This four-year program teaches you how to design, test, and improve buildings so they use less energy and perform better over time. You will study structural systems, environmental controls, and energy modelling while working in our labs on the Benchlands Campus. A co-op work term gives you real-world experience with industry partners before you graduate.
Career outcomes
- Building performance consultant
- Energy efficiency specialist
- Building diagnostics technician
- Sustainable construction manager
- Facility energy analyst
Admission requirements
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent
- Grade 12 English (C or U), minimum 60%
- Grade 12 Mathematics (C or U), minimum 60%
Courses
- ARCH 1360 Building Science Fundamentals
- ARCH 1520 Structural Systems Overview
- ARCH 1550 Environmental Control Systems
- ARCH 2620 Energy Modelling Analysis
- ARCH 2730 Building Diagnostics and Testing
- ARCH 3340 Retrofit and Renovation
- ARCH 4100 Capstone Building Science
- BLDG 1410 Building Science Principles
- BLDG 1770 Energy Efficiency Strategies
- BLDG 2350 Building Envelope Design
- BLDG 2500 Advanced Structural Analysis
- BLDG 3210 Thermal Modelling Analysis
- BLDG 3750 Building Diagnostics
- BLDG 4300 Net Zero Building Design
- BLDG 4650 Building Performance Monitoring
- BLDG 4980 Resilient Infrastructure Planning
- COMM 1920 Professional Writing and Style
- COMM 2300 Organizational Communication Theory
- COMM 2900 Technical Report Writing
- GNED 1350 Visual Literacy and Design Principles
- GNED 1690 Scientific Method and Laboratory Safety
- MATH 1170 Applied Mathematics for Health
- MATH 1770 Discrete Mathematics for Design
- MATH 1950 Business Mathematics
What you will learn
You will learn how buildings use energy, how to measure their performance, and how to make them more sustainable. The program covers structural systems, environmental controls, and energy modelling. You will run tests in the labs at the Benchlands Campus to see how building envelopes hold up under different conditions. You will also learn to write technical reports and communicate with construction teams and clients. You will study how to plan retrofits and design new structures that meet modern efficiency standards.
How the program runs
The program is delivered full-time on the Benchlands Campus. You will take classes across two terms each year for four years, plus a co-op work term. The co-op work term lets you work with a company in the building industry. You will gain practical skills in energy diagnostics, thermal modelling, and retrofit planning. Your courses include ARCH, BLDG, COMM, GNED, and MATH subjects that build your knowledge step by step. You will use industry-standard software to model building performance and analyze energy flows.
Admission
You need an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent to apply. You must have Grade 12 English and Grade 12 Mathematics, both at a minimum grade of 60%. Domestic applicants apply through the provincial college application service. International applicants use the polytechnic's own form. Applications for the September intake are reviewed on a rolling basis. You can also apply as a mature student if you are nineteen or older by the start of classes.
Tuition and fees
Fees are set each year and may change. Please contact the Registrar for the current tuition and ancillary fee amounts.
After you graduate
Graduates go on to work as building performance consultants, energy efficiency specialists, and sustainable construction managers. You will be ready to help builders, engineers, and facility managers reduce energy use and meet environmental standards. The co-op experience and lab work make you job-ready from day one. You will also qualify for roles in building diagnostics, energy auditing, and green certification.
How to apply
To start your application, visit the Admissions page. You will upload your transcripts and any required identification documents through the myWrenford portal. If you need help with the application, contact the Admissions office. You can also book a campus tour to see the labs and meet faculty before you decide to enroll.