Bachelor of Science in Architecture
February 1
About
The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Architecture degree program offers innovative, modular curriculum leveraging the intellectual diversity of our faculty and giving you greater independence and flexibility to explore your interests.
Grounded in our tradition as one of the country’s first architecture programs and paired with our embrace of experimentation, our constantly evolving approach to architecture education will prepare you for a career built at Michigan and made for anywhere and everywhere you want to go.
A Gateway Degree to Many Fields of Study
The Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree prepares students for future work in a myriad of areas. After graduating, some students choose to pursue graduate studies in a professional Master of Architecture program in order to prepare for architectural licensure. Some pursue graduate study in related fields, including landscape architecture, engineering, art, construction, urban planning, urban design, or historic preservation, while others pursue graduate degrees in business or law, applying their design knowledge to these fields. Others find opportunities with architecture firms or in other related design occupations or use their degree as a springboard for creative work in unrelated fields.
Unique Features of Taubman College
Taubman College is one of the 19 schools and colleges within the University of Michigan. Our unique features include:
- a state-of-the-art digital fabrication laboratory
- a design studio measuring over 32,000 square feet
- extensive travel abroad opportunities
- a committed, energetic, award-winning faculty with a wide range of research and design interests
- a robust series of guest lectures and conferences
- a globally diverse student body
- a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio (junior/senior year studios)
/ Curriculum
Taubman College has an innovative curriculum for incoming Bachelor of Science in Architecture students. There are several areas of study which provide our students with an education that seeks to couple current learning styles with an inventive faculty who bring broad design interests. The modular curriculum ties into our long-standing liberal arts tradition (years 1 and 2) and more focused architectural curriculum (years 3 and 4).
Pre-Architecture Sequence
The pre-architecture sequence has a set of nine project-based modules. Each module is taught over seven weeks (half semester). Students are required to take any six modules in any sequence during the first two years. Widely spanning in content from the digital to analog, and from 2D to 3D, each module delivers an introductory exercise. Capacities will be built through aggregation, not sequential accumulation. Modules will assemble students with varying levels of experience, encouraging peer-to-peer learning, dialogue, and mentorship.
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.
/ First-Year Students
Important Dates
Early Action Deadline (For Dual Degree Applicants): November 1
Regular Decision Application Deadline: February 1
Portfolio Deadline: February 1
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Application Deadline: December – April 30
Enrollment Deposit Deadline: May 1
High school seniors are able to apply to the Taubman College of Architecture + Urban Planning via multiple pathways: dual degree admission, first-year admission (regular decision) or preferred admission.
Dual Degree Application
Because Freshman Admission to Taubman College is highly competitive, we encourage all high school seniors to apply Dual Degree to Taubman College and one of the following schools:
- College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA)
- College of Engineering
- Stamps School of Art & Design
Dual degree applicants can apply by the Early Action deadline (November 1) or the Regular Decision deadline. This option gives students two opportunities to be admitted to the University of Michigan, as well as the chance to be offered Preferred Admission Status should they not be offered First-Year Admission.
First-Year Admission
High school seniors have multiple options when they are ready to apply to Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning. To learn more about First-Year Admission and to apply, please visit our First-Year apply page.
Preferred Admission
Students admitted to the Taubman College Preferred Admission program are guaranteed a place in the Bachelor of Science in Architecture program as a junior once they have completed the necessary requirements in another University of Michigan school/college: the College of LS&A, the Stamps School of Art & Design, or the College of Engineering.
All high school seniors are encouraged to apply to the Preferred Admission program, whether or not they apply for First-Year Admission. The Preferred Admission program opens up another pathway for students to eventually enter the Bachelor of Science in Architecture curriculum.
To learn more about Preferred Admission and to apply, please visit our Preferred Admission apply page.
/ Cross Campus Transfers
Important Dates
Application Deadline: February 1
Portfolio Deadline: February 1
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Application Deadline: December – April 30
Enrollment Deposit Deadline: May 1
Cross-campus transfer students do not pay an enrollment deposit.
Students applying to transfer from a different U-M Ann Arbor school/college should complete a minimum of 55 credit hours and a maximum of 70 credit hours during their first two years on campus, including all of the prerequisite coursework outlined below.
