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Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Design and Technology

Graduates of this program will be prepared to work in technical fields related to their associate degree and to work with newer sustainable technologies as applications engineers, project managers, or technical staff. Sustainable Design Technology graduates will also be prepared to pursue post-baccalaureate education in business, environmental law, or related technical fields and graduates will provide businesses with highly valued employees with a blend of technical and communication skills and knowledge of business.

This is a cross-disciplinary program grounded in the belief that students who understand the fundamentals of technology, business, and the regulations that govern both can be effective agents for sustainable change. The program creates graduates committed to using technology to grow a sustainable economy, act as stewards of our environment and resources, and educate others about the benefits of a more sustainable college and community.

The +2 SDT curriculum emphasizes application of technology in service of sustainable goals and an understanding of the fundamentals of business, regulation, and permitting as well as sustainable application of technologies. The curriculum is organized into four areas: sustainability core, green technical tracks, business electives, and general education. Students select one of three technical tracks: Green Buildings, Green Sites, or Renewable Energy.

The Green Buildings track focuses on conserving energy and resources in new and renovated residential and commercial buildings without sacrificing function and design. This track includes all aspects of sustainable design, from green materials and construction to efficient selection and operation of complex mechanical systems. Students learn to evaluate building designs on the basis of natural energy efficiency standards and how to integrate renewable energy systems into buildings. Students enter this track from the Architectural & Building Engineering Technology (ABT) and Construction Management (CPM) programs.

The Green Sites track focuses upon the art of responsible, inspired design and engineering for residential, agricultural, and commercial sites in order to enhance the quality, sustainability, and integrity of our built environment. Within this track, special emphasis is placed upon the design of the landscape, including structures, planting, roads, and water systems, in order to minimize environmental impact; meet and create legislative standards; and promote an ethic of stewardship of the land and our natural resources. Students enter this track from the Civil & Environmental Engineering Technology (CET), Dairy Farm Management Technology (DFM), and Landscape Development & Ornamental Horticulture (LAH) programs.

The Renewable Energy track focuses on renewable energy technology and systems for efficient energy conversion and use. The technical curriculum includes courses in mechanical and electrical engineering that cover topics such as materials and structures; circuits and electronics; sensors and instrumentation; and electromechanical power systems. Energy systems courses address the use of solar, wind, alternative fuels, and other renewable technologies for electricity, heating, and other power uses. Students enter this track from Electrical Engineering Technology (EET) or Mechanical Engineering Technology (MEC) programs.

Students with associate degrees from other majors may have individualized programs set up based on previous coursework and track requirements.

Students with a Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Design and Technology will:
  • Demonstrate a robust understanding of the environmental, climate, and energy challenges facing our state and society and the economic opportunities provided by meeting these challenges
  • Apply critical and analytical thinking skills to determine where and when sustainable designs, technologies, and practices are appropriate and effective
  • Demonstrate effective communication and be advocates for sustainability and environmental stewardship
  • Develop a basic understanding of business, enterprise, and management practices.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the costs and benefits of a more sustainable approach to environmental, technological, economic, and societal issues
  • Apply a high level of competence and technical mastery in their chosen green technical track
Students may take SDT courses prior to completion of their associate’s degree if their schedule and prerequisites permit.

The minimum number of credits required for the +2 portion of the degree is 64 (120 total). 

For all tracks, the following courses will qualify as business/enterprise elective: any ACC or BUS course at the 2XXX level or higher; AGR 1061, 3040, 3110, and 3111. BUS 2020 and 4530 are strongly recommended. 


Green Buildings Track

for Architecture and Construction students

Third Year

Fall Semester Credits Spring Semester Credits
Core Classes:   Core Classes:  
SDT 3000 - SDT Seminar 1 ARC 3010 - Design Systems Integration 4
SDT 3111 - Energy Systems & Sustainability 3 ARC 3050 – Fluids/Thermodynamics 4
SDT 4112 – Green Sites Survey 3 SDT 3010 – Conflict & Communication 3
ABT   ABT  
BIO 1020 - Intro to Environmental Science 4 BUS XXXX – Business elective 3
ELE 3XXX – Upper level AH/SS 3 SDT 4113 – Green Building Technical Survey 3
SDT 3110 – Codes & Loads: Electromech 2    
SDT 3119 - Leadership in Energy & Env Design 1    
CPM   CPM  
ARC 2051 – Architectural Design I 3 ARC 2032 – Environmental Systems II 3
MAT 1520 – Calculus for Engineering 4 ELE 3XXX -- Upper level AH/SS 3
PHY 1043 – Physics for Architectural 3   16
  17    
    Summer Course  
    SDT 4801 – Summer Internship 0


Fourth Year

Fall Semester Credits Spring Semester Credits
Core Classes:   Core Classes:  
ARC 4030 – HVAC Systems 4 ARC 3040 – Electrical/Lighting Systems 3
SDT 3121 - SDT Studio I 3 CHE 1031 - General Chemistry I 4
SDT 4110 - Building Controls/Commissioning 3 MAT 2021 - Statistics 3
SDT 4802 - Internship Review 1 SDT 4122 - SDT Studio II 3
    ELE XXXX -- AH/SS elective 3
ABT   ABT  
ARC 4020 - Architectural Engineering Mgmnt 3 BUS XXXX - Business elective 3
BUS XXXX – Business elective 3    
CPM   CPM  
BIO 1020 - Intro to Environmental Science 4 SDT 4113 – Green Building Technical Survey 3
SDT 3110 – Codes & Loads: Electromech 2   19
SDT 3119 - Leadership in Energy/Env Design 1    
  17-18    


* CPM students must complete MAT 1420 - Technical Mathematics I before entering the SDT program.




