NYSED: 33817 HEGIS: 1009
The 36-credit, part-time evening Sustainable Interior Environments program provides expertise in environmentally responsible design. It addresses the challenge of designing for the “triple bottom line” by teaching how best to support practices and create places that are environmentally, socially, and economically sound.
The program is intended for established professionals and educators—including practicing interior designers, architects, facility planners, and managers—with at least a bachelor’s degree in their fields. Courses encompass a broad definition of sustainable design that includes an understanding of behavioral concerns, universal design, design’s impact on the global environment and economy, and design’s impact on human health. Students complete their degree studies with a research-oriented capstone project. Curriculum below is for the entering class of Fall 2016.
Course of Study
| Pre-Semester | ||
| SE 541 | Pro-Seminar: Critical Research and writing, verbal and visual communication and presentation skills | 0 |
| Semester 1 | ||
| SE 561 | Ecology and Human Impact | 1.5 |
| SE 562 | Environmental Behavior Research - Concepts and Applications, Segment I | 3 |
| SE 581 | Graduate Seminar: Segment I-Fundamentals | 3 |
| Winter Session 1 | ||
| SE 563 | Chemistry for Interior Environments: Seminar | 1.5 |
| Semester 2 | ||
| SE 564 | Environmental Behavior Research: Research Methods-Segment II | 1.5 |
| SE 571 | Materials and Products for Sustainable Interior Environments | 3 |
| SE 582 | Graduate Seminar: Segment II-Exploration | 3 |
| Summer Session 1 | ||
| SE 521 | Survey of Sustainable Architecture and Interior Design Historical Origins | 3 |
| Semester 3 | ||
| SE 671 | Harvesting Daylight | 1.5 |
| SE 672 | Integrated Environment Systems: Air, Sound, Light | 3 |
| SE 681 | Graduate Seminar: Segment III-Analysis: Directed Research | 3 |
| Winter Session 2 | ||
| SE 661 | Universal Design and Ergonomics | 1.5 |
| Semester 4 | ||
| SE 631 | Sustainable Practice Today | 3 |
| SE 682 | Graduate Seminar: Segment IV-Future of Sustainable Interiors | 3 |
| SE 691 | Capstone: Applied Research | 1.5 |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
COMMON REQUIREMENTS
All degree programs require that students maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 every semester while enrolled in the program. A student will be sent a warning notice for the first term that the 3.0 GPA is not achieved. A second term with a GPA below 3.0 will result in a limitation of registration credits or possible dismissal from the program. A final GPA of 3.0 is required for graduation. Each degree program also has specific requirements for graduation.
ADVANCEMENT TO DEGREE CANDIDACY
Requirements for Candidacy
See each program’s specific degree requirements.
Eligibility to Attend Commencement Exercises
Candidates for the master’s degree at FIT must have advanced to candidacy before being permitted to attend graduation ceremonies.
Maintenance of Matriculation
To maintain matriculation, a degree candidate must register each semester following entry into a program for either (a) at least one approved course or (b) maintenance of matriculation. If a student does not maintain continuous matriculation, or does not complete all degree requirements in the time allowed, that student will be required to apply for readmission to the program following the procedures and requirements listed in the catalog of the readmission year. If readmission is granted, the student will also be required to pay all delinquent maintenance of matriculation fees prior to being awarded the degree.
Degree Requirements
General
For admittance to degree candidacy, students must have satisfied all outstanding prerequisites, completed a minimum of 36 approved course credits, achieved a final grade point average (GPA) of 3.0, and had their capstone project proposal approved. Students must have advanced to degree candidacy before being permitted to attend graduation ceremonies.
Capstone Project
Graduating students in the MA in Sustainable Interior Environments program are required to complete a master’s thesis, in the form of an academic paper or design project focusing on a specific aspect of sustainability in interior environments. Students should select a topic or project whose research and composition is manageable within a 12-month period.
It is the responsibility of the students to submit their topic proposals to the department capstone project coordinator and have them approved. Students are expected to submit their written proposals during their second semester.
Time Requirement for Degree Completion
Students will have two years to complete all degree requirements, including the capstone project. Extensions may be granted to degree candidates on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the chairperson.
Courses
SE 521 — Survey of Sustainable Architecture and Interior Design Historical Origins
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
The course examines the historical relationship between man's built environment and nature, and how specific building techniques, particularly in vernacular structures, were developed in response to local climatic conditions. Special attention is given to the evolving layouts and organization of interiors, methods of providing climate controls, and lighting.
