Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences

Department of Civil Engineering, Construction Management, and Environmental Engineering

Building Science, Master of Science


Academic Information

Building science is a field of study concerned with the technical performance of buildings, building materials, and building systems that draws upon physics, chemistry, engineering, architecture, and the life sciences. Understanding the physical behavior of the building as a system and how this impacts energy efficiency, durability, comfort and indoor air quality is essential to innovating high-performance buildings. Modern building science employs models of the building as a system (systems theory), and applies empirical techniques to the effective solution of building design problems.
 

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Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences

Department of Civil Engineering, Construction Management, and Environmental Engineering

Building Science, Master of Science


Careers

What Can I Do with a Master of Science in Building Science?

It takes a large team of diverse professionals to design and build a work of architecture. Among the building design team, building scientists play many important roles working side-by-side with architects, engineers, construction teams and other specialists to deliver high-performance / low-impact buildings. Building Scientists specialize in the technical aspects of architecture, including energy performance, structural integrity and resilience, resource use optimization, and the comfort and health of those who occupy buildings. Building Scientists are qualified to work for organizations that deliver architectural, engineering, construction and building science services.
 

Career opportunities that might be pursued:
  • Acoustic Consulting
  • Advanced digital tools
  • Advanced materials technology and research
  • Architecture
  • Building commissioning and Building Performance Evaluation
  • Building facade engineering
  • Building forensics
  • Building retrofit
  • Building services engineering
  • Carbon management
  • Construction project management
  • Construction products design
  • Design programming and project management
  • Energy performance (analysis and modeling)
  • Environmental consulting
  • Lighting design (artificial and daylighting)
  • Material technologies
  • Mechanical engineering (HVAC systems)
  • Plumbing engineering (Supply, DWV, Hydronics)
  • Power generation and storage
  • Quantity surveying (material and cost estimating)
  • Renewable energy
  • Sustainable building design
  • Water engineering
  • Wind engineering

 

With further education, one of these paths is possible:
  • Architecture
  • Construction Engineering and Construction Project Management
  • Mechanical Systems Engineering (HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical)
 
 

 

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Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences

Department of Civil Engineering, Construction Management, and Environmental Engineering

Building Science, Master of Science


University Requirements

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Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences

Department of Civil Engineering, Construction Management, and Environmental Engineering

Building Science, Master of Science


Overview

In addition to University Requirements:

Minimum Units for Completion 30
Additional Admission Requirements

Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

Thesis Thesis may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option.
Comprehensive Exam Comprehensive Exam is required.
Oral Defense Oral Defense is required.
Research Individualized research is required.
Some online/blended coursework Required
Progression Plan Link View Program of Study

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

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Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences

Department of Civil Engineering, Construction Management, and Environmental Engineering

Building Science, Master of Science


Details

Graduate Admission Information
Additional Admission Requirements
Master's Requirements
Additional Information
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Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences

Department of Civil Engineering, Construction Management, and Environmental Engineering

Building Science, Master of Science


Campus Availability

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