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 aggressive 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 with design and focus on means and methods, construction and building systems. In the third year, students apply their design skills to construction management and engineering. And finally in their fourth year, students may 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:
- Civil Engineering
- 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, materials manufacturing 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 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.
Required Building Sciences Courses
ARCH1000: Studio 01
ARCH1200: Architectural Representation
ARCH1500: Studio 02
ARCH1700: Architectural Media
ARCH2000: Studio 03
ARCH2500: Studio 04
ARCH2700: Energy + Resources in Architecture
CIVE3100: Environmental Engineering
CONM1200: Building Construction
CONM1525: Introduction to Building Information Modeling (BIM).
CONM15XX: Contracts + Code Analysis
CONM1550: Introduction to Plan Reading and Specifications.
CONM2100: Statics + Strength of Materials
CONM2200: Estimating
CONM2500: Building Systems
CONM2600: Wood + Steel Analysis + Design
CONM3600: Concrete Analysis + DesignCourses in Construction Management Concentration (15 credits)
CONM3100: Construction Project Management
CONM3201: Construction Project Scheduling
CONM3500: Advanced Estimating + Bid Analysis
CONM3800: Special Topics in Construction Management
CONM4650: Business, Construction Law + RegulationsCourses in Energy & Sustainability Concentration (15 credits)
ARCH3200: Passive + Active Systems in Architecture
ARCH3800: Special Topics in Architecture
ARCH7675: The Climate-Responsive Building
ARCH7800: Graduate Special Topics in Architecture
ARCH78XX: Principles of Passive House Design
FMGT7200: Energy + SustainabilityEach semester one or more energy-and-sustainability-related Special Topics electives will be offered at undergraduate level. Recent examples include:
Sustainable Design: from Concept to Implementation
Solar Decathlon Seminar
Holistic Sustainable Design Integration
Waste: A Sample History
Green and Resilient Design
Principles of Passive House DesignIn addition, general education requirements at Wentworth include:
CHEM1100: General Chemistry
MATH1000: College Mathematics (or MATH1500 or MATH1750 or MATH1850)
MATH1030: Statistics & Applications
PHYS1000: College Physics I* (or PHYS1250)
English Sequence, including ENGL1100 and ENGL2200
16 credit hours of Humanities & Social Science Electives including PSYC4552: Industrial Organizational Psychology (directed elective)
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Testimonials
Milo Olivia
"I will never forget one of my Wentworth professors saying a code-built house is the worst house you can legally build. I think it’s important to learn how to design better buildings for a better future, instead of just repeating what has been done in the past. During my final undergraduate semester I participated in the Solar Decathlon Design Challenge. I learned how to design a house that is comfortable, energy efficient, environmentally friendly, and costs less in the long term than a code-built house. Who wouldn’t want to live in a house like that? Choosing to stay at Wentworth for the graduate program was an easy decision for me because of how much I enjoyed the undergraduate program. The faculty is great, and there are so many resources that students can take advantage of to help them succeed."