Green Sites Track

for Civil, Dairy, and Landscape Students

Third Year

Fall Semester Credits Spring Semester Credits
Core Classes:   Core Classes:  
SDT 3000 - SDT Seminar 1 SDT 3010 – Conflict & Communication 3
SDT 3111 - Energy Systems & Sustainability 3 SDT 3020 - Environmental Permitting 2
SDT 3130 – Environmental Soils 3 SDT 4113 – Green Building Technical Survey 3
SDT 4112 – Green Sites Survey 3  AGR 3050 - Advanced Nutrition Management 3 
CET   CET  
AGR 2720 – Issues & Trends in Agriculture 2

LAH 1020 - Introduction to Horticulture 3 BUS XXXX – Business elective 3
LAH 1021 – Landscape Graphics 3 BUS XXXX -- Business elective 3
DFM   DFM  
CET 1031 - Engineering/Survey Computer Apps I 3 CET 1031 - Engineering/Surveying Computer Apps II 3
LAH 1021 – Landscape Graphics 3 ELE 3XXX -- Upper level AH/SS 3
LAH   LAH  
BIO 1020 – Intro to Environmental Science 4 BUS XXXX -- Business elective 3
CET 1031 - Engineering/Survey Computer Apps I 3 CET 1032 - Engineering/Survey Computer Apps II 3
  16-18   14-17
    Summer Course  
    SDT 4801 - Summer Internship 0


Fourth Year

Fall Semester Credits Spring Semester Credits
Core Classes:   Core Classes:  
SDT 3121 - SDT Studio I 3 MAT 2021 - Statistics 3
SDT 4130 - Sensitive Ecosystems 3 SDT 4020 – Groundwater & Surface Water 3
SDT 4802 - Internship Review 1 SDT 4122 - SDT Studio II 3
CET   CET  
BIO 1020 - Intro to Environmental Science 4 BUS XXXX – Business elective 3
BUS XXXX- Business elective 3 ELE XXXX - AH/SS elective 3
ELE 3XXX – Upper level AH/SS 3    
DFM   DFM
BIO 1020 - Intro to Environmental Science 4 ELE XXXX – AH/SS elective 3
LAH 1020 – Introduction to Horticulture 3 PHY 1030 – General Physics 4
LAH   LAH  
AGR 2720 – Issues &Trends in Agriculture 2 ELE XXXX - AH/SS elective 3
CHE 1020 – Introduction to Chemistry 4 PHY 1030 - General Physics 4
ELE 3XXX – Upper level AH/SS elective 3   15-16
  16-17    

Renewable Energy Track

for Electrical and Mechanical students

Third Year

Fall Semester Credits Spring Semester Credits
Core Classes:   Core Classes:  
BIO 1020 - Introduction to Environmental Science 4 BUS XXXX – Business Elective 3
ELM 3015 - Sensors & Instruments 3 SDT 3010 – Conflict & Communication 3
SDT 3000 – SDT Seminar 1 SDT 4030 – Renewable Energy Systems 3
SDT 3111 – Energy Systems & Sustainability 3 SDT 4113 – Green Building Technical Survey 3
SDT 4112 – Green Sites Survey 3    
EET   EET  
BUS XXXX - Business elective 3 ARC 3050 – Fundamentals Fluids/Thermodynamics 4
    ELE 3XXX – Upper level AH/SS 3
MEC   MEC  
ELE 3XXX - Upper level AH/SS 3 BUS XXXX - Business elective 3
  17   15-19
    Summer Course  
    SDT 4801 - Summer Internship 0


Fourth Year

Fall Semester Credits Spring Semester Credits
Core Classes:   Core Classes:  
BUS XXXX - Business elective 3 CHE 1030 – General Chemistry I 4
BUS XXXX - Business elective 3 ELE XXXX – AH/SS elective 3
ELM 4015 - ELM Power Systems 4 MAT 2021 – Statistics 3
SDT 3121 - SDT Studio I 3 SDT 4122 – SDT Studio II 3
SDT 4802 - Internship Review 1    
EET   EET  
Select One:   Optional:  
ARC 2031 - Environmental Systems 3 ATT 2060 - Advanced Technology Vehicles 4
ATT 2060 - Advanced Technology Vechicles 4    

    
MEC   MEC  
Select One:   Optional:  
ARC 2031 - Environmental Systems 3 ATT 2060 - Advanced Technology Vehicles 4

 16-18   13-17