"Building biology is the evaluation of health hazards like allergens, toxicants and electromagnetic fields in the built environment, and provides strategies to address exposure and/or source control and abatement". Nicole Bijlsma.
Building biology is a science that investigates the health hazards in the built environment. This can be anything from chemicals in building materials and household products to lead dust, noxious gases, house dust mites, allergens, mould, electromagnetic fields, drinking water contaminants and geopathic stress. The industry began in Germany in the 1970s in response to the number of sick 'energy efficient' buildings created to conserve energy costs during the oil embargo. For more information, click HERE.
The nationally accredited Advanced Diploma of Building Biology (10913NAT) is the first and only government accredited course of its kind in Australia that provides the knowledge and the skills to work as a professional Building Biologist. The course is a two year full time / four year part time course consisting of eleven subjects (ten core and one elective) that is primarily conducted online (total of 2,100 hours). Students are trained to identify and address health hazards in the built environment (residential) from mould and electromagnetic fields to allergens and chemicals using the latest technologies. Students are also trained on how to design healthy homes to cater for people with allergies, electrical and chemical sensitivities. The course content suits the needs of a range of health and allied professionals including general practitioners, naturopaths and nutritionists; building and construction professions such as surveyors, architects, design consultants, interior designers and builders; trades such as electricians, restorers, mould remediators, pest controllers and anybody seeking a meaningful career.
Career opportunities:
Demand for building biologists has increased significantly since the Parliamentary Inquiries into Mould (2018), Electromagnetic Radiation (2001) and 5G (2019). In addition, the growing body of evidence associating mould, electromagnetic fields, allergens and toxicants with adverse health effects coupled with greater awareness by clinicians regarding environmental medicine, has significantly increased demand for Building Biology services. Most graduates work in private practice conducting assessments in electromagnetic fields, mould, allergen and chemical testing in residential dwellings, and obtain referrals by aligning themselves with integrative clinicians, health practitioners, mould remediators, realtors and building designers. Some of our graduates have been employed as expert witness' in legal disputes (VCAT, supreme court etc) including a landmark court case at the Supreme Court, which resulted in a multi-million dollar payout in favour of the tenant and changes to the Commercial Tenancy Agreements Act for water-damaged buildings.
Entry requirements:
Most students are aged between 25 and 60 and do not have a science, health or building background. Whilst candidates are not required to have any formal qualifications or relevant vocational practice to do the course, they are expected to have a high level of language, literacy and numeracy skills, sufficient to analyse and interpret documents, comprehend video lectures, participate in practical workshops, adapt spoken language to a range of clients, analyse laboratory reports, conduct research online, good computer skills to prepare written reports and provide precise meaning which meets audience purpose, use scientific terms and symbols, interpret graphs and tables, and use computer software. Many of these skills will be taught in the course.
Pathways:
This course provides the opportunity for a professional development pathway for current Practitioner Member of the Australasian Society of Building Biologists (ASBB).
Field training and COVID:
Whilst most (>95%) of the course is conducted online, in order to gain the practical skills, students are required to undertake four days of field training (mould testing and electrobiology subjects). In order to participate and comply with COVID guidelines, students will only be required to undertake a rapid antigen test (saliva or nasal) on the day of the field training to ensure they are COVID negative, undertake social distancing and use of sanitiser (conditions may change subject to state requirements). This will incur an additional $15 cost. International and remote students and those impacted by travel restrictions may have the option to hire the equipment from ACES (conditions apply) or to use their own equipment providing it satisifes the assessment guidelines. The college has provided additional online resources to coach students on how to conduct assessments remotely.
