ECOLOGICAL DESIGN, PLANNING,
AND CONSTRUCTION
Ecological design is the new, unstoppable wave of architecture and construction.
You can be a part of this historic change by enrolling in the world's most comprehensive educational program in ecological design for technical, undergraduate, and postgraduate home study.
You'll use the most advanced learning materials, including textbooks by the world's leading ecological design experts, video tape presentations, Web resources and Internet interaction with faculty and students.
Accelerated learning: With six hours study per week, you can complete courses in as little as six weeks.
SELF-PACED HOME STUDY
The keys to efficient, enjoyable education are: carefully selected, expert learning materials, variety, relevance, and frequent, two-way feedback.
Please note the following important conditions:
1) Enrollment is open to all. You can take just one course or complete an entire certificate or degree program. The courses are excellent for personal fulfillment, for career training, or as preparation for teaching these subjects to others.
2) Each course consists of twelve study modules requiring one to two chapters of reading, a feedback report (answers to essay questions), and related research (primarily on the Internet).
3) Each course requires an average of 36 hours of study and provides 3 units of academic credit (or 36 hours of continuing education credit). The fee is $100 per unit ($300 per course). In addition, textbooks will cost from $50 to $150 per course. (Students will purchase textbooks and videos independently, through Amazon.com and other sources.)
4) The suggested pace for each course is two modules per week (which may require two to three evenings or part of a weekend day each week). There are no time limits, but ongoing feedback will be provided, to encourage students to maintain a steady study schedule.
5) Students may work faster or slower according to individual needs, and may enroll in as many as three or four classes simultaneously.
6) Student research questions can be posted on a private course Internet message board, for quick help from faculty and other students.
7) Ongoing ecological design news, event bulletins, and work opportunities will be posted on the school web site.
8) Student summaries of readings and responses to essay questions will be expected regularly by mail or Internet (the equivalent of regular class attendance).
9) All students will be invited to attend optional ecological design conferences and workshops, to meet other students and faculty and gain hands-on experience to enhance academic studies.
10) If a student can demonstrate prior equivalent work in, or study of any of the course topics, he or she may be permitted to enroll in the course at half the regular tuition price, and will be expected to complete answers to the essay questions on an accelerated schedule, to demonstrate proficiency.
PROGRAM ONEASSOCIATE DEGREE AND TECHNICAL CERTIFICATE PROGRAM.
Students may take as few or as many courses as they want, but for the Associate Degree and Certificate of Completion, a total of 12 courses for 36 units are required.An overview introduction to the basics of ecological design and building practices.
This program will qualify students for entry-level work in ecological planning, construction, and design counseling.
Besides offering professional-level education, these courses provide excellent preparation for those who want to design and build their own personal, ecologically-sensitive environments.
Required:
- E 101 - Basic Principles of Ecological Design
- E 102 - Case studies in Ecological Design
- E 103 - Alternative Materials and Construction
- E 104 - Solar Energy Systems
- E 105 - Building Energy Systems
- E 106 - Energy-Conservation and Building Retrofit Systems
- E 107 - Permaculture and Bioremediation
- E 108 - Landscape Architecture and Plantscaping
- E 109 - Pattern in Nature
Plus, you can choose any three elective courses listed below under Program Two.
PROGRAM TWO
BACHELOR OF SCIENCES IN ECOLOGICAL DESIGN
A total of 18 courses for 54 units (including courses and credit from Program One).This program will qualify students to work in ecological design consulting, energy retrofit analysis, alternative materials cost/benefit analysis, and integrated ecological systems design.
Required:
The twelve courses required for Program One, plus these six courses:
- E 201 - Advanced Principles of Ecological Design
- E 202 - Case studies in Eco Design and Bioclimatic Architecture
- E 203 - Alternative Materials, Construction, and Engineering
- E 204 - Solar Energy and Wind Systems
- E 205 - Building Lighting Systems
- E 206 - Indoor Air Quality
(You may substitute two courses from the elective course list below, if it better suits your personal educational needs.)
Elective courses:
- E 207 - Advanced Permaculture and Bioremediation
- E 208 - Site Analysis
- E 209 - Patterns of Organic Architecture
- E 210 - Underground and Earth-Sheltered Construction
- E 211 - Ecological Land Planning and Real Estate Development
- E 212 - Recycled Construction Materials
- E 213 - Bucky Fuller's Design and Construction Methods
- E 214 - Wind Energy Systems
- E 215 - Energy-Saving Retrofit Systems
- E 216 - Toxic Materials and Healthy Environments
- E 220 - Student-Initiated Independent Study and Thesis Project
PROGRAM THREE
MASTER OF ECOLOGICAL DESIGN
A total of 25 courses for 75 units (includes courses and credit from Programs One and Two).This program will qualify students for independent research and practice in ecological design, comprehensive building energy systems analysis, architectural systems, and bioclimatic site planning.
Required:
The eighteen courses of Levels One and Two, plus seven additional courses from the list below:
- E 301 - History of Ecological Sciences
- E 302 - Case studies in Ecological Design and Land Planning
- E 303 - Indigenous Peoples' Building Methods and Materials
- E 304 - Advanced Integrated Bioclimatic Design
- E 305 - Alternative Lighting and Energy Systems
- E 306 - Advanced Integrated Bioclimatic Design
- E 307 - Urban Ecology
- E 308 - Exterior and Interior Plantscaping
- E 309 - Organizing Principle and Nature-Based Architecture
- E 310 - Advanced Technology and New Materials
- E 311 - Co-housing and Other Alternative Living Systems
- E 320 - Student-Initiated Research and Thesis Project (required)
FEES
The fee for each 3-unit course is $300.
A minimum of two courses are strongly recommended for each period of enrollment. (Since each course requires a minimum of only three hours of study each week, many students can manage three or more courses in evening and weekend home study.)
Payment may be by check, money order, or credit card (Visa or MasterCard). Upon enrollment, you will be notified of the textbook(s) to acquire, and your assignment workbook will be sent. Study time begins when you receive your assignment workbook.
Students who withdraw and notify us within the first week after receiving their materials will receive a 100% refund. After that, withdrawals will be refunded on a weekly prorata basis.
There are no pre-enrollment requirements. However, if you enroll in any of the degree programs, please have relevant transcripts and work resumes sent to our information office.
Send documentation if you believe you qualify for accelerated reduced fee courses because of prior work or study per item #10 above. Address below.
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