Some of the great innovators of our field are either graduates or faculty associated with our program. The confluence of an outstanding faculty, dedicated students, an exceptional curricular structure, good facilities and a long history of collaborative scholarly achievement creates an unparalleled academic home for those interested in cutting-edge research and technological innovation. We are a global leader in architectural technology education - the intricacies of structure, environmental controls, sustainability, materials and methods, and computing, with a special strength in façade research.

The Master of Building Science curriculum encourages “breadth with depth,” providing students with a solid platform of core knowledge that they can then amplify through their individual research and thesis projects. Electives allow students to stretch in a variety of directions, both within the field and beyond into the related disciplines of heritage conservation, landscape architecture, and architecture and overall to achieve a mastery of topics related to building science. We also encourage innovative student studies such as machine learning, robotics, and artificial intelligence. The final achievement of the program is a thesis research project that is based on the student’s interests and is crafted with the advice of a faculty committee that mentors the work.

RELATED LINKS: Application Instructions & Requirements, Application Deadlines, Learning Objectives, Faculty

The Master of Building Science degree is a STEM program in Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology (CIP code 04.0902). International students who graduate from USC’s Bachelor of Architecture, Master of Advanced Architectural Research Studies, Master of Architecture, or Master of Building Science degree may be eligible for a 24-month extension of post-completion OPT (for a total eligibility of up to 36 months). The 24-month STEM OPT extension is adjudicated (approved) by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

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.

DUAL DEGREE PROGRAMS OFFERED

MASTER OF HERITAGE CONSERVATION / MASTER OF BUILDING SCIENCE

The Master of Heritage Conservation/Master of Building Science dual degree program facilitates highly related cross-disciplinary studies in heritage conservation and in building science at the master’s level. The primary objective of the dual degree curriculum is to impart to students a basic familiarity with the origins and development of the philosophies, theories, and practices of building science and heritage conservation.