ESCI 461: Optimizing Mechanical Systems in Commercial Buildings

Environmental Sciences · 5 credits

This course covers modern best practices for energy efficiency optimization of mechanical and environmental systems in large buildings, with an emphasis on existing buildings. Topics include indoor lighting systems, building heating and cooling loads, indoor air quality and ventilation, humidity and thermal comfort, HVAC system configurations and efficiency, economic analysis and metrics. The course includes a field/lab component in which students will measure energy use and analyze saving potential in an existing building. Also offered as ENRG 461.

Offered in 4 of the 26 listed terms (Winter 2024 to Spring 2027).

Catalog entry Browse Classes Textbooks (WWU Bookstore)

Prerequisites

(ENRG 360 or ESCI 360) and (ENRG 310 or PHYS 220)

Prerequisite tree

Each course's own prerequisites, down to the first courses in the chain.

ENRG 360 Energy Efficient and Carbon Neutral Design
requires (MATH 115 or MATH 118 or MATH 124 or MATH 157 or MPT - Advanced - Scaled Score, score 153 or Calculus AB AP Exam (AP66), score 2 or Calculus BC AP Exam (AP68), score 3 or Calc AB Subscore AP Exm (AP69), score 2 or Pre-Calculus 2 (PC2), score 2.30 or ALEKS Math Placement Assessmnt, score 80) and (ENRG 101 or ENRG 380 or ESCI 380)
- MATH 115 Precalculus II
  requires MATH 114 or Precalculus AP Exam (AP65), score 4 or ALEKS Math Placement Assessmnt, score 65
  - MATH 114 Precalculus I
    requires MPT General - Scaled Score, score 153 or MPT - Advanced - Scaled Score, score 143 or ALEKS Math Placement Assessmnt, score 55 or MATH 112 or Precalculus AP Exam (AP65), score 3 or College Algebra (CA), score 1.70 or Pre-Calculus 1 (PC1), score 1.70
    - MATH 112 Functions and Algebraic Methods
      requires MPT - Advanced - Scaled Score, score 143 or MATH 099 (minimum grade YP) or College Algebra (CA), score 1.70 or Intermediate Algebra (IA), score 1.70 or MPT General - Scaled Score, score 148 or ALEKS Math Placement Assessmnt, score 35 or Precalculus AP Exam (AP65), score 2 or MATH 197C (minimum grade S) or MATH 109 (minimum grade S)
      - MATH 099 Introductory Algebra
        requires ALEKS Math Placement Assessmnt, score 1
      - MATH 197C Support Topics for Functions and Algebraic Methods
        requires ALEKS Math Placement Assessmnt, score 30
      - MATH 109 Support for Functions and Algebraic Methods
        requires ALEKS Math Placement Assessmnt, score 30
- MATH 118 Accelerated Precalculus
  requires MPT General - Scaled Score, score 158 or MPT - Advanced - Scaled Score, score 149 or Precalculus AP Exam (AP65), score 4 or Calculus AB AP Exam (AP66), score 2 or Calculus BC AP Exam (AP68), score 3 or Calc AB Subscore AP Exm (AP69), score 2 or ALEKS Math Placement Assessmnt, score 70
- MATH 124 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
  requires MPT - Advanced - Scaled Score, score 153 or MATH 115 or MATH 118 or Precalculus AP Exam (AP65), score 5 or Calculus BC AP Exam (AP68), score 3 or Calculus AB AP Exam (AP66), score 2 or Calc AB Subscore AP Exm (AP69), score 2 or Pre-Calculus 2 (PC2), score 2.30 or ALEKS Math Placement Assessmnt, score 80
  - MATH 115 Precalculus II (shown above)
  - MATH 118 Accelerated Precalculus (shown above)
- MATH 157 Calculus with Applications to Business and Economics
  requires MPT - Advanced - Scaled Score, score 148 or MATH 156 or MATH 114 or MATH 118 or Pre-Calculus 2 (PC2), score 2.30 or ALEKS Math Placement Assessmnt, score 65 or Pre-Calculus 1 (PC1), score 2.3 or Pre-Calculus (PC), score 2.3 or Precalculus AP Exam (AP65), score 4 or Calculus AB AP Exam (AP66), score 2 or Calculus BC AP Exam (AP68), score 3 or Calc AB Subscore AP Exm (AP69), score 2
  - MATH 156 Algebra With Applications to Business and Economics
    requires MPT General - Scaled Score, score 152 or MPT - Advanced - Scaled Score, score 143 or ALEKS Math Placement Assessmnt, score 55 or Precalculus AP Exam (AP65), score 3 or College Algebra (CA), score 1.70 or Pre-Calculus 1 (PC1), score 1.70 or MATH 112
    - MATH 112 Functions and Algebraic Methods (shown above)
  - MATH 114 Precalculus I (shown above)
  - MATH 118 Accelerated Precalculus (shown above)
- ENRG 101 Energy and Society
- ENRG 380 Energy and Environment
  requires MATH 114 or MATH 115 or MATH 118 or MATH 124 or MATH 125 or MATH 134 or MATH 135 or MATH 156 or MATH 157 or Precalculus AP Exam (AP65), score 4 or Calculus AB AP Exam (AP66), score 2 or Calculus BC AP Exam (AP68), score 3 or Calc AB Subscore AP Exm (AP69), score 2 or Pre-Calculus (PC), score 1.70 or Pre-Calculus 1 (PC1), score 1.70 or Pre-Calculus 2 (PC2), score 1.70 or MPT - Advanced - Scaled Score, score 149 or MPT General - Scaled Score, score 158 or ALEKS Math Placement Assessmnt, score 65
  - MATH 114 Precalculus I (shown above)
  - MATH 115 Precalculus II (shown above)
  - MATH 118 Accelerated Precalculus (shown above)
  - MATH 124 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (shown above)
  - MATH 125 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II
    requires MATH 124 or MATH 134 or Calculus AB AP Exam (AP66), score 4 or Calculus BC AP Exam (AP68), score 3 or Calc AB Subscore AP Exm (AP69), score 4
    - MATH 124 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (shown above)
    - MATH 134 Calculus I Honors
      requires MATH 115 (minimum grade A) or MATH 118 (minimum grade A) or Math Placement - Advanced 2, score 20 or Precalculus AP Exam (AP65), score 5
      - MATH 115 Precalculus II (shown above)
      - MATH 118 Accelerated Precalculus (shown above)
  - MATH 134 Calculus I Honors
    requires MATH 115 (minimum grade A) or MATH 118 (minimum grade A) or Math Placement - Advanced 2, score 20 or Precalculus AP Exam (AP65), score 5
    - MATH 115 Precalculus II (shown above)
    - MATH 118 Accelerated Precalculus (shown above)
  - MATH 135 Calculus II Honors
  - MATH 156 Algebra With Applications to Business and Economics (shown above)
