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This
subject focuses on indoor air quality. Areas covered include
the sources and adverse health effects of various gases and vapours, volatile organic compounds
(cosmetics, cleaning products and pesticides), particulates
and dusts, and microbiological contaminants (dust mite and toxic mould)
commonly found in homes and workplaces. 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 |
None |
| Availability |
*Correspondence |
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This
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 local environment is highlighted.
The building site footprint will look at foundations, framing and
the importance of pest management as well as building site trwater
flow 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 described. |
| Prerequisites |
*Building
Materials |
| Availability |
* Correspondence
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This
subject focuses on the use of building materials currently available
in Australia and includes the impact they have on human health and
the environment. The building biology principles underpinning building
materials will be described with a focus on how to assess and source
them. 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. |
| Prerequisites |
*None |
| Availability |
*Correspondence |
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This
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. This subject is available via correspondence, in Sydney and Melbourne. |
| Prerequisites |
*None |
| Availability |
*Correspondence
* Sydney and Melbourne
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Provides
an understanding of the basic principles of general and physical
chemistry, giving students a foundation on atomic theory and the
types of bonding; the nature of acids, bases and surfactants; kinetic theory
of matter and the properties of metals. Students will formulate
and write balanced chemical reactions providing a foundation for
further studies in building biology, through a recognition and understanding
of chemicals used in our everyday life. |
| Prerequisites |
*None |
| Availability |
*Correspondence |
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This
subject introduces the basic concepts of electricity and the electromagnetic
spectrum. A detailed theoretical and practical knowledge of how
electricity is produced and conducted through the power and telecommunications
network will be described. How a building is wired will be described
and consolidated with practical demonstrations (DVDs). Meters used to measure
electrical and magnetic fields will be discussed and demonstrated.
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| Prerequisites |
*None |
| Availability |
*Correspondence |
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This
subject focuses on the phenomenon of geopathic stress and its impact
on our mental and physical wellbeing. An in-depth analysis of dowsing,
the psychology and spirit of place, place memory and the cultural
importance of sacred places will be described and discussed. The
characteristics affiliated with each form of geopathic stress will
be discussed. The ability to detect and remediate various forms
of geopathic stress will be discussed and demonstrated. Students
will be given dowsing rods. 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. |
| Prerequisites |
*None |
| Availability |
*Practical intensive (January)
*Sydney and Melbourne
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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 |
*Electricity
Fundamentals |
| Availability |
*Practical intensive (January) |
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Occupational Health & Safety |
This
subject will enable
students to conduct an occupational health and safety audit of a workplace. The legislation underpinning occupational health
and safety in the workplace will be discussed. The roles and responsibilities of employers
and employees as well as government bodies are described and outlined.
The underlying knowledge and skills required
to provide a systematic approach to risk management will be described with an emphasis on hazard identification, risk
assessment and risk control. Chemical, physical,
biological and radiation hazards are discussed with a focus on how
to assess and control their risks. Personal protective equipment is
also described with a focus on their use. |
| Prerequisites |
*None |
| Availability |
*Correspondence |
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This
subject provides an introduction to the types of renewable energy
technologies that are commercially available with an emphasis on
small-scale applications. The unit will provide an awareness of
the economic, political, environmental and social issues affecting
the application of renewable technologies, together with the development
of skills and knowledge in the assessment of energy services and
demand. The focus will be on energy auditing buildings. Solar thermal and photovoltaics will
be introduced and described with a focus on their application in
small-scale systems.
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| Prerequisites |
*None |
| Availability |
*Correspondence available February 2011 |
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Permaculture Introduction |
Permaculture is defined as "consciously designed landscapes that mimic nature, whilst yielding abundant food and energy for local needs". This unit covers an introduction to Permaculture, its principles and practises. Students are required to undertake a study of a bioregion, involving liaison with the local community. The focus will be on researching, extracting and providing information on bioregional characteristics which requires knowledge of relevant bioregional issues, types of information sources, methods and means of accessing data and means of validating information. |
| Prerequisites |
*None |
| Availability |
*Correspondence available January 2011 |
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Using
occupational hygiene practices, this subject provides the theoretical
and practical skills required to identify and evaluate chemical, biological and particulate contaminants found in and around the built environment.
Air sampling will be described and demonstrated with a specific
focus on particulate, mould and chemical 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 |
*Air
Pollution & Chemistry |
| Availability |
*Practical intensive (January) |
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Provides a basic understanding
of the science of toxicology and an appreciation of important
toxic agents encountered in buildings. The way in which environmental
toxins enter and progress through the body systems with a particular
emphasis on the disease states they may lead to are discussed.
Topics covered are human physiology, absorption, distribution,
metabolism, detoxification and excretion of toxins. The way toxins
affect the respiratory, dermatological, immune, gastrointestinal,
urinary and reproductive systems will be described. Testing methods
available to assess the toxic load within the body are described
with a focus on hair analysis, blood and urine sampling. Multiple
chemical sensitivity and chronic fatigue syndrome will be explained. |
| Prerequisites |
*None |
| Availability |
*Correspondence |
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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 |
*None |
| Availability |
*Correspondence |
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