B.S. in Architecture
Degree Information
Curriculum
Taubman College offers an innovative curriculum for incoming Bachelor of Science in Architecture students. Our program features multiple areas of study that combine contemporary learning approaches with a creative faculty bringing diverse design expertise. This modular curriculum builds on our enduring liberal arts foundation (years 1 and 2) and transitions into a more specialized architectural focus (years 3 and 4). The curriculum is subject to change.
Modular Curriculum
In your first two years, rather than following a preset course sequence, you will select any 6 of 9 project-based modules. Widely spanning in content from the digital to analog, and from 2D to 3D, these modules offer a format that combines students with varying levels of experience, encouraging peer-to-peer learning, dialogue, and mentorship. The B.S. Architecture studio module courses are: half-semester courses, taken in any order, and 2 credits each. A total of 6 are taken.
Fourth Year Dual Path
In the fourth year, acknowledging a growing diversity in the student body, students can choose two paths to the B.S. degree – one emphasizing a professional direction which will likely abbreviate the duration of one’s Master of Architecture education and one emphasizing research or interdisciplinary thinking. These two tracks are not mutually exclusive, as students may opt to take some combination of the two.
Sample Schedule
Taubman College launched a new curriculum for incoming Bachelor of Science in Architecture students. The key changes center on several areas of study and will provide our students with an education that seeks to couple current learning styles with an inventive faculty who bring broad design interests. The changes will tie into our long-standing liberal arts tradition (years 1 and 2) and more focused architectural curriculum (years 3 and 4). The curriculum is subject to change.
Sample First Year
| Fall Term | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 208 | Design Foundations | 3 |
| ARCH 251-259 | Foundational Studio Modules (6 of 9 required over Year 1 and 2) |
2-4 |
| First Year Writing Requirement | 4 | |
| Humanities Elective | 3-4 | |
| Total | 12-15 | |
| Winter Term | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 251-259 | Foundational Studio Modules (6 of 9 required over Year 1 and 2) |
2-4 |
| MATH 115 | Calculus I | 4 |
| Humanities Elective | 3-4 | |
| Social Science Elective | 3-4 | |
| Total | 12-16 | |
Sample Second Year
| Fall Term | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 251-259 | Foundational Studio Modules (6 of 9 required over Year 1 and 2) |
2-4 |
| ARCH 313 | History of Architecture I | 3 |
| Natural Science Elective | 3-4 | |
| Social Science Elective | 3-4 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Total | 14-18 | |
| Winter Term | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 251-259 | Foundational Studio Modules (6 of 9 required over Year 1 and 2) |
2-4 |
| ARCH 323 | History of Architecture II | 3 |
| PHYSICS 121 | Physics for Architects | 5 |
| Open Elective | 6 | |
| Total | 16-18 | |
**Electives must include courses in architectural history (ARCH 313 and ARCH 323), humanities, natural science, and social sciences if these courses were not completed in the first and sophomore years. The number of electives required will vary based on the number of credits from Years 1 and 2.
Sample Third Year
| Fall Term | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 312 | UG1 Studio | 6 |
| ARCH 316 | Design Fundamentals I | 3 |
| ARCH 317 | Construction I | 3 |
| **Open Elective | 3-4 | |
| Total | 15-16 | |
| Winter Term | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 322 | Architectural Design | 6 |
| ARCH 326 | Design Fundamentals II | 3 |
| ARCH 425 | Environmental Systems | 3 |
| **Open Elective | 3 | |
| Total | 15 | |
**Electives must include courses in architectural history (ARCH 313 and ARCH 323), humanities, natural science, and social sciences if these courses were not completed in the first and sophomore years. The number of electives required will vary based on the number of credits from Years 1 and 2.
Sample Fourth Year
| Fall Term | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 432 | UG3 Studio | 6 |
| ARCH 314 | Structures I | 3 |
| ARCH Elective (300/400 level) | 3 | |
| **Open Elective | 3-6 | |
| Total | 15-18 | |
| Winter Term | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 442 | UG4 Studio | 6 |
| ARCH 324 | Structures II | 3 |
| **Open Elective (2) | 6 | |
| Total | 15 | |
**Electives must include courses in architectural history (ARCH 313 and ARCH 323), humanities, natural science, and social sciences if these courses were not completed in the first and sophomore years. The number of electives required will vary based on the number of credits from Years 1 and 2.
Academic Minors
Students in the architecture program have the option of electing one or more academic minors offered by departments across campus. Taubman College offers one minor: Real Estate.
Minors are intended to recognize the completion of a coherent sequence of courses in a particular academic area. They also serve as recognition, via the transcript notation, of the completion of a more in-depth course sequence.
Students are also welcome to complete any other student-initiated major or minor with other departments or schools on campus. The student must work directly with both departments to satisfy all requirements for both programs, allowing them to earn a minor or second area of concentration (major).
To initiate a minor, a student must meet with an advisor in the minor discipline and together with that advisor determine the necessary minor courses. The certification that the appropriate courses have been completed will be communicated from the department offering the minor to the Taubman College registrar. The student will be responsible for making sure this paperwork arrives at the appropriate offices.
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