Building Sciences for a Sustainable Future
According to the UN, by 2050, 89% of the U.S. population is projected to live in urban areas.
According to a NOAA report, 455 U.S. cities had plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Massachusetts has a comprehensive and ambitious plan to achieve Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions in 2050.
Massachusetts ranks #3 in the U.S. in LEED-certified buildings.
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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.
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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.
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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 Semester Credits 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 RequirementCredits 19 Spring Semester ARCH1500 STUDIO 02 6 ARCH1700 ARCHITECTURAL MEDIA 4 English Sequence 4 PHYS1000 COLLEGE PHYSICS I 4 PHYS1250 will also satisfy the PHYS requirementCredits 18 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 Credits 18 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 Credits 18 Summer Semester Co-op Semester C Prerequisite(s): COOP2500 and ARCH2500Credits 0 Third Year Fall Semester MATH1030 STATISTICS & APPLICATIONS 4 HSS 02 Elective 4 CONM2200 ESTIMATING (or Building Sciences Elective) 4 BSCI4000 BUILDING PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS 4 Credits 16 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 Credits 15 Summer Semester Co-op Semester C Prerequisite(s): COOP2500 and ARCH2500Credits 0 Fourth Year Fall Semester CONM3600 CONCRETE ANALYSIS & DESIGN 4 BSCI5000 BUILDING SCIENCES RESEARCH 2 BSCI Elective 4 Free Elective 3 Credits 13 Spring Semester Co-op Semester C Prerequisite(s): COOP2500 and ARCH2500Credits 0 Summer Semester Building Sciences Elective 4 BSCI5500 BUILDING SCIENCES CAPSTONE 4 HSS 04 Elective 4 Credits 12 Total Credits 129 Building Sciences Electives:
Course List Course Title Credits ARCH3200 PASSIVE & ACTIVE SYSTEMS 4 ARCH3800 SPECIAL TOPICS IN ARCHITECTURE * 4 ARCH7675 THE CLIMATE - RESPONSIVE BUILDING 3 ARCH7800 GRADUATE SPECIAL TOPICS IN ARCHITECTURE * 4 ARCH7910 PRINCIPLES OF PASSIVE HOUSE DESIGN 4 CONM3100 CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGEMENT 4 CONM3201 CONSTRUCTION PROJECT SCHEDULING 4 CONM3500 ADVANCED ESTIMATING & BID ANALYSIS 4 CONM3800 SPECIAL TOPICS IN CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT * 4 CONM4650 BUSINESS, CONSTRUCTION LAW & GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS 3 CRES3000 TOPICS IN CLIMATE CHANGE AND URBAN RESILIENCE 4 ENVM2000 ENVIRONMENTAL FORUM 2 FMGT7200 ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY 3 HSSI1050 URBAN SUSTAINABILITY AT HOME AND BEYOND 4 *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.