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The built environment surrounds us, from homes and offices to schools and hospitals. The undergraduate Building Sciences major is your gateway to a fulfilling career shaping this ever-evolving world within design firms, construction companies and in related disciplines. This degree provides a comprehensive foundation in design, construction, and engineering principles and has a focus on climate change, energy, and sustainability.

Building Sciences for a Sustainable Future

Urbanization
89%

According to the UN, by 2050, 89% of the U.S. population is projected to live in urban areas.

Reducing Emissions
455

According to a NOAA report, 455 U.S. cities had plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Net Zero
2050

Massachusetts has a comprehensive and ambitious plan to achieve Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions in 2050.

Building Green
#3

Massachusetts ranks #3 in the U.S. in LEED-certified buildings.

  • Why Choose Building Sciences at Wentworth?

    Wentworth has a long history of success in the fields of Architecture and Construction Management and this program incorporates the best from both areas.

    Students begin their first year immersed in the Architectural Studio gaining Design Thinking experiences including design methodology, representation, and communication skills. In the second year, students continue in architecture studio and add coursework in pragmatic construction means, methods, and building systems coordination. In the third year, students apply their design skills to construction management and Building Sciences specific courses. And finally in their fourth year, students expand their degree with electives or optional concentrations in Construction Management or Energy and Sustainability.

    The following minors are also available to Building Sciences students with no additional credits beyond the major:

    • Construction Management
    • Project Management
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Science and Technology in Society
    • Sustainability

    In-Demand Careers

    The Building Sciences program prepares students for in-demand technical positions. Students who graduate with a degree in Building Sciences can have versatile careers in the fields of architecture, construction management, environmental consulting, specialized design consulting, and building forensics.

    Students can become leaders in creating sustainable, efficient, and comfortable buildings that are designed for the future.

    Accelerated Options

    Interested in earning a Master's Degree? Wentworth offers several avenues for accelerated degrees:

    • Wentworth students may earn an M.S. in Construction Management in only one year beyond graduating with their B.S. in Building Sciences (4+1)
    • Wentworth students may earn an M.S. in Facility Management in only one year beyond graduating with their B.S. Building Sciences (4+1)
    • Wentworth students may earn a M.Arch. in Architecture in only two years beyond graduating with their B.S. in Building Sciences (4+2)

    STEM Program Designation

    Wentworth’s Building Sciences program has a federal STEM designation, which provides a potential 24-month Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension for international students studying on an F-1 visa, allowing students to work for a total of three years in the United States upon graduation.

  • Gain a Competitive Edge

    The Building Sciences major equips students with the knowledge and skills to become a leader in the built environment industry. Graduates of the program may go on to work for construction companies, architecture firms, developers, home builders and remodelers, building material manufacturers, design and consulting firms, building code agencies, home inspection and diagnostic companies, trade and industry associations, residential energy companies, among many others.

  • The Building Sciences program is an undergraduate program of study for students interested in a profession within the built environment industry. The program is designed to educate students in foundational design, construction, and engineering principles combined with relevant general education and focused science and math experience in topics specific to preparing and advancing professional skills in building sciences.

    Plan of Study Grid
    First Year
    Fall SemesterCredits
    ARCH1000 STUDIO 01 6
    ARCH1200 ARCHITECTURAL REPRESENTATION 4
    English Sequence 4
    FYS1000 FIRST YEAR SEMINAR 1
    MATH1000 COLLEGE MATHEMATICS 4
    MATH1500, MATH1700, MATH1750, MATH1800 or MATH1850 will satisfy the MATH Requirement
     
     Credits19
    Spring Semester
    ARCH1500 STUDIO 02 6
    ARCH1700 ARCHITECTURAL MEDIA 4
    English Sequence 4
    PHYS1000 COLLEGE PHYSICS I 4
    PHYS1250 will also satisfy the PHYS requirement
     
     Credits18
    Second Year
    Fall Semester
    ARCH2000 STUDIO 03 6
    CHEM1000 CHEMISTRY OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT (or CHEM1100) 4
    CONM1200 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 4
    CONM2100 STATICS & STRENGTH OF MATERIALS 4
    COOP2500 INTRODUCTION TO COOPERATIVE EDUCATION 0
     Credits18
    Spring Semester
    ARCH2500 STUDIO 04 6
    ARCH2700 ENERGY & RESOURCES IN ARCHITECTURE 4
    HSS 01 Elective 4
    CONM1525 INTRODUCTION TO BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING (BIM) 2
    CONM1550 INTRODUCTION TO PLAN READING & SPECIFICATIONS 2
     Credits18
    Summer Semester
    Co-op Semester C  
    Prerequisite(s): COOP2500 and ARCH2500
     
     Credits0
    Third Year
    Fall Semester
    MATH1030 STATISTICS & APPLICATIONS 4
    HSS 02 Elective 4
    CONM2200 ESTIMATING (or Building Sciences Elective) 4
    BSCI4000 BUILDING PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS 4
     Credits16
    Spring Semester
    CONM2500 BUILDING SYSTEMS 4
    CONM2600 WOOD & STEEL ANALYSIS & DESIGN 3
    HSS 03 Elective (PSYC4552) 4
    ARCH3600 Sustainable Design: From Concept to Implementation 4
     Credits15
    Summer Semester
    Co-op Semester C  
    Prerequisite(s): COOP2500 and ARCH2500
     
     Credits0
    Fourth Year
    Fall Semester
    CONM3600 CONCRETE ANALYSIS & DESIGN 4
    BSCI5000 BUILDING SCIENCES RESEARCH 2
    BSCI Elective 4
    Free Elective 3
     Credits13
    Spring Semester
    Co-op Semester C  
    Prerequisite(s): COOP2500 and ARCH2500
     
     Credits0
    Summer Semester
    Building Sciences Elective 4
    BSCI5500 BUILDING SCIENCES CAPSTONE 4
    HSS 04 Elective 4
     Credits12
     Total Credits129

    Building Sciences Electives:

    Course Title Credits
    ARCH3200PASSIVE & ACTIVE SYSTEMS4
    ARCH3800SPECIAL TOPICS IN ARCHITECTURE *4
    ARCH7675THE CLIMATE - RESPONSIVE BUILDING3
    ARCH7800GRADUATE SPECIAL TOPICS IN ARCHITECTURE *4
    ARCH7910PRINCIPLES OF PASSIVE HOUSE DESIGN4
    CONM3100CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGEMENT4
    CONM3201CONSTRUCTION PROJECT SCHEDULING4
    CONM3500ADVANCED ESTIMATING & BID ANALYSIS4
    CONM3800SPECIAL TOPICS IN CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT *4
    CONM4650BUSINESS, CONSTRUCTION LAW & GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS3
    CRES3000TOPICS IN CLIMATE CHANGE AND URBAN RESILIENCE4
    ENVM2000ENVIRONMENTAL FORUM2
    FMGT7200ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY3
    HSSI1050URBAN SUSTAINABILITY AT HOME AND BEYOND4

    *Special Topics electives may be approved by petition to the Program Director. Additional courses in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management (or related fields) may be approved by petition to the Program Director.

    CA minimum of two required co-op education courses (COOP3500 and COOP4500) must be completed. COOP5000 can also be taken as an additional optional co-op experience.

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