Mechanical
Students in the mechanical option work to combine a strong background in building systems with mechanical engineering fundamentals to design systems that provide quality environment for people.
All mechanical option students have completed in-depth course work in heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) fundamentals, analysis, and design. Design of total building systems is familiar to these students. Additional courses available include:
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Indoor Air Quality, Building Solar Design
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HVAC Noise Control and Acoustic Design
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Advanced Building Electrical Systems Design
Groups of mechanical option students frequently enter the ASHRAE Student Design Competition. As of 2005, Penn State entries have never placed lower than second in this international contest.
Design tools available to mechanical option students are numerous. Computer programs in system simulation and optimization techniques, building energy modeling, and controls are used.