Design Science (Building Services)

Admission Requirements | Core Units of Study | Option Units | Professional Development Courses | Career Profile

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.

Program Coordinator: Dr David Leifer

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.

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.

Core Units of Study

Total credit points required

Graduate Certificate 24
Core 18, Options 6, Electives 0
Graduate Diploma 48
Core 24, Options 12, Electives 12
Master 72
Core 36, Options 12, Electives 24

Introduction to Building Services
DESC9151, 6 credit points, semester 1, classes: intensive

Building Construction Technology
DESC9014, 6 credit points, semester 1, classes: weekly

Financial Decision Making
DESC9049, 6 credit points, semester 1, classes: intensive

Electrical Services
DESC9040, 6 credit points, semester 1, classes: intensive

Mechanical Services
DESC9067, 6 credit points, semester 1, classes: intensive

Project and Contract Management
DESC9074, 6 credit points, semester 2, classes: intensive

Energy Code Compliance in Buildings
DESC9192, 6 credit points, semester 2, classes: intensive

Option Units

Air-Conditioning Design
DESC9001, 6 Credit Points, Semester 2 intensive

Building Energy Analysis
DESC9015, 6 credit points, semester 2 intensive

Strategic Facility Management
DESC9047, 6 credit points, semester 1 intensive

Operational Facility Management
DESC9048, 6 credit points, semester 2 intensive

Energy Management in Buildings
DESC9111, 6 credit points, semester 2 intensive

Service Provision
DESC9112, 6 credit points, semester 1 intensive

Computer Aided Facility Management
DESC9113, 6 credit points, semester 2 intensive

Climate, Comfort and Sustainable Design
DESC9146, 6 credit points, semester 1 intensive

Sustainable Building Design Practice
DESC9148, 6 credit points, semester 2 intensive

Light Sources and Luminaires
DESC9164, 6 credit points, semester 2 intensive

Photometric & Colormetric Concepts & Mensuration
DESC9166, 6 credit points, semester 1 intensive

Vision & Visual Perception
DESC9167, 6 credit points, semester 1 intensive

The Visual Field & Human Factors
DESC9168, 6 credit points, semester 2 intensive

Services Control Systems
DESC 9170, 6 credit points, semester 2 intensive

Building Acoustics and Noise Control
DESC 9191, 6 credit points, semester 1 intensive

Fire Protection Services
Available 2010

Hydraulic Services
Available 2010

Vertical Transportation Services
Available 2010

Computer Integrated Design
Available 2010

Electives
Students are encouraged to choose electives from any graduate program. Students must refer to the web for timetables.

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

• For Professional Development courses click here

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.”
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.”