Building Engineering
Master of Engineering (MEng)
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Degree: Master of Engineering (MEng) in Building Engineering -
Format: Full-time/Part-time, Course-based Master’s Degree -
Length: 2 years -
Areas of Study: Building Performance, Fire Safety, Heritage Conservation, General (no concentration) -
Pathways: Coursework-only, Coursework/Project -
Entry Terms: Fall, Winter
What is Building Engineering?
Building Engineering is an interdisciplinary field focused on the design, construction, operation, assessment and renewal of buildings as integrated systems. This course-based master’s program brings together areas such as building performance and services, envelopes and structures, occupant comfort and safety, energy efficiency, fire safety, and the conservation of existing and historic buildings.
Building engineering brings together the systems, structures and services that shape how buildings perform throughout their life cycle. It examines how buildings are designed, constructed, operated and retrofitted, with attention to energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, occupant needs and other complex challenges facing buildings and the built environment.
Looking for a Research-based Master’s?
The Master of Applied Science (MASc) in Building Engineering is a research-intensive, thesis-based degree for students interested in conducting advanced research under a faculty supervisor.
What You Will Learn
Through advanced coursework, case studies and applied projects, you will learn to evaluate buildings as interconnected systems and develop solutions to practical engineering problems. Depending on your course choices, you can:
- Model and optimize building energy use, services and controls
- Use sensor and automation data to identify faults, forecast performance and verify savings
- Assess indoor environmental quality and the interaction between occupants and building systems
- Document, analyze and plan interventions for existing and historic buildings
- Apply fire dynamics, modelling, detection, suppression and structural fire engineering principles
- Use emerging methods such as digital twins, AI-assisted decision-making, laser scanning, photogrammetry and non-destructive testing
Get started in Carleton360 to receive tailored information about Carleton programs, student services and our community.
Areas of Study
Building Performance
Study how passive and active building systems affect energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, indoor environmental quality and occupant comfort across design, construction, operation and retrofit. Topics can include building physics and envelopes, energy systems, simulation, smart controls, data analytics, fault detection, field measurement, occupant-building interaction and decarbonization.
Fire Safety
Develop advanced knowledge of how fires begin, spread and affect materials and structures. Topics can include combustion and fire dynamics, computer and experimental fire modelling, structural fire engineering, material behaviour, smoke control, detection and suppression, evacuation, human behaviour and performance-based fire-safety design.
Heritage Conservation
Learn to assess, conserve and adapt existing and historic buildings while respecting their integrity and cultural significance. Topics can include conservation planning, building characterization, materials and building pathology, structural assessment, digital documentation, 3D scanning, photogrammetry, computational modelling, rehabilitation, adaptive reuse and climate resilience.
General (no concentration)
Build broad knowledge across the program’s three main areas (Building Performance, Fire Safety and Heritage Conservation) while maintaining the flexibility to tailor your studies to your academic and professional goals. Choose from a variety of core program courses and approved electives to explore different areas of the field and shape your degree around your interests.
Career Outcomes
Carleton’s MEng in Building Engineering develops advanced technical knowledge and interdisciplinary skills for careers across the building sector. Graduates are prepared to contribute to the design, performance, assessment, retrofit and renewal of buildings, with opportunities to apply expertise in areas such as building performance, heritage conservation, fire safety, modelling, systems integration and technical assessment.
Jobs and Career Paths
- Building Performance Engineer
- Building Energy Modeller
- Building Science Engineer
- Building Envelope Consultant
- Energy Engineer / Decarbonization Engineer
- Sustainability Consultant / Sustainable Buildings Consultant
- Commissioning Engineer / Building Commissioning Engineer
- Building Automation Engineer / Controls Engineer
- Fire Protection Engineer / Fire Safety Engineer
- Building Conservation Engineer / Heritage Conservation Specialist
- Structural Engineer – Existing and Historic Buildings
Industries and Sectors
- Engineering and consulting firms
- Architecture, construction and building retrofit
- Building operations and facilities management
- Energy, utilities and building decarbonization
- Building automation and smart-building technology
- Building materials, products and equipment
- Fire protection, life safety and risk consulting
- Heritage conservation and adaptive reuse
- Government, municipalities and regulatory agencies
- Research and technology organizations
Why Building Engineering at Carleton?
