Master of Design Science (Building Services)
Admission Requirements | Core Units of Study | Option Units | Professional Development Courses | Career Profile | What Goes On?
The Building Services program aims to accelerate the acquisition of knowledge and skills for professionals currently employed in the building services 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 (eg Design Computing, Sustainable Design, Facilities Management, Illumination Design).
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
DESC 9151, 6 credit points, semester 1, classes: intensive
This unit will provide students with sufficient knowledge of the principles of operation of the various services systems in buildings larger than domestic scale in order to be able to contribute competently to the decision that has to be made about these systems, and to be aware of the implication of these decisions upon building design.
Building Construction Technology
DESC 9041, 6 credit points, semester 1, classes: weekly
Students are provided with an appreciation of building construction technology relevant to the work of the building services engineer. The course emphasises aspects of the built environment that are of concern to the building services engineer, particularly in the early design stages.
Financial and Managerial Accounting
DESC 9049, 6 credit points, semester 1, classes: intensive
Facilities Management is a subset of business management and as such, no management can be exercised without first matching the need for resources against the resources available. This necessarily involves the financial and accounting information systems of the organisation, and the tools necessary to extract information in order to make informed decisions. The unit covers Managerial Accounting in its first half and Cost Accounting in the second.
Electrical Services
DESC 9040, 6 credit points, semester 1, classes: intensive
An understanding of electrical services is an essential requirement for building services practitioners involved in the design professions and the construction and building management industries. The course is designed to provide an introduction to these services for recent graduates or diplomates in engineering, architecture or science and for people involved at a professional level in the building industry who do not possess a background in electrical engineering.
Mechanical Services
DESC 9067, 6 credit points, semester 1, classes: intensive
Mechanical services are an essential component of most modern commercial buildings with a strong influence on other services and the architecture. This unit provides an introduction to these services for recent graduates or diplomates in mechanical engineering and an understanding of fundamental principles and practice for people from backgrounds other than mechanical engineering.
Project and Contract Management
DESC 9074, 6 credit points, semester 2, classes: intensive
An understanding of project management skills is an essential requirement for successful practice by professionals and managers engaged in creating and using buildings. The unit is designed to provide an introduction to the necessary skills and the fundamental principles and practice of them.
Option Units
Building Acoustics and Noise Control
DESC 9191, 6 credit points, semester 1 intensive
Air-Conditioning Design
DESC 9001, 6 Credit Points, Semester 2
Services Control Systems
DESC 9170, 6 credit points, semester 2 intensive
Energy Management in Buildings
See Facilities Management
Strategic Facility Management
See Facilities Management
Operational Facility Management
See Facilities Management
Service Provision
See Facilities Management
Computer Aided Facility Management
See Facilities Management
Photometric & Colormetric Concepts & Mensuration
See Illumination Design
Vision & Visual Perception
See Illumination Design
Light Sources & Luminaires
See Illumination Design
The Visual Field & Human Factors
See Illumination Design
Climate Comfort and Sustainable Design
See Sustainable Design
Building Energy Analysis
See Sustainable Design
Sustainable Building Design Practice
See Sustainable Design
Fire Protection Services
Available 2010
Hydraulics Services
Available 2010
Vertical Transportation Services
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?
Career Profile
| Jason Rosewarn Jason is a plumber by trade and his area of responsibility at work was being expanded. His new role now included the portfolio of building maintenance and was offered the opportunity to obtain further education in this area. After looking at a few university offerings, Jason spoke to Lesley and found her very helpful. She explained that he could enrol in the Graduate Certificate because of his extensive work experience, although he did not have an undergradaute degree. Jason has now been upgraded to the Master's program after performing exceptionally well. Both the Building Services and the Facilities Management program impressed him with its relevant content that pertained very much to his new role and the content of most assignments has benefited his employer. This has led to an Emergency Management Plan assignment now being adopted as company policy as well as various other tools that now assist him in his new role. He found the course coordinators of Building Services and Facilities Management very impressive in their hands on approach and personal involvement with the students. Jason is now considering furthering his studies in the Facilities Management stream to compliment what he has already achieved in the Building Services field. |
What goes on?
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NSW RAIA Tuesday Night Talks
The NSW chapter of the RAIA runs an ongoing programme of weekly talks, taking place on Tuesday evenings. These Tuesday Night Talks, or TNT, are intended as a valuable forum for members to raise, discuss and explore important developments, issues and ideas relating to architecture and urban design, as well as being a way for members and the profession generally, to engage with the public, to promote architecture more generally.