  - MATH 157 Calculus with Applications to Business and Economics (shown above)
- ESCI 380 Energy and Environment
  requires MATH 114 or MATH 115 or MATH 118 or MATH 124 or MATH 125 or MATH 134 or MATH 135 or MATH 156 or MATH 157 or Precalculus AP Exam (AP65), score 4 or Calculus AB AP Exam (AP66), score 2 or Calculus BC AP Exam (AP68), score 3 or Calc AB Subscore AP Exm (AP69), score 2 or Pre-Calculus (PC), score 1.70 or Pre-Calculus 1 (PC1), score 1.70 or Pre-Calculus 2 (PC2), score 1.70 or MPT - Advanced - Scaled Score, score 149 or MPT General - Scaled Score, score 158 or ALEKS Math Placement Assessmnt, score 65
  - MATH 114 Precalculus I (shown above)
  - MATH 115 Precalculus II (shown above)
  - MATH 118 Accelerated Precalculus (shown above)
  - MATH 124 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (shown above)
  - MATH 125 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II (shown above)
  - MATH 134 Calculus I Honors (shown above)
  - MATH 135 Calculus II Honors (shown above)
  - MATH 156 Algebra With Applications to Business and Economics (shown above)
  - MATH 157 Calculus with Applications to Business and Economics (shown above)
ESCI 360 Energy Efficient and Carbon Neutral Design
requires (MATH 115 or MATH 118 or MATH 124 or MATH 157 or MPT - Advanced - Scaled Score, score 153 or Calculus BC AP Exam (AP68), score 3 or Calc AB Subscore AP Exm (AP69), score 2 or Calculus AB AP Exam (AP66), score 2 or Pre-Calculus 2 (PC2), score 2.30 or ALEKS Math Placement Assessmnt, score 80) and (ENRG 101 or ENRG 380 or ESCI 380)
- MATH 115 Precalculus II (shown above)
- MATH 118 Accelerated Precalculus (shown above)
- MATH 124 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (shown above)
- MATH 157 Calculus with Applications to Business and Economics (shown above)
- ENRG 101 Energy and Society (shown above)
- ENRG 380 Energy and Environment (shown above)
- ESCI 380 Energy and Environment (shown above)
ENRG 310 Thermal Energy Systems
requires (MATH 125 or MATH 135 or MATH 138 or MATH 224 or MATH 225) and CHEM 161 and (PHYS 161 or HNRS 211)
- MATH 125 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II
  requires MATH 124 or MATH 134 or Calculus AB AP Exam (AP66), score 4 or Calculus BC AP Exam (AP68), score 3 or Calc AB Subscore AP Exm (AP69), score 4
  - MATH 124 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (shown above)
  - MATH 134 Calculus I Honors (shown above)
- MATH 135 Calculus II Honors
- MATH 138 Accelerated Calculus
  requires Calculus AB AP Exam (AP66), score 4 or Calculus BC AP Exam (AP68), score 3 or Calc AB Subscore AP Exm (AP69), score 4 or (Calculus BC AP Exam (AP68), score 2 and Calc AB Subscore AP Exm (AP69), score 3)
- MATH 224 Multivariable Calculus and Geometry I
  requires MATH 125 or MATH 135 or MATH 138 or Calculus AB AP Exam (AP66), score 5 or Calculus BC AP Exam (AP68), score 4 or Calc AB Subscore AP Exm (AP69), score 5
  - MATH 125 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II (shown above)
  - MATH 135 Calculus II Honors (shown above)
  - MATH 138 Accelerated Calculus (shown above)
- MATH 225 Multivariable Calculus and Geometry II
  requires MATH 224
  - MATH 224 Multivariable Calculus and Geometry I (shown above)
- CHEM 161 General Chemistry I
  requires MATH 114 or MATH 156 or MATH 118 or MATH 124 or MATH 125 or MATH 134 or MATH 135 or MATH 138 or MATH 115 or MATH 157 or MPT - Advanced - Scaled Score, score 149 or MPT General - Scaled Score, score 158 or Precalculus AP Exam (AP65), score 4 or Calculus AB AP Exam (AP66), score 2 or Calculus BC AP Exam (AP68), score 3 or Calc AB Subscore AP Exm (AP69), score 2 or Pre-Calculus 1 (PC1), score 1.70 or Pre-Calculus 2 (PC2), score 1.70 or Pre-Calculus (PC), score 1.70 or ALEKS Math Placement Assessmnt, score 65
  - MATH 114 Precalculus I (shown above)
  - MATH 156 Algebra With Applications to Business and Economics (shown above)
  - MATH 118 Accelerated Precalculus (shown above)
  - MATH 124 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (shown above)
  - MATH 125 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II (shown above)
  - MATH 134 Calculus I Honors (shown above)
  - MATH 135 Calculus II Honors (shown above)
  - MATH 138 Accelerated Calculus (shown above)
  - MATH 115 Precalculus II (shown above)
  - MATH 157 Calculus with Applications to Business and Economics (shown above)
- PHYS 161 Physics with Calculus I
  requires MATH 124 or MATH 134 or MATH 138 or Calculus AB AP Exam (AP66), score 3 or Calculus BC AP Exam (AP68), score 3 or Calc AB Subscore AP Exm (AP69), score 3
  - MATH 124 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (shown above)
  - MATH 134 Calculus I Honors (shown above)
  - MATH 138 Accelerated Calculus (shown above)
- HNRS 211 Colloquium in Physics
  requires MATH 124 or MATH 134 or MATH 138 or Calculus AB AP Exam (AP66), score 3 or Calculus BC AP Exam (AP68), score 3 or Calc AB Subscore AP Exm (AP69), score 3
  - MATH 124 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (shown above)
  - MATH 134 Calculus I Honors (shown above)
  - MATH 138 Accelerated Calculus (shown above)
PHYS 220 Physics with Calculus IV
requires (PHYS 161 or HNRS 211) and (MATH 124 and MATH 125) or (MATH 134 and MATH 135) or (MATH 138) or Calculus AB AP Exam (AP66), score 3 or Calculus BC AP Exam (AP68), score 3 or Calc AB Subscore AP Exm (AP69), score 3
- PHYS 161 Physics with Calculus I (shown above)
- HNRS 211 Colloquium in Physics (shown above)
- MATH 124 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (shown above)
- MATH 125 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II (shown above)
- MATH 134 Calculus I Honors
  requires MATH 115 (minimum grade A) or MATH 118 (minimum grade A) or Math Placement - Advanced 2, score 20 or Precalculus AP Exam (AP65), score 5
  - MATH 115 Precalculus II (shown above)
  - MATH 118 Accelerated Precalculus (shown above)
- MATH 135 Calculus II Honors (shown above)
- MATH 138 Accelerated Calculus (shown above)

