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Course Description

This course deals with the interrelationship of building envelopes and environmental control with an emphasis on sustainable building practices. The course will examine thermal comfort and indoor air quality, heating, cooling and moisture regulation, air distribution and pressure regimes, energy usage, solar and internal gains, natural and hybrid ventilation, and heating and cooling loads. More responsible building practices are identified and illustrated throughout.  

The course material covers the Examination Learning Objectives of the Mechanical Systems Exam conducted by Building Science Specialist Board of Canada (BSSB) for Building Science Specialist (BSS®) designation.

Learning Outcomes

•    Understand the basic layouts and pros and cons of common HVAC systems.
•    Calculate energy requirements by applying psychrometric theory to basic air conditioning processes. Psychrometric charts will be used to assist students with visualizing the processes.
•    Understand the energy-saving benefits of enthalpy wheels.
•    Understand the comfort implications of indoor air quality, the common contaminants that affect IAQ and how they are controlled.
•    Calculate air infiltration/exfiltration due to wind and the stack effect with the crack method as applied to walls, windows and doors.
•    Understand several solar energy concepts and the direct and diffuse solar heat gain coefficients, and the effect of solar gain on the building cooling load.
•    Calculate the heating load for a building based on conduction and air exchange through the building envelope.
•    Understand the cooling load and qualitatively comprehend what contributes to this load – including several time-dependent heat transfers.
•    Prepare to write the Mechanical Systems Exam for BSS® 

Recommendations

Basic high school science and algebra are required. An engineering or architectural background is strongly recommended.

This course is recognised by the following association(s). Click on the association name for details.

This course may be applied towards the SCS Certificate(s) in

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Type
Online with Real Time Meetings
Dates
Mar 26, 2026 to Jun 11, 2026
Contact Hours
30.0
Delivery Options
ON-LINE  
Course Fees
Section Notes

Textbooks are required for this class.

Go here for instructions on how to order your textbook.

You will receive login information for your online classroom, Quercus (UofT Learning Management Engine) via email.

Go here for information on when you will receive your access information.

This course has a webinar component which will be recorded for review.

Webinar Dates and Times: 

Thursday, March 26, 2026; 6:30pm-8:30pm
Thursday, April 2, 2026; 6:30pm-8:30pm
Thursday, April 9, 2026; 6:30pm-8:30pm
Thursday, April 16, 2026; 6:30pm-8:30pm
Thursday, April 23, 2026; 6:30pm-8:30pm
Thursday, April 30, 2026; 6:30pm-8:30pm
Thursday, May 7, 2026; 6:30pm-8:30pm
Thursday, May 14, 2026; 6:30pm-8:30pm
Thursday, May 21, 2026; 6:30pm-8:30pm
Thursday, May 28, 2026; 6:30pm-8:30pm
Thursday, June 4, 2026; 6:30pm-8:30pm
Thursday, June 11, 2026; 6:30pm-8:30pm

For technical requirements, please go here.

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