Getting Started

College: CNS

Information below is meant to guide first year students in getting started with this major and choosing appropriate courses. More advanced students interested in this major would also likely start with proposed foundation/pre-requisite courses. Please refer to the Major Page located in the left menu bar to learn about the full major requirements.

How to Explore the Major

Suggested General Education Courses

All Undergraduates are required to satisfy the General Education Requirements. Guidelines for students, are available at www.umass.edu/gened. Students should choose a wide variety of Gen Ed courses, providing breadth of experience.

Students can now choose from two BCT concentrations

Sustainable Construction Management, which focuses on construction management topics (management, estimating, scheduling, etc.). This concentration is for jobs as Construction Managers, Field Engineers, Superintendents, Cost Estimators, Schedulers, Safety Managers, Construction and Building Inspectors, Quality Control Managers.
Sustainable Building Science & Technology, which focuses on the technical aspects of buildings and construction (materials, systems, energy, structures, etc.). This concentration is for jobs as Mechanical Systems or Engineered Wood Products Designers, Civil Engineering Technicians, Energy Auditors, Energy Engineers, Sustainability Consultants, Architectural and Engineering Managers, Sales Engineers and Managers (Building Materials and Systems), Industrial Production Managers, Construction and Building Inspectors.

Suggested Major and Pre-requisite Courses

Selecting courses from the following list is recommended:

BCT 150 (I) and/or BCT 211 in the Fall semester
BCT 204 in the Spring semester
MATH 104 (R1) and 127 (R2)
ECON 103 or RES-ECON 102 (SB)
ECON 104 (SB)
ENGLWRIT 112 (CW)
PHYSICS 131

How to Declare/Change into the Major

For current and admitted students: This major is unrestricted, which means any student may declare the major.

Any undergraduate student who wants to declare, change, or add a CNS Major should complete the CNS Change of Major Form. This includes:

CNS students changing from one CNS major to another
Students from other schools/colleges who want to switch into a CNS major
Any student who wants to add a secondary major in CNS

This form should not be used to declare a minor.

We will review your request and get back to you with next steps, which may include scheduling an advising appointment.

Summary of Requirements for the Major

Refer to the Major page located in the left menu bar to learn more.

Total # or range of credits required: 55-83 depending on choice of gen eds and professional electives

Is there a minor? If so, what are the requirements?
Yes - A minor is available! Refer to the Minor page located in the left menu bar to learn more.

For further information, contact:
Dr. Ho-Sung Kim
Assistant BCT Program Director
320 John W. Olver Design Building; 413-545-1970
kimhs@umass.edu
Website: https://www.umass.edu/bct/