Master's Degree in Building Science 2009 Employer Survey

This survey is part of a needs assessment BCIT is currently conducting to determine the feasibility of a master's degree in building science. It should take you no more than 10 minutes to complete.

Demographics

Your assistance with this research is greatly appreciated. All responses are confidential.

For more information, please contact Fitsum Tariku@604-432-8402

1) What classifications(s) best describe(s) your employer's business enterprise or current activity? (Select all that apply.)

Building engineering consulting firm/engineering consultant   Architectural firm/architect   Building construction company   Municipal or other government agency   Manufacturer/fabricator supplier   Inspection or testing agency   Residential or commercial building owner   Other (please specify)

If you selected other, please specify:

2) In what region(s) is your company currently working? (Select all that apply.)

Lower Mainland   Vancouver Island   BC (other than Lower Mainland or Vancouver Island)   Canada (outside of BC)   U.S.A.   International (other than the U.S.)

3) What is your professional affiliation?

Member of APEGBC (EIT or P. Eng.)   Member of AIBC   Member of ASTT   Other (please specify)

If you selected other, please specify:

4) How many years of experience do you have in your industry?

0 - 1   1 - 3   3 - 5   5 - 10   More than 10

5) What is your position in your company?

6) What is your highest level of post-secondary education?

Diploma   Bachelor's degree   Master's degree   Other (please specify)

If you selected other, please specify:

7) Does your company have difficulty finding people with the appropriate skills and qualities to work in the building construction industry?

Yes   No   Not sure

8) Do you think there is a need for a master's degree in building science?

Yes   No   Not sure

Additional comments:

9) Do you believe a master's degree in building science would increase your employees' opportunities for job advancement?

Yes   No   Not sure

10) Has your company hired staff with a master's or doctoral degree in building science or other relevant field?

Yes   No   Not sure

11) Would your company consider hiring graduates from the proposed master's degree program?

Yes   No   Not sure

12) Please indicate how important it is to offer the following topics in the proposed program and please comment on  other important topics in the comment field:

	Very important	Somewhat important	Not important
Building envelope	Building envelope Very important	Building envelope Somewhat important	Building envelope Not important
Building materials	Building materials Very important	Building materials Somewhat important	Building materials Not important
Built environment (indoor air quality, thermal and visual comfort)	Built environment (indoor air quality, thermal and visual comfort) Very important	Built environment (indoor air quality, thermal and visual comfort) Somewhat important	Built environment (indoor air quality, thermal and visual comfort) Not important
Building service systems	Building service systems Very important	Building service systems Somewhat important	Building service systems Not important
Energy performance	Energy performance Very important	Energy performance Somewhat important	Energy performance Not important
Codes and standards	Codes and standards Very important	Codes and standards Somewhat important	Codes and standards Not important
Life cycle cost analysis	Life cycle cost analysis Very important	Life cycle cost analysis Somewhat important	Life cycle cost analysis Not important

Additional comments:

13) Please indicate how important it is for graduates to have the following skills and knowledge and comment on other important skills or knowledge in the comment field:

	Very important	Somewhat important	Not important
Fundamentals/theory	Fundamentals/theory Very important	Fundamentals/theory Somewhat important	Fundamentals/theory Not important
Modeling (heat and mass transfer, energy, etc.)	Modeling (heat and mass transfer, energy, etc.) Very important	Modeling (heat and mass transfer, energy, etc.) Somewhat important	Modeling (heat and mass transfer, energy, etc.) Not important
Research skills	Research skills Very important	Research skills Somewhat important	Research skills Not important
Practical knowledge (hands-on experience in research/industry projects)	Practical knowledge (hands-on experience in research/industry projects) Very important	Practical knowledge (hands-on experience in research/industry projects) Somewhat important	Practical knowledge (hands-on experience in research/industry projects) Not important
Presentation skills	Presentation skills Very important	Presentation skills Somewhat important	Presentation skills Not important

Additional comments:

14) Would you recommend the proposed program to potential candidates?

Yes   No   Not sure

15) Would your company partner with BCIT in delivering the master's program?

Yes, in the form of guest lectures by qualified staff   Yes, through support of the practical component of the program by providing access t actual projects   Yes, through collaboration on applied research projects   No   Not sure   Other (please specify)

If you selected other, please specify:

16) What would your company consider accessing advanced research facilities for innovative building design if available at BCIT

Yes   No   Not sure

17) What research areas do you think are important to address as part of the proposed master's degree program?

18) If a master's degree program was available, do you think some of your staff would consider enrolling?

Yes   No   Not sure

19) Do you have any comments regarding the proposed program?