Electrical Engineer Dan Koss Gains New Lighting Insights from Colorado Program
Electrical Engineer Dan Koss’ big idea of expanding his lighting design knowledge in Colorado started as a shot in the dark.
But he hit the mark by following his curiosity to one of the most fulfilling experiences of his academic career. Undertaking graduate-level studies while continuing to work full time, Dan got to explore the science behind something he encounters every day and gain new perspectives to apply in his work.
Setting a new goal and seeing it through
Dan was researching architectural engineering degrees for MEP recruiting opportunities. While looking at AE degree programs with lighting design coursework, he came across the University of Colorado Boulder’s Architectural Lighting Certificate Program for industry professionals just as applications for the 2025-26 cohort opened. Drawn to the program’s graduate-level curriculum and immersive hands-on learning opportunities, he applied. Freese and Nichols’ Tuition Reimbursement benefit helped support his studies.
During the program, Dan completed two semesters of online lighting design coursework, followed by a six-week summer capstone that included a week-long, on-campus intensive session in Boulder. He studied the science, technology and design theories of lighting, exploring topics such as light measurement, color and color rendering, daylighting, circadian rhythms and sustainable design standards.
While on campus, he completed his capstone project, developing lighting recommendations for a library in CU Boulder’s business building. Working with classmates, he applied the concepts and techniques he had learned during the program to a real-world design challenge.
Insights from the experience
Q: What did you enjoy most about the program?
Dan: I loved the people and connections I made throughout the course. My classmates came from a wide range of backgrounds, from theater professionals to designers, manufacturers’ representatives, residential designers and architects. Each brought a unique perspective to the coursework. Seeing how others approached assignments and solved problems was eye-opening. There was very little overlap in backgrounds or skills, but everyone quickly learned where each other’s strengths were, leaning on strengths for guidance and encouraging classmates as they stretched past their comfort zones.
Another thing I loved was learning about the science behind light and color. There’s a lot more to lighting than simply making sure you can see. It involves understanding how people perceive spaces, how color works and how lighting can influence the overall experience of a building. Understanding how people perceive light and color helps you think more intentionally about the environments you’re designing.
Q: What did having support from Freese and Nichols mean to you as you pursued this opportunity?
Dan: Having the support to pursue professional development made it easier to commit to the program and put the necessary time and effort into it. When you’re working full time, taking on additional education is a commitment. Knowing that the company supports you by investing in your skills makes it easier to dedicate yourself to the experience and get as much out of it as possible.
Q: Why do you think professional development opportunities like this are valuable for engineers?
Dan: Engineering is constantly evolving, and there’s always something new to learn. Professional development allows you to go deeper into areas that interest you and develop expertise that you might not get from your day-to-day responsibilities.
Some lighting science hasn’t changed for centuries but there are still significant biological and scientific discoveries changing our understanding of light and human responses. An entirely new type of photosensitive cells (ipRGCs) in the human eye was discovered in the early 2000s! Lighting design is still adapting to the recent discovery while science is still evolving.
It also gives you the chance to bring new tools, knowledge and perspectives back to your team and your projects.
