Bachelor of Science in Building Performance and Environmental Design - Building Performance and Environmental Design

Several students and a professor gathered in a building modeling setting.

About the Program

Applications for the Bachelor of Science in Building Performance and Environmental Design program will be available in Spring 2026 with the first cohort starting in Fall 2026.  

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.

Degree Requirements

Upper Division Coursework

Semester 1 – 16 Weeks 16 Units

BPED 300 Studio 1
SOC 300 Gen Ed: Applied Social Science
BPED 320 Building Performance
GEOG 300 Gen Ed: Analysis of Enviromental and Health Hazards
BPED 340: Construction Methodology I
BPED 490 A Professional Pathways

Semester 2 – 16 Weeks 16 Units

BPED 350 Studio II
BPED 360 Professional Practice
BPED 370 Environmental Policy
BPED 380 Building Systems I: Lighting and Solar Design
BPED 390 Site and Urban Design
BPED 490 B Professional Pathways

Summer Trip – 4 Weeks 3 Units

BPED 420 Global Case Study

Semester 3 – 16 Weeks 13 Units

BPED 400 Studio III
SPCH 300 Dynamic Communication
BPED 430 Building Systems II: Ventilation, Water, and Waste
BPED 440 Construction Methodology II
BPED 490 C Professional Pathways

Semester 4 – 16 Weeks 12 Units

BPED 450 Thesis Studio IV
BPED 460 Thesis Construction Methodology III
BPED 470 Thesis Analytics
BPED 480 Professional Internship & Industry Readiness

To enter the bachelor’s degree program, students must first earn an associate degree in Architecture, Interior Design or Building Information Modeling from Palomar College, or a similar degree from another college. They must have at least a 3.0 grade point average in their core classes, complete their prerequisite upper division classes, and prepare a portfolio.