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Unit of study_

DESC9673: Intelligent Building Control Systems

2024 unit information

The term 'intelligent buildings' was coined some thirty years ago with the advent of Direct Digital Controls (DDC), but only recently can buildings can truly be considered 'intelligent' thanks to advances in sensor technology, control systems theory, information technology, and electronics in general. This unit presents an overview of intelligent buildings from the Building Management and Control System (BMCS) perspective, focusing specifically on Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning (HVAC) processes, plus other building services including security, lighting, and vertical transportation. Fundamentals of control systems theory and technology will be presented. State-of-the-art BMCS capabilities will be demonstrated in relation to optimising the environmental, workplace productivity and economic performance of buildings. Sustainability issues covered by the unit include the role of BMCS in monitoring and managing energy and carbon footprint, water resources and indoor environmental quality (IEQ). The learning outcomes of this unit of study will include sufficient understanding of building controls to enable optimum building performance. It will also provide a platform for critical analysis of control and operational strategies adopted through techniques such as diagnostics and trend logging of parameters such as energy, water, temperature, humidity, to mention a few.

Unit details and rules

Managing faculty or University school:

Architectural and Design Science

Code DESC9673
Academic unit Architectural and Design Science
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
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None
Corequisites:
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None
Prohibitions:
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None
Assumed knowledge:
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None

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. understand the fundamental principles of Intelligent Building Management Systems (IBMS)
  • LO2. understand the significance of IBMS within the commercial building contexts of performance and sustainability
  • LO3. understand the basic functionality and capabilities of IBMS: lighting, heating and cooling, ventilation, occupancy, energy efficiency, life safety, security, and facility maintenance
  • LO4. understand the principles of sensors and their role in IBMS
  • LO5. understand the logic and algorithms of IBMS
  • LO6. demonstrate skills in critical thinking and critical analysis of evidence
  • LO7. demonstrate skills in synthesising and effectively communicating technical information across the multiple disciplines comprising the IBCS/IBMS domain.

Unit availability

This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.

The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.

Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2024
Block mode Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Outline unavailable
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2020
Block mode Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2021
Block mode Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2021
Block mode Remote
Semester 2 2022
Block mode Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2022
Block mode Remote
Semester 2 2023
Block mode Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Modes of attendance (MoA)

This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.