MS in Sustainable Design Program Philadelphia University Open House Slides Rob Fleming, Program Director

1. September 30, 2012
Master of Science in Sustainable Design
On-Campus and On-line Program
Philadelphia University
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MSSD Program
Background
Introduction
A presentation by
Rob Fleming
Founding Director
Rob Fleming – MSSD Open House Slide Show

2. Actual quotes from actual people

3. 1964

4. “Never trust anyone over 30.”

5. 1992

6. “The Internet is too slow…
it will never catch on.”

7. 1998

8. “A web page…
what do I need a web page for?”

9. 1999

10. “Email?
I don’t need it.
I have a phone, fax and Fed Ex.”

11. 2000

12. “Sustainability?
I don’t see that ever taking off.”

13. 2002

14. “Green buildings will never work.
They are too expensive and
they will never happen
in today’s money-driven world.”

15. 2003

16. “Green buildings will never work.
They are too expensive and
they will never happen
in today’s money-driven world.”

17. 2004

18. “Green buildings will never work.
They are too expensive and
they will never happen
in today’s money-driven world.”

19. 2005

20. The Tipping Point for Sustainability
2005
Hurricane Katrina

21. The Tipping Point for Sustainability
2005
Indian Ocean Tsunami

22. The Tipping Point for Sustainability
2005
Gas prices reach $3.00/Gallon

23. The Tipping Point for Sustainability
2005
Al Gore’s Movie

24. The Tipping Point for Sustainability
2005
U.S. President calls for an “end to our addiction to foreign oil”

25. 2005
The Age of Ecology

26. The world has changed

27. Context for the Sustainable Design Program
21st Century Design School
20th Century 21st Century
Cyclical Thinking
Sustainable
Integrated Design
Factory Built Architecture
BIM
Performance-Driven
Multi-Cultural
Life Cycle Accounting
Cloud technology
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MSSD Program
Background
Introduction
Linear Thinking
Unsustainable
Design by individual
Field Built Architecture
AutoCAD
Aesthetically-Driven
Mono-Cultural
Planned Obsolesce
Networks
Rob Fleming – MSSD Open House Slide Show

28. The way we think has changed

29. Our actions are changing

30. We need degrees that rise to the challenge

31. We need degrees that will
prepare the next generation of leaders

32. Value Proposition - MSSD Program
Background
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MSSD Program
Background
Introduction
• Philadelphia University is 125 years old
• The School of Architecture was founded in 1992
• Sustainability has been a required part of the Architecture
Program since 1997 – 15 years of experience in teaching
sustainability and sustainable design
• The MS in Sustainable Program began in 2007 and has completed
its 7th of operation
• Over 120 students have graduated
• Unlike most other programs – the MS Program is dedicated to
sustainability with all new course content that is constantly updated
• The MSSD On-Line program
MS in Sustainable Design
Program, Philadelphia
University
Rob Fleming – MSSD Open House Slide Show

33. Value Proposition - MSSD Program
Trans-disciplinary Learning
• Build 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.
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MSSD Program
Background
Introduction
• Faculty members from a similar set of disciplines provide a
multiplicity of perspectives.
MS in Sustainable Design
Program, Philadelphia
University
Rob Fleming – MSSD Open House Slide Show

34. Value Proposition - MSSD Program
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.
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MSSD Program
Background
Introduction
• “Ownership” of ideas and design solutions is downplayed
in favor of larger collective solutions to complex problems
associated with sustainability (open source learning).
MS in Sustainable Design
Program, Philadelphia
University
Rob Fleming – MSSD Open House Slide Show

35. Value Proposition - MSSD Program
Design and Quantify
Students validate and optimize their sustainable design
solutions through the following:
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MSSD Program
Background
Introduction
• Life-cycle analysis of materials
• Energy simulation of buildings
• Cost estimates of proposed projects
MS in Sustainable Design
Program, Philadelphia
University
Rob Fleming – MSSD Open House Slide Show

36. Value Proposition - MSSD Program
Activism and Leadership
• The world is searching for people who can
demonstrate leadership in sustainability. 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.
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MSSD Program
Background
Introduction
• Students in the MSSD Program can use their thesis
project as a springboard for future career-based
initiatives.
MS in Sustainable Design
Program, Philadelphia
University
Rob Fleming – MSSD Open House Slide Show

37. Value Proposition - MSSD Program
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.
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MSSD Program
Background
Introduction
• All projects engage the triple bottom line as a core part of the
educational experience.
MS in Sustainable Design
Program, Philadelphia
University
Rob Fleming – MSSD Open House Slide Show

38. Value Proposition - MSSD Program
A Center of Green Activity
• The MSSD Program is taught in a newly-renovated LEED®
Silver facility on the main campus of the University.
• Students routinely find opportunities for internship,
volunteer activities and job placement.
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MSSD Program
Background
Introduction
• Graduate assistants 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.
MS in Sustainable Design
Program, Philadelphia
University
Rob Fleming – MSSD Open House Slide Show

39. Value Proposition - MSSD Program
A Center of Green Activity
Partnerships
National Park Service
Weaversway COOP
Schuylkill Valley Nature Center
CertainTeed/Isover
Penn Design – Landscape
Architecture Program - Trip to
Slavonice Czech Republic
Study abroad in Copenhagen
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MSSD Program
Background
Introduction
Villanova
MS in Sustainable Design
Program, Philadelphia
University
Rob Fleming – MSSD Open House Slide Show

