The four-year Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree prepares students for challenging careers in industries that support the built environment. The program fosters creativity and problem-solving skills, provides access to extensive knowledge, and cultivates high levels of capability, interweaving the academic areas of design; architectural history, theory, and criticism; representation; building technology; as well as social, professional, and community engagement. Coursework encourages multidisciplinary and comparative perspectives that allow opportunities for communication and team-oriented methods of production. Global perspectives through mandatory semester-long study abroad and study away experiences and internships at national and international offices encourage students to bring the knowledge from the classroom out into the world and back to the university and their home communities to deepen lessons learned in a variety of contexts.

Students develop skills and acquire knowledge through a studio-based experience with a variety of theoretical, experimental, and practical design projects. Design studio projects place a shared emphasis on the technical and expressive content of design work; the processes by which students research, synthesize and document their design ideas; and create tangible products that achieve a high quality of graphic and physical craft.

The program encompasses a variety of design subjects that will enable students to pursue careers in graphic design, industrial design, interior design, robotics, and architecture design. Students interested in professional architecture registration must complete a National Architectural Accreditation Board (NAAB) accredited Master of Architecture program after completing the four-year undergraduate degree. Often, students earning the BS supplement their studies with Minors offered through the Department of Architecture. Those options include the Art and Architectural History, the Sustainable Architecture and Planning, Architectural Fabrication and Product Design, and Architectural Heritage Conservation.

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Must make a grade of C or better.

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To be selected from 100-499 level courses designated as cultural discourse (CD) not used elsewhere (such as CARC 101).

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Study away electives will be selected with approval of the Assistant Dean for International Programs and Initiatives.

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Select from ARCH 216, ARCH 246, ARCH 260, ARCH 317, ARCH 327, ARCH 328, ARCH 345, ARCH 421, ARCH 430, ARCH 433, ARCH 434, ARCH 438, ARCH 441, ARCH 458, ARCH 463, ARCH 481, ARCH 484; ARTS 330; COSC 253; GEOG 330; LAND 301; RWFM 375; URPN 340, URPN 361, URPN 370, URPN 470.

All proposals for undergraduate independent study must be signed by the supervising faculty and submitted to the department for approval; forms are available from the Department of Architecture Undergraduate Advisor. 

Students must also make a grade of C or better in any course used as an equivalent substitution for School of Architecture courses satisfying degree requirements.