromagnetic field survey will be explained and
demonstrated. Practical exercises and a field trip will consolidate
the information in this subject. For the current timetable click here. |
| Prerequisites? |
*Yes - Electricity
Fundamentals |
| Availability |
*Practical intensive (February) |
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This elective subject provides students with an insight to understanding the relationship
between the environment and its impact on one's health, wealth and
prosperity. Students will gain an understanding of the history and
principles underpinning Form and Compass school Feng Shui including
the concept of the Tao, Qi and the five element theory. The ability
to identify and perceive Qi in all its forms in the environment
is explored. The different Forms found within a landscape are identified
and studied. Ideal furniture placement and colours for each room of the house are described with a focus on the appropriate placement and use of Feng Shui remedies. Students will learn
how to accurately use a compass to determine the facing direction
of a building. The Xian Tian and Hou Tian Bagua's are explored to
identify their relationship to a building. Students will dissect
and interpret a building as described by the principles of the Compass
school in order to determine its influence on a person's career,
health and relationships. This subject is available via correspondence and also run in Sydney and Melbourne.
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| Prerequisites? |
*No |
| Availability |
*On
campus (Melbourne & Sydney)
*
Correspondence
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Geomancy (an elective subject) attempts to understand and quantify the ‘spirit of a place’. Why are some places on earth ‘sacred’ whilst others cause illness (geopathic stress)? Using dowsing as a tool, students will learn to detect the various forms of geopathic stress on a site such as geological fault lines, geomagnetic fields, ley lines, water courses and learn to make the remedies to address these. Practical exercises and a field trip will consolidate the information in this subject to enable the student to conduct a geomantic appraisal of a site. Practical exercises and a
field trip will consolidate the information in this subject to
enable the student to conduct a geomantic appraisal of a site. This subject is available in Sydney and Melbourne as well as during the January intensive. |
| Prerequisites? |
*No |
| Availability |
*On campus (Melbourne & Sydney)
*
Practical intensive (February)
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This subject focuses
on the quality of drinking water from a variety of sources: municipal, tank, bottled and bore/well water. The
issues associated with water quality throughout
Australia is highlighted. The various types of water contaminants
likely to be found in drinking water such as microbes, radionuclides,
sediment, disinfectant by-products, pesticides, heavy metals and
petrochemicals are described and discussed with a focus on their
adverse health effects. The controversy surrounding fluoride will
be discussed and debated. Commercially available filtration systems
for residential and commercial properties are described and compared
with a focus on their advantages and disadvantages. |
| Prerequisites? |
*No |
| Availability |
*Correspondence |
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