Cold Regions Engineering

Meet the arctic engineering course requirement to practice in Alaska. Explore the challenges of cold regions engineering and solutions for technical problems related to cold weather, snow and ice. Consider foundation and building designs for arctic regions. Learn about snow control, ice growth on water surfaces, ice mechanics and the physical and thermal properties of frozen ground. Study the effects low temperatures have on construction materials and personnel. Learn about drinking water and wastewater systems at camps, homes and communities in the far North.

WHAT THE COURSE COVERS

Descriptive and geotechnical aspects of:

• Arctic hydrology
• Heat transfer
• Water supply treatment, storage and distribution
• Air infiltration and water vapor concerns in buildings
• Depth of freeze and thaw in soils
• Wastewater collection, treatment and disposal
• Air pollution, solid waste management and climate change
• Working cross-culturally
• Safety and environmental concerns

OUTCOMES

Upon completion, you will earn 3.2 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). The course is approved by the Alaska Board of Registration and satisfies the arctic engineering requirement for a professional license to practice architecture or engineering in the state of Alaska.

COMPLETING THE COURSE

To successfully complete this course, you must attend all live online class sessions and complete all homework assignments.

You must also pass an examination, given on the last day. Approximately two weeks are required for the instructors to grade the exams. The names of those individuals who have passed the exam will be sent to the State of Alaska Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers and Land Surveyors. Course participants will be informed of the exam results, and successful participants will receive a certificate of course completion from the University of Washington.

COURSE MATERIALS

A required course notebook is included with your registration fee and will be available as a PDF prior to the first day of the course. Participants should bring a calculator with LOG and LN math functions. Assignments and exam problems will require some knowledge of algebra and calculus.

You may have the course notebook mailed to you prior to the course for a $15 fee. Notebooks will be sent only if your request is received two weeks before the course starts. To request that the notebook be mailed to you, please add $15 shipping and handling to your registration.