MBS Master of BUILDING SCIENCE
Building Science at the USC School of Architecture recognizes that exemplary architecture requires innovative responses to natural forces. The integration of the study of building sciences with knowledge of current practice and new technologies creates synergistic and holistic architectural design that satisfies performative goals.
Building science strengthens architecture through technology. The Chase L. Leavitt Graduate Building Science program addresses the need for a new generation of design professionals prepared to bring appropriate technology to the design of a sustainable environment. Within this context, the program emphasizes: 1) The integration of planning, design, and technology to form a coherent, interdependent force for the appropriate construction of urban places; 2) Recognition of the ecological importance of energy-conscious design and construction as well as the social value of places in which natural forces and systems are utilized rather than suppressed; 3) The development of research and design methods suited to the complexity of building in urban settings and effective in the use of extensive information.
This two-year degree program includes the opportunity for each student to complete a thesis-based research project that is supported by research seminars and electives from architecture, engineering, and other related fields. Students are individually guided through their study and thesis. Past thesis research topics include building envelopes, BIM, computer-aided architectural design, energy analysis, lighting design, human comfort, seismic sustainability, structural systems, tension structures, generative computing, and zero net energy buildings.
RELATED LINKS: Master of Building Science Application Instructions & Requirements, Application Deadlines, Learning Objectives
Many papers based on thesis work have been co-authored by faculty and students and have been published and presented at professional conferences. This program is intended for students with a background in architecture, engineering, or related areas. This program is intended for students with a background in architecture, engineering, or related areas.
Thesis track
The Thesis Track consists of 18 units of specified courses to include three core seminars and one research seminar; 17 units of elective courses; and 13 units of thesis and thesis preparation. Completion of this track requires 48 units.
Non-Thesis Track
The Non-Thesis Track consists of 18 units of specified courses to include three core seminars and one research seminar, 1 unit of thesis preparation, 17 units of electives and 12 units from a specified list of courses. Students are required to declare their intention for the Non-Thesis Track by the end of their first year of studies and must receive admission approval from the Director of the Chase L. Leavitt Graduate Building Science program. Completion of this degree requires 48 units.
Advanced Standing for Students with a Five-Year Professional Degree in Architecture
Applicants who have completed a five-year Bachelor of Architecture degree and at least five years of teaching or practice (may be combined), may be qualified for advanced standing. Each student will be considered individually. In such cases, the degree requirements are 36 units, including 16 units of specified courses, 13 units of thesis and thesis preparation and 7 units of electives. Students with advanced standing will typically be able to complete the degree program in three regular semesters. Admission with advanced standing is determined at the time of review for admission to the program.
Following is the program curriculum for the 2020-2021 Academic Year. For previous years, please consult the online USC Catalogue archive.
Have questions about the curriculum? Email Doug Noble for more information.
- YEAR ONE, SEMESTER ONE (TOTAL UNITS: 13)
511L Building Systems: Materials and Construction (4 units), or
611 Advanced Building Systems Integration (4 units)
513L Seminar: Advanced Structures (4 units)
515L Seminar: Advanced Environmental Systems (4 units)
596 Building Science Thesis Preparation (1 unit)
- YEAR ONE, SEMESTER TWO (TOTAL UNITS: 11)
613, or 615 Core Seminar and/or Research Seminar (4 units)
Electives (7 units)
- YEAR TWO, SEMESTER ONE (TOTAL UNITS: 12)
692aL Building Science Thesis (6 units)
Electives (6 units)
- YEAR TWO, SEMESTER TWO (TOTAL UNITS: 12)