If accepted to the Bachelor of Science in Architecture program, students will begin their Taubman coursework in the fall semester of their junior year.
Advising Appointments
Prospective cross-campus transfers are highly encouraged to meet with a Taubman College Admissions team member as they prepare to transfer. Students may schedule an appointment at Taubman College by emailing TaubmanCollegeAdmissions@umich.edu.
/ External Transfers
Important Dates
Application Deadline: February 1
Portfolio Deadline: February 1
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Application Deadline*: April 30
Enrollment Deposit Deadline: May 1
Required Summer Intensive Transfer Studio begins (Arch 302): Late June. The summer term start is the only permitted start term for new transfer students.
* Transfer students who seek financial aid (grants, loans, work-study) during the summer term are required to fill out the previous year’s FAFSA since that term is the end of that aid year. Then, for their first fall/winter semesters, the current FAFSA is required so transfer students need to complete two FAFSAs.
Transfer Admission: Summer Term Only Start
Students applying to transfer from an accredited community college, college, or university other than U-M are required to complete a minimum of 49 transferable credit hours, up to a maximum of 70 transferable credit hours of prerequisite courses at their college/university, including the required prerequisites outlined below.
Summer Term Intensive Studio
Meet with Us
Prospective transfer students are highly encouraged to meet with a Taubman College Admissions team member to ensure they are completing the necessary coursework. Please contact TaubmanCollegeAdmissions@umich.edu.
Required Prerequisite Courses
The following courses are required for transfer admission into the Bachelor of Science program and should be completed before external transfer students begin at Taubman junior year. Please use the course guides below and/or the U-M Transfer Equivalency Search to determine whether the course(s) you are taking are transferable.
| Course | Credits |
| 1 First Year Writing Requirement equivalent | 3-4 |
| 1 Calculus course | 4 |
| 2 Physics courses with labs | 8 |
| 2 introductory studio drawing/art courses | 6-8 |
| 2 Humanities Courses | 6 |
| 1 Natural Science Course | 3 |
| 2 Social Science Courses | 6 |
| Transferable Electives | 9-24 |
| TOTAL TRANSFERABLE CREDITS | 49-70 |
Technical Credits
Transfer Guides
If you are considering a transfer to Taubman College, we highly encourage you to contact the Taubman College Admissions team to have an estimate of transfer credit completed. Please see the transfer guides below. If the school that you are attending is not listed, please contact Taubman College Admissions for assistance.
- Adrian College
- Albion College
- Alma College
- Alpena Community College
- Andrews University
- Aquinas College
- Ball State University
- Bay College
- Bowling Green State University
- Calvin College
- Central Michigan University
- City Colleges Chicago
- College of DuPage
- Davenport University
- Delta College
- Eastern Michigan University
- Ferris State University
- Glen Oaks Community College
- Gogebic Community College
- Grand Rapids Community College
- Grand Valley State University
- Harold Washington Community College
- Henry Ford College
- Hope College
- Jackson College
- Kalamazoo Valley Community College
- Kellogg Community College
- Kirtland Community College
- Lake Michigan Community College
- Lansing Community College
- Lawrence Technological University
- Macomb Community College
- Michigan State University
- Michigan Tech University
- Mid-Michigan College
- Monroe County Community College
- Montcalm Community College
- Mott Community College
- Muskegon Community College
- North Central Community College
- Northern Michigan University
- Northwestern Michigan College
- Oakland Community College
- Oakland University
- Ohio State University
- Owens Community College
- Schoolcraft College
- Southwestern Community College
- Spring Arbor University
- St. Clair County Community College
- University of Michigan – Dearborn
- University of Michigan – Flint
- Washtenaw Community College
- Wayne County Community College
- Wayne State University
- West Shore Community College
- Western Michigan University
Sample Schedule
/ 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).
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 Development.
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).
Career
Taubman College Career and Professional Development offers a variety of programs, services and resources to assist students and alumni in exploring careers, securing positions and continuing skill development and management.
For additional information on career opportunities, visit our career and professional development page.
Student Profile
Andrea Pesce
B.S. Arch
