Going “green” has become increasingly
popular as concern for
our planet’s future rises. Bucks is
improving its standing with that
culture by offering a range of noncredit
courses in “green” construction
and technology. Nearly
a dozen courses will be available
online through the school’s website.
There will also be certification
classes held, such as a class to
help to prepare students for the
North American Board of Certified
Energy Practitioners (NABCEP)
exam. This course is an intensive
entry-level course to equip
students with the general knowledge
of Photovoltaic (solar power
systems). The NABCEP course
will be held Oct. 2, 3 and 4.
The online courses offer
“green” students the opportunity
to learn amid their busy schedules.
These courses include Fundamentals
of Green Building Design and
Construction, LEED for New
Construction: Applying the
Guidelines, and Building Green
Buildings: The Contractor’s Perspective.
Solar HotWater Heating
and Green Building Sales Professional
are also courses available
online.
Carol Mikulski, the executive
director of the Continuing Education
Department at Bucks, feels
this is a big step in keeping pace
with the “green” culture that is
gaining popularity. “It’s definitely
growing, but “Green” technology
is still in its infancy. In five years,
there is going to be a big boom in
this technology.”
Bucks has enlisted leading authorities
in these fields to instruct
the students who hope to learn
about the different aspects of this
growing culture. “Experts in these
fields will teach these courses,”
explained Mikulski. “We are in
the fourth advising year of a nationally
recognized program.”
Another program offered will be
the Sustainable Building Advisor
Program. The program provides
“green” building techniques, procedures
for design and construction
professionals, tenant and
developer representatives, project
managers, resource conservation
specialists and other building professionals
to minimize costs and
provide a healthy building environment.
This program is approved
by the American Institute
of Architects, and by the U.S.
Green Building Council Education
Provider Program as a level
400-Mastery (highest level).
The National Sustainable Building
Advisor Program (NaSBAP),
the national provider of the SBA
course, works with Bucks to offer
the program at the Newtown campus.