The Bachelor of Science in Building Performance and Environmental Design (BPED) program at Palomar College builds on an associate degree in architecture, interior design, or building information modeling. This upper-division program prepares students for advanced study and professional pathways in sustainable design, architecture, and environmental performance.
More information regarding program requirements can be found below.
Lower Division Preparation and Admission Prerequisites
To be eligible for admission to the BPED program, applicants must complete the following lower-division requirements before beginning upper-division coursework:
Requirements
-
Associate Degree or completion of all lower-division major coursework in one of the following areas:
- Architecture
- Interior Design
- Building Information Modeling (B.I.M.)
- Completion of all AA/AS or CSUGE/IGETC/CalGETC general education requirements.
- Minimum 3.0 GPA in core major coursework.
- Portfolio submission demonstrating applied design, visualization, and communication skills.
- All lower-division coursework and prerequisites must be completed by the end of the spring term before the program’s fall start.
📎
Learn more about Palomar’s CalGETC Requirements
📎
Learn more about Palomar’s AA/AS Competency and General Education Requirements
Programs Accepted for Admission
The following associate degree programs are accepted for admission into the BPED program:
| Associate Degree Major | Recommended Preparatory Courses |
|---|---|
| Architecture A.S. | ARCH 202, ID 151, ARCH 204 |
| Interior Design A.S. | ARCH 215/216 or 217/218, ARCH 135, ARCH 204 |
| B.I.M. (Building Information Modeling) A.S. | ARCH 215, ARCH 216, ARCH 217, ARCH 218 (all must be completed) |
💡 Note: Degree completion must be verified prior to program entry.
An example of an external college that has an Architecture A.S. and Interior Design A.S. that meets the admissions requirements for BS-BPED, Mesa College has A.S. Degrees that meet the requirements. Confirm your program pre-requisites have been met by scheduling a meeting with Counselor Katie Morris. See BPED Admissions Checklist for contact information for Counselor Morris.
General Education and Transfer Courses
| General Education Area | Course Example | *Recommended Prep |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Social Science | SOC 300 – Applied Social | SOC 100 |
| Environmental Analysis | GEOG 300 – Analysis of Environmental Hazards | GEOG 120 |
| Communication | SPCH 300 – Dynamic Communication | SPCH 105, 115, or 120 |
Other courses that meet the pre-requisite requirements:
SOC 300: Any Cal-GETC Area 2 course, but prefer Quantitative Reasoning (PSYC/SOC 205, SOC 180, STAT C1000/E, or BUS 204).
GEOG 300: GEOG 100 or GEOG 115
SPCH 300: COMM C1000
Upper Division Course Sequence
All Upper Division Curriculum is Pending Approval as of September 2025
Once admitted, students will complete a two-year, full-time upper-division sequence of coursework focused on building performance, energy systems, and sustainable design.
✅ Program Highlights
- Cohort-based model (students move through courses together)
- Primarily face-to-face instruction
- Program location: Palomar College – Rancho Bernardo Education Center
- Estimated completion: Two years (Fall start)
📘 Refer to the official catalog for approved upper-division courses once published.
View BPED Catalog Listing (coming soon)
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 Environmental 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
Enrollment Requisites
Students must be officially admitted to the BPED program to enroll in any upper-division major coursework.
Enrollment in upper-division general education courses is limited to students admitted to a California Community College baccalaureate program.