Course details

Summary

Become an expert in the science behind buildings and increase your understanding of the connections between architecture, engineering, testing and building research.

You'll explore building construction and performance, how building materials function, sustainability in the industry and the relationship between buildings and their environment. Learn to question, test and explain these elements and become confident in your knowledge as a building scientist.

You'll also get a practical grounding in how buildings impact on the natural world through their design, construction, operation and maintenance.

Learn through a combination of taught courses and a written thesis that involves self-directed research.

The Master of Building Science is professionally recognised by the New Zealand Institute of Building (NZIOB).

Careers

A Master of Building Science can open doors to a career in mainstream architecture. You might start your own practice or work as an employee in a firm or government organisation. You could work as a construction project manager, a sustainable systems engineer or as a consultant. Other jobs might be a lighting adviser or designer, building consent adviser, fire design and regulations analyst, acoustic engineer and quantity surveyor.

What you'll study

In your first year, you'll take courses exploring advanced construction theory, practice and technology integration, the principles of project management and sustainable engineering systems.

You'll also look at green building assessment systems and the use of energy within buildings, the interaction of buildings and the environment, and advanced research techniques, including historical and theoretical approaches.

Research year

In the second year, you'll complete a written thesis under supervision from the academic staff in the School of Architecture. You can extend your undergraduate specialisation in Project Management or Sustainable Engineering Systems, or explore another area of interest.

Current research topics in the School include:

digital craft in architecture multimedia, the internet and the building production process

• daylight, productivity and health
• digital simulation of building energy, thermal and lighting performance
• monitoring energy use and personal satisfaction in work environments
• sustainability of inner-city communities
• seismic design of buildings
• earthquake engineering in developing countries
• fire engineering
• integration of building structures with architecture
• alternative, low-cost building construction technologies.

You'll be part of a strong culture of research and work with experienced staff who have published a variety of scholarly articles, books and conference papers.

Entry criteria

Bachelor's degree in Building Science or an approved alternative, with a B average.

Other English Language requirements:

• IELTS: minimum overall score of 6.5 with no sub-score below 6.0
• TOEFL: minimum score of 90 for the internet-based test with a minimum of 20 in writing
• Pearson Test of English: minimum score of 65 (with a ‘Communicative’ score of not less than 58)
• EPP: minimum final scores of 4,4,5,5.