Degree Structure
College
Engineering
Department
Architectural Engineering
Level
Graduate Masters
Study System
Courses and Theses
Total Credit Hours
33 Cr. Hrs.
Duration
2-4 Years
Intake
Fall and Spring
Language
English
Study Mode
Full Time and Part Time
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Degree Overview
Buildings are at the center of one of the world's greatest engineering challenges since they account for almost 40% of global energy-related carbon emissions. Moreover, rapid urbanization, climate change, and increasing exposure to natural and human-induced hazards are transforming the way buildings are designed, constructed, operated, and maintained. Meeting these challenges demands a new generation of engineers with the interdisciplinary knowledge and technical expertise to create buildings that are not only energy efficient and low carbon, but also resilient, intelligent, and economically feasible.
The Master of Science in Building Engineering (MSc in BE) has been developed to address this global need while responding to the growing demand for specialist expertise across the UAE and the wider region. As investment in sustainable infrastructure and resilient cities accelerates, there is an increasing need for adequately trained professionals capable of leading the design, delivery, and management of sustainable and resilient buildings. The MSc in BE equips graduates with the advanced engineering knowledge and practical skills required to support the transition towards a more sustainable built environment.
As the first MSc of its kind in the UAE and the region, the MSc in BE offers a distinctive interdisciplinary learning experience that brings together expertise from the Departments of Architectural Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Sustainable and Renewable Energy Engineering. This integrated approach reflects the reality of modern building engineering, where complex challenges require collaboration across multiple disciplines and the application of innovative engineering solutions.
Through a carefully structured curriculum, students develop a solid understanding of resilient building systems, building services design for energy efficient buildings, and computational methods in building engineering. Alongside these core topics, the MSc in BE explores emerging technologies and methodologies that are reshaping the built environment, including artificial intelligence-aided building design, energy management and optimization, building operation and management, and sustainability and circular economy. Students learn to analyze complex engineering problems, evaluate building performance, optimize design solutions and apply research-informed methods to improve the sustainability, resilience, and operational efficiency of buildings.
Research is embedded throughout the program, culminating in an individual dissertation that enables students to investigate contemporary challenges in building engineering. Supported by specialist physical and computational laboratories – including facilities for advanced materials testing, energy storage and efficiency, and digital fabrication through 3D printing – students gain valuable experience applying cutting-edge technologies to real-world engineering problems while developing the analytical, leadership, communication, and innovation skills expected of future industry leaders.
What You Will Learn
The MSc in Building Engineering will equip students with the advanced knowledge, technical expertise and research skills needed to address some of the built environment's most pressing challenges. Through an interdisciplinary curriculum, you will explore how engineering, digital technologies and sustainable design can be integrated to create buildings that are energy efficient, resilient, intelligent and fit for the future. Design and maintain sustainable and resilient buildings You will develop an in-depth understanding of the principles that underpin sustainable and resilient buildings, examining how resilient building systems, sustainable construction practices, and circular economy principles can reduce environmental impact while improving long-term building performance. You will also explore the selection and application of advanced construction materials and engineering solutions that support more sustainable and resilient built environments. Engineer high-performance building systems You will develop expertise in building services design, energy-efficient HVAC systems, cooling technologies, domestic wastewater treatment and building operation and management. Through the study of energy management, optimization, and cost analysis, you will evaluate engineering solutions that improve operational performance while balancing technical, environmental, and economic considerations. Apply digital technologies and intelligent engineering solutions The MSc in BE introduces the digital technologies transforming modern building engineering. You will investigate computational methods, artificial intelligence and smart building technologies, applying advanced modelling, simulation and performance evaluation techniques to support data-driven decision-making. These skills will enable you to analyze complex engineering challenges, optimize building performance, and evaluate innovative solutions for both new developments and existing buildings, including retrofit and refurbishment projects. Build leadership for professional practice Alongside technical expertise, you will develop the professional capabilities required to lead interdisciplinary engineering projects. Working individually and collaboratively through group tasks, case studies, and research activities, you will strengthen your leadership, communication, critical thinking, project management, and decision-making skills. You will also develop the ability to communicate complex engineering concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences while considering the ethical, societal and environmental responsibilities of the profession.
University Requirements
All applicants must satisfy the following basic admission requirements:
- The student must hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent from a recognized university with a CGPA of 3.00 out of 4.00. Students with a CGPA between 2.5 and 2.99 may be admitted conditionally.
- The applicant must provide official attestations and transcripts of all previously earned undergraduate credits. These attestations and transcripts should be approved and attested by the Ministry of Education in UAE.
- The degree must be in a major that qualifies the student to study the master program.
- Students in programs taught in English must obtain 550 on the TOEFL (PBT) (should be taken inside the university), 79 on the TOEFL (IBT) (outside the university) or 6 on IELTS (Academic).
