Graduate students in the Building Technology program have earned undergraduate degrees in a variety of engineering disciplines, in architecture, and in the physical sciences. Many have had jobs ranging from electronic instrumentation to design of space-conditioning equipment for buildings to the Peace Corps. Despite the diversity of experience, all have shared both a keen interest in buildings and a thorough education in mathematics, physics and other technical subjects.
S.M. in Building Technology (SMBT)
The Master of Science (S.M.) in Building Technology requires student to take one seminar on current research topics in building technology; one subject in applied mathematics; a major consisting of at least two subjects in a single field of specialization, chosen from thermal science, structures, materials, controls, or systems analysis; and a minor consisting of one subject from another field of specialization in building technology. Other fields may also be accepted for specialization if they are deemed appropriate for the program. Suitable subjects include engineering and technology courses and architecture workshops that combine building technology and architectural design. Total course credits for the S.M. is 66 units. An S.M. thesis is required for the degree. The thesis is carried out under the direct supervision of a faculty member in the program. The thesis topic is selected from a subject currently being studied by the faculty. In most cases this subject is part of a sponsored research project. Students can complete the S.M. in one and one half years, including the summer, although many stay two academic years.
Ph.D. in Building Technology
Many students completing the S.M. degree in building technology, or with an appropriate Master's degree from another university will seek further studies under a Ph.D. program. Those admitted for study will immediately begin research work under the supervision of a faculty member while taking course work. They will also be registered as a graduate student in the academic department most appropriate to their background and interests.
Most Ph.D. research projects will be a portion of a sponsored research program. The research comprising the Ph.D. thesis must involve an original, substantial contribution to the field of investigation. The thesis must result in advances in the state of the art that would merit publication in a respected, refereed technical journal in the field.
Along with the thesis, a Ph.D. student is required to complete a major and a minor program of study as approved by an interdisciplinary thesis committee and successfully complete a qualifying examination. The minor program is in an area within Architecture or Engineering distinct from the major. It is expected that several subjects in the program of study would be in the student's academic department. The student must also demonstrate competence in verbal and written English and fulfill a program which assures adequate competence in mathematics.
It is expected that the Ph.D. program will require two to two-and-one-half years in residence beyond the S.M. degree. Most students complete their Ph.D. program in three to four years. Only under very special circumstances will students be allowed to carry out any of their thesis research while not in residence at MIT.
Advanced Degrees in Related Fields
Students may earn a degree in an engineering or science discipline while performing research under the direction of Building Technology faculty. These students must fulfill the course requirements of their home department. Students from Civil and Mechanical Engineering and from the Technology and Policy Program have participated in Building Technology research projects in this way. Some students have elected to complete the degree requirements for both the S.M. in Building Technology and an S.M. in another discipline and have earned two degrees; this requires substantial course work and a thesis acceptable to both disciplines.
Some students wish to combine studies of building technology with training in architectural design. These students have several options: students already holding a professional architecture degree may apply to the S.M. in Architectural Studies program and specify a concentration in building technology; students seeking a professional architecture degree may apply to the Master of Architecture (M.Arch) program and focus on building technology via required and elective courses as well as a thesis topic; and students may apply for admission to both the Masters of Architecture and Building Technology Programs. Students admitted to both programs will join each in sequence rather than simultaneously, completing the degree requirements of one before beginning the other; the S.M. in Building Technology and M.Arch degrees cannot be awarded simultaneously due to the demands of the S.M. in Building Technology thesis research and architectural design studio.