Students in the STEM Foundation program may choose to take a Construction and Building Science focus with their coursework. This option is intended for students interested in transferring into a degree program as a junior.
Download the STEM Foundation Construction and Building Science Guided Pathway sheet
What is Construction and Building Science?
The Construction & Building Science program prepares graduates to transfer into the 4 years University for the Baccalaureate degree in Building Design & Construction; Construction Management; Interior Design and Architectural; and Pre-Architectural program. The program prepares Graduates to enter careers in the design, construction, operation or maintenance of the built environment. Graduates are prepared for careers in the building design, construction, testing, operation, and maintenance of building systems; they have the abilities to produce and utilize basic construction documents and to perform basic analysis and design of system components. Baccalaureate degree graduates will have the technical and managerial skills necessary for careers in which they will analyze and design systems, specify project methods and materials, perform cost estimates and analyses, and manage technical activities in support of building projects.
The North Shore Community College program will allow students to prepare for technical and associate technician job opportunities working for residential design firms and builders; commercial architectural design firms and contractors; trade contractors and engineering firms such as mechanical, electrical, and plumbing; civil engineering firms and various other firms related to the construction of the built environment. It provides an alternative pathway for those interested in continuing their undergraduate education in various disciplines relating to the construction, construction management and architectural program.
Program Learning Outcome:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Explain the advantages of green buildings for all stakeholders, local governments, etc.
- Provide examples of both US and International building assessment systems
- Describe LEED v4 including credit categories and the certification process
- Explain the different approaches to sustainable sites (ex. storm water management)
- Describe low-energy building strategies including exterior envelope and MEP design
- Provide examples of sustainable water design for both indoor and outdoor applications
- Explain the material life cycle assessment and environment product declaration
- Describe the carbon footprint of the built environment and mitigation strategies
- Provide examples of indoor environment quality include lighting, HVAC, etc.
- Explain the best practices for construction operations and building commissioning
- Describe the economics of green buildings include life-cycle costing
Career Opportunities Upon Completion
- Engineering Technician
- CAD Designer
- Engineering Draftsman
- Construction and Building Inspectors
- Quality Technician
- Test Technician
Employment Outlook
Buildings constructed today are very different from those built 100 years ago. As interest in protecting the environment grows, "green," or sustainable buildings have become more commonplace. At first glance, these buildings might not appear very different from their predecessors, but they feature specialized designs and materials to limit their environmental impact. Creating these new buildings requires skilled workers—such as architects, construction managers and carpenters—with knowledge of new design and construction techniques.
Green construction is the practice of erecting buildings and using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource efficient. Green buildings limit their environmental impact by conserving as much energy and water as possible and are constructed of recycled or renewable materials in order to achieve maximum resource efficiency.
Green construction has grown dramatically over the past few years. McGraw-Hill Construction estimated the value of green nonresidential building construction in the United States to be $3 billion in 2005.[1] In 2010, McGraw-Hill placed the value between $43 billion and $54 billion, more than 14 times the value just 5 years earlier.[2] The value grew despite a slump—the recession of 2007–09—in the overall construction market. McGraw-Hill estimates that by 2015 the green nonresidential building market will be worth between $120 billion and $145 billion.[3] The construction of new, large projects, such as hospitals, office complexes, and federal buildings—increasingly built to green standards—will continue the growth of green construction.