This is an archived copy of the 2019-2020 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.uta.edu/.

Architecture - Undergraduate Programs

Bachelor's Degree

  • Bachelor of Science in Architecture

Minor Offered

Overview

The four-year Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree is a  four-year pre-professional degree program of studies comprising, with a later two-year graduate program, the six-year Master of Architecture curriculum. This sequence, called the 4 + 2 model, has been adopted by many major universities as the most effective way of combining liberal education with professional education. It provides the basis for various career possibilities, including the professional degree of Master of Architecture or the Master of Landscape Architecture; these advanced degrees are normally awarded after two years of graduate study (refer to the graduate catalog for details).

About Us

The Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree combines a core liberal arts curriculum with a structured sequence of courses in architecture and design. A large number of electives allows the student the flexibility to pursue special interests in the school and in the University. The four-year undergraduate architecture program (128 credit hours) consist of two two-year segments: Basic Studies and Major Studies.

The first two years (Basic Studies) is a foundation curriculum taken by all undergraduates at that level in the school. In addition to work in the arts and sciences, Basic Studies includes a series of lecture and studio courses which introduce the student to the concepts, history, skills, and vocabulary of design.

Following the two-year Basic Studies sequence, in the third and fourth years (Major Studies), the student concentrates in one of the design disciplines, taking courses and studios of a more advanced and professional nature. Those pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree follow the architecture sequence.

Studio Culture Policy

Advising:

BS ARCH Academic Advisor: Kelsey Childress

Assistant Director for Academic and  Student Affairs / Advising Coordinator:Cheryl Donaldson

Undergraduate Admissions Requirements

BS ARCH Program Director: Brad Bell

Admission to the architecture-intended program is open to all students meeting the general requirements for entrance to the University.

Major Studies: Admissions Requirements

To declare a major (enter 3rd year) in Architecture and gain permission to enroll in upper-level ARCH or INTD courses:

  • The student will have completed the final architecture-intended courses and core curriculum.
  • Have a minimum of a 2.8 GPA both overall at UT Arlington as well as within the major (first and second year ARCH courses).
  • Complete a Major Declaration form available through the School of Architecture

Prior to completing the application in the School of Architecture office, ALL required architecture-intended coursework must be completed.

GPA requirements may change based on changes in the curriculum of the program. Qualified students must meet the GPA requirements that are in place at the time they fulfill all other requirements to declare their major.

To declare a major for a fall semester, qualified applicants will submit their request to declare a major in the School of Architecture office at the completion of the spring semester, by the department specified deadline.

Students meeting the qualifications to declare a major during the summer or fall semesters will submit their request to declare a major at the completion of the fall semester, by the department specified deadline, for spring entrance consideration*.

Consideration for fall admission into the major studies programs for qualified summer applicants will be based on space availability.

Coursework taken at other institutions or universities must be noted on the application with accompanying attachments showing the completion of/or current attendance in the course(s). It is the student's responsibility to ensure that all coursework is transferred to the Office of Admissions at UT Arlington in a timely manner.

Upon entrance into the major studies programs, students will be required to maintain the minimum 2.8 GPAs both overall at UT Arlington and within the major to remain active and proceed within the program.

PROGRAMS COHORT

The undergraduate programs in the School of Architecture at the University of Texas at Arlington are organized in a structured cohort format.

What Is a Cohort?

A cohort is a group of students that follows the same set schedule and progresses through a program together.  The sequential scheduling of the courses promotes an interactive learning environment and facilitates networking opportunities and career-strengthening relationships.

How Does It Work?

The program consists of a sequence of courses that takes a minimum of eight semesters to complete. The courses are offered in specific semesters (Fall and Spring) that require the students to complete the prior level before proceeding to the next level. If a student gets off-track in the cohort, she/he must wait until the missing course(s) are offered again.

How Are the Courses Sequenced?

