Learn More About BPED

About the Program

Applications for Cohort 1 for the Bachelor of Science in Building Performance and Environmental Design program will be available beginning December 15, 2025, with the first cohort starting in Fall 2026.  ***BPED Admissions Kick-Off Information Session will be on November 19, 2025.

Architecture is more than just the creation of buildings—it is the shaping of the spaces where we live, work, and connect. At its core, design holds the transformative power to improve lives, respond to environmental challenges, and foster inclusive, resilient communities.  

Palomar College is proud to introduce the Bachelor of Science in Building Performance and Environmental Design—a bold next step in design education. This forward-thinking program bridges architecture, interior design, sustainability, and environmental systems, empowering students to become leaders in climate-responsive design and the creation of socially impactful built environments.  

This program prepares students to become sustainability specialists—experts who guide building projects to meet environmental, social, and economic goals. Building on the standards set by the US Green Building Council and its LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), students learn to assess performance, advise teams, and apply sustainable solutions using building information modeling (BIM) software.  Graduates are equipped to navigate climate regulations and design buildings that prioritize energy efficiency, health, and long-term impact. 

The Bachelor of Science in Building Performance Environmental Design (BPED) program provides a carefully developed catalog of upper division coursework and applied learning experiences which provide rigorous career preparation for employment in the Architecture, Interior Design, and Construction industries. Although the Palomar College Associate of Science in Architecture, Associate of Science in Building Information Modeling (BIM), and Associate of Science in Interior Design degrees provide excellent preparation for the BS-BPED program, it is not required for admission and commensurate coursework completed at other community colleges and universities will be considered. Likewise, the skills and comprehension demonstrated in an applicant’s portfolio, beyond academic coursework completed, is an important factor in admission decisions since applicants may have developed skillsets through workplace and/or industry experience. The BS-BPED program has been designed as a cohort model so that each group of admitted students matriculates through the program together and graduates as a unified class. As such, BS-BPED students are required to commit to enrolling as a full-time student in the program (completing 12 or more units per semester) so that each group of students admitted can matriculate as a unified cohort.