Professional M. Arch Core Courses

Revision of the School of Architecture Graduate Design Studios: 3/19/10

Beginning with the fall of 2010, The Faculty of the School of Architecture has voted to adopt a series of non-sequential thematic graduate design studios which have the following goals:

Anticipate changes within academia and the profession that will require new forms of specialized knowledge and skills;
Provide each studio with a unique focus that can be explored in greater depth commensurate with graduate education;
Provide greater faculty support and guidance to students throughout each semester, and
Allow students the opportunity to achieve outcomes that are more consistently and thoroughly developed at each studio level.

ARCH 501: Architectural Practice

Credit: 3 hours

Role of the architect in the building enterprise, professional ethics, and the conduct of professional practice; legal aspects of architectural practice and building construction; introduction of business management, marketing, operational procedures, financial planning, and cost control of architectural practices; and the administration of construction contracts. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor.

Usually taken in first year of 2-year Professional Program

ARCH 502: Structural Planning

Credit: 4 hours

General problems in the selection and design of structural systems for buildings; methods of analysis; site explorations, soils, and foundations; bracing; and special systems. Prerequisite: ARCH 451 and 452

Usually taken in first year of 2-year Professional Program

OR

ARCH 556: Advanced Structural Planning

Credit: 4 hours

Study of the loads, functional and spatial requirements, and construction problems in the selection and design of structural systems for buildings; cost estimates; and integration of mechanical and electrical equipment. Prerequisite: ARCH 552 and ARCH 553; credit or concurrent registration in ARCH 554 and ARCH 555, or consent of instructor.

Arch 571 Design: Detail & Architectonics

Credit: 6 hours

Design studio investigations of multiple techniques and methodologies addressing the design and fabrication of small scale architectural constructions, explorations of specific sites and places, and interdisciplinary projects.

Field trips may be required.

Prerequisite: Graduate Standing in Architecture. May be Repeated Once

ARCH 572 Design: Behavior & Environment

Credit: 6 hours

Design studio explorations responding to social, economic, political and behavioral dimensions of human existence and settlement. Projects investigate the experience of physical environments at the human scale and socially sustaining design strategies addressing diverse human needs. Field trips may be required.

Prerequisite: Graduate Standing in Architecture. May be Repeated Once

ARCH 573 Design: Technology & Performance

Credit: 6 hours

Design studio investigations of buildings and systems focusing on structure, enclosure, technology and performance. Integration of building materials, components and systems and their impact on the design, construction, and sustainability of buildings. Field trips may be required.
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing in Architecture. May be Repeated Once

Arch 574 Design: Arch/Urban & Preservation

Credit: 6 hours

Design studio investigations of issues that impact urban habitats, buildings and people. Architecture and urban design, preservation, and adaptation of new and existing buildings, cities, districts, public realms and urban environments. Designing and preserving buildings and communities in a sustainable manner. Field trips may be required.

Prerequisite: Graduate Standing in Architecture. May be Repeated Once

Arch 577 Design: Theory of Architecture

Credit: 3 hours

Review of principles of architectural design; factors in programming architectural requirements; design development; and evaluation and criticism.

Prerequisite: Graduate Standing in Architecture or consent of instructor. May be Repeated Once

NOTES:

Proposed School of Architecture Curriculum Policy for the completion of the four design course graduate core requirement.

1. Students are required to complete four 500 Level design courses in order to fulfill the M.Arch core design requirement. The four design courses which may be used are: ARCH 571, 572, 573, & 574

2. The four available studios are not sequential and no graduate studio is a prerequisite for another graduate studio

3. Students are not required to complete a studio from every category.

4. A maximum of two studios may each be repeated once. Studios may be taken in any combination with a maximum of two studios of any number and topic.

5. A maximum of 24 hours in the ARCH 571, 572, 573, & 574 design courses may be used for the M.Arch degree.

6. Graduate studios are open to all qualified graduate students and are therefore vertical studios.

7. Students will not repeat studios with the same instructor.