Course Overview
This continuing education course provides an overview of the principles of mass timber construction to design professionals (including but not limited to engineers and engineering technologists, architects and architectural technologists, construction managers). The course equips participants with the knowledge and practical skills needed to contribute effectively to projects, from early design through fabrication, installation, and stakeholder communication. Participants will explore the sustainability principles that underpin mass timber, including carbon capture, lifecycle thinking, and key building certifications. The course also builds understanding of wood material behavior, supplier variability, and their impact on product performance and design. Structural design considerations, such as gravity and lateral load-resisting systems, detailing strategies, fire safety, and compliance with building codes and standards, are examined in depth. The curriculum also covers critical aspects of fabrication including CNC processing, quality control, and production planning, alongside key installation considerations such as connection tolerances, on-site moisture management, and construction site leadership. The course concludes with a reflection on the key advantages of mass timber, highlighting how its offsite construction principles create value for designers, builders, developers, and owners. By the end of the course, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to contribute to mass timber projects, from design through to successful construction and communication.
Prerequisite(s)
- No prerequisites are required for this course.
Credits
3.0
Domestic fees
$922.23
International fees are typically 3.4 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Discuss the principles of sustainability in mass timber construction, focusing on carbon capture, lifecycle thinking, and key building certifications to optimize resources and support sustainable building practices.
- Explain the fundamental behaviour of solid wood, the variability among suppliers that influence the manufacturing characteristics, engineering properties, and end-use of engineered wood products and mass timber products.
- Analyze key design considerations for mass timber construction, including gravity and lateral-resisting systems, effective detailing practices, fire safety considerations, and strategies for maximizing system efficiency and material performance; all within the framework of applicable building codes and standards.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the critical aspects of mass timber fabrication, including CNC production factors, fabrication-level design deliverables, quality control requirements, and supplier variability, to support the development of efficient, coordinated, and code-compliant production strategies.
- Explain key installation considerations for prefabricated and precut mass timber components, including common tolerances and standard connections, moisture management practices, and effective leadership strategies on construction sites.
- Reflect on the construction, aesthetic, and environmental advantages of mass timber, and articulate its value to design and construction teams, developers, and owners through the principles of offsite construction.
Effective as of Winter 2026
Course Offerings
Fall 2026
Below is one offering of TMBR 3015 for the Fall 2026 term.
CRN 53169
Dates
Nov 02 - Dec 12 Loading
- CRN 53169
- $922.23 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
Duration
6 weeks
Instructor
Ciprian Pirvu
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
Registration requirements
Departmental approval is required to register for this course offering. You must have approval from the department to register. Students accepted into a program can register directly.
Important information
- This is an Industry Services delivery. Please reach out to Alyxces Igot, alyxces_igot@bcit.ca
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
No approval yet? Request approval You must have approval from the department to register. Students accepted into a program can register directly.
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.