Find the Path that Fits Your Goals
Choose between coursework-only and project pathways to shape your degree around your goals, from professional advancement to gaining applied research experience.
Apply Advanced Methods to Real Problems
Apply simulation, data analysis, design and optimization to realistic engineering problems, with case studies and guest lectures offering insight into professional practice.
Study in Canada’s Capital
Study in a city home to government, research and industry organizations working across buildings, energy, infrastructure and heritage conservation.
Connect with the Building Engineering Community
Engage with professional and research communities in building performance, heritage conservation and related fields through Carleton’s broader academic network.
How to Apply
Apply to the Master of Engineering (MEng) in Building Engineering through Carleton360. A research proposal or thesis supervisor is not required when applying for Carleton MEng programs.
Considering Carleton’s MEng in Building Engineering?
Submit your transcript to receive preliminary feedback on your eligibility before you apply.
Admission Requirements
The normal requirement for admission is a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related program with at least a B+ average.
Applicants should have academic knowledge in the following areas:
- Calculus and linear algebra
- Thermodynamics or heat transfer
- General or applied physics
- Technical computer drawing or hand drawing
- Basic computer programming or demonstrated programming skills
Equivalent courses or demonstrated skills may be considered. Applicants whose academic background does not cover all required areas may be admitted with conditions that require additional courses.
Domestic Applicants
- Apply online and submit all required supporting documents
International Applicants
If you completed your degree outside Canada, review the minimum admission requirement equivalencies for your country along with the program-specific requirements above. You must also meet Carleton’s English-language requirements unless you qualify for an exemption.
- Check current application deadlines early and allow time for immigration and study permit requirements
- Apply online and submit all required supporting documents
Program and Course Structure
The MEng in Building Engineering requires 5.0 credits. Each area of study includes Introduction to Building Engineering and Research Methods for Building Engineering, then combines concentration courses, approved electives and, for students who choose the project pathway, a 1.0-credit MEng project.
| Area of Study | Coursework Pathway | Project Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Building Performance | Core courses, 2.0 credits in Building Performance and 2.0 credits in approved electives | Core courses, 2.0 credits in Building Performance, 1.0 credit in approved electives and a 1.0-credit MEng project |
| Fire Safety | Core courses, 2.0 credits in Fire Safety and 2.0 credits in approved electives | Core courses, 2.0 credits in Fire Safety, 1.0 credit in approved electives and a 1.0-credit MEng project |
| Heritage Conservation | Core courses, 2.0 credits in Heritage Conservation and 2.0 credits in approved electives | Core courses, 2.0 credits in Heritage Conservation, 1.0 credit in approved electives and a 1.0-credit MEng project |
| General (no concentration) | Core courses, study across all three areas, additional concentration courses and approved electives | Core courses, study across all three areas, additional concentration courses, approved electives and a 1.0-credit MEng project |
Sample Courses
- Research Methods for Building Engineering
- Indoor Environmental Quality
- Building Energy Management and Optimization
- Building Services Engineering
- Advanced Computational Modeling Strategies of Historic Buildings
- Building Performance Simulation
- Advanced Building Characterization Conservation and Rehabilitation
- Structural Assessment of Historic Buildings
- Fundamentals of Fire Safety Engineering
- Design for Fire Resistance
Tuition and Funding
Graduate tuition and fees vary based on factors such as your fee status and registration. Please review Carleton’s current graduate tuition and fee information to estimate the cost of your studies.
Graduate students can also explore a range of financial support opportunities, including awards, scholarships and government assistance. Eligibility and availability vary by program and student.
Domestic Students
International Students
FAQs
Do I need a supervisor before I apply?
Do I have to choose a concentration?
What is the difference between the coursework and project pathways?
Can international students apply?
What academic background do I need?
What is the difference between the MEng and MASc?
Where can I find the official course requirements?
Looking for More Information?
Our team can help with questions about the Master of Engineering in Building Engineering, admission requirements, application details and more.