College Requirements
Degree Requirements
Degree completion requirements
The requirements for graduation from the MSc in BE Program are:
1. Passing all courses required for graduation in the study plan.
2. Accumulating a GPA with a minimum of 3.00 on a 4-point scale.
3. Completing all the other requirements of the study plan.
4. Spending the minimum period stipulated for the award of the MSc degree and not exceeding the maximum.
With the cooperation of an academic supervisor, each candidate is required to publish a minimum of one research paper related to his/her master's thesis.
Program Structure
The program requirements for the MSc in BE comprise 33 credits and are classified into the following categories:
1. Compulsory courses (6 courses – 21 credits)
2. Elective courses (4 courses – 12 credits)
Compulsory courses
| No. | Course code | Course title | اسم المساق | Credits |
| 1 | 0404500 | Research Methods in Building Engineering | طرق البحث في هندسة المباني | 3 |
| 2 | 0404501 | Computational Methods in Building Engineering | الطرق الحسابية في هندسة المباني | 3 |
| 3 | 0404502 | Resilient Building Systems | أنظمة البناء المرنة | 3 |
| 4 | 0404503 | Building Services Design for Energy Efficient Buildings | تصميم الخدمات للمباني الموفرة للطاقة | 3 |
| 5 | 0404504 | Seminar | سمنار | 0 |
| 6 | 0404597 | Thesis | الأُطرُوحَة | 9 |
Elective courses
| No. | Course code | Course title | اسم المساق | Credits |
| 1 | 0404524 | Artificial Intelligence Aided Building Design | تصميم المباني بمساعدة الذكاء الاصطناعي | 3 |
| 2 | 0404525 | Building Operation and Management | تشغيل وإدارة المباني | 3 |
| 3 | 0404526 | Sustainability and Circular Economy | الاستدامة والاقتصاد الدائري | 3 |
| 4 | 0404527 | Advanced Materials in Building Construction | المواد المتقدمة في تشييد المباني | 3 |
| 5 | 0404528 | Cost Analysis for Building Construction | تحليل تكاليف تشييد المباني | 3 |
| 6 | 0404529 | Cooling Systems for Buildings | أنظمة تبريد المباني | 3 |
| 7 | 0404530 | Energy Management & Optimization | إدارة وتحسين كفاءة الطاقة | 3 |
| 8 | 0404534 | Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems | أنظمة معالجة مياه الصرف الصحي المنزلية | 3 |
Course Description
Compulsory courses
| 0404500 | Research Methods in Building Engineering | Credit hours: 3 |
| This course introduces key approaches, strategies, and data collection methods used in building engineering research. Students will learn how to select appropriate research methodologies for their MSc thesis and how to design, develop, and pilot data collection instruments before implementation. The course also clarifies the standards of academic work, including language use, writing style, and document structure. As a culmination, students will prepare a comprehensive research proposal that forms the foundation of their master's thesis. | ||
| 0404501 | Computational Methods in Building Engineering | Credit hours: 3 |
| The course aims to introduce a new computing paradigm for solving complex civil and building engineering problems. It equips students with the concepts of Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) computational techniques, such as artificial neural networks, fuzzy logic, genetic algorithms, decision trees, and hybrid systems. Emphasis will be given to applying these techniques in various relevant engineering problems, including but not limited to prediction, classification, and optimization. | ||
| 0404502 | Resilient Building Systems | Credit hours: 3 |
| This course explores principles and strategies for achieving building resilience in the face of climate change and environmental hazards. It examines the evolution of environmental design, risk assessment, and material performance under climate and pollution stresses. Students evaluate sustainability–resilience interactions and cover approaches to ensure building resilience against fire, earthquakes, wind, hurricanes, and floods. | ||
| 0404503 | Building Services Design for Energy Efficient Buildings | Credit hours: 3 |
| This course introduces the principles and practices of designing building services systems (HVAC, lighting, water, electrical, and renewable energy systems) with a strong focus on energy efficiency, sustainability, and low-carbon design. Students will learn how to integrate passive and active systems to achieve high-performance buildings compliant with international green building standards. | ||
| 0404504 | Seminar | Credit hours: 0 |
| The MSc Seminar course introduces students to the nature and purpose of academic research in building engineering through a structured program of weekly seminars. Students attend and critically summarize presentations delivered by faculty members and invited speakers, gaining exposure to contemporary research areas, advanced methodologies, and diverse presentation techniques. Each student delivers a seminar based on their proposed research, developing confidence, scholarly communication skills, and familiarity with advanced research practices. The course fosters intellectual curiosity, lifelong learning, and research leadership, while promoting awareness of ethical and social considerations. It supports students in refining research ideas and identifying focused directions for their MSc thesis. | ||
| 0404597 | Thesis | Credit hours: 9 |
| Students must conduct research, prepare a written thesis, and defend it in a final oral examination before a committee. The thesis should exhibit the student's competence in research through the application of an existing body of knowledge to solve a new research question or specific problem in a new setting. The student must have successfully completed and defended a written thesis proposal before registering for the thesis. The student must have finished all other program requirements and completed a refereed article or conference paper accepted for publication before the thesis defense. | ||
Elective courses
Students may select any four courses from this category.
