Note: There is a mandatory 5-day lab intensive in Fairbanks April 26-30, 2013.  Some scholarships for tuition and travel are available through the UAF Bristol Bay Campus.

Offered: November 9-11, 2012

Instructor: Dr. Tom Marsik, Asst. Professor of Sustainable Energy

Delivery method: Face-to-face (Dillingham)

Basics of space heating and electricity use and production for Alaskan homes. Main topics include fundamentals of physics related to home energy, lighting and appliances, energy bills, building science, retrofits, home renewable energy systems. Course emphasizes how to decrease fossil fuel consumption of homes.

Class flyer

2011 syllabus

Offered: Fall 2012

Instructor: Dr. Tom Marsik, Asst. Professor of Sustainable Energy

Delivery method:  Online

Introduction to societal problems and solutions related to its energy use and production. Problems discussed are mainly related to the extent of sustainability of current energy practices.  Solutions discussed cover both areas – energy efficiency and renewable energy. Students actively participate via presentations in seminar sessions and independent projects dealing with real-life issues.

Prerequisites: Any 100 level MATH course; or permission of instructor.

Fall 2012 syllabus

Fall 2012 tentative schedule

Offered: Summer

Instructor: Dr. Tom Marsik, Asst. Professor of Sustainable Energy

Delivery method: Face-to-Face (Dillingham)

In this course, students gain basic practical knowledge related to the Passive House Standard, which refers to super energy efficient buildings that don’t need a conventional heat source; solar gain, body heat, and heat from electrical lighting and appliances are sufficient to cover the majority of needed heat. Main topics covered include basic building science, principles and techniques of energy efficient construction, and specifications of the Passive House Standard. Throughout the course, an emphasis is being put on demonstrating how the Passive House Standard can be applied to buildings in the Bristol Bay Region.

2012 syllabus

Offered: Spring

Instructor: Dr. Tom Marsik, Asst. Professor of Sustainable Energy

Delivery method: Face-to-face (Dillingham)

Basics of indoor air quality and its relationship to ventilation and energy use in homes. Main topics include types of indoor air pollutants; basic science related to moisture, condensation, and mold; and heat recovery ventilation. Course emphasizes practical ways of how homeowners can maintain healthy indoor air while keeping their energy bill low.

2011 syllabus

Offered: Spring 2013. Dates to be determined.

Instructor: Dr. Tom Marsik, Assistant Professor of Sustainable Energy

Delivery Method: Face-to-Face (Dillingham)

In this course, students gain practical knowledge of designing and installing residential-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Main topics include basic physics related to solar energy, ways of harvesting solar energy, sizing a PV system, energy storage vs. grid-tie, system components, installation techniques, and PV safety.

Syllabus

Offered: Summer

Instuctor: Kent Winship, Adjunct Instructor

Delivery method: Face-to-face (Dillingham)

This course introduces basic construction techniques using OSHA approved standards by stressing how to follow safe work practices and procedures, how to safely use hand and power tools, and how to extract information from construction drawings.  Students will receive NCCER certification.

2011 syllabus

Offered: Summer

Instructor: Kent Winship, Adjunct Instructor

Delivery method: Face-to-face (Dillingham)

The following course introduces basic materials and framing techniques used in the construction trades. It will cover an orientation, introduction to materials, and advanced tools used in the trades. Also the student will be introduced to the techniques used in framing a structure. The student will be introduced to exterior doors and windows commonly installed on construction projects and their proper installation.  There will be a heavy emphasis placed on energy efficient, cold-climate construction techniques and materials.

Prerequisite: CTT 100

2011 syllabus

Offered: Fall, 2011 and 2012

Instructor:  Dr. Paul Cotter, Adjunct Instructor

Delivery method: Face-to-Face (Dillingham)

Students gain practical knowledge of building and/or retrofitting cold climate homes.  Topics covered include basic building science, material selection, building diagnostics, building efficiency stategies, project design and building performance modeling.

