Course content

The course is aimed at providing the fundamental knowledge of terminology, principles, and simple applications of building physics and building ecology, to be further developed in the following, applied-oriented course “Building and Environment 2”. First, the students are introduced to the fundamental concepts of environmental sustainability applied to the built environment, which includes an introduction the concepts and tools for the assessment of the environmental resource use and environmental impact by construction materials and systems, as well as relevant knowledge related to building materials and building systems themselves. (2.5 ECTS)The second part of the course is dedicated to building as a thermal system. It presents the basic physical laws in thermodynamic, the mechanisms of heat and mass transfer, and the application to building components, and the introduction to the heat balance of buildings. This knowledge is important to be able to design and select building assemblies and solutions in energy efficient buildings. (3.0 ECTS) The third part of the course focuses on the fundamental of light (electromagnetism) and acoustics. It presents the basic physical laws used in lighting and acoustics, and an introduction to the physiological effects of light in human vision and sound in human hearing. (2.0 ECTS)

Learning outcome

KNOWLEDGE:At the end of the course, the student should have acquired the basic concept of sustainability and the physical laws that describe the thermophysical, lighting, and acoustic behaviour of a building and its building assemblies. SKILLS: The students should be able to understand the connection between the physical principles and models that influence the indoor environment.The students should be able to describe and interpret observed physical phenomena (e.g. heat loss and condensation) in terms of physical laws represented through simple physical models.By properly applying the learned physical models, the student should be able to make simple predictions of the behavior of a building assembly or room. The student should also be able to perform simple calculations that describe phenomena of heat and mass transfer, psychrometrics, lighting, and acoustics. GENERAL COMPETENCIES:The student should have a good, yet basic overview of the subject, and possess good communication skills based on both Norwegian and English terminology.

Learning methods and activities

Ex-cathedra lectures, exercises, guided assignments, and semester assignment

Further on evaluation

If the written exam (accounting for 75% of the final grade) is not approved, but the semester assignment (accounting for 25% of the final grade) is approved, only the written exam must be repeated. If the semester assignment is not approved, both the written exam and the semester assignment need to be repeated. The right to complain applies only after the final grade has been given.Postponed examinations are usually scheduled in week 32-33. Postponed written exams (repeat exams) may be replaced by oral exams.

Specific conditions

Course materials

A reference book and the compendium of lectures. Calculation exercises with solutions. Guided assignments.