Master of Science in Environmental Conservation- Sustainable Building Systems

We are offering a Professional Master’s program (M.S.) in the Sustainable Building Systems Concentration as part of the graduate program in Environmental Conservation. This one-year program is an individualized, self-funded course of study that provides graduate students with an opportunity to deepen their knowledge of sustainability topics as they relate to the built environment.Topics that can be pursued are: sustainable building materials and structural systems, building performance and energy conservation, energy modeling, digital design and fabrication, green development and planning, and sustainability certification (e.g. USGBC LEED).Sustainability is a vital issue in today’s world. Scientists, politicians, and the public recognize the detrimental impact of wastefulness and over-reliance on non-renewable resources. This is particularly true in the building industry, where daily decisions can have a critical impact on the health and well-being of the community and the environment. Many aspects influence sustainability in the built environment: Site selection and environmental modification, design of buildings and structures, choice of materials and structural systems, selection and sizing of building energy systems, construction processes and waste streams.BCT’s graduate study options provide students with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the interrelations and sustainability implications of the entirety of a building’s systems. Through course-based study at the Master’s level or research-based study at either the Master’s or Doctoral level, students acquire necessary professional knowledge, influence the scientific discourse, and prepare themselves for successful careers in the broad fields of green building and sustainability in the built environment.

The Graduate Program in Environmental Conservation (ECo) strongly supports and is committed to being a diverse, equitable and inclusive community and we welcome all applicants regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, ethnicity, national origin, socio-economic status, political views, physical abilities, and age. The basic admission policies are as follows:First, you must meet the UMass Graduate School admissions requirements to be considered for admission to the ECo Graduate Program. See the UMass Graduate School for more information regarding admission.Second, and importantly, admission to the ECo Graduate Program is driven entirely by individual faculty. In other words, individual faculty members (not an admissions committee) have the sole authority to accept students into the program. No student is admitted without a designated faculty major advisor.