Master of Science in Sustainable Design

Dean, School of Architecture: Vini Nathan, PhD., 215.951.2828 Phone, 215.951.2110 FAX, nathanv@PhilaU.edu

Program Director: Rob Fleming, AIA, MARCH, LEED AP, 215.951.2745 Phone, 215.951.5657 FAX, flemingr@PhilaU.edu

Web Site: www.PhilaU.edu/green

Degree Program

M.S. in Sustainable Design

Sustainable Design is an emerging discipline focused on the design of buildings, spaces, objects, and systems that are energy efficient and non-damaging to the planet’s ecosystems. The Master of Science in Sustainable Design (MSSD) Program offers the opportunity to explore different avenues of study, ranging from design exploration to applied research. The program prizes collaboration between seemingly disparate fields from architecture to construction management to engineering and employs faculty from those diverse fields to underscore the importance of interdisciplinary design in the program. Building on a historical strength of the University, the MSSD program features special lab and design-build courses focusing on green materials. As a graduate of the program, students will become proficient in sustainable design or participate significantly in the sustainable design process: a technically challenging, rapidly evolving and vitally important development for the future of our planet.

Curriculum Design

The Curriculum of the MSSD Program features three teaching/learning strategies:

Lectures build 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 the natural and built environments as a means to think and design in a standard design and construction projects.

Studios will synthesize the knowledge base and informed 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 from diverse disciplines, and a student driven final “synthesis” project that allows each student to conduct a specialized research or design project

Degree Options

The MSSD Program offers students three ways to complete their degree: 2-year part-time program; (1) calendar year accelerated program; and a 2-year full time research oriented program.

2-Year Part-Time Option

The 2-year part-time program is ideal for the working professional who is seeking to gain specific expertise in sustainable design and who wants to add credentials in this rapidly growing field. This program typically entails 2 nights per week of classes totaling 6 credits. Classes begin in late afternoon or evening with 3:30 PM as the earliest start time. It is recommended that students inform their employers of their academic schedule in order to maintain a balance between the demands of course work and office responsibilities. Students may elect to take one course per semester.

12 Month Accelerated Full Time Program

This 12 month accelerated full time degree program allows students to focus on green building design in an intensive educational experience. Due to the course sequencing requirements to achieve this degree in 12 months, only those with degrees and some experience in the design of the built environment will be admitted to this program. This program is not for those students wishing to work while attending school.

2 Year Full Time Program

This 2-year full time program allows students to spend the time needed to delve deeply into the more detailed aspects of sustainable design, engineering and architecture. Students in this track will be encouraged to plug into ongoing research projects at the Engineering and Design Institute as well as other grant funded projects at the University. This track is most suitable to those students who are accepted as graduate research assistants or for international students seeking educational opportunities in this country..

2-Year Part-Time Program

(33 graduate credits)

Year I

FALL SEMESTER 

SPRING SEMESTER

SUMMER SEMESTER

or

Year II

FALL SEMESTER

SPRING SEMESTER

SUMMER SEMESTER

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 33 Credits

12 Month Accelerated Full-Time Program

(33 graduate credits)

Year I

FALL SEMESTER

SPRING SEMESTER

SUMMER SEMESTER

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 33 Credits

2-Year Full Time Program

(36 graduate credits)

Year I

FALL SEMESTER

SPRING SEMESTER

Year II

FALL SEMESTER

SPRING SEMESTER

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 36 Credits

Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Practices

Launching January 2011, the online Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Practices Program will be geared towards working professionals seeking to build their knowledge base and credentials in the field of sustainable design, engineering and construction of the built environment. The program will offer a wide array of critical skills including the LEED® rating system, building information modeling, the basics of energy modeling and life cycle assessment. For additional information, please refer to the University web site.