Bachelor of Building Science (BBSc)
Please note: Information on this page relates to the 2013 academic year unless otherwise specified.
On this page:
Contact
School of Architecture
Student Adviser
Phone: 04 463 6200
Email: address
Website: www.victoria.ac.nz/architecture
General Course Advice
Phone: 04 463 5374
0800 VICTORIA (842 864)
Email: address
About
The Bachelor of Building Science (BBSc) is a three-year undergraduate degree. Its flexibility enables students to complete a specialised area of study in Project Management or Sustainable Engineering Systems. You may complete both specialisations, or one, along with elective courses closely related to your specialisation.
Victoria University has built an international reputation in Building Science since it was first offered in 1975. In the last ten years our Building Science curriculum has become New Zealand’s leading degree in the science of building construction and practice.
Building Science will provide you with the practical and theoretical knowledge required to construct durable, healthy and economical buildings.
The degree takes advantage of the close relationship with the Bachelor of Architectural Studies programme, which has specialisations in Architecture, Interior Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Architecture History and Theory. This allows you to engage with these related disciplines and explore the science of buildings while considering the impact of architectural design issues.
The BBSc leads into the two-year Master of Building Science (MBSc) qualification for those who want to pursue professional careers in building science, sustainable engineering or project management.
BBSC Specialisations
A specialisation is a focus area within a degree, made up of a set of prescribed courses. Each specialisation has a number of core courses in each year of study. You must successfully complete the core courses at each year level before moving to the next level.
There are two specialisations in the BBSc degree:
Project Management studies the processes involved in building construction, financial and project management methods and construction laws.
Sustainable Engineering Systems is concerned with developing appropriate design systems to address the quality of built environments in heating, lighting, air quality and acoustics, while incorporating the efficient use of sustainable materials and building resources.
Admission Requirements
To enrol in a BBSc you must have a University Entrance qualification and have met the Guaranteed Entry Score requirements. For more information, please visit admissions for New Zealand students and International students.
Useful background subjects are Mathematics with Calculus, Statistics and Modelling, Physics, English, Technology, Art, Design and Graphics.
First-year requirements of the BBSc:
In the first year of the BBSc students are required to complete eight courses (120 points), including seven core courses. If you have a minimum of 14 NCEA Level 3 credits in each of two of Mathematics with Calculus, Statistics and Modelling and/or Physics you may substitute the core course SARC 122 Introduction to Applied Physics, Numerical Methods and Statistics for Designers with a 100-level elective course.
Entry to Second-year of the BBSc:
Please refer to the Architecture, Interior Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Architecture History and Theory subject pages for more information about each specialisation and the requirements of the BBSc.
Students applying for direct entry into second-year who are transferring from another University or Institute complete the enrolment process outlined above. Students are also required to submit an official academic transcript and any relevant documents supporting their application into the degree programme. These must reach the student administration office by the 10th of December 2012.
Send applications to:
Student Adviser (Selection)
Victoria University of Wellington
School of Architecture
PO Box 600
Wellington
BBSc Degree Requirements
A BBSc degree requires 360 points and involves three years of full-time study. Students must include:
- at least 270 points from courses in the BBSc or BAS schedules*
- at least 210 points from 200- and 300-level courses, including 180 points from the BBSc or BAS schedules
- at least 90 points from 300-level courses in the BBSc or BAS schedules.
Each course of study must meet the requirements of at least one specialisation in Project Management or Sustainable Engineering Systems. With careful planning, both specialisations can be completed.
*Note: The BBSc schedule consists of all courses from 100- to 300-level in the following subject codes.
- BILD - Building Science
The BAS schedule consists of all courses from 100- to 300- level in the following subject codes:
- ARCI – Architecture courses
- INTA – Interior Architecture courses
- LAND – Landscape Architecture courses
- SARC courses that are shared and common across more than one specialisation in the BAS.
Career Options
Victoria’s Building Science programme equips graduates with a powerful combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience - highly desirable attributes among building science professionals. Graduates find work in diverse areas including project management, sustainable engineering, building research and development, lighting, heating and acoustics.
Professional Membership
The BBSc along with the Master of Building Science (MBSc), fulfils the academic requirements for professional membership of the New Zealand Institute of Building (NZIOB).
Fees
Fees are set each year and are worked out on a per point basis. There are compulsory fees for student services, student union membership and internet access. Some courses have additional charges for items such as study materials, equipment or field trips.
