1. McWhorter School of
Building Science
J. Mark Taylor, PhD, JD, LEED AP

2. McWhorter School of
Building Science
• One of Oldest Construction Programs in US
– Established 1945
– Housed in College of Architecture, Design &
Construction
• Large undergraduate program
– B.S. in Building Construction
– Graduate 120 students a year

3. McWhorter School of
Building Science
• Strong Industry Support
– Industry Advisory Council
– Alabama Contractors License/Construction
Industry Fund
– Atlanta BSCI Alumni Group
– BIM Users Group
• Center for Construction Innovation and
Collaboration
– Product development with Industrial Design

4. McWhorter School of
Building Science
• Study Abroad
– 50% student participation
– 3 Programs in 2013
– Student Exchange Programs

5. McWhorter School of
Building Science
• Student Competitions
– ASC Regionals - Southeast
– AGC National - Varies
– ABC National - Varies
– ASC National – Reno

6. McWhorter School of
Building Science
• The Gorrie Center
– LEED Gold Building
• Diverse Faculty
– Academic & Industry
Experience
– Multinational
• Peer 7
– Texas A&M, Virginia
Tech, Florida, Arizona
State, Purdue,
Colorado State

7. WHAT IS BUILDING SCIENCE?
• Roots in Architecture & Engineering
• Building Construction began at Auburn in 1945
• Building Science is a modern change
• Construction Management
– Sciences
• Math, Physics – Design Sciences, Surveying
– Management
• Construction processes
– Estimating
– Scheduling
– Accounting
– Supervision

9. JOBS WITH A BUILDING SCIENCE
DEGREE?
• Project Management
– Project Engineer
• Construction Superintendent
• Estimating
• Owners Representative
• Internships & Co-op opportunities

10. PAY SCALE FOR THOSE WITH A
BUILDING SCIENCE DEGREE?
• Job Outlook (from Bureau of Labor
Statistics)
– Employment of construction managers is
expected to grow 17 percent from 2010
to 2020, about as fast as the average for
all occupations. Job opportunities will be
best for candidates with work experience
and a bachelor’s degree in a
construction-related field.

11. PAY SCALE FOR THOSE WITH A
BUILDING SCIENCE DEGREE?
• Average Starting Pay for Auburn Grads – Spring
2012
– Approx. $54,000
• Salaries rise quickly, bonuses are common
• Competition for
employees with
experience
• Willingness to
re-locate

13. Sources of Info - Sustainability
• U.S. Green Building Council
– http://www.usgbc.org

14. Sources of Info - Sustainability
• Environmental Design and Construction
– http://www.edcmag.com

15. Sources of Info - Sustainability
• Sustainability
– http://www.sustainability.com

16. Sources of Info - Sustainability
• EPA
– http://www.epa.gov/sustainability/