Master of Science in Sustainable Building Technology

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Post-Professional Degree: MSC Sustainable Building Technology

Master of Science in Sustainable Building Technology is a 30 credit post-professional degree that answers the need for practitioners in a diverse number of fields to gain a more comprehensive understanding of new emerging technologies in the areas of sustainability and building performance. Students in this program will gain expertise in three primary areas:

  • Advanced design of building system integration
  • Advanced environmental system design
  • Advanced performance-based design

Students with a professional degree in architecture, interior design, civil engineering, and architectural engineering are all encouraged to apply. The degree plan is set up for working professionals and is unique compared to other building technology degrees for how it culminates with a design thesis.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW 

The only program of its kind with studio courses in Texas with 30 credit hours: 21 hours of required courses including two studios, and 9 hours of electives, which include the following required courses: 

  • Performance based design
  • Green design and construction
  • Energy use and conservation in architecture
  • Environmental control systems

Electives permit students to focus upon areas of interest including:

  • High performance facades
  • Digital research and prototyping
  • Construction sustainability
  • Advanced wood timber design
  • Digital fabrication methodology

Four tracks to accommodate busy working professionals:

  • 3 consecutive semesters for full-time students
  • 4 consecutive semesters for full-time students
  • 4 non-consecutive semesters for full-time or part-time students
  • 5 consecutive semesters for part-time students

Graduates will gain enhanced marketable skills:

  • Performance-based design data literacy
  • Energy conservation assessment and problem-solving
  • Cross-professional communication

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook 2018-28: “Demand for architects with a knowledge of ‘green design,’ also called sustainable design, is expected to continue. Architects should be needed to design buildings and structures that efficiently use resources, such as energy and water conservation; reduce waste and pollution; and apply environmentally friendly design, specifications, and materials.”1

Course Sequence

SUGGESTED COURSE SEQUENCE

First Year

Fall Semester

 

Course Code Course Name
ARCH 5320 Performance-Based Design in Architecture
ARCH 5332 Energy Use and Conservation in Architecture
ARCH 5357 Building Information Modeling and Visualization
ARCH 5367 High Performance Façades I

Total Credit Hours: 12 hrs

Spring Semester

Course Code Course Name
ARCH 5326 Environmental Control Systems I
ARCH 5334 Digital Research and Prototyping
ARCH 5368 Green Design and Construction
ARCH 53xx High Performance Façades II

Total Credit Hours: 12 hrs

 

Summer Semester

Course Code Course Name
ARCH 5695 Computational Performance Research Design Studio

Total Credit Hours: 6 hrs

SUGGESTED COURSE SEQUENCE

First Year

Fall Semester

Course Code Course Name
ARCH 5314 Historic Preservation and Restoration
ARCH 5320 Performance-Based Design in Architecture
ARCH 5332 Energy Use and Conservation in Architecture
ARCH 5357 Building Information Modeling and Visualization

Total Credit Hours: 12 hrs

Spring Semester

Course Code Course Name
ARCH 5326 Environmental Control Systems I
ARCH 5368 Green Design and Construction
ARCH 53xx Advanced Restoration Technology
ARCH 53xx Elective

Total Credit Hours: 12 hrs

 

Summer Semester

Course Code Course Name
ARCH 5695 Computational Performance Research Design Studio

Total Credit Hours: 6 hrs

Studio Culture Policy

Civilized behavior among students, faculty and staff based on mutual respect is expected in all settings but is particularly important in design studios due to their time-intensive nature.

See Studio Culture Policy