The Curriculum of the MSSD Program Features Three Teaching/Learning Strategies:
Lectures build your overall “knowledge” base about sustainability, while providing detailed information on materials, construction systems, life-cycle analysis and green-building-documentation metrics such as the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system.
Labs will develop an “informed intuition” about the relationship between natural and built environments as a means to think and design in a manner that transcends simply applying green technologies to standard design and construction projects.
Studios allow you to “synthesize” your knowledge base and inform intuition into larger, more complex projects that draw upon creativity, ingenuity and innovation as key approaches to problem solving and design conceptualization. Studio-based learning incorporates one-on-one communication with faculty, group projects with other students of diverse backgrounds, and a student driven final “synthesis” project that allows each student to conduct specialized research or design projects.
Please visit www.philau.edu/green for latest curriculum information
Visit the Student run Blog at www.sustainabledesigners.blogspot.com
To Apply to the program visit http://www.philau.edu/green/admission.htm
Value Proposition - MSSD Program
Trans-disciplinary Learning
The MSSD program achieves interdisciplinary learning right from the beginning by building an incoming class that reflects the diversity of skill sets needed to attack the complexity and interconnectedness of sustainability projects. Architects, designers, engineers, planners, builders, entrepreneurs, and others round out a class of dynamic individuals who blend their unique talents in the pursuit of deep and effective learning. Faculty members from a similar set of disciplines provide a multiplicity of perspectives in order to open windows of learning not typically available in traditional discipline specific programs.
Equity and Diversity
The MSSD Program seeks to build an equitable learning environment, one that acknowledges that there is no "norm," no "cultural fabric" to "fit into" but rather a diverse learning environment that encourages students to find comfort in being different. In this way, students are free to pursue their full potential as individuals in a society that will increasingly require the ability to transcend traditional ethnic/cultural borders - a key component of a sustainable future.
Integrated Design Education
The MSSD Program challenges the status quo of standard design and engineering education, by front loading experts, design options and creativity via the integrated design process – also know as concurrent engineering. “Ownership” of ideas and design solutions is downplayed in favor of larger collective solutions to complex problems associated with sustainability – (open source learning).
Design/Quantify/Build
The MSSD program features hands-on, active learning by challenging students to design, quantify and build their ideas. First, design projects are conceived through open source, integrated learning approach followed by intense quantification efforts that include life cycle analysis, energy simulation and cost estimates. In most courses, some form of physical construction occurs with scales ranging from small prototypes to full scale working structures for local non-profits and community groups.
Activism and Leadership
Today, the world is searching for people who can demonstrate leadership, people who can initiate and maintain projects that will positively impact the world. Sustainability requires action, but not without a context of purpose, i.e., a connection to the bigger picture. Activism can be a powerful tool when applied to grassroots movements. Students in the MSSD Program can use their thesis project as a springboard for future career based initiatives.
Enterprise and Entrepreneurship
The MSSD Program places teaching importance on the concept of “relevant” creativity, applied engineering and economic feasibility. Sustainability professionals must understand and embrace the realities of prevalent economic structures of society as a base to build a new green economy focused on the environment, equity and enterprise. All projects engage the three ‘E’s of sustainability as a core part of the educational experience.
A Center of Green Activity
The MSSD Program is taught in a dynamic urban environment that is deeply connected to the green community Students routinely find opportunities for internship, volunteer activities and job placement. Special events including lectures, symposia and conferences are a regular part of the MSSD experience. Graduate students in the program maintain a blog to keep everyone aware of the wide variety of activities taking place in the Program and in the Philadelphia region. www.sustainabledesigners.blogspot.com