CU Boulder鈥檚 architectural engineering Bachelor of Science degree program has earned a from the U.S. Department of Energy.听
The new DOE designation, awarded to 17 educational programs nationwide, recognizes the growing importance of zero-energy design, which means a building produces as much energy as it consumes in a year. The designation honors post-secondary academic programs that require students to apply the best practices of zero energy design in their projects.听
Jennifer Scheib, an assistant teaching professor who led CU Boulder鈥檚 2021 team to a first-place win, said the new designation recognizes the program鈥檚 longtime sustainability focus.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not just us saying we care about sustainability,鈥� Scheib said. 听鈥淎 third party reviewed our curriculum and said, 鈥榊es, this program is focused on sustainability.鈥� Not only are we an accredited engineering program, but sustainability is part of our course goals.鈥澨�
The Zero Energy Design Designation Program supports the Biden-Harris Administration鈥檚 goal of a net-zero emissions economy by 2050. With buildings being one of the main contributors to carbon emissions, building professionals must be trained to design and construct high-efficiency, low-carbon buildings powered by renewables to achieve this goal, the DOE said. Today, 35 percent of the nation鈥檚 energy-related carbon dioxide emissions are attributed to buildings.
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The program鈥檚 senior design capstone class, taught by Assistant Teaching Professor Jay Arehart, is at the core of the DOE designation, Scheib said. The senior capstone class gives all students 鈥� not just those able to participate in the Solar Decathlon build activity 鈥� the opportunity to learn about sustainability goals and design and modeling practices for buildings and to put those skills to use on a large design project. 听During the year-long course, fourth-year students design a zero-energy commercial building.
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CU Boulder in the DOE鈥檚 competition鈥檚 build program, winning first place in 2002, 2005, and 2021, and their involvement in the decathlon led to Scheib sending in the curriculum and meeting with DOE staff for consideration for the Zero Energy designation. During the collegiate competition, students design and build high-performance, low-carbon buildings that mitigate climate change and are affordable, resilient and energy efficient.听
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鈥淥ur students are our future,鈥� Scheib said. 鈥淚f they want a sustainable world for themselves and their children, they need to be aware of the amount of energy used in the built environment. We want to make sure they have those skills.鈥�
Scheib added that zero-energy building is not only important for society, but also for the students鈥� pathway after graduation.
鈥淚t鈥檚 important for us to also let employers know that our students have those skills,鈥� she said. 鈥淓mployers want young people who know how to energy model.鈥