
Bachelor of Science (Building Science) (Honours) (Co-op)
Ottawa, Canada
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
USD 34,087
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Introduction
This four-year Bachelor of Science (Building Science) (Honours) degree prepares you to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to analyze and problem-solve in optimizing the performance of buildings by bridging all facets of building design, construction, human comfort, and sustainability.
Opportunities for applied and hands-on experiences with building materials, components, and systems are woven throughout the program of study. The program integrates theoretical and applied learning environments to provide opportunities for you to experience current and emerging technologies that support both the construction and operation of buildings.
This program responds to a critical need to prepare professionals with a better understanding of building physics, which is the core of the program. Throughout the program, you will develop the scientific mindset required to engage in scientific inquiry, reason in a scientific context, and provide evidence-based approaches and solutions. You will also hone the skills and abilities needed to optimize buildings working as a system and address the fact that buildings are becoming ever-increasingly more complex. This is driven by the continuously growing demand for increased energy efficiency, comfort, structural durability, and healthy environments.
You will develop abilities to recognize, forecast, and document both successful and poor building performance as well as analytical skills to evaluate the impact of each component in the system and identify potential problems before they become hazards or potential opportunities for improved performance.
Given that the complexity of working in a multidisciplinary industry requires group success, you will collaboratively conceive, develop, and implement solutions as a team using holistic approaches. You will emerge as a generalist able to handle these complexities through integrated construction practices. Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence (ACCE) offers access to an integrated learning and applied research environment. ACCE provides an industry hub to train, inspire, and collaborate with construction industry partners.
Interactive and dynamic courses encourage the development of personal and interpersonal skills that position you for success in your future employment.
Students also gain real-world experience through a paid co-operative education (co-op) work term(s) (see Additional Information for more details). Please note that places in the co-op work term(s) are subject to availability and academic eligibility. Please note admission to a co-op program does not guarantee a co-op placement.
Industry trends and market analyses are indicative of employment opportunities for graduates. With the knowledge learned in this program, you may be able to find work as a building scientist, architectural or construction project manager, energy consultant, or building inspector. You may also find employment as a researcher, junior analyst, entrepreneur, or technical staff with engineering firms or government agencies.
Ideal Students
This program is well suited for students who:
- Appreciate the role of mathematics and applied science in the development of engineering solutions
- Can work independently and contribute to problem-solving teams
- Like to use drawings and spatial reasoning to visualize possibilities
- Are inquisitive about the reasoning behind the choices and decisions made during building construction
- Enjoy the challenge of researching and testing building methods and materials
- Are interested in working with individuals who offer diverse perspectives
Admissions
Curriculum
Level 01
- ARC1000 Construction Methods and Materials
- BSC1200 Professional Practice
- DAT1120 Computer Applications
- DSN1100 Technical Drawings
- ENL1100 Communications and Academic Writing
- MAT6443 Calculus I
- SCI1100 Physics I
Level 02
- BSC1100 Building Science I
- BSC1201 Building Code
- ELE1200 Electricity and Power Generation Fundamentals
- MAT8202 Calculus II
- PHI1000 Logic and Critical Thinking
- SCI1200 Materials Science I
Level 03
- BSC1400 Building Science II
- CAD2300 Building Modelling I
- DSN2300 Building Design Processes I
- ENG1100 Thermodynamics
- GEP1001 Cooperative Education and Job Readiness
- MAT8203 Linear Algebra
- MGT3110 Introduction to Construction Project Management
- SCI2300 Materials Science II
- Elective: choose 1 from the list provided
Level 04
- BSC2400 Cost Estimating
- CAD2400 Building Modelling II
- CON3210 Constructability
- ENG3100 Heat Transfer
- ENL8810 Technical Communications
- MAT8204 Differential Equations
- PHI2000 Introduction to Research
- SCI2201 Physics II
- Co-op: WKT2500 Work Term I
Level 05
- BSC2210 Building Systems I
- BSC3400 Building Envelope I
- DSN3100 Building Design Processes II
- ENG2100 Geotechnical Engineering
- MAT8205 Statistics and Probability
- Elective: choose 1 from the list provided
Level 06
- BSC2100 Building Frame and Structural Studies
- BSC3420 Building Systems II
- BSC4000 Building Envelope II
- CAD3200 Building Information Modeling
- DSN2211 Sustainable Design
- Elective: choose 1 from the list provided
- Co-op: WKT3500 Work Term II
Level 07
- BSC2300 Applied Numerical Methods
- BSC3100 Renewable Energy
- BSC3300 Energy Conservation and Auditing
- BSC4300 Building Science Research Project I
- CAD4100 Energy Modelling and Simulation
- Elective: choose 1 from the list provided
Level 08
- BSC3200 Alternative Energy
- BSC4210 Professional Portfolio Development
- BSC4350 Building Science Research Project II
- CON4200 Construction Methods for Renovation and Rehabilitation
- ENL4005 Report Writing
- Elective: choose 1 from the list provided
- BSC4100 Applied Energy Management
- BSC4500 Building Enclosure Commissioning
Program Outcome
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Integrate sustainable building practices and alternative energy solutions and present options that balance client specifications, site conditions, and human factors
- Use sound, acceptable scientific and engineering principles for the solution and documentation of situations encountered during the construction or rehabilitation of buildings
- Communicate effectively with all project stakeholders
- Read, interpret, and, with direction, modify documents related to building plans, including working drawings that involve structural, electrical, and mechanical features
- Formulate strategies for the efficient and effective commissioning and operation of buildings and building systems
- Evaluate the practical applications of primary and secondary theoretical research related to existing and emerging construction methods, equipment, and materials
- Analyze, test, and comment on the functionality of alternative structural, mechanical, and electrical solutions proposed for integration in both new projects and renovations
- Contribute to the on-going economic viability of construction and engineering projects through the application of principles of estimating, accounting, and cost controls
- Facilitate partnerships and productive interactions within project teams that involve knowledge-workers and skilled trade workers
- Ensure work, activities, and practice are in compliance with established ethical and professional standards, as well as local, provincial, and national legislation
- Adapt to changes in employment requirements through the development, implementation, and updating of professional and personal development plans
- Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment, and environmental stewardship
Career Opportunities
Graduates may work in architects' offices, engineering firms, contracting companies, and government agencies and departments as researchers, junior analysts, project officers, building specialists, technical staff, architectural and construction project team leaders, and consultants.
English Language Requirements
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