Bachelor of Science Architectural Engineering

The four-year bachelor of science degree program prepares engineers and managers for careers in the design and construction of buildings and building systems.

AE student design teams create multi-faceted proposals and models for real-world projects.

Lecture and laboratory courses integrate theory and the practical application of design principles, practice, methods and materials. The architectural engineering program provides graduates with a core of mathematics, science, construction materials, and business, plus a design specialty.

There are three design specialties offered in the architectural engineering program. Students must select one of the design specialties in the year indicated below:

• Building Electrical Systems (junior)
• Building Environmental Systems (junior)
• Building Structural Systems (junior)

Model full-time program tracks

• Architectural Engineering (Electrical Design Specialty)
• Architectural Engineering (Environmental Design Specialty)
• Architectural Engineering (Structural Design Specialty)
• Architectural Engineering and Construction Management (Electrical Design Specialty)
• Architectural Engineering and Construction Management (Environmental Design Specialty)
• Architectural Engineering and Construction Management (Structural Design Specialty)

Related information

• Architectural Engineering Course Descriptions

Architectural Engineering graduates pursue careers in the construction industry or related areas.

Building Structural Systems

Structural Engineer

Analyzes, calculates and selects systems and components for various structures. Graduates are employed within the building industry, but also in other structural areas. Areas are: consulting engineering firms, construction equipment industry (cranes, mining equipment, etc.), pre-engineered building industry, steel fabrication and precast concrete systems.

Building Electrical Systems

Electrical Systems Engineer

Designs and specifies electrical power, lighting and communication systems for building. Employed in an electrical consulting design office or in electrical design-construction offices. Other responsibilities may be preparing specifications and cost estimates.

Electrical Utility Engineer

Coordinates new building construction with building owners, design engineers and contractors, and updates customers on conservation and cost saving opportunities.

Electrical Building Inspector

Employed by a public agency. Responsible for the public interest to inspect the buildings under construction for electrical code compliance.

Building Environmental Systems

Building Controls Engineer

Design the controls for the building environmental (heating, cooling and air quality) systems, fire safety systems and security systems. Also, design and document specialized controls for industries like pharmaceuticals and bio-tech where critical environments require additional measures and documentation.

Building Energy Contractor

Estimates and assembles the HVAC system from the design documents.

Building Energy Construction Management

Supervises the mechanical trades in the installation of equipment and systems for a building.

Fire Safety/Protection Engineer

Designs various types of fire protection systems within the building . Systems include sprinkler, chemical suppression and detection devices.

Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Engineer

Designs the HVAC systems and prepares the specifications.

Plumbing Engineer

Designs the water, processing fluids, and waste systems for the building use and for the site.

Some Common Positions for All Design Specialties

Plant Facilities Engineer

The owner's management liaison person interacting with architects, contractors, and engineers in the design and construction of remodeling, additions and new facilities. Manages and develops such programs within the plant as energy conservation and preventative maintenance.

Sales/Applications Engineer

Provides technical advice and application of their representative products to the building industry's architects, engineers and constructors.

Building - Insurance Appraiser/Engineer
Architectural/Construction Appraiser

Provides valuation of real, tangible and intangible personal property, feasibility studies, and prepares maintenance of property records for industrial and commercial owners.

Investment Tax Credit Cost Analyst

Involves a detailed in-depth analysis of construction drawings and specifications of large multi-million dollar structures that would qualify for investment tax credit and segregates costs into components for depreciation purposes.

Construction Engineer

Manages the construction of a building project. responsibilities include the scheduling of labor trades, material and equipment for the most economical and expeditious mode of constructing the building.

Construction Engineer/Estimator

The estimator is responsible for the takeoff material, type of labor and equipment, and calculating the cost for the construction project plus preparing the necessary documents for the estimate.

The Differences Between Architecture and
Architectural Engineering