Information about fees for New Zealand students is available on the Fees web page.
International students can find more information about fees on the Victoria International website.
Further Study
The BBSc leads into a two-year Master of Building Science (MBSc) programme.
Master's students can either extend their undergraduate specialisations in Project Management or Sustainable Engineering Systems, or in the second year of the Master's (Part Two) can select a thesis topic in lighting, energy analysis or another topic approved by the School of Architecture.
How to Find out More
More information is available on the Project Management and Sustainable Engineering Systems subject pages.
For further information contact the School of Architecture Student Administration office or Student Recruitment, Admission and Orientation office.
Degree Examples
- BBSc with Project Management specialisation
- BBSc with Sustainable Engineering Systems specialisation
Degree Example - Project Management
|
Year 1 |
|
|---|---|
| Course | Points |
| SARC 111 Introduction to Design Processes | 15 |
| SARC 121 Introduction to Built Environment Technology | 15 |
| SARC 131 Introduction to Sustainability in the Designed Environment | 15 |
| SARC 151 Introduction to Design History and Theory | 15 |
| SARC 161 Introduction to Design Communication | 15 |
| SARC 162 Design Communication | 15 |
| One 15 point elective | 15 |
| SARC 122 Introduction to Applied Physics, Numerical Methods and Statistics for Designers * | 15 |
| Total points | 120 |
| *If you have a minimum of 14 NCEA Level 3 credits in each of two of Mathematics with Calculus, Statistics and Modelling and/or Physics you may replace SARC 122 Introduction to Applied Physics, Numerical Methods and Statistics for Designers with a second elective course. | |
|
Year 2 |
|
|---|---|
| Course | Points |
| BILD 251 History of Building Technology | 15 |
| SARC 221 Building Materials and Construction | 15 |
| SARC 222 Structural Systems | 15 |
| SARC 223 Human Environmental Science | 15 |
| BILD 261 Building Project Management Economics | 15 |
| BILD 262 Building Project Management Cost Planning | 15 |
| Two 15 point elective course | 30 |
| Total points | 120 |
|
Year 3 |
|
|---|---|
| Course | Points |
| BILD 322 Structures | 15 |
| BILD 364 Building Code Compliance | 15 |
| SARC 321 Construction | 15 |
| SARC 362 Introduction to Practice and Management | 15 |
| BILD 361 Project Management | 15 |
| BILD 362 Construction Law | 15 |
| Two 15 point elective course | 30 |
| Total points | 120 |
Degree Example - Sustainable Engineering Systems
|
Year 1 |
|
|---|---|
| Course | Points |
| SARC 111 Introduction to Design Processes | 15 |
| SARC 121 Introduction to Built Environment Technology | 15 |
| SARC 131 Introduction to Sustainability in the Designed Environment | 15 |
| SARC 151 Introduction to Design History and Theory | 15 |
| SARC 161 Introduction to Design Communication | 15 |
| SARC 162 Design Communication | 15 |
| One 15 point elective | 15 |
| SARC 122 Introduction to Applied Physics, Numerical Methods and Statistics for Designers * | 15 |
| Total points | 120 |
| *If you have a minimum of 14 NCEA Level 3 credits in each of two of Mathematics with Calculus, Statistics and Modelling and/or Physics you may replace SARC 122 Introduction to Applied Physics, Numerical Methods and Statistics for Designers with a second elective course. | |
|
Year 2 |
|
|---|---|
| Course | Points |
| BILD 251 History of Building Technology | 15 |
| SARC 221 Building Materials and Construction | 15 |
| SARC 222 Structural Systems | 15 |
| SARC 223 Human Environmental Science | 15 |
| BILD 231 Environmental Engineering Systems | 15 |
| BILD 232 Sustainable Architecture | 15 |
| Two 15 point elective course | 30 |
| Total points | 120 |
|
Year 3 |
|
|---|---|
| Course | Points |
| BILD 322 Structures | 15 |
| BILD 364 Building Code Compliance | 15 |
| SARC 321 Construction | 15 |
| SARC 362 Introduction to Practice and Management | 15 |
| BILD 321 Sustainable Engineering Systems Design | 15 |
| BILD 331 Sustainable and Regenerative Design | 15 |
| Two 15 point elective course | 30 |
| Total points | 120 |