Getting Started (Majors Guide)

College: CNS

 (Revised Spring 2018)  

How to Explore/Get Started in the Major

Suggested General Education Courses

Under the new guidelines students are still required to take two courses, one in U.S. Diversity and one in Global Diversity. Students entering in Fall 2018 are expected to take one of these diversity courses, either U.S. or Global, in their first year on campus.  For Fall 2018 Registration, look for courses with DU (formerly U) and DG (formerly G) to help students stay on track.  Any course labled DU will satisfy the requirement for a U.S. diversity course and any course labeled DG will satisfy the the requirement for Global diversity course. Course planning guidelines, including guidelines for students, are available at www.umass.edu/gened.

First-year students typically make General Education progress via pre-requistes as well as  including a BS, an AL/AT, HS, and one or both of the Diversity requirements U/G.

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 121 (R2) (note: take Math 127 for R2 if planning ECON or RES-ECON minor)
  • ECON 103 or RES-ECON 102 (SB)
  • ECON 104 (SB)
  • ENGLWRIT 112 (CW)
  • PHYSICS 131 or PHYSICS 118
  • COMPSCI 105

How to Declare the Major

Exploratory Track Students:

See the BCT Chief Undergraduate Advisor to get advice as early as possible.

Transfer Student:

See the BCT Chief Undergraduate Advisor as soon as possible to monitor progress in completing the major.

Summary of Requirements for the Major

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

The major requires background coursework in Math, Science (Physics), Economics or Resource Economics and Computer Science. Twelve courses in the Building & Construction Technology major are also required. The diverse curriculum prepares BCT graduates for careers in: Construction Management, Sustainable Building Planning, Engineered Wood Design, Building Energy Performance Evaluation, Building Products Distribution, and Research and Development.  Visit the BCT website at http://bct.eco.umass.edu/academics/undergraduate-program for details, sample schedules, requirements and Frequently Asked Questions.

Is there a minor? If so, what are the requirements?
Yes. A student must earn 15 credits, selecting five courses drawn from different academic areas.  Visit http://bct.eco.umass.edu/academics/minor-in-bct for details.

For further information, contact:
Ho-Sung Kim
Chief Undergraduate Advisor
320 John W. Olver Design Building; 413-545-1970
kimhs@umass.edu
website: bct.eco.umass.edu