Taught in conjunction with Alaska Building Science Network (ABSN)

Syllabus

Offered: Fall, 2012

Instructor: Dr. Paul Cotter, Adjunct Instructor

Delivery method: Face-to-Face (Dillingham)

This course provides theory and practice of blower door testing of single and multi-family dwellings.  Topics include: required equipment, equipment setup and operation, building setup, basic blower door testing, zonal pressure measurement, building tightness limit determination, ventilation requirements, combustion zone safety, worse-case scenario testing and applications for weatherization of small buildings.  This is a "hands-on" course where students participate in all portions.

Taught in conjunction with Alaska Building Science Network (ABSN) and Bristol Bay Housing Association (BBHA).

Syllabus

Offered: Spring 2011

Instructor: Kat Keith, Adjunct Faculty-Instructor (UAA), Kirk Garroute, Susitna Energy Systems,Inc.

Delivery method: Face-to-face (Dillingham)

This course is designed to provide training and work experience as well as applied academic training in wind energy.  It will broaden the student’s knowledge in basic wind energy theory, implementation, and project development.  Students will participate in the maintenance and installation of a Skystream 3.7 wind turbine.

Offered: Fall 2009,2010

Instructor: Dr. Paul Cotter

Delivery method: Face-to-face (Dillingham)

In this course, students gain practical knowledge related to decreasing the fossil fuel consumption of Alaskan homes via weatherization. Main topics covered include basic building science, insulation, heating, ventilation and indoor air quality, retrofitting, and state and federal programs for the homeowner.

2011 syllabus

Offered: Fall 2009

Instructors: Dr. Todd Radenbaugh, Asst. Professor of Environmental Studies and Michael Golub

Delivery method: Face-to-Face (Dillingham)

An introduction to the principles of electrical vehicle propulsion systems.  Fundamentals of electrical motors, electrical motor controls, electrical energy storage systems, and automotive power-train design.  The student will conduct practical design projects culminating with a complete electric car conversion.  Relevant codes and standards will be emphasized.

2009 syllabus

Offered: 2009

Instructor: Will Taygan, Arctic Vegworks/Adjunct Instructor

Delivery method: Face-to-Face (Dillingham)

This course will provide students with the knowledge to design straight vegetable/fish oil (SVO) fuel systems and biodiesel processing techniques. Students will learn safe chemistry techniques and will make their own small batches of biodiesel. In addition, we will study the state of biodiesel in Alaska, look at which diesels work on vegetable/fish oil the best, explore the science behind biodiesel and SVO systems, compare emissions, learn how to collect oil responsibly, and discuss storage requirements. We will investigate the different types of processors and SVO systems available and will develop plans for local implementation of biodiesel/SVO systems.

Syllabus

Offered: Spring 2010

Instructor: Gorden Isaacs, Certified Residential Energy Auditor

Delivery method: Face-to-Face (Dillingham)

In this course, students will be guided through the ‘whole systems’ approach in evaluating and improving the energy efficiency of homes. Besides discussing and demonstrating the energy audit process based on the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) rating methodology currently used by Certified Energy Raters in Alaska, the course will also cover basic principles of building science including energy efficiency, moisture issues, and ventilation concerns.

2011 syllabus

Offered: Fall 2009

Instructor: Dr, Tom Marsik, Asst. Professor of Sustainable Energy

Delivery method: Face-to-face (Dillingham)

This course introduces many topics related to the Bristol Bay region energy problems and possible solutions. In a three day conference setting, students will attend presentations, participate in workshops and discussions, and network with individuals, businesses, and organizations involved in Bristol Bay energy issues.

2009 syllabus

Offered: Spiring 2009

Instructor: Scott Wood, Building Science Institute/Adjunct Instructor

Delivery method: Face-to-Face (Dillingham)

This three-and-a-half day course covers the application of infrared thermography as a powerful and non-invasive means of monitoring and diagnosing the condition of buildings.  This course provides an intensive level of theory of the use of infrared thermography in building inspections. The lecture will include: thermal science concepts, introduction to building science, building, codes, design, envelope barriers, exteriors, and assessments, safety during investigations, water testing, water restoration and reporting the results.

2009 syllabus