Please note: Information on this page relates to the 2010 academic year unless otherwise specified.

On this page

• Overview
• Undergraduate Information
• Postgraduate Information
• How to find out more
• Related Subjects and Careers

This subject if taught by the School of Architecture.

Overview

Building Science is the collection of scientific knowledge that focuses on the analysis and control of the physical phenomena affecting buildings. The practical purpose of Building Science is to provide predictive capability to optimise building performance and understand or prevent building failures.

Building scientists contribute to the development of a healthier, safer, more sustainable built environment, with a focus on the human, environmental and construction issues related to buildings. Building Science requires the understanding and application of fundamental concepts in physics, chemistry, and other branches of science to problem-solve using engineering effective, efficient, and economical building systems.

Our programme provides students with skills to creatively apply knowledge to technical construction situations. Your course of study will include a specialised area of study in project management or sustainable engineering systems.

You will study concepts surrounding the built environment that include:

• durability
• moisture management
• energy efficiency
• indoor air quality
• structural performance and
• thermal comfort.

Building Science is a growing area of expertise that bridges the gaps between architecture, engineering, testing and building research. It is recognised as crucial to the success of minimising the impact of the built environment on the natural world from the design, construction, operation and maintenance of buildings.

Building Science graduates expertise lies in understanding the complexity of today's building technology. You'll gain the professional, technical, and scientific skills that are tailor-made for a career in the building industry. The skills of Building Science graduates are increasingly in demand not just as technicians in architectural offices, but as analysts, simulations, technical advisors, project managers and code compliance checkers.

Undergraduate Information

Entry requirements

To study Building Science at Victoria you will need a university entrance qualification. It can be useful to have a background in mathematics with calculus, statistics and modelling, physics, English, technology, art, design or graphics.

If you do not have a minimum of 14 NCEA credits at Level 3 credits in each of two of the following subjects:

• mathematics with calculus
• statistics and modelling and/or
• physics

you will need to include SARC 122 Introduction to Applied Physics, Numerical Methods and Statistics for Designers in you first year programme.

BBSc requirements

The Bachelor of Building Science (BBSc) degree is 360 points and is structured into two main parts. Part one is the first year of the Building Science programme that requires a total of 120 points. In your first year, you’ll share the same courses as Architecture, Interior Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Architecture History and Theory.

You will complete of total of eight 100 level courses, of these eight courses seven courses are mandatory. SARC 122 may be replaced by a chosen elective course providing you have achieved the necessary NCEA credits.

In your first year you will take the following courses:

• SARC 111 Introduction to Design Processes
• SARC 121 Introduction to Built Environment Technology
• SARC 131 Introduction to Sustainability in the Designed Environment
• SARC 151 Introduction to Design History and Theory
• SARC 161 Introduction to Design Communication
• SARC 162 Design Communication
• SARC 122 Introduction to Applied Physics, Numerical Methods and Statistics for Designers* and
• one 15 point elective course.

*Note: SARC 122 may be replaced by an elective course by students who have at least 14 NCEA credits at level 3 in each of two of the following: mathematics with calculus, physics, statistics or modelling.

Part two consists of the second and third year of the Building Science degree, where you will begin to specialise in the Building Science discipline. Entry into part two is based on academic performance in your first year courses listed above. Part two requires a total of 240 points, you will take 120 points in your second year and 120 points in your third year.

The second and third year of this programme you will study core Building Science topics, including Construction, Structures, Environmental Science, Systems and Management. Depending on your choice of elective courses you will specialise in one or both of Sustainable Engineering Systems and Project Management.

In your second year you will take the following courses:

• BILD 251 History of Building Technology
• SARC 221 Building Materials and Construction
• SARC 222 Structural Systems
• SARC 223 Human Environmental Science and
• four 15 point elective courses*.

In your third year you will take the following courses:

• BILD 322 Structures
• BILD 364 Building Code Compliance
• SARC 362 Introduction to Practice and Management
• SARC 321 Construction and
• four 15 point elective courses*.

*Of these elective courses in second and third year you need to incorporate at least one of the specialisations below. Two courses can be taken each year with the remaining two courses consisting of elective courses of your choosing or a second specialisation.

BBSc Specialisations

In 2010, the new look building science program will introduce two new specialisations: Project Management and Sustainable Engineering Systems that have been developed in response to evolving needs of the building industry.

These specialisations share a common set of core courses. Elective opportunities structured into the programme allow you the opportunity to further develop your chosen area, undertake cross-disciplinary study with courses from Architecture related disciplines, or complete both Building Science specialisations.

Project Management focuses on building project delivery mechanisms and human and material management systems involved in procuring large, complex infrastructure, engineering and building projects. You will study the logistics of the built economic environment, the processes involved in building construction, financial and project management methods and construction laws.

To complete a specialisation in Project Management you will need to complete the following courses in your second and third year of the Building Science degree programme:

• BILD 261 Building Project Management and Economics
• BILD 262 Building Project Management Cost Planning
• BILD 361 Project Management and
• BILD 362 Construction Law.

Sustainable Engineering Systems focuses on the expertise in the science, simulation, design, assessment and fabrication of technical systems in a range of environmental and natural resource projects including buildings. You will study the development appropriate design systems to address the quality of built environments from heating and lighting, to air quality and acoustics, while incorporating the efficient use of sustainable materials and building resources.

To complete a specialisation in Sustainable Engineering Systems you will need to complete the following courses in your second and third year of the Building Science degree programme:

• BILD 231 Environmental Engineering Systems
• BILD 232 Sustainable Architecture
• BILD 331 Sustainable and Regenerative Design and
• BILD 321 Sustainable Engineering System Design.

Pathways

Building Science Honours

The Bachelor of Building Science with Honours - BBSc (Hons) comprises four approved 400-level BBSc courses, or thier equivalent, normally taken over one year. Principal areas of study are Environmental Science, Construction Studies and Structures. The Bachelor of Building Science with Honours programme is taken by the highest performing students in Building Science to engage in further study and research at post graduate level.

Entry to the BBSc (Hons) degree is normally based on your academic performce in the undergraduate degree.

Professional Recognition

The Bachelor of Building Science (BBSc), along with appropriate course selections, fulfils the academic requirements for professional membership of the New Zealand Institute of Building (NZIOB).

Students who have graduated, or are currently enrolled the Bachelor of Building Science prior 2010.

For those students who have completed or are currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Building Science prior to 2010, who would like to enrol in the Master of Building Science (MBSc) information regarding the transitional arrangements will be available from here within the upcoming weeks.

Postgraduate Information

Postgraduate Qualifications in Building Science

• Bachelor of Building Science (Honours)
• Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma in Designed Environments
  
• Master of Building Science
• PhD

How to find out more

The School of Architecture Student Administration Office offers additional information on:

• admission
• qualifications and courses
• course advice and selection criteria
• exemptions and prerequisites and your
• Application to Study.

Building Science courses are taught within the School of Architecture, Te Aro Campus, 139 Vivian Street, Wellington.

For further assistance please contact us
Phone: 0-4-463 6200
Email: architecture@vuw.ac.nz

If you would like to receive posted information on this subject, you can use our Request for Study Material form. (Note: use the Graduate and Undergraduate links to get the form. The form enables you to join Victoria University’s database. Once you have joined, you will automatically receive information about the subjects you are interested in as soon as that information is printed.)

Also Victoria’s Student Recruitment and Course Advice Office offers a range of advice on courses and help with planning your degree.

Related Subjects and Careers

For all course information please contact the Faculty office.

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