Energy Efficiency, Acoustics & Daylighting in Building | IIT Delhi Course Guide
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 443 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Civil Engineering, Energy, Climate and Sustainability, Environment, Building Services |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 24 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Master Building Performance: Energy, Acoustics & Daylight in Sustainable Design
In an era defined by climate change and the urgent need for sustainable development, the science of building performance has never been more critical. How do we design structures that are not only sturdy and beautiful but also energy-efficient, acoustically comfortable, and bathed in natural light? This is the core question addressed by the comprehensive postgraduate course, Energy Efficiency, Acoustics and Daylighting in Building, offered by the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi).
Course Overview: Building Science for a Sustainable Future
This 12-week, postgraduate-level course is meticulously designed to equip civil engineering and architecture students and professionals with the advanced knowledge required for functional, sustainable building design, with a special focus on tropical climates like India's. The curriculum moves beyond basic structural principles to delve into the dynamic interaction between a building and its environment.
The primary objectives are to:
- Impart concepts for the functional thermal design of buildings for enhanced energy efficiency.
- Enable students to perform fenestration design for optimal natural ventilation and daylighting.
- Equip learners with the skills to design spaces for effective external and internal noise control.
Learn from an Industry Pioneer: Prof. Bishwajit Bhattacharjee
The course is led by Professor Bishwajit Bhattacharjee, a distinguished authority in the field. With a B.Tech from IIT Kharagpur, an M.Tech and Ph.D. from IIT Delhi, and initial field experience at Gammon India Limited, Prof. Bhattacharjee brings a rare blend of academic excellence and practical insight.
A faculty member in the Department of Civil Engineering at IIT Delhi, his research spans building science, sustainable construction, and concrete technology. His prolific, well-cited publications and accolades like the Indian Concrete Institute’s Life Time Achievement Award underscore his expertise. Having taught this very subject at IITD for over 31 years, his instruction is rooted in deep, time-tested knowledge.
Detailed 12-Week Course Layout
The course is structured to build knowledge systematically, from fundamental principles to applied design strategies.
| Week | Focus Area | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Foundations | Environmental & human factors, tropical climates, human comfort indices (thermal, acoustic, visual). |
| 3-6 | Thermal Dynamics | Building heat exchange, solar radiation effects, thermal properties of materials, steady/periodic heat transfer, advanced heat flow computations (Transmission matrix, Admittance method). |
| 7 | Energy-Efficient Design | Structural control for efficiency: envelope selection, building orientation, shape, glazing, and shading devices. |
| 8 | Natural Ventilation | Purposes and mechanisms of ventilation, fenestration design for effective air flow. |
| 9-10 | Building Acoustics | Basic acoustics, noise planning, sound in free field, protection against external and internal noise (airborne & structure-borne). |
| 11-12 | Daylighting | Lighting principles, fundamentals of sky conditions (especially Indian sky), daylight prediction, and fenestration design for optimal natural light. |
Who Should Take This Course?
This course is ideally suited for:
- Intended Audience: Postgraduate students and professionals in Civil Engineering & Architecture.
- Prerequisites: A foundational understanding of BE/BSc. Level Physics & Mathematics is required to grasp the technical computations.
- Industry Support: The course is highly relevant for all industries involved in building design and construction. Major supporters include L&T, TERI, CPWD, all state PWDs, and the Dr. Fixit Institute.
Essential Reading & Reference Materials
The course curriculum is supported by a robust list of reference books and standards, ensuring learning is grounded in both classic theory and current codes:
- Bureau of Indian Standards handbooks (SP-41, SP-32) for functional requirements.
- Foundational texts like Koenighsberger's "Manual of Tropical Housing and Building" for climatic design.
- Authoritative works on energy simulation (Clarke), building acoustics (Croome, Maekawa & Lord, Foreman), and HVAC.
- Relevant Indian Standards (IS 2526, IS 4954) and the National Building Code (NBC).
- Optional use of open-source software like eQUEST and EnergyPlus for energy simulation.
Why This Knowledge is Indispensable Today
Mastering the triad of energy efficiency, acoustics, and daylighting is no longer a niche specialty but a fundamental responsibility for building professionals. This course provides the scientific tools and design methodologies to:
- Drastically reduce a building's operational energy consumption and carbon footprint.
- Create healthier, more productive indoor environments through noise control and natural light.
- Design climate-responsive architecture that is specifically suited to the challenges and opportunities of tropical regions.
Under the guidance of Prof. Bishwajit Bhattacharjee, participants gain not just theoretical knowledge, but a practical, holistic approach to building science that is essential for shaping a sustainable built environment.
Enroll Now →