| 0404524 | Artificial Intelligence Aided Building Design | Credit hours: 3 |
| This course covers the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies into building design processes. Students will learn to apply AI-driven tools and methodologies to optimize, innovate, and creatively enhance building design. The course covers generative design, machine learning, AI visualization techniques, computational optimization, and data-driven decision-making strategies. | ||
| 0404525 | Building Operation and Management | Credit hours: 3 |
| The course explores the principles and practices of building operation and management, focusing on the efficient, sustainable, and safe functioning of modern buildings. Students will learn to manage building systems, energy use, maintenance, and occupant comfort using data-driven tools and industry standards. Emphasis is placed on lifecycle thinking, digital technologies, and compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations. Through lectures, case studies, and practical exercises, students will develop the competencies needed for professional roles in facilities and operations management. | ||
| 0404526 | Sustainability and Circular Economy | Credit hours: 3 |
| This course introduces the principles, strategies, and applications of sustainability and the circular economy within the context of building engineering. The course explores the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainable development, emphasizing life cycle thinking, resource efficiency, and systems innovation. Students will critically examine the environmental impacts of construction materials and processes, evaluate frameworks for sustainable design and infrastructure, and explore circular economy models that promote material reuse and resilience in the built environment. The course combines theoretical foundations with practical tools such as life cycle assessment (LCA), life cycle costing (LCC), and circular design metrics. | ||
| 0404527 | Advanced Materials in Building Construction | Credit hours: 3 |
| This course covers the properties, performance, and applications of advanced building materials, including cementitious binders, Fiber Reinforced Concrete (FRC), Fiber Reinforced Polymers (FRP), alkali activated binders (AABs), and Geopolymer Concrete (GPC). Emphasis is placed on material behavior, sustainability, and their role in modern building construction and infrastructure development. | ||
| 0404528 | Cost Analysis for Building Construction | Credit hours: 3 |
| This course helps the student understand the construction cost estimating process and the detailed analysis to be performed in relation to the building construction life cycle. It presents the latest techniques and principles used in estimating, cash flow management and cost control. It also covers uncertainty in estimating and contingency analysis. | ||
| 0404529 | Cooling Systems for Buildings | Credit hours: 3 |
| This course covers advanced cooling technologies and design strategies for buildings, with an emphasis on energy efficiency, environmental sustainability, and indoor thermal comfort. It addresses the thermodynamic principles and design methodologies of conventional vapor-compression systems, as well as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Additionally, it explores alternative approaches, including absorption, adsorption, evaporative, radiant, and hybrid cooling systems, integrated with renewable energy sources such as solar and geothermal energy. | ||
| 0404530 | Energy Management & Optimization | Credit hours: 3 |
| The objective of this course is to provide students with a solid understanding of the principles and practices of energy management and optimization in industrial, commercial, and building systems. The course introduces effective energy management strategies, energy auditing methodologies, and techniques for analyzing and improving energy performance. It also covers economic and financial analysis of energy efficiency measures to support informed decision-making. Through comprehensive real-world case studies, students will develop practical skills in identifying energy-saving opportunities, applying optimization approaches, and evaluating the technical, economic, and environmental impacts of energy management solutions. | ||
| 0404534 | Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems | Credit hours: 3 |
| This course provides an overview of the engineering approach to domestic wastewater treatment systems. It covers the basic description and principles of unit operations and processes used in the treatment of wastewater. It presents physical, chemical, and biological processes, including sedimentation, filtration, biological treatment, disinfection, and sludge processing. It explains the kinetic theory of biological growth, applying it to typical aerobic processes, and appreciating the purpose and practice of sludge treatment. | ||
Career Path
Designed for graduates from architectural, civil, construction, energy, mechanical and related engineering disciplines, the MSc in BE prepares professionals for careers across government, engineering and architectural consultancies, construction and infrastructure organizations, sustainable building and energy sectors, international development agencies, entrepreneurship, and academia. Graduates will be equipped to lead the development of sustainable, resilient and smart buildings, contributing to national priorities, advancing global sustainability goals, and shaping the future of the built environment.
How will you make an impact?
Every student’s journey at UoS and beyond is different, which is why our Career & Professional Development team provides personalized career resources to help students make an impact for years to come.
