USC
University of Southern California
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USC School of Architecture

Graduate Programs

Master of Building Science

Degree Requirements

Completion of this degree requires 48 units and includes 16 units of specified courses to include three core seminars and one research seminar; 17 units of elective courses; and 15 units of thesis and thesis preparation.

The core seminars are:
ARCH 511LSeminar: Building Systems4
ARCH 513LSeminar: Advanced Structures 4
ARCH 515LSeminar: Advances Environmental Systems4

Research seminars are:
ARCH 613LSeminar: Structures Research, or 4
ARCH 615LSeminar: Environmental Systems Research4

48-Unit Sample Curriculum

First Year, First SemesterUnits
Core seminar(s) and/or research seminar(s)12
ARCH 596Building Science Thesis Preparation1
13

First Year, Second SemesterUnits
Core seminar and/or research seminar4
Electives7
11

Second Year, First SemesterUnits
ARCH 692aLBuilding Science Thesis6
Electives6
12

second Year, Second SemesterUnits
ARCH 692bLBuilding Science Thesis8
Elective4
12

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 8 units of specified courses, 15 units of thesis and thesis preparation and 13 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.

36-Unit Advanced Standing Sample Curriculum

First Year, First SemesterUnits
ARCH 511LSeminar: Building Systems4
ARCH 513LSeminar: Advanced Structures4
ARCH 515LSeminar: Advanced Environmental Systems4
ARCH 596Building Science Thesis Preparation1
13

First Year, Second SemesterUnits
ARCH 613LSeminar: Structures Research, or
ARCH 615LSeminar: Environmental Systems Research4
ARCH 692aLBuilding Science Thesis6
Electives2
12

Second Year, First SemesterUnits
ARCH 692bLBuilding Science Thesis8
Electives3
11