Building Science and Construction Technology Major: What It Includes, Classes and Careers

A Building Science and Construction Technology major studies how buildings are designed, built and maintained to perform well. Building science and construction technology programs cover building systems, materials, energy efficiency, codes and inspection.

A Building Science and Construction Technology major includes coursework in building systems, construction materials, building codes, energy efficiency, and blueprint reading and more. You build skills such as reading construction drawings, code compliance, energy auditing, and inspection. Typical degrees: certificate, associate and bachelor's degrees.

Typical courses include building systems, construction materials, building codes, energy efficiency, blueprint reading, and building maintenance. Exact course names and requirements vary by college, and most degrees also include general education courses.

It depends on the level. Building Science and Construction Technology is offered as certificate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral awards at U.S. colleges; certificates take from a few months to about two years, an associate degree usually takes about two years of full-time study, a bachelor’s degree usually takes about four years of full-time study, a master’s degree usually takes one to two years after a bachelor’s, and a doctoral or professional degree takes several more years beyond that. Part-time study takes longer.

Certificate, associate and bachelor's degrees. In the latest federal data, 157 colleges reported certificate awards, 140 colleges reported associate awards, 82 colleges reported bachelor’s awards, 104 colleges reported master’s awards, and 10 colleges reported doctoral awards.

Career paths connected to building science and construction technology include construction and building inspector, building maintenance technician, CAD drafter, construction manager, HVAC technician, and insulation installer. Some roles need additional training, experience, certification or a license.

Examples include construction and building inspector (typical training: Several years of trade experience + certification), building maintenance technician (typical training: 3–12 months on the job), cad drafter (typical training: 1–2 years), construction manager (typical training: 4 years plus field experience), hvac technician (typical training: 6–24 months), and insulation installer (typical training: A few weeks on the job).

Building Science and Construction Technology majors build skills such as reading construction drawings, code compliance, energy auditing, inspection, and hands-on construction skills.

Good pairings include Sustainability (fits green building and energy work), Construction Management (prepares you to lead projects), and Business (useful for running a contracting or inspection business).

It can be a good fit if you are interested in the work it leads to, such as construction and building inspector, building maintenance technician, and CAD drafter, and enjoy subjects like building systems and construction materials. No major guarantees a job, so compare the coursework, the careers and the education each career requires before deciding.

How hard it feels depends on your strengths. Core coursework includes building systems, construction materials, and building codes; if those subjects interest you, the major is likely to feel more manageable. Reviewing a college’s course list and talking to current students helps you judge.

323 U.S. colleges reported awarding degrees or certificates in this field in the latest federal (IPEDS) data. Programs can have different names at different schools.

California (35), New York (24), North Carolina (20), Texas (15), and Pennsylvania (13), based on the colleges that reported awards in this field.

266 of the colleges that offer building science and construction technology also report offering at least one program entirely online, though not necessarily this one. Use the college search with this major and “Offers fully online programs”, then confirm with the school.

Building Science and Construction Technology studies how buildings are designed, built and maintained to perform well. Construction Management teaches you to plan, budget, schedule and supervise construction projects. Building Science and Construction Technology leads to careers such as construction and building inspector and building maintenance technician, while Construction Management leads to careers such as construction manager and cost estimator.

Building Science and Construction Technology studies how buildings are designed, built and maintained to perform well. Industrial Technology prepares you to manage and improve industrial and manufacturing operations. Building Science and Construction Technology leads to careers such as construction and building inspector and building maintenance technician, while Industrial Technology leads to careers such as industrial engineering technician and production supervisor.

Yes. Short online career training can help you understand a specific job and build practical knowledge alongside your classes. It does not replace your degree or any required license.

No. Career Education Institute is not a college and does not award degrees. It offers short, non-credit online trainings about jobs connected to building science and construction technology, such as Construction and Building Inspector Training.