Design Science (Building Services)

Course Duration (full time):
Credit points for completion:
Commencing semesters:

1.5 years
72 in total (core, option and elective units)
Semester 01
Semester 02

What is this course about?

Building Services is a degree aimed at giving a broad knowledge of all areas of this discipline. This includes all of the environmental systems that make a building usable – such as ventilation, air conditioning and heating, and lighting. It also embraces the supply and distribution of water electricity and communications; the provision of fire detection and fighting equipment; lifts and escalators – essential, but largely unseen.

The Building Services program aims to accelerate the acquisition of knowledge and skills for professionals currently employed in the building services industry, provide transitional training for Electrical and Mechanical Engineers who are employed in the building construction industry, to provide continuing professional development for those in the related fields of architecture and the building industry, or to provide vocational training for those intending to transfer into this industry.

The core units of study in this program provide a basis from which there is flexibility to study areas of specific interest to each student. Options are available in specialist fields of building services or from related programs (e.g. Sustainable Design, Facilities Management, Illumination Design).

Who should take this course?
This course is intended for civil or mechanical engineers who seek to move into but are unfamiliar with the building industry, and for people working in the building services trades wishing to up-skill and obtain a higher qualification.

Professional membership
Australian Institute of Building (AIB) has accepted graduates of the Masters program for corporate membership as Chartered Building Professionals if possessing the requisite professional experience. The Australian Institute of Building NSW Chapter Medal in Building is awarded annually to the outstanding graduate from the Masters program.

Program Director: Professor Richard de Dear

Admission requirements

Masters and Graduate Diploma applicants should hold a bachelors degree. Graduate Certificate applicants should hold a bachelors degree or possess experience which is considered to demonstrate the knowledge and aptitude required to undertake the course.

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Course structure

Total credit points required

Qualification	Core	Option	Elective	Total
Master of Architecture	36	12	24	72
Graduate Diploma	24	12	12	48
Graduate Certificate	18	06	00	24

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SEMESTER 1		SEMESTER 2
CORE		CORE
Building Construction Technology	6	Mechanical Services	6
Introduction to Building Services	6	Energy Code Compliance in Buildings	6
Electrical Services	6	Energy Management in Buildings	6
Financial Decision Making	6
Building Energy Analysis	6
OPTIONAL		OPTIONAL
Strategic Facility Management	6	Hydraulic Services	6
Vision and Visual Perception (2013)	6	Project Management	6
Photometric and Colorimetric Concepts and Mensuration (2013)	6	Operational Facility Management	6
Climate, Comfort and Sustainable Design	6	Fire Protection Services	6
Building Acoustics and Noise Control (2013)		Sustainable Building Design Practice	6
		The Visual Field and Human Factors (2013)	6
		Light Sources and Luminaires (2013)	6
ELECTIVE		ELECTIVE
Students are also encouraged to choose electives from any graduate program. CURRENT CLASS TIMETABLES		Students are also encouraged to choose electives from any graduate program. CURRENT CLASS TIMETABLES

How to apply

Applications for Postgraduate studies can now be completed easily online.

Please visit the Admissions page for more information on how to get started.

Just want to study one unit of study as professional development?

Visit the CPD page for more information on Professional Development courses.

Career Profile

John Fraser-Mifsud
Building Services Graduate

John Fraser-Mifsud, Commercial Business Channel Manager with Daikin Australia, is one of the success stories from what industry leaders tell us is the best kept secret in the industry, the postgraduate Building Services program at The University of Sydney.

Like many of the program’s students, John came from a trade background in air conditioning and before that fitting and turning via a number of technical college courses. John’s solid practical background saw his career move to small project (up to $750K) management in a contracting firm.

“During this time I also sold air-conditioning services to households at night. I was pretty busy but gained great experience. I did short courses in management and sales as well before moving up into corporate.”

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That move came in 1996, when John started at Hitachi in first a technical then managerial role. “I realised I wanted to do something bigger, and started looking at MBA and technical programs, and considered a hybrid MBT but needed to build up confidence first.” John discovered the Building Services program and was impressed by the balance between science and engineering while maintaining a presence in cutting edge architectural design philosophy.

John enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in 1998, applying the same level of commitment to studies that he had to his career. “Never underestimate the commitment you are about to make” he warns new students. “And don’t just learn what you already know. Pick courses that are outside your comfort zones and will challenge you. The breadth of options available for you to choose from makes it easy to put together a challenging program.”

John progressed well through his program, from the Graduate Certificate to Graduate Diploma and onto Masters, eventually graduating in 2003 with Honours. Along the way John’s work earned him three prestige Faculty awards, Dean honours list twice and the Design Science Prize award in 2003.

Poached from Hitachi to Daikin, the course helped provide important stepping stones in his career. “In the end it is not just the technical and theoretical knowledge you gain from a program like this that is valuable, it’s the confidence that you can make a difference at a senior level, especially when you are coming from a trade background. Completing this program truly did have a massive influence on my professional life.”

Fellow students and academics also proved to be useful in networking, especially breaking in to architectural circles. Networking opportunities were enhanced by block-mode delivery of units. “The intensives were just that; intensive. But they provided more opportunity to meet fellow students. The secret with block modes is to do the background reading and research. Don’t let yourself get left behind as there is no time to catch up. Even if you just do one or two units as non-award, they are a great opportunity to gain an understanding of core concepts.”

As Commercial Channel Manager for Daikin John manages around 40% of revenue for this leader of air conditioning technology. With a competitive advantage in the market “My role cuts across financial, marketing, accounting, manufacturing and sales processes, with as key focus in driving business strategy and adding value to our customer base.”

If he had his time over, would John do the course again? “Absolutely. You can’t ask for more than the architecture, engineering and science mix you get from a building services program. It is interesting, challenging and a lot of work, but ultimately a really rewarding experience.”

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Enquiries

For current student and application progress enquiries, please contact the Student Administration Centre:

Ph: +61 2 9351 3248.

For enquiries regarding program content and application procedures please contact:

The University of Sydney - Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning

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Design Science (Building Services)

What is this course about?

Admission requirements

Course structure

How to apply

Just want to study one unit of study as professional development?

Career Profile

Enquiries

Undergraduate courses;