Courses

All courses carry 3 credits unless otherwise specified.

500 Graduate Design Studio I
Explores how a project is generated by careful attention to program and site. Credit, 6

501 Graduate Design Studio II
Studio projects emphasize project evolution through careful attention to program and site. Students analyze the physical spaces that surround them, considering materiality, dimension, color, and light. Exercises, including analysis of built projects, foster understanding of the history of the discipline and the importance of creative thinking. Emphasizes acquisition of skills necessary to communicate design intention. Credit, 6

510 Furniture Technology and Design
Drawing studio. Furniture design in drafting and sketch models only. One-of-a-kind and mass-produced furniture, free-standing and built-in architectural woodwork. Advanced drafting and small-scale sketch model making. Three furniture design projects in presentation drawings and/or models, plus materials and methods research, field trips, and special lectures.

520 Building Physics I
Includes studio. Energy conservation in contemporary residential construction. Emphasis on energy-efficient building materials, products, and construction technology; alternative energy sources; passive solar design; environmental concerns; regulatory issues and building codes.

540 Analysis and Representation I
Studio. Various media explored, including model making and digital media.

541 Analysis and Representation II
Visual communication skills necessary and related to interior/architectural design presentation. Black-and-white and color presentations. Techniques include perspectives, axonometrics, and medium exploration, including digital media and physical models.

550 Tectonics I
Analysis and review of the entire light-frame construction process, from regulation and design through site preparation, project management, and ultimate delivery of a completed structure. Manufactured products in building: cabinets, stairs, doors and exits, acoustics, and HVAC considerations.

600 Graduate Design Studio III
Principles and process of architectural design. Projects developed and presented by student with individual attention from instructor. Each project reviewed by open jury system with visiting critics. Readings from texts and journals. Design projects, sketch problems. Credit, 6

601 Graduate Design Studio IV
Several complex planning and design projects. Emphasis on refined planning and presentation techniques. Credit, 6

602 Graduate Design Studio V
Advanced architectural project. Emphasis on refined planning and presentation techniques. Credit, 6

620 Building Physics II
Importance of light in shaping physical environment. Topics include physics of light and color, photometics, daylighting, basic electricity, characteristics of different lamp sources and psychological impact of lighting. Studio exercises include design of an integrated lighting system.

630 Philosophy of Architecture and Design
Intensive reading and writing on the central theories and philosophies shaping architectural discourse in the 20th century, with emphasis on the period 1968 to the present. Concepts, techniques, and qualitative and quantitative approaches from the design professions.

650 Tectonics II
Introduction to the mechanical behavior of building materials. Basic structural concepts, including statics and strength of materials, addressed in a practical manner. Manufactured products in building: cabinets, stairs, doors and exits, acoustics, and HVAC considerations.

652 Building Physics III
Building HVAC systems and layout, basic thermodynamics, energy performance modeling and monitoring, integrated passive and active systems case studies and design.

653 Tectonics III
Addresses areas in advanced detailing, documentation, and design of large-scale structures, predominantly related to steel and concrete. Includes drawing assignments.

660 Business of Building
Introduction to issues affecting the operation of a professional design/architecture office: managing a project, contracts, marketing, scheduling, personnel, leadership, interpersonal communication, human behavior, finance, budgeting, and ethical and legal considerations.

670 Research Forum
Topics include design criticism, current design literature, man/environment problems, design education, sociology of design, energy conservation through design. Guest speakers, possibly one or two field trips. Each participant prepares a class presentation on a chosen topic.

700 Integration
Professional design procedures consisting of complete design solutions from start to finish of a project.

799 Master’s Thesis
Credit, 9.

Other courses are listed under the collaborating departments of Art, Art History, Building and Construction Technology, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning, and Mechanical Engineering.