Course structure & timetable:
The course consists of eleven subjects: ten core and one elective subject. Eight subjects are available online and can be started at anytime of the year. The remaining four subjects involve live zoom sessions plus field training (timetable can be found HERE). Students who are unable to attend the field trip due to travel restrictions, may hire equipment from ACES at an additonal cost. All subjects are 12 weeks in duration, and students should dedicate at least ten hours per week in self-directed study time in order to get through a subject's course materials and assessments. Students may choose to complete a subject more quickly if they dedicate more hours per week in study time as they will have access to all of the course materials from the first day of enrolment. Whilst there is no order in which to enrol in subjects, we recommend students complete first year subjects before commencing on second year subjects. Subjects Part-time students should plan to complete a minimum of three subjects per year in order to complete the course within the four year time frame, and full time students generally completet least five or six subjects per year and complete the course within two years. Applicants can enrol in one or more subjects. The course accreditation subject and mapping guide can be found HERE.
| FIRST YEAR SUBJECTS (First & Second Year in Part Timers) | |||||
| Subject | Core/Elective | Cost | Online /On campus | Learning Guide | Prerequisite |
| Air Pollution | Core | $795 | Online | Download | No |
| Children's Environmental Health | Core | $795 | Online | Download | No |
| Electricity Fundamentals | Core | $795 | Online | Download | No |
| Mould Testing | Core | $1,995 | Live (zoom) sessions followed by 12 week self directed online training AND field training* | Download | No |
| Research Methods | Core | $795 | Online | Download | No |
| Water Pollution | Core | $795 | Online | Download | No |
| SECOND YEAR SUBJECTS (Third & Fourth Year in Part Timers) | |||||
| Subject | Core/Elective | Cost | Online /On campus | Learning Guide | Prerequisite |
| Building Materials | Core | $795 | Online | Download | No |
| Design a Healthy Home | Core | $795 | Online | Building Materials | |
| Sampling Methods | Core | $1995 | Live zoom sessions PLUS 12 week self directed online training | Download | Air Pollution |
| Electrobiology | Core | $1995 | Live zoom sessions followed by 12 week self directed online training AND field training* | Download | Electricity Fundamentals |
| Business Skills | Elective | $795 | Online | Download | None |
| Feng Shui Foundations | Elective | $795 | Online | Download | None |
| Geomancy | Elective | $795 | Live zoom sessions | Download | None |
| Advanced Mould Testing | Elective | $1995 | Live zoom sessions followed by 12 week self directed online training AND field training* | Download | Mould Testing |
Enrol:
When you are ready to start, complete the online enrolment form HERE, ring the college (1300 889 845) to organise payment, and we'll provide the log in details to get started.
Assessments:
The assessments have been specifically designed to ensure graduates have the necessary templates to work as a building biologist. These include questionnaires, checklists, reports and online quizzes (there are no exams). In order to gain the knowledge to work as a competent building biologist, you will be taught the skills to critically think, undertake research of scientific papers, medical journals, and government websites, and reference your work. In order to gain the necessary skills, you will be required to undertake field training (attend field trips OR hire equipment).
Investment:
Total cost is approx. $12,345 (depends on the elective subject chosen). We do not accept upfront payment for the entire course, rather students pay as they enrol in each subject. Online subjects are $795 each and subjects requiring field assessments (Mould, Electrobiology and Air Sampling) are $1,995 each. Students who are unable to attend field training (for whatever reason), may hire the equipment (conditions apply). We accept credit card and direct deposit. Whilst online subjects must be paid in full before gaining access to the course materials, part payment options are available for field training subjects. No government subsidies as yet exist for this course.
Books and equipment required:
Students need to purchase four books: Healthy Home Healthy Family (Nicole Bijlsma), Electrical Principles (Peter Phillips), the IICRC R520-2015 Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation and the IICRC S520-2015 Standard for Professional Mold Remediation. Additional costs exist for students who choose to hire mould testing equipment as part of the Mould Testing course (as opposed to attending on campus field training). The remaining resources are provided by the college and can be downloaded from the internet. The college will provide all equipment during the on-campus training program for the electrobiology, air sampling and mould testing subjects, however students are expected to purchase their own full face mask (P3 respirator) which has been fit tested before attending the Mould Testing course. Please contact the college for advice on recommended brands. Students will also be required to purchase an inexpensive hygro-thermometer (~$30) from their local electronics store (such as Jaycar...) for the Air Pollution subject.