"Structures are made from an infinite variety of shapes and materials making their design and analysis potentially very complex. A common first step is through simplification by grouping elements with the same patterns, or carrying similar type of loads, into simple structural elements. In this course, students of Construction and Architecture learn how to use structural idealization to estimate forces and stresses in building elements as a precursor for structural building design. The course employs realistic building examples to introduce students to fundamental engineering analysis.

"Structures are made from an infinite variety of shapes and materials making their design and analysis potentially very complex. A common first step is through simplification by grouping elements with the same patterns, or carrying similar type of loads, into simple structural elements. In this course, students of Construction and Architecture learn how to use structural idealization to estimate forces and stresses in building elements as a precursor for structural building design. The course employs realistic building examples to introduce students to fundamental engineering analysis.

Wood is an amazing building material: It is beautiful and warm to the touch. It is easy to machine and abundantly available. It is light, yet strong and stiff. And best of all: It comes from a renewable source. To build with wood, however, requires understanding its peculiarities: the variability of its properties, its interaction with water and the possibility of biodeterioration. This course introduces graduate students to the physical and mechanical properties of wood as applies to construction and architecture.

Conservation biology emerged roughly 30 years ago as a mission oriented discipline, engaged in scholarly scientific inquiry, addressing the problems of biodiversity loss and environmental degradation. It is an inherently synthetic and interdisciplinary field, founded largely on basic principles from ecology and environmental management, but strongly dependent on the integration of social and natural science approaches. Together, we will examine the state of conservation science today: how the field is changing, new insights from current literature, and competing visions for the future.

This course will introduce primary aspects of sustainable building and smart growth certification systems (SBSG) such as the WELL Standard, the Living Building Challenge, Passive House and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (New Construction, Neighborhood Development, Cities and Communities. Through instructor-led, individual, and collaborative exercises, discover the core concepts and standards related to high performance building systems and interact with front-line practitioners and learn from case-study examples of high-performance buildings.

This course will introduce primary aspects of sustainable building and smart growth certification systems (SBSG) such as the WELL Standard, the Living Building Challenge, Passive House and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (New Construction, Neighborhood Development, Cities and Communities. Through instructor-led, individual, and collaborative exercises, discover the core concepts and standards related to high performance building systems and interact with front-line practitioners and learn from case-study examples of high-performance buildings.

Principles of Light-Frame Structure Technology provides students with an understanding of the construction industry, processes, and building materials used in contemporary residential & light-frame construction. We will review the entire process of residential construction project: from regulation and design through site preparation, project management, and ultimate delivery of a completed structure. Close attention will be paid to the sequence of events as they occur in most construction projects.

Perspectives on Sustainability is the foundational course introducing the field of sustainability science to graduate students at UMass Amherst. The course focuses on interdisciplinary aspects of the field, drawing on multiple disciplines to explore current societal challenges.

This course provides students with an understanding of basic statistical concepts critical to the proper use and understanding of statistics in ecology and conservation science and prepares students for subsequent ECO courses in ecological modeling.

Introduction to the research process in the natural resources sciences. Focus on research philosophy, concepts, and design, progressing from development of hypotheses, questions, and proposals, to grants and budgeting, and delivery of such research products as reports, publications, and presentations.