From Banner's catalog for Spring 2027. Banner lists only the requisites it enforces, so check the catalog entry too.

Required by (0)

No course lists it as a prerequisite.

Syllabi and course websites

None listed yet.

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Instructors

Instructor	Sections	Terms
Goel, Nipun	4	Winter 2024 to Spring 2027

Every offering in the listed terms (4 sections)

Term	Sec	CRN	Type	Meets	Instructor	Enrolled	Delivery
Spring 2027	0	23530	Lecture	M 2:00pm-3:20pm · ES 418 W 2:00pm-4:50pm · ES 313	Goel, Nipun	0/10	Face to Face Instruction
Fall 2025	0	43836	Lecture	M 2:00pm-3:20pm · SL 110 W 2:00pm-4:50pm · SL 110	Goel, Nipun	0/5	Face to Face Instruction
Winter 2025	0 Mechan Envmt Systems Buildings	14107	Lecture	T 2:00pm-3:20pm · BH 417 R 2:00pm-4:50pm · BH 417	Goel, Nipun	0/5	Face to Face Instruction
Winter 2024	0 Mechan Envmt Systems Buildings	13831	Lecture	M 2:00pm-3:20pm · AW 305 W 2:00pm-4:50pm · AW 305	Goel, Nipun	0/12	Face to Face Instruction