Sustainable Design & Technology
Degree Offered
Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Design & Technology
Program Summary
Sustainable Design & Technology is a cross-disciplinary program grounded in the belief that students who understand the fundamentals of technology, business, and the regulations that govern both can be effective agents for sustainable change. The program seeks to create graduates committed to using technology to grow a sustainable economy, act as stewards of our environment and resources, and to educate others about the benefits of a more sustainable college and community. SDT graduates will provide businesses with highly valued employees with a blend of technical skills, project management and communication skills.
The SDT +2 curriculum emphasizes application of technology in service of sustainable goals, and an understanding of the fundamentals of business, regulation, and permitting. Students will enter on one of three tracks: Green Energy; Green Buildings; or Green Sites. The Green Energy track focuses on traditional and alternative means of producing, using and conserving energy. Green Buildings involves the creation and renovation of residential and commercial buildings that conserve energy without sacrificing function and design, and are built with sustainable materials, with a goal of LEED certification. Green Sites focuses on responsible design, engineering and
creation of building sites (residential and commercial), roads, farms, and water systems in order to minimize environmental impact, improve quality of life, and promote an ethic of stewardship of the land and our natural resources.
The program’s first year uses a team approach to problems solving, bringing together teams of students from different technical backgrounds to emphasize that success always requires the cooperation and communication with people of diverse viewpoints. The curriculum balances technical skills with a sustainable perspective, and interpersonal skills. Summer internships pair students with companies and institutions using or considering green technologies. In senior projects (Design Studios) students will solicit problems from the college and larger community and work in cross-disciplinary teams to find and apply solutions. Students will learn to use critical thinking skills and cost-benefit analysis to determine whether, when, where and how green or sustainable technologies can be applied.
Prerequisites and Core Requirements
Applicants must have an associate's degree, be enrolled in an associate's degree program, or have completed sufficient credits of related technical education. Prospective students who do not meet these requirements are strongly encouraged to enroll in, or transfer into, one of the Vermont Tech's associate's degree programs prior to the Sustainable Design & Technology Program.
Program curriculum is organized into four cores areas: Sustainability, Business, Green Technical Track, and General Education (English, math, science, arts & humanities). All students in the SDT program take a common set of courses in the Sustainability, Business, and General Education cores. Students also take a number of courses specific for the track they have chosen to pursue: Green Energy; Green Building; or Green Sites.
The minimum number of credits for the SDT bachelor's program is 120, though the total number of credits required for each track varies (see the curriculum map for details). Half of all credits must be obtained at Vermont Tech.
Career Opportunities
Program graduates are prepared to work both traditional business and those using sustainable technologies, or environmentally friendly business practices. Graduates may work as project managers and technical staff who can help conventional businesses flourish in Vermont and other environmentally friendly and regulated states. Graduates will pursue a wide range of career pportunities based on their technical backgrounds, work experience and internship experiences. Graduates will be well prepared to work in technical fields related to their associate’s degree, and to work with newer sustainable technologies as project managers or technical staff. For non-traditional and incumbent students entering the program with work experience, this bachelor’s degree affords greater opportunity for career advancement with the skill needed to succeed in business environments. Individuals who run companies, small to large, in the maintenance, design/build or construction/installation fields should find this program to be relevant and valuable. SDT graduates will prepared to pursue post-baccalaureate education in business, environmental law studies, or related technical fields.
Enrollment Information
Students with technical associate's degrees, and those interested in beginning their education at Vermont Tech, may apply to this program. Related associate's degree programs at Vermont Tech include Architectural and Building Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology, Civil and Environmental Engineering Technology, Dairy Farm Management Technology, and Landscape Design and Ornamental Horticulture. Students entering Vermont Tech as freshmen may customize their freshman and sophomore curriculum if they do not desire an AAS degree. Transfer students from related programs at two- and four-year colleges and non-traditional students interested in career change are strongly encouraged to apply. Depending on the candidate’s prior academic study, candidates may be required to make up certain introductory level courses or may test out of certain required courses based on acquired knowledge and background. Application requires review of transcripts, letters of reference and an entrance essay. Prospective students should contact the admissions office, or SDT program faculty.
Sustainable Design & Technology Faculty
Barbara Conrey, M. Architecture, A.I.A.
Professor, Architectural and Building Engineering Technology
(802) 728-1363 Email: bconrey@vtc.edu
Chris Dutton, V.M.D.
Assistant Professor, Agriculture
(802) 728-1793 Email: cdutton@vtc.edu
John Kidder, Ph.D.
Associate Professor & Chair, Mechanical
(802) 728-1783 Email: jkidder@vtc.edu
Gordon Reynolds, P.E.
Associate Professor & Chair, Civil & Environmental
(802) 728-1718 Email: greynolds@vtc.edu
Joan Richmond-Hall, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Science
(802) 728-1717 Email: jrichmond@vtc.edu
Pamelia Smith, M. Landscape Architecture
Associate Professor, Agriculture & Business
(802) 728-1285 Email: psmith@vtc.edu
Campus Locations
The Sustainable Design & Technology Program is offered at Vermont Tech's Randolph Center Campus. Some related technical associates courses and SDT program courses may be offered in on-line or hybrid formats.
Accreditation
The Sustainable Design & Technology Program is currently seeking accreditation from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). The program became an officially offered degree program from Vermont Tech in December 2006.