692bL Building Science Thesis (6 units)
694 Research Publication Methods for Building Science (2 units)
Electives (4 units)
- YEAR ONE, SEMESTER ONE (TOTAL UNITS: 13)
511L Building Systems: Materials and Construction (4 units), or
611 Advanced Building Systems Integration (4 units)
513L Seminar: Advanced Structures (4 units)
515L Seminar: Advanced Environmental Systems (4 units)
596 Building Science Thesis Preparation (1 unit)
- YEAR ONE, SEMESTER TWO (TOTAL UNITS: 11)
613, or 615 Core seminar and/or research seminar (4 units)
Electives (7 units)
- YEAR TWO, SEMESTER ONE (TOTAL UNITS: 12)
Elective Units (10 units)
Building Science Elective Coursework* (2 units)
*Non-Thesis Track Building Science Elective Options (must choose 12 units)
ARCH 418 Designing with Natural Forces
ARCH 419 Architectural Sustainability Tools and Methods
ARCH 507 Theories of Computer Technology
ARCH 512 Material + Process: Material Systems
ARCH 513L Seminar: Advanced Structures
ARCH 515L Seminar: Advanced Environmental Systems
ARCH 517 Current Topics in Building Science
ARCH 518 Advanced Surface Tectonics: Methods in Material and Enclosure
ARCH 519 Sustainability in the Environment: Infrastructures, Urban Landscapes, and Buildings
ARCH 551 Conservation Methods and Materials
ARCH 557 Sustainable Conservation of the Historic Built Environment
ARCH 564 Descriptive and Computational Architectural Geometry
ARCH 573 Seismic Design
ARCH 574 Parametric Design
ARCH 576 Sustainable Design for Healthy Indoor Environments
ARCH 577L Lighting Design
ARCH 579 Sustainable Building and Environment using LEED Metrics
ARCH 581 Techniques in Digital Fabrication
ARCH 609 Advanced Fabrication
ARCH 611 Advanced Building Systems Integration
ARCH 613L Seminar: Structures Research
ARCH 615L Seminar: Environmental Systems Research
Note: Students may obtain credit for either ARCH 613L or ARCH 615L in the non-thesis option, but not both. They must select one of these two courses as part of their regular core).
- YEAR TWO, SEMESTER TWO (TOTAL UNITS: 12)
Building Science Elective Coursework* (10 units)
694 Research Publication Methods for Building Science (2 units)
*Non-Thesis Track Building Science Elective Options (must choose 12 units)
ARCH 418 Designing with Natural Forces
ARCH 419 Architectural Sustainability Tools and Methods
ARCH 507 Theories of Computer Technology
ARCH 512 Material + Process: Material Systems
ARCH 513L Seminar: Advanced Structures
ARCH 515L Seminar: Advanced Environmental Systems
ARCH 517 Current Topics in Building Science
ARCH 518 Advanced Surface Tectonics: Methods in Material and Enclosure
ARCH 519 Sustainability in the Environment: Infrastructures, Urban Landscapes, and Buildings
ARCH 551 Conservation Methods and Materials
ARCH 557 Sustainable Conservation of the Historic Built Environment
ARCH 564 Descriptive and Computational Architectural Geometry
ARCH 573 Seismic Design
ARCH 574 Parametric Design
ARCH 576 Sustainable Design for Healthy Indoor Environments
ARCH 577L Lighting Design
ARCH 579 Sustainable Building and Environment using LEED Metrics
ARCH 581 Techniques in Digital Fabrication
ARCH 609 Advanced Fabrication
ARCH 611 Advanced Building Systems Integration
ARCH 613L Seminar: Structures Research
ARCH 615L Seminar: Environmental Systems Research
Note: Students may obtain credit for either ARCH 613L or ARCH 615L in the non-thesis option, but not both. They must select one of these two courses as part of their regular core).
- YEAR ONE, SEMESTER ONE (TOTAL UNITS: 13)
511L Building Systems (4 units), or
611 Advanced Building Systems Integration (4 units)
513L Seminar: Advanced Structures (4 units)
515L Seminar: Advanced Environmental Systems (4 units)
596 Building Science Thesis Preparation (1 unit)
- YEAR ONE, SEMESTER TWO (TOTAL UNITS: 12)
613L Seminar: Structures Research (4 units), or
615L Seminar: Environmental Systems Research (4 units)
692aL Building Science Thesis (6 units)
Electives (2 units)
- YEAR TWO, SEMESTER ONE (TOTAL UNITS 11)
692bL Building Science Thesis (6 units)
Electives (5 units)
The USC Catalogue is the document of authority for all students. The program requirements listed in the USC Catalogue supersede any information which may be contained in any bulletin of any school or department. The university reserves the right to change its policies, rules, regulations, requirements for graduation, course offerings and any other contents of this catalogue at any time.