M.S. Thesis in Building Performance and Diagnostics

This two-semester course is dedicated to supporting the research, presentation and final thesis submission of Master of Science in Building Performance & Diagnostics (MSBPD) candidates. Beginning with identifying critical needs in research, design or policy, students complete background literature reviews to support the development of well-defined hypotheses and sub-hypotheses for their two semester effort. With the scope and hypotheses identified, more detailed literature reviews support a research methodology that can engage one or more of the following: in-depth case studies with cross-sectional findings and potential design applications; database development and analysis; innovative products or integrated system studies; simulation and VR studies; and/or field intervention studies and controlled experimentation. The final written thesis is evaluated on the quality and timeliness of the research question, methodology and findings, as well as the quality of the written text, graphics, databases and analyses, design and digital tool interfaces, original artifacts, and public presentations.