Architecture - Undergraduate Programs
Bachelor's Degree
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) consists of two two-year segments: Basic Studies and Major Studies. Students are expected to show consistent satisfactory progress toward completion of the degree.
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 that 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.
Advising:
BS ARCH Interim Program Director: Donald Gatzke
Program Asst. Director: Josh Nason
Director for Academic Affairs and Advising: Cheryl Donaldson
Prospective / Future Students Info
Undergraduate Admissions Requirements
Admission to the Architecture Basic Studies sequence is open to all students meeting the general requirements for entrance to the University. Please visit our website for our full admissions requirements.
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 Architecture Basic Studies sequence with a grade of C or better within each major course (ARCH+INTD).
- The student will have completed the core curriculum required for the Architecture degree plan with grades of C or better within all Math and Physics courses.
- Have a minimum of a 2.8 GPA both overall at UT Arlington as well as within the Architecture Basic Studies sequence.
- Completion of the First Year Foundation Competency portfolio review (FYPR) evaluations.
- Complete a Major Declaration form available through the School of Architecture
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.
Official records of coursework taken at other institutions or universities must be submitted to the advising office of the School of Architecture before a student can file a Major Declaration form. 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.
first year foundations competency
The School of Architecture requires a First Year Foundations Competency that is evaluated through a two-part First Year Portfolio Review (FYPR1 & FYPR2). All students with the intent of pursuing the BS.ARCH or BS.INTD degree are required to participate in the FYPR. All transfer students will also be required to submit a portfolio via our portfolio portal. The portfolio review will determine areas of concern and provide academic advisors with insight for student’s success.
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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | Spring Semester | Hours |
| UNIV-AR 1131 or ARCH 1101 | 1 | ARCH 1342 | 3 |
| ARCH 1301 | 3 | ||
| ARCH 1341 | 3 | ||
| 7 | 3 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Hours | Spring Semester | Hours |
| ARCH 2303 | 3 | ARCH 2304 | 3 |
| ARCH 2551 | 5 | ARCH 2552 | 5 |
| 8 | 8 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Hours | Spring Semester | Hours |
| ARCH 3323 | 3 | ARCH 3324 | 3 |
| ARCH 3343 | 3 | ARCH 33611 | 3 |
| ARCH 3553 | 5 | ARCH 33641 | 3 |
| ARCH 3554 | 5 | ||
| 11 | 14 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Hours | Spring Semester | Hours |
| ARCH 43621 | 3 | ARCH 4557 | 5 |
| ARCH 4556 | 5 | ||
| 8 | 5 | ||
| Total Hours: 64 | |||
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Course may be offered both Fall and Spring semesters.
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 and Physics courses. Grades of P are not acceptable for classes in which a grade of C or higher is required.
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.
Policy for Classroom + Studio Non-registered Attendees: The following policy applies to scheduled courses and academic activities in the School of Architecture, including undergraduate and graduate programs in Architecture and Interior Design. The policy is effective January 1, 2024 and complies with University of Texas at Arlington EI-PO-11, the Texas Education Code Section 51.982, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.
Only assigned instructors, enrolled students, invited guests and other individuals who have received the instructors’ permission in advance are permitted in scheduled classes within CAPPA buildings. Unenrolled students, dependent minors of enrolled students or guests without instructors’ permission are not permitted within the assigned classroom during any scheduled class. Other faculty engaged in peer review or other sanctioned academic responsibilities may attend as warranted and with consent of the instructor for the course or program director.
On occasion, due to extenuating circumstances, it is understood that an enrolled student who is a parent may have no other childcare choice than to have their child brought to the learning environment. In these circumstances, suspension of the above policy may be permitted by the instructor on a limited basis, to be designated by the instructor. Prohibited Minors: Persons under the age of ten (10) are not permitted in any laboratory (studio).
Independent Study Policy (ARCH 4191, ARCH 4391): For students interested in completing Independent Study, independent studies are limited to no more than six (6) total hours during their undergraduate degree pursuit with the program. No more than three (3) credit hours of independent study is allowed in one semester. All Independent Studies must adhere to the following process:
- The student must have minimum 3.0 GPAs both overall at UTA and within the major.
- The Independent Study subject/purpose must not be covered in the regular curriculum.
- The student will develop and write an independent study proposal and find a sponsoring faculty member to supervise the independent study.
- The faculty member, if agreeable to supