Sustainability Certificate – Course Descriptions Boston

							                                 Sustainability Certificate – Course Descriptions

Boston University's programs in Real Estate are designed to provide students with the requisite skills and
knowledge to succeed in the emerging sustainability field. This certificate program will help building owners and
space occupiers create and implement sustainability practices throughout their organization, operations, and
facilities. A Certificate in Sustainability will be awarded to those students who complete eight courses (six
required and two electives), though some students prefer to take specific courses for personal enrichment. Faculty
are drawn from the professional ranks of major industries with a focus on sustainability in the Boston area.



SU101 Fundamentals of Sustainability & Green Associate Training

Course Description - This introductory course is intended to give students a background into sustainability
including key drivers of sustainability, an overview of the different US and international green standards and an
in-depth review of the requirements to become a USGBC Green Associate

Topics - Triple Bottom Line, Kyoto, Montreal and other Climate Protocols, Federal, State and Local Compliance,
Carbon Foot Print Analysis and Reporting, USGBC, BREEAM, Architecture 2030 Challenge, EPA Energy Star,
GBI – Green Globes, HERS, Passivhaus, Green Associate Requirements, Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency,
Energy and Atmosphere, Materials Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality



SU102 Sustainability in the Organization

Course Description - This course will teach students practical ways to lead and implement sustainable practices in
their buildings and throughout their organization. The course will use real-world examples and case studies from
exemplary businesses to give the students the tools and best practices to immediately start their entire company in
the process of “going green”. The class lays the foundation for sustainability by first looking at the impact of the
buildings themselves. Going beyond the buildings and real estate, the course will show students how to develop
sustainability processes and drive behavior in the business units such as IT, manufacturing, logistics, purchasing,
marketing, security, food service, etc. At the end of this class the students will have the tools and skills necessary
to engage and motivate key stakeholders to develop, execute, and maintain sustainable practices across their
organization.

Topics - Carbon footprint analysis, benchmarking, energy savings, waste & recycling, hazardous chemical
reduction, water use, supplier agreements, cleaning, transportation, renewable energy, payback periods, net present
value & ROI, incentives & grants, accounting & taxation, and government & professional resources.



SU103 Science of Sustainability

Course Description - This class is designed to give the students an overview and working knowledge about the
“Science” and technology of sustainability to enable them to understand the interrelationships between human
activities and the planet to justify support and defend the rationale behind sustainability initiatives. Under this
broad definition, the class will cover the spectrum of sciences that underpin the goals and compliance requirements
of green and sustainable practices. The class will also focus on technological solutions to sustainability challenges

Topics - Social Sciences, Atmosphere and Weather, Earth Science and Geology, Hydrology, Biology, Physical
Sciences, Agricultural, Climatology, Ecology, Forestry, Remediation, Technology Solutions



SU104 Energy Efficient Design

Course Description - The class will be an in depth analysis of the design and performance issues and costs
associated with energy consuming building elements including the building envelope, HVAC, Service Water,
Power, Lighting and Other electrical equipment (ASHRAE 90.1 2007 Sections 5-10). The class will cover basic
energy modeling tools and techniques as well as the design, construction and operations of different systems.
Students are expected to have a basic understanding of basic building design & construction and systems to obtain
the maximum benefit of this class.

Topics - Carbon Footprint Analysis, Energy Audits, Commissioning, Energy Modeling Tools and Techniques,
Building Envelopes, HVAC Systems, Service Water, Power and Distribution, Lighting, Other electrical
equipment, Financial Analysis of Alternative Systems, Energy Based Incentives and Grants, Lifecycle and Rate of
Return Analysis, Project Ranking, Pros and Cons of System Selections, Retrofitting Building Systems, Operational
Considerations & Risks



SU105 Renewable Energy

Course Description - This class will provide the students with a basic understanding of the performance,
advantages, reliability, costs, incentives, paybacks, permitting, design, construction, and operations of renewable
and alternative energy systems. Discussions will include the financial analysis of different systems including ROI,
Payback Periods, taxes, utility and other state or local incentives and grants.

Topics - Co-generation, Solar (PV, Hydronic, Air), Wind (sites, testing, and permitting), Geothermal (Hot Water,
Closed, and Open Loop Ground Source), Hydro (River, Tidal, Dams), Waste to Energy, Bio-Mass, Thermal
Storage



SU106 Sustainability and Law

Course Description – The class will cover the patchwork of rules, laws, statutes, regulations, and policies which
advise, regulate, or define the legal frameworks that should be considered with respect to sustainability and
sustainable development. This class will cover the relevant state and Federal environmental, product, regulatory
and occupational laws that can directly and indirectly affect sustainability efforts within the organization. In
addition, the class will cover practical applications of law related to sustainability that can affect business such as
SEC compliance and green leasing.

Topics: Water Laws (drinking, wastewater, ground water, wetlands, Chapter 91 & waterways, Title 5, storm
water, etc.), Air Laws (Federal Clean Air act, Massachusetts Clean Air Act, Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
(RGGI), source registration, emissions, mandatory greenhouse gas reporting, ambient air quality standards,
Rideshare, etc.), Energy and Related Laws (Power Purchase Agreements (PPA), energy performance contracts,
wind & hydro permitting), TURA, RCRA, CERCLA and Brownfields, Massachusetts 21E, Federal Toxics
Release Inventory rules, relevant OSHA requirements, waste management, global climate treaties, biodiversity &
species protection, smart growth, sustainable development, packaging and end-of-life product laws in the
European Union, Executive orders, SEC compliance, green leasing and contracting.
SU107 USGBC LEED AP Review (Electives)

Course Descriptions - These classes are designed to provide a systematic program for students to study and
prepare for one of the 3 most relevant LEED AP tests for commercial real estate – Building Design &
Construction, Existing Buildings Operations, and Commercial Interiors In addition to preparing for the tests,
students will be exposed to a number of case studies from LEED projects to demonstrate innovative ways in which
projects met challenges to obtain LEED designations. (Course prerequisite – successful completion of the Green
Associate Test.)

Topics - Existing Buildings, Building Design and Construction, Commercial Interiors, LEED AP Test Preparation



Note: other courses TBD.




             For more information: call 617-353-4497 or 866-633-9370 or visit bu.edu/professional.