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Material Chemistry and Sustainable Building
  • Level Professional
  • Duration 12 hours
  • Course by Parsons School of Design, The New School
  • Offered by

About

This course covers a wide range of concepts related to toxicology and the chemistry of healthier materials. You learn about toxic substances in the built environment, the impact of specific chemicals on human health, unsatisfactory substitutions, and barriers to change. Finally, you examine ways to remove chemicals of concern in common building products. This course is designed to give you a basic understanding of chemistry in the built environment. This course is intended for anyone, but experience in design, architecture, or a similar field will be beneficial. By the end of this course, you’ll have gained: • A scientific understanding of toxic chemicals in building materials and their impact on human health • Knowledge of healthier and more sustainable building materials • The ability to apply strategies for reducing exposure to toxic chemicals in the built environment

Modules

Welcome

    • 2 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Introductions

2 Videos

  • Introduction to Healthier Materials and Sustainable Building
  • Introduction to Material Chemistry and Sustainable Building

3 Readings

  • Welcome and Course Methods
  • Course Presenter Profiles
  • Key Terminologies and Concepts

Chemistry in the Built Environment

    • 3 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
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1 Discussions

  • Chemical Innovation for Healthier Materials

3 Videos

  • Introduction to Chemistry of Building Materials and Human Health
  • The Essentials of Chemistry, Materials, and Human Health
  • Chemistry and Biofabrication in Design

1 Readings

  • Examples of Healthier Materials Chemistry

Implications of Toxic Chemicals in the Built Environment

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
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1 Discussions

  • Impacts of Toxic Chemicals in the Built Environment

2 Videos

  • Global Risks and Regrettable Substitutions
  • Barriers to Change: A Case Study of Flame Retardants

1 Readings

  • Toxic Histories: The Flame Retardant and Stain Resistant Industries

Green Chemistry: Designing Healthier Chemicals and Processes

    • 4 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Chemistry of Building Materials and Human Health: Summative Assessment

1 Discussions

  • Green Chemistry and Healthier Buildings

4 Videos

  • Introduction to Green Chemistry
  • Green Chemistry and Design
  • Green Chemistry: Q&A with Dr. John Warner
  • Chemistry of Building Materials and Human Health Conclusion

1 Readings

  • The Green Chemistry Challenge

Introduction to Toxicology

    • 3 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
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1 Discussions

  • How Toxicology Informs Design

3 Videos

  • Introduction to The Toxicology of the Built Environment
  • The Essentials of Toxicology
  • Evaluating Chemicals for Toxicity

1 Readings

  • The Toxicology of Building Materials

Chemical Hazards and Toxicity

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
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1 Discussions

  • The Implications of Toxic Materials

2 Videos

  • Characterizing Risk: Assessing Hazard, Exposure, and Dose-Response
  • Toxicology and Vulnerable Populations

1 Readings

  • Characterizing Risks

Hormone Disrupting Chemicals: Human Reproduction at Risk

    • 2 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • The Toxicology of the Built Environment: Summative Assessment

1 Discussions

  • Mitigating Consequences for Humanity

2 Videos

  • Hormone Disruptors in the Built Environment
  • The Toxicology of the Built Environment Conclusion

2 Readings

  • Future Generations at Risk: Dr. Shanna Swan
  • Case Studies in Healthier Life Cycles

Classifying Chemicals for Safety

    • 3 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
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1 Discussions

  • Understanding Chemical Classifications

3 Videos

  • Introduction to Understanding Chemicals of Concern and Driving Change
  • Insights from Chemical Classification
  • Lessons Learned: A Case Study of Asbestos in Building Materials

1 Readings

  • Asbestos, the Ongoing Story

Classes of Chemicals of Concern

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Reducing Exposure to Chemical Classes of Concern

2 Videos

  • Introduction to Chemical Classes of Concern
  • Additional Chemical Classes of Concern: Formaldehyde-Based Binders and Nanochemicals

1 Readings

  • The Six Classes of Chemicals of Concern

Taking Action

    • 3 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 PeerReview
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Understanding Chemicals of Concern and Driving Change: Summative Assessment

1 Peer Review

  • Reducing Toxic Chemicals and Comparing Healthier Alternatives

1 Discussions

  • Comparing the Toxicity of Chemicals in Building Materials

3 Videos

  • Tools for Screening and Evaluating Chemicals in Building Materials
  • Understanding Chemicals of Concern and Driving Change Conclusion
  • Material Chemistry and Sustainable Building Conclusion

1 Readings

  • Leveraging the Tools

Auto Summary

Explore the chemistry of healthier materials and sustainable building practices in this professional-level course from Coursera. Focused on toxicology, you'll learn about harmful substances in building environments, their health impacts, and strategies for safer material use. Ideal for those in design or architecture, this 720-minute course offers practical knowledge for reducing toxic exposure. Available through Starter and Professional subscriptions.

Alison Mears AIA, LEED AP
Instructors

Alison Mears AIA, LEED AP

Catherine Murphy
Instructors

Catherine Murphy