Course syllabus for Building performance: Design and assessment

Course syllabus adopted 2022-02-14 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameByggnadens tekniska funktion och utformning
  • CodeBOM285
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerMPSEB
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyCivil and Environmental Engineering
  • DepartmentARCHITECTURE AND CIVIL ENGINEERING
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 22120
  • Block schedule
  • Open for exchange studentsNo
  • Only students with the course round in the programme overview.

Credit distribution

0117 Project 4.5 c
Grading: UG
4.5 c
0217 Examination 3 c
Grading: TH
3 c
  • 13 Jan 2025 pm J
  • 15 Apr 2025 pm J
  • 18 Aug 2025 pm J

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

Basic knowledge of building materials and building physics equivalent to a bachelor’s degree. This includes basic knowledge of different types of materials, understanding of the relation between structure and properties, and heat, air and moisture transport processes.

Aim

The aim of the course is to provide in-depth knowledge on building physics performance criteria (mainly daylight, durability, indoor air quality and thermal comfort) and what is required to fulfill them.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

  • Determine heat and moisture conditions in air, materials and building components at varying boundary conditions in different climates.
  • Select and apply relevant models, input data, and measuring techniques to determine heat and moisture conditions in air, materials and building components.
  • Understand the impact of changes in the building envelope on indoor environmental qualities, such as daylight, thermal comfort (incl. thermal storage), moisture safety and indoor air quality.
  • Evaluate characteristics of different materials, and material combinations' suitability, with respect to heat and moisture exposure, including the effect of degradation processes and impact on indoor air quality.
  • Motivate the selection of materials and models by critically evaluating and summarizing the work process in both written and oral presentations.
  • Reflect upon ethical dilemmas, including sustainable development, with respect to a building's performance.

Content

The course deals with building physics functional requirements with a focus on temperature and moisture conditions in materials and building components under varying boundary conditions and with regard to storage, impact of climate, and evaluation of indoor environment, including daylight, thermal comfort and air quality. The course also provides a basic overview of various engineering roles and their impact on how the functional requirements are met throughout the construction process (including moisture safe design, operation and evaluation) and on the choice of materials and designs that are made. Furthermore, an orientation is given about requirements and recommendations in norms and standards for the various engineering roles.

Organisation

The course consists of lectures and exercises as well as individual and group assignments reported in written and oral presentations.
Participating teachers come from both Chalmers and the industry.

Literature

Text books, papers, lecture notes and exercises.

Examination including compulsory elements

The examination consists of two parts:
  • Project part: Active participation in group exercises and completed individual assignments, all of which must be approved.
  • Examination part: A written exam with discussion and calculation tasks, approved aids are equation sheet (handed out) and Chalmers approved calculator with an empty memory. The time for the examination is 4 hours.
For the final course grade, approval of both parts is required.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.