Session: 02-02: AI for Energy Sustainability II

Paper Number: 169946

169946 - Developing Educational Programs in Building Science at the University of Maine 

Abstract: 

Buildings and construction are responsible for nearly 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions. However, there exist strong disconnects between much of the industry responsible for designing and constructing buildings, and high-level engineering analysis focused on evaluating and optimizing the energy efficiency of buildings. In order to allow industry to improve on building efficiency, it is necessary to provide the existing and future workforce tools to perform engineering analysis and design of buildings with sustainability in mind.

The University of Maine, with funding from the Maine Governor’s Energy Office, recently launched a comprehensive training program to train undergraduate and graduate level engineers and scientists in Building Science, including energy analysis, sustainable materials, and emerging construction methods. Programs at the University of Maine will include new certificate programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, new course offerings, fellowships for student projects, and new laboratory facilities. With the highly interdisciplinary nature of Building Science, it is necessary to include a broad team in developing Building Science training, while also tailoring the program to the specific needs of the local community and the strengths of the local university. We will present a comprehensive overview of types and topics of Building Science academic programs across the United States at 4-year universities as well as results of industrial surveying done in Maine. We present our conclusions and approach for developing the programs at the University of Maine, and recommendations for developing similar programs elsewhere.

Presenting Author: Justin Lapp University of Maine

Presenting Author Biography: Justin Lapp is an assistant professor at the University of Maine in the Mechanical Engineering Department. He has over 12 years of experience with solar thermal and solar thermochemical technology. He earned his Ph.D. degree in 2013 from the University of Minnesota.