40. MS in Sustainable
Design program
Philadelphia University
• Ashley Dicaro, Landscape
Architect
• Kyle Sanphy, Engineer
• Bethany Shiner, Interior Design
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MSSD Program
Background
Introduction
• Laura Wilson, Interior Design
Studio Project, 2010
Fueling station of the future
Rob Fleming – MSSD Open House Slide Show

41. Questions
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MSSD Program
Background
Introduction
Green Design Build, 2007
Weaversway Organic Farm
Rob Fleming – MSSD Open House Slide Show

42. Learning Tracks - MSSD Program
21-Month On-Line Program
• 33 credits total
• 6 credits per semester including summers
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MSSD Program
Background
Introduction
• One 8-week course at a time
MS in Sustainable Design
Program, Philadelphia
University
Rob Fleming – MSSD Open House Slide Show

43. Learning Tracks - MSSD Program
21 Month Full-Time Track
• Geared towards traditional graduate students
• 33 credits total (36 may be required to maintain status)
• 9 credits per semester with summers off
• Study abroad options
• Students often maintain a part time job or a small practice
while they attend classes
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MSSD Program
Background
Introduction
• This is a track for career change individuals
MS in Sustainable Design
Program, Philadelphia
University
Rob Fleming – MSSD Open House Slide Show

44. Learning Tracks- MSSD Program
12 Month Accelerated Track
• Geared towards working professionals with experience in
the built environment – not meant for career change people
• Students should not plan on maintaining employment –
this is a full time commitment
• 33 credits total
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MSSD Program
Background
Introduction
• 12 credits per semester including 9 credits in the summer
MS in Sustainable Design
Program, Philadelphia
University
Rob Fleming – MSSD Open House Slide Show

45. Learning Tracks - MSSD Program
15-18 Month Hybrid Track
• Geared towards International Students or US Students who live
far away who want to come to Philadelphia for one calendar year
• Students who want to make the 12-month accelerated program
a bit more manageable
• 33 credits total
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MSSD Program
Background
Introduction
• 6 credits online and 9 credits each semester for three semester
(Fall, Spring and Summer)
MS in Sustainable Design
Program, Philadelphia
University
Rob Fleming – MSSD Open House Slide Show

46. Learning Tracks - MSSD Program
The Difference
• A track record of success
• Received the 2009 USGBC Excellence in Education
Award
• Received the 2011 National Institute of Building Science
Award
• 6 years of success
• Core Courses are carefully constructed to provide a holistic
approach - not a menu of various courses
• Collaborative Design Studios – that actually teach design
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MSSD Program
Background
Introduction
• Independent Thesis Project – that is used as a career launch pad
MS in Sustainable Design
Program, Philadelphia
University
Rob Fleming – MSSD Open House Slide Show

47. Fall Year 1
Spring Year 1
Sustainable Design
Methodologies
Triple Bottom Line Thinking
Sustainability in Context
LEED Rating System
Green Construction Basics
Adaptive Design
Fall Year 2
Sustainable
Design Studio
Taught by architects,
engineers, designers.
Thesis 1
Inquiry
Framing
Research
Analysis
Collaboration,
Cooperation,
Integrative,
Trans-disciplinary,
Design Synthesis
Quantitative Analysis
Green Building Technologies
Passive/Active Building Design
Basic Energy Modeling
Sizing of systems
Thesis II
Depth
Mastery, Evaluation
Communication
SDN
Elective/
Internship
Bio-Climatic Design,
Micro-climate design
Scenario Planning
Resilience
Sustainable Systems
Spring Year 2
SDN
Elective
Green Materials
Quantitative Analysis
Intro to Life Cycle Assessment
Properties of Materials
Evaluation of Materials
(Study abroad
in the summer
Elective Pool (Pick 2)
SDN-615
Sustainable
Orgs.
SDN-606
Development
Sust. Bldgs.
SDN-710
Design
Build
SDN___
Engineering
@ Villanova
MCM -602
or IARC-703
BIM
MBA 627
Global
Sustainability
SDN-701
Energy
Modeling
SDN__
Copenhagen
Corp. Sust.
SDN 791
Sustainability
Internship

48. MS in Sustainable Design
Program, Philadelphia
University

49. Year 1
Year 2
Semester 1
Semester 2
Semester 3
Semester 4
Semester 5
Semester 6
Sustainable
Design
Methods
Green
Materials
Development
Sustainable
Design
Studio 1
Thesis 1
Topic
generation
and
research
methods
Thesis 3
Depth
Mastery,
Communication
Evaluation
Sustainable
Design
Studio 2
Thesis 2
Theories of
sustainability
Applications:
LEED®,
Charrette
facilitation
Adaptive
Design
Explores the
intersection
between
climate,
human
comfort and
energy
Intro to life
cycle
assessment
and
Properties of
materials
Sustainable
Systems
Quantitative
Analysis
including PV
arrays,
Building
energy load,
Storm water,
Daylighting
of
Sustainable
Buildings
LEED®
Financing
Codes
Process
Building
Information
Modeling
Visualization
of sustainable
design
including
building
simulation
Integrative
Transdisciplinary
Design
Independent
work on
applying
building
simulation
skills
Inquiry
Framing
Research
Analysis

50. Application Details
Apply!
Questions
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MSSD Program
Background
Introduction
• MSSD Applications
• Rolling admissions process that requires:
• Portfolio and/or Resume
• Personal essay
• 2 letters of recommendation
• Transcript
• Evaluation and TOEFL/IELTS required
for International students
MS in Sustainable Design
Program, Philadelphia
University
Rob Fleming – MSSD Open House Slide Show

51. a final thought…

52. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed people can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
– Margaret Meade