SE 541 — Pro-Seminar: Critical Research and writing, verbal and visual communication and presentation skills
0 credits; 18 lecture hours
This intensive, two-weeks/six session pro-seminar functions as an introduction to the research-centered programs, and provides the necessary tools to critically evaluate sources of information, read analytically, organize articulate, and communicate ideas, chose appropriate forms of writing, and/or presentation for particular task or audiences.
SE 561 — Ecology and Human Impact
1.5 credits; 1.5 lecture hours
The course explores the manner in which people interact with, and are affected by, their environments. Designers are charged with responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of those who use the spaces they design, and the course will examine how the work they do can assure more sustainable spaces.
SE 562 — Environmental Behavior Research - Concepts and Applications, Segment I
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
This course enables students to ask the right questions and search for the answers so that the decisions they make that affect the state of the earth and its inhabitants are informed ones. Through the study of human ecology, students gain an understanding of humanity’s impact on the biosphere.
SE 563 — Chemistry for Interior Environments: Seminar
1.5 credits; 1.5 lecture hours
Students will develop an understanding of fundamental chemistry concepts through a series of research projects, lectures, and case studies related to materials and practices use in sustainable interior enrivoments. These examinations include an extensive study of sustainable/green chemistry practices and toxins commonly found in interior envirnoments.
SE 564 — Environmental Behavior Research: Research Methods-Segment II
1.5 credits; 1.5 lecture hours
This course looks at the ways in which we can study human behavior in the designed environment. Students develop a toolbox of research approaches that can be used to examine design projects. We discuss observation, interviews, focus groups, and other scientific tools of experimentation as applied to real-world contexts.
SE 571 — Materials and Products for Sustainable Interior Environments
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
The course looks at the most significant attributes of materials and products that affect interior spaces. Students expand their scope of consideration from the interior to include the impacts on the regional and global environments, and on the society at large, through the fundamental concepts of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
SE 581 — Graduate Seminar: Segment I-Fundamentals
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
The Graduate Seminar functions as a research- and design-centered forum, which provides intergration for all the courses throughout the program. This first of the four segments introduces the principles of sustainable development and prepares incoming students to address the challenges of implementing these principles in the design of interior environments.
SE 582 — Graduate Seminar: Segment II-Exploration
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
Segment II of the Graduate Seminar is designed to support students in their decision-making process relating to the topic of their capstone project. Through site visits and interactions with professionals who employ sustainable design principles in their practice, class participants will study sustainable strategies for different sectors of the industry.
SE 631 — Sustainable Practice Today
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
The 21st century’s volatile economy, rapidly developing technologies, and changing political climate all demand the establishment of a well-structured sustainable organization or professional practice. This course guides students through the development of professional tools based on their personal goals and ethics in order to develop a sustainable design practice.
SE 661 — Universal Design and Ergonomics
1.5 credits; 1.5 lecture hours
Class participants study, analyze, and learn how to utilize the principles of Universal Design, physical anthropology, physiology, and psychology to fit or suit human measurements, to address characteristics relative to the specific function and use of space or the operation of equipment, and to address the needs of specific populations.
SE 671 — Harvesting Daylight
1.5 credits; 1.5 lecture hours
Daylight is an important component of sustainable design. This course consists of two distinct, interwoven parcels: the first addresses the physics and measurement of light along with the optical properties of materials and surfaces; the second addresses all of the aspects of daylight harvesting as both energized and non-energized components.
SE 672 — Integrated Environment Systems: Air, Sound, Light
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
The course presents a comprehensive approach to the integrated design of the elements of indoor environmental quality. Taught by professionals specializing in indoor air, acoustics, and lighting, this course addresses complex and interconnected environmental system designs that minimize the use of natural resources, and provide for human safety, health and comfort.
SE 681 — Graduate Seminar: Segment III-Analysis: Directed Research
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
The Graduate Seminar: Segment III supports students in the development of their capstone projects. It helps tailor tools for the particular application, and guides them through individual research process. Students identify an appropriate research methodology for the topic they selected, develop individualized tools, locate resources, and learn to organize and analyze information.
SE 682 — Graduate Seminar: Segment IV-Future of Sustainable Interiors
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
The Graduate Seminar: Segment IV presents an opportunity for students to explore and discuss a variety of propositions for the future of sustainable interior environments. This student-driven forum provides conceptual continuity for the program graduates who will be taking on leadership roles as sustainable interior environment professionals and educators.
SE 691 — Capstone: Applied Research
1.5 credits; 1.5 lecture hours
The course provides continuity in conceptual working methods, an opportunity for focusing and honing students' expertise, and the experience of working as a supportive collegial group that incorporates analytical feedback and shared resources. Students are evaluated on their ability to utilize methodologies and on their presentation skills.