Sustainable Building Technology Diploma
Campus
- Penticton
Legend:
- Full program offered
- Partial program offered
Credential
Diploma
Delivery options
Full-Time
- International students eligible
Tuition and fees
2023-24: $14,588.15 (Total for the program)
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This program is student loan eligible. View Financial Aid & Awards
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Fees include all mandatory fees: Activity fee, Health & Dental, Student Association fee, Education Technology fee, Development fee.
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All amounts are approximate and are subject to change.
Program details
The Sustainable Building Technology offers an accelerated two year or three year curriculum that provides students with the foundation needed to prepare, inspire, and mobilize the next generation of building technologists. This program covers the principles, concepts, and practices of project design to completion through whole systems thinking and multidisciplinary approaches which collectively enables students to deliver sustainably built environments that enhance human well-being.
The program is organized through five core streams which were developed by the Sustainable Building Technology faculty and through consultation with industry representatives. These allow for specialized education within the field of sustainability and the built environment and include the Sustainability, Building Design, Building Science and Systems, Construction Management, and Service Course streams. Together, these courses provide our graduating students with the ability to pursue careers in the (re)design, management, and execution of existing and new building projects. Specifically, the program learning outcomes include:
- Communicate a fundamental understanding of construction concepts, practices and regulations for new and existing structures;
- Measure and assess the sustainability performance of construction projects including embodied and operational carbon, energy savings, and overall human experience;
- Perform effective communication with clients, contractors, building professionals, and municipal authorities through Integrated Project Delivery practices;
- Define, describe, and discuss major theories and concepts within the field of building science;
- Illustrate how to work independently and interdependently as part of multidisciplinary project teams;
- Apply a whole systems thinking approach to design and construction activities to enable greater project potential; and
- Effectively realize design intent in executing construction through a proficient understanding of constructability and hands-on construction experience.
Practical learning experiences are incorporated throughout the program through site visits, real project case studies, hands-on building opportunities, and capstone projects. These experiences enrich the program and bridge the gap between the academic courses and the practical skills required by the students upon graduation. During the summer term break between years 1 and 2, the students also have the opportunity to further their practical experience through participating in a paid co-op program.
In addition, the students benefit from a blended learning format where courses are delivered face-to-face and through an online platform. This allows the students to actively participate in courses on the Okanagan College, Penticton Campus, and conveniently from home. Specifically, one day a week is devoted to online classes, three days a week are spent on campus, and the fifth day is set aside as a student group work and study day (with the exception of Term 1).
The College intends to obtain certification with the Canadian Technology Accreditation Criteria (CTAC) for Architectural, Building and Construction Technologist.
Sustainable Building Technology is an emerging field, which means there are a variety of opportunities for graduates to apply for existing positions, create new roles or entrepreneurial ventures, and receive industry accreditations like Natural Resource Canada Energy Advisor or LEED® Green Associate.
Positions that some of our graduates hold include:
- Energy Advisor
- Architectural Technologist
- Sustainability Consultant
- LEED Consultant
- WELL Consultant
- Passive House Designer
- Energy Modeler
- Building Information Modeling Specialist
- Green Building Material Supplier
- Project Coordinator
Applying learning to real-world problems
In the final year, students work in small teams to solve challenging real-world problems proposed by community partners and college faculty. Students apply knowledge and skills learned throughout the program to projects that contribute to the economic, environmental and social well-being of the community. Upon project completion, the capstone project teams will prepare and present to members of the community and faculty a final report outlining the project findings and its contribution to community sustainability. Below is a summary of capstone projects students have recently completed or are currently working on.
Practicum descriptions with host organizations:
- BC Energy Step Code compliance analysis, City of Kelowna
- WELL Building Standard analysis of community building, High Street Ventures
- Optimal building performance pathways through a balanced financial and carbon lens for new and existing buildings, Community Energy Association
- Compressed earth block research and business case, Ku'l Group
- Energy saving potential of building retrofits in the Okanagan, FortisBC
- Carbon lifecycle costing assessment on a Part 3 residential tower, High Street Ventures
- Embodied carbon vs operational carbon savings in a typical Step 1, Step 3 and Step 5 Okanagan home: comparing three material pathways, Total Home Solutions
- Energy Step Code case studies, City of Kelowna
- Feasibility of hempcrete in achieving Passive House, Nido Design
| Campus | Start date | Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Penticton | Sep. 04, 2024 | This program has an option to complete in two years, or have a lighter course load and complete in three years. |
Admission requirements
- BC secondary school graduation, or 19 years of age and out of secondary school for one year as of the first day of classes.
- English 12 with minimum 60% or alternatives.
- Math requirement:
- A minimum of 60% in any of:
- Pre-calculus Grade 12
- Foundations of Mathematics Grade 12
- Principles of Mathematics 12
- Applications of Mathematics 12
- Adult Basic Education MATH 012
- Okanagan College MATH 120
- Or a minimum of 67% in any of:
- Pre-calculus Grade 11
- Principles of Mathematics 11
- Adult Basic Education MATH 011
- Or a minimum of 70% in an Okanagan College Mathematics 11 Proficiency Test
- One of the Grade 12 mathematics courses is recommended. The mathematics requirement must be successfully completed no more than seven years prior to enrolment in the program.
- A minimum of 60% in any of:
Program outline
Notes
Option 1
Term 1
Term 2
Term 3
Term 4
Option 2
Term 1
Term 2
Term 3
Term 4
Term 5
Program specializations
The Sustainable Building Technology offers an accelerated two year or three year curriculum that provides students with the foundation needed to prepare, inspire, and mobilize the next generation of building technologists. This program covers the principles, concepts, and practices of project design to completion through whole systems thinking and multidisciplinary approaches which collectively enables students to deliver sustainably built environments that enhance human well-being.
The program is organized through five core streams which were developed by the Sustainable Building Technology faculty and through consultation with industry representatives. These allow for specialized education within the field of sustainability and the built environment and include the Sustainability, Building Design, Building Science and Systems, Construction Management, and Service Course streams. Together, these courses provide our graduating students with the ability to pursue careers in the (re)design, management, and execution of existing and new building projects. Specifically, the program learning outcomes include:
- Communicate a fundamental understanding of construction concepts, practices and regulations for new and existing structures;
- Measure and assess the sustainability performance of construction projects including embodied and operational carbon, energy savings, and overall human experience;
- Perform effective communication with clients, contractors, building professionals, and municipal authorities through Integrated Project Delivery practices;
- Define, describe, and discuss major theories and concepts within the field of building science;
- Illustrate how to work independently and interdependently as part of multidisciplinary project teams;
- Apply a whole systems thinking approach to design and construction activities to enable greater project potential; and
- Effectively realize design intent in executing construction through a proficient understanding of constructability and hands-on construction experience.
Practical learning experiences are incorporated throughout the program through site visits, real project case studies, hands-on building opportunities, and capstone projects. These experiences enrich the program and bridge the gap between the academic courses and the practical skills required by the students upon graduation. During the summer term break between years 1 and 2, the students also have the opportunity to further their practical experience through participating in a paid co-op program.
In addition, the students benefit from a blended learning format where courses are delivered face-to-face and through an online platform. This allows the students to actively participate in courses on the Okanagan College, Penticton Campus, and conveniently from home. Specifically, one day a week is devoted to online classes, three days a week are spent on campus, and the fifth day is set aside as a student group work and study day (with the exception of Term 1).
The College intends to obtain certification with the Canadian Technology Accreditation Criteria (CTAC) for Architectural, Building and Construction Technologist.
Additional information
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