The major courses must be taken as follows (Please note: For every year listed below, 'First Semester' is Fall and 'Second Semester' is Spring):

Architecture Students Cohort

First Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
UNIV-AR 1131 or ARCH 11011ARCH 13423
ARCH 13013 
ARCH 13413 
 7 3
Second Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
ARCH 23033ARCH 23043
ARCH 25515ARCH 25525
 8 8
Third Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
ARCH 33233ARCH 33243
ARCH 33433ARCH 333113
ARCH 35535ARCH 33373
 ARCH 35545
 11 14
Fourth Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
ARCH 432113ARCH 45575
ARCH 45565 
 8 5
Total Hours: 64

Student Personal Laptop Policy

All declared Architecture and Interior Design majors admitted to the Third Year (Major Studies) are required to have a personal laptop computer configured to the specifications defined by the School of Architecture. Specifications may be found on the Architecture website: www.uta.edu/architecture/

Special Academic Requirements

GPA Requirements: Upon admission to the Major Studies, all declared majors must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.8 both within the major and in the cumulative GPA to continue in the upper level program to satisfy requirements for graduation.

Grade Requirements: A grade of C or higher must be earned in each School of Architecture course used for credit toward an undergraduate degree and minor offered by the school. A grade of C or higher must be earned in all required Math courses.

Repetition of Courses: Three attempts to achieve a satisfactory grade are permitted for each required course in the School of Architecture. Beyond that number of attempts, the student is denied access to the course in question, or to the sequence of courses for which it is requisite. Enrollment in the course for the time sufficient to receive a grade, including the grade W, is considered an attempt.

Transfer of Credit: The extent of credit toward degree requirements for academic work done elsewhere will be determined by the representatives of the appropriate program. Students applying to transfer credits from studio courses taken elsewhere must present examples of that work for evaluation.

Student Projects: The School of Architecture reserves the right to retain, copyright, use, exhibit, reproduce, and publish any work submitted for course credit. The student is encouraged to develop a portfolio of all work accomplished in advanced courses for future professional and academic uses.

Requirements for a Bachelor of Science Degree in Architecture

Architecture
UNIV-AR 1131STUDENT SUCCESS1
or ARCH 1101 ACADEMIC SUCCESS SKILLS IN ARCHITECTURE
ARCH 1301INTRODUCTION TO ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIOR DESIGN3
ARCH 1341DESIGN COMMUNICATIONS I3
ARCH 1342DESIGN COMMUNICATION II3
ARCH 2303HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN I3
ARCH 2304HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN II3
ARCH 2551BASIC DESIGN AND DRAWING I5
ARCH 2552BASIC DESIGN AND DRAWING II5
ARCH 3323CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND METHODS3
ARCH 3324STRUCTURES I3
ARCH 3331ARCHITECTURE AND ENVIRONMENT3
ARCH 3337SITE DESIGN3
ARCH 3343ARCHITECTURE COMPUTER GRAPHICS (DESIGN COMMUNICATION III)3
ARCH 3553DESIGN STUDIO: ARCHITECTURE I5
ARCH 3554DESIGN STUDIO: ARCHITECTURE II5
ARCH 4321STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS IN BUILDINGS3
ARCH 4556DESIGN STUDIO: ARCHITECTURE III5
ARCH 4557DESIGN STUDIO: ARCHITECTURE IV5
Communications
ENGL 1301RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION I3
ENGL 1302RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION II3
Political Science
POLS 2311GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES3
POLS 2312STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT3
History
HIST 1301HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES TO 18653
HIST 1302HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1865 TO PRESENT3
Mathematics
MATH 1303TRIGONOMETRY3
MATH 1327ARCHITECTURAL CALCULUS WITH ANALYTIC GEOMETRY3
or MATH 1426 CALCULUS I
Natural Science
PHYS 1441GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS I4
PHYS 1442GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS II4
Language, Philosophy & Culture Elective3
Literature
English or modern languages literature or other approved substitute3
Social & Behavioral Sciences Elective
Designated courses in social or cultural anthropology, archaeology, social/political/cultural geography, economics, psychology, sociology, classical studies, or linguistics3
University Elective
Selected from University course offerings and approved by the academic advisor2
Advanced Electives
Advanced architectural history3
Advanced architectural theory3
Advanced architectural elective3
Advanced courses selected by the student with the advice, counsel, and approval of the designated undergraduate advisor for the option12
Total Hours128

A least 36 hours must be 3000/4000 level.

Suggested Course Sequence

First Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
UNIV-AR 1131 or ARCH 11011ARCH 13423
ARCH 13013ENGL 13023
ARCH 13413HIST 13013
ENGL 13013MATH 13273
MATH 13033Social & Behavioral Sciences Elective3
POLS 23123 
 16 15
Second Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
ARCH 23033ARCH 23043
ARCH 25515ARCH 25525
HIST 13023Literature Elective3
PHYS 14414PHYS 14424
Language, Philosophy & Culture Elective3POLS 23113
 18 18
Third Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
ARCH 33233ARCH 33243
ARCH 33433ARCH 33313
ARCH 35535ARCH 33373
Advanced ARCH Elective3ARCH 35545
University Elective2 
 16 14
Fourth Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
ARCH 43213ARCH 45575
ARCH 45565Advanced ARCH Theory Elective3
Advanced ARCH History Elective3Advanced Electives6
Advanced Electives6 
 17 14
Total Hours: 128

Competence in Oral Presentations

Students obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture demonstrate oral proficiency by taking and passing ARCH 2551, ARCH 2552, ARCH 3553, ARCH 3554, ARCH 4556, and ARCH 4557 or approved equivalents.

Competence in Computer Use

Students obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture can demonstrate computer proficiency by:

  • Taking and passing ENGL 1301 or ENGL 1302 at UT Arlington in a computer classroom environment or ENGL 3372, ENGL 3374, CSE 1301 (or equivalent), or any other class approved by the Undergraduate Assembly.

  • Passing the University computer literacy examination.

Studio Culture Policy

Minors Advising (all minors):

arch.advising@uta.edu

Minor in Architecture History

Minor Director: Dr. Douglas Klahr

The school offers numerous courses from which to select the 18 hours required for the Architecture History minor.

Students who choose to pursue the minor in History of Architecture must complete our 6 hours of core courses (ARCH 2303 and ARCH 2304).

Upon completion of the two core classes, students must select an additional 12 hours from our other Architecture History courses.

CORE6
ARCH 2303HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN I3
ARCH 2304HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN II3
ADDITIONAL 4 ARCH HISTORY COURSES12
ARCH 3312HISTORY OF CONTEMPORARY THEORY3
ARCH 4305THE CITY OF ROME3
ARCH 4307THE LIFE OF CITIES3
ARCH 4308HISTORY OF URBAN FORM3
ARCH 4315TOPICS IN THE HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN (as topic varies) 13
ARCH 4316MODERN ARCHITECTURE I3
ARCH 4317MODERN ARCHITECTURE II3
ARCH 4353HISTORY OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE3
Total Hours18

Minor in Environmental and Sustainability Studies

Minor Director: Dr. Douglas Klahr

The University offers a variety courses from which to select the 18 hours required for the Environmental and Sustainability Studies minor.

Students are required to take one core course, ESST 2300: Introduction to Environmental and Sustainability Studies, which surveys topics and methods in interdisciplinary studies of sustainability and the environment. This course should be taken in the freshman or sophomore year.

An additional 15 hours of coursework is to be completed from the list of courses below (or others approved by the ESS advisor). At least one course must be taken in each of the two groups. Students are encouraged to inquire about other courses that might qualify for credit. At least 6 hours must be taken as 3000- or 4000-level courses. Additional courses are expected to be approved each semester, so students are encouraged to consult regularly with the advisor. *Students may be allowed to take additional classes from alternate group with advisor approval.

CORE3
ESST 2300INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL & SUSTAINABILITY STUDIES3
FIELD OF INTEREST [4 courses] (choose group)12
Group 1: Liberal Arts, Social Sciences, and Business
or
Group 2: Natural Sciences and Engineering
ALTERNATE GROUP [1 course]3
Total Hours18

Minor in Urban and Public Affairs

Minor Director: Dr. Alejandro Rodriguez

The University offers numerous courses from which to select the 18 hours required for a minor.

The Urban Affairs minor is for students interested in complementing their academic career with a broader understanding of Urban Affairs, Urban Planning and the Environment, or Public Administration.

Students are required to take two core courses, PLAN 1301: Intro to Urban Life and PLAN 3301: The Metroplex,

Students pursuing the minor complete the 2 required core courses then select 4 courses (12 hours) from one of the fields of interest.

CORE6
PLAN 1301INTRODUCTION TO URBAN LIFE3
PLAN 3301THE METROPLEX3
FIELD OF INTEREST [4 courses] (choose group)12
Group 1: Public Administration
or
Group 2: Urban Affairs
Total Hours18