University of Southern California

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.

Core seminars are:

ARCH 511L Building Systems: Materials and Construction, or
ARCH 611 Advanced Building Systems Integration 4
ARCH 513L Seminar: Advanced Structures 4
ARCH 515L Seminar: Advanced Environmental Systems 4

Research seminars are:

ARCH 613L Seminar: Structures Research, or
ARCH 615L Seminar: Environmental Systems Research 4
48-Unit Sample Curriculum
First Year, First Semester Units
Core seminar(s) and/or research seminar(s) 12
12
First Year, Second Semester Units
ARCH 596 Building Science Thesis Preparation 1
Core seminar and/or research seminar 4
Electives 7
12
Second Year, First Semester Units
ARCH 692aL Building Science Thesis 6
Electives 6
12
second Year, Second Semester Units
ARCH 692bL Building Science Thesis 8
Elective 4
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 Semester Units
ARCH 511L Building Systems: Materials and Construction, or
ARCH 611 Advanced Building Systems Integration 4
ARCH 513L Seminar: Advanced Structures 4
ARCH 515L Seminar: Advanced Environmental Systems 4
ARCH 596 Building Science Thesis Preparation 1
13
First Year, Second Semester Units
ARCH 613L Seminar: Structures Research, or
ARCH 615L Seminar: Environmental Systems Research 4
ARCH 692aL Building Science Thesis 6
Electives 2
12
Second Year, First Semester Units
ARCH 692bL Building Science Thesis 8
Electives 3
11