EPN-V2

MAEN5200 Energy design and building physics Course description

Course name in Norwegian
Energidesign og bygningsfysikk
Study programme
Master's Degree Programme in Energy and Environment in Buildings - part-time
Master's Degree Programme in Energy and Environment in Buildings
Weight
10.0 ECTS
Year of study
2025/2026
Curriculum
FALL 2025
Schedule
Course history

Introduction

The course Energy design and building physics will give the students a comprehensive knowledge of analysis of building physics. The course has a special focus on the façade's impact on climate adaptation, heat transport, moisture, thermal comfort and daylight.

Recommended preliminary courses

MAEN4100/MAEND4100 Thermodynamics, Heat and Mass Transfer

MAEN4200/MAEND4200 Energy use and indoor climate

MAEN4300/MAEND4300 Fluid dynamics and computational methods

Required preliminary courses

None other than admission requirements

Learning outcomes

After completing this course, the student has achieved the following learning outcomes, defined as knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student has in-depth knowledge of

- how to design a facade that provides good indoor climate and low energy consumption

- moisture and heat transport through the building envelope including windows, walls, ceilings and floor slabs

- elements of passive house design, on the topics of indoor climate and energy use

- the roles and processes of integrated building design

- the most important criteria and calculation methods for daylight design and energy efficient lighting

- airflow in buildings and how to achieve airtight buildings

- principles and challenges of heat recovery

Skills

The student is capable of

- performing calculations and analysing results for U- and g-values for windows, walls, ceilings and floor slabs

- performing calculations and analysing results for thermal comfort in case of solar radiation and low outdoor temperatures

- performing calculations and analysing results for thermal bridges

- performing calculations and analysing results for moisture transport through structures

- performing calculations and analysing results of daylight conditions in rooms and energy savings by daylight control

- designing buildings which meet criteria for good indoor climate and low energy demand

- designing and analysing ventilation and infiltration in conjunction with pressure conditions, and designing energy optimal solutions

- designing façades with optimal performance on thermal comfort, daylight, energy demand and cost-efficiency

General competence

The student is capable of

- analysing buildings and solving problems related to detailed design of building parts, considering thermal comfort, daylight, moisture and energy demand

- considering the extent and distribution of thermal bridges and proposing measures to avoid condensation and achieve good thermal comfort and low energy demand

- evaluating and choosing the right tool for the problem

- planning and performing an analysis of relevant building physics problems, and provide relevant advice for a client

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures, exercises and project work in Groups

Course requirements

The following required coursework must be approved before a student can take the exam:

  • Meet all deadlines during the semester for submission of all 5 project reports.

Assessment

The exam consist of two parts:

1) Project portfolio, which consists of 5 reports, weighted 50%. The students will work in groups of 2. The total length of the portfolio (all 5 reports) are expected to be approx. 60-80 pages, without appendices.

2) Individual written exam (3 hours), under supervision, weighted 50%.

All assessment parts must be awarded a pass grade (E or better) in order for the student to pass the course.

Both the project protfolio and the written exam can be appealed.

Permitted exam materials and equipment

1. All aids permitted.

2. All written aids (including lecture notes) are permitted.

Grading scale

Graded scale A-F

Examiners

Two internal examiners

Additional external examiners will be used with regular intervals.

Course contact person

Dimitrios Kraniotis