The Major

The BS in Architecture is an interdisciplinary major that integrates architecture and design. The program (housed in the Department of Architecture) has an interdepartmental curriculum including coursework in studio arts, art history, environmental design, landscape architecture and regional planning, engineering, and building materials. This degree provides students broad exposure to aspects of building and material science as well as a variety of cultural, environmental, and historical perspectives, preparing them to make innovative and integrated contributions as architects and designers.

Concentrations

There are two concentrations: Architecture Studies and Design Studies.

The Architecture Studies concentration is intended for students who plan to pursue a professional graduate degree in architecture. It requires more courses in architecture studios, architectural history, and building technologies.

The Design Studies concentration is intended for students who transfer to the department or who have a broader interest in the design fields. It has more flexibility in requirements for studio, history, and technology. Because it has fewer requirements, it will also allow students to double major.

In the United States, most state registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a prerequisite for licensure. The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), which is the sole agency authorized to accredit U.S. professional degree programs in architecture, recognizes three types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture, and the Doctor of Architecture. A program may be granted a 6-year, 3-year, or 2-year term of accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established educational standards.

Doctor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degree programs may consist of a preprofessional undergraduate degree (such as the BS Architecture) and a professional graduate degree that, when earned sequentially, constitute an accredited professional education. However, the preprofessional degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.

Requirements

The Architecture major will require the following core courses applicable to every student (all courses are 3 credits unless otherwise noted):

• Math/Physics: 3 courses
  
  • MATH 104 Algebra, Analytic Geometry, and Trigonometry
  • MATH 127 Calculus for Life and Social Sciences I
  • PHYS 131 Intro Physics I (plus Lab) (4 cr)

• Foundations: 4 courses
  
  • ART 110 Basic Studio/Drawing
  • ART 120 Drawing Composition
  • ART 131 Foundation Studio I 
  • ART 142 Foundation Studio II 
  • Or other 100- and 200-level studios approved by the advisor

• Design/Graphics: 4 courses
  
  • ARCH 300 Design I (4 cr)
  • ARCH 301 Design II (4 cr)
  • ARCH 540 Analysis and Representation I
  • ARCH 541 Analysis and Representation II

• History/Theory: 3 courses
• ART-HIST 115 Visual Arts, Artists, and Cultures (or another art survey course such as ART-HIST 100 or 110) (4 cr)
• ART-HIST 118 History of Architecture and the Built Environment (4 cr)
• ARCH 370 Junior Year Writing

The Architecture Studies concentration will require the following additional courses:

• Design/Graphics: 3 courses
  
  • ARCH 400 Design III (4 cr)
  • ARCH 401 Design IV (5 cr)
  • ARCH 403 Design V (6 cr) or ARCH 404 Design VI (6 cr)

• History/Theory: 1 course
  
  • ART-HIST 343 20th Century Architecture

• Technology: 2 courses
  
  • BCT 211 Energy Efficient Housing
  • BCT 313 Principles of Light Frame Structure Technology
  • Or ARCH 550 Tectonics I
  • Or ARCH 520 Building Physics I
   
• Directed Electives: minimum 12 credits
• 200+ level elective courses in design-related fields developed in consultation with and approved by the faculty advisor.

The Design Studies concentration will require the following additional courses:

• Design/Graphics: 2 courses
  
  • ARCH 400 Design III (4 cr)
  • ARCH 401 Design IV (5 cr) or ARCH 403 Design V (6 cr)

• Technology: 2 200+ level building technology-focused courses. We suggest the following:
  
  • BCT 211  Energy Efficient Housing
  • BCT 313  Principles of Light Frame Structure Technology
  • Or other 200+ level courses approved by the advisor
   
• History/Theory: 1 architecture-focused course. We suggest the following:
  
  • ART-HIST 343 20th Century Architecture
  • Or other course approved by the advisor

• Directed Electives: minimum 9 credits
• 200+ level elective courses in design-related fields developed in consultation with and approved by the faculty advisor.

Other Requirements of the Major

• Computers: Students are required to provide their own laptop computers and software, to specifications provided by Program, for all ARCH design and graphics classes.

Admission to the Major

Admission to the Architecture major will require successful portfolio review in addition to fulfillment of the standard University admission requirements.

High school seniors

High school seniors with exceptional visual arts backgrounds can apply directly to the Architecture major when they apply for admission to the University, subject to portfolio review.

Transfer students

Current UMass Amherst students in other majors (or undeclared/exploratory status) can apply directly to the Architecture major while taking foundations level studios and art history survey courses, subject to portfolio review. Due to the requirements of the program, current UMass students must apply during their first year at UMass.

External transfer students with strong visual arts backgrounds can apply directly to the major when applying to the University, subject to portfolio and transcript review.

MassTransfer Students should refer to the UMass Amherst MassTransfer web page. They should also consult with their community college transfer advisor or contact a transfer counselor in the UMass Amherst Admissions Office.  MassTransfer applicants must also submit a portfolio and transcript directly to the Architecture Department.

See the Getting Started page on the left to learn more about joining the major