UH 066 519 Master programme Green Building Engineering

With an equivalent to roughly 13% of the GDP (Gross Domestic Product), construction-related spending accounts for up to $10 trillion globally, making the construction sector one of the largest of the world economy. Apart from the economic aspect, the sheer size of the sector makes it one of the main factors when it comes to environmental impact. Buildings alone account for more than 30% of the global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and more than 40% of global energy consumption, with the numbers growing annually. Furthermore, due to relatively long lifespan of buildings, action taken now would continue to affect the GHG emission over a medium term, bringing multiple benefits to both the economy and society.

As construction and demolition are the biggest sources of waste and contribute mass-wise to around 35% of all waste in the EU, we need to start considering all phases of construction within our design. The industry should become more aware of the pollution and waste generated, including the parameters of sustainable construction by aiming at closed-loop material cycles. This and many other aspects of resource-efficient and effective use of raw materials and energy are taught within the new master.

After successfully completing the master’s programme in Green Building Engineering, the graduates have a broad mastery of fundamentals and a depth of expertise in green building construction. They are capable of designing and dimensioning new green buildings (supporting structure, building components including building physics, energy management, building greening systems etc.) as well as further developing existing buildings to green buildings. The entirety is based on the principles of a resource-efficient and effective use of raw materials and energy and the integration of the structures in a circular economy. In addition, the graduates have comprehensive competences to choose suitable materials for the specified projects as well as decide on possible maintenance and energy improvement measures with regard to their resource efficiency and effectiveness. Basic knowledge in spatial planning and land-scape architecture, law and economics, innovation management and social sciences round off the qualification profile.

Structure

The master's curriculum includes compulsory modules with a total of 54 ECTS credits, the master thesis with 30 ECTS and elective modules with a total 24 ECTS credits. Furthermore, 12 ECTS credits are freely selectable, with the possibility of attending module courses at BOKU or at other universities.

Admission requirements

Graduates of the bachelor’s programme in Environmental Sciences and Civil Engineering (Umweltingenieurwissenschaften) offered by BOKU – University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, as well as Civil Engineering (Bauingenieurwesen/ Bauingenieurwissenschaften) offered by TU Wien, TU Graz and University of Innsbruck are eligible for admission, provided the necessary requirements for English language proficiency are met.

For graduates of other bachelor's programmes, learning outcomes required for admission are defined in the curriculum. In addition, knowledge of English at level B2 (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is required.

Career prospects

With the sustainable mindset becoming more relevant within society and the construction industry being one of the most influential sectors in terms of resource consumption, the demand for qualified personnel specialised in resource-efficient construction has begun to rise. Graduates of the Green Building Engineering master will be sought out engineers throughout various disciplines of the construction sector and beyond with development opportunities into different areas. They will be able to work either directly in the construction sector (e.g. in engineering or planning offices, construction companies, freelance engineers, consultants) or the public sector (e.g. federal ministries, provincial governments, municipalities), the service sector or in research and development (e.g. universities and in general in the education sector, research institutions, R&D divisions of various companies, consulting). With the in-depth knowledge on the entirety of green building engineering, the graduates will be able to manage and solve complex technical problems and assume decision making responsibility for an entire project to design and assess (e.g. life cycle assessment) green buildings. Due to the interdisciplinary approach of the master’s programme, the graduate will be a well-rounded-off engineer specialised in the entirety of green building construction.

Graduates of the Green Building Engineering master, who have at least three years of practical experience after graduation, and have a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences and Civil Engineering (Umweltingenieurwissenschaften) from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), or a Civil Engineering (Bauingenieurwesen/ Bauingenieurwissenschaften) from TU Wien, TU Graz or Universität Innsbruck or fulfil the equivalent admission criteria, will be able to take the examination for civil engineers at the Chamber of Civil Engineers Austria (Ziviltechnikerprüfung).