Building the future!
Are you looking for a programme in which you learn how to design and evaluate sustainable buildings from the used materials, over the energy concepts up to the point of demolition? Do you want to contribute to a responsible use of resources to protect the climate and the environment?
Then "Green Building Engineering" is the right choice for you!
Within the Master’s programme Green Building Engineering starting in winter semester 2023 you can combine your interest in the environment, technology, society and business in order to develop green buildings and make your contribution to a more sustainable society and economy. With an interdisciplinary approach, the engineering Master's programme addresses all relevant areas necessary for the planning, dimensioning and assessment of tomorrow's sustainable buildings. Successful graduates have a comprehensive knowledge of construction, the materials used, energy concepts, deconstruction and recycling. Anyone who is interested in making an active contribution as an engineer to making the building sector more sustainable is in the right place here - and worldwide: The Master’s programme is offered in English.
Why Green Building Engineering?
The construction sector is one of the largest of the world economy! With an equivalent to roughly 13% of the GDP (Gross Domestic Product), worldwide construction-related spending adds up to 10 trillion dollars. 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. And since buildings last a long time, the actions we take now will affect the environment for years to come, bringing multiple benefits to both the economy and society.
Construction and demolition are the biggest sources of waste and contribute to around 35% of all waste in the EU. This is why 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 this Master’s programme.
Course content:
Combined competences: natural sciences, technology and socioeconomics
The 3-pillar principle serves to solve interdisciplinary issues and is the central identification
feature of the bachelor's and Master's programmes at BOKU – University of Natural Resources
and Life Sciences, Vienna.
In the Master's programmes, the content of the compulsory and elective modules, based on
the entire curriculum (except for the master's thesis), are assigned to the following areas with
a minimum share of 15% each:
The curriculum includes…
Please see the curriculum for further detail.
After successfully completing the Master’s programme in Green Building Engineering, you will…
The construction industry is one of the most influential sectors in terms of resource consumption. With the sustainable mindset becoming more relevant within society, the demand for qualified personnel specialised in resource-efficient construction has begun to rise. Graduates of the Green Building Engineering Master are perfectly qualified engineers throughout various disciplines of the construction sector and beyond. Due to the interdisciplinary approach of the Master’s programme, graduates are well-rounded-off engineers specialised in green building construction as a holistic concept. With development opportunities into different areas, graduates will be able to work either directly in the construction sector (e.g. in engineering or planning offices, construction companies, as freelance engineers or consultants), 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 or consulting).
Plus: Vocational Permission for civil engineer
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).
Graduates of the following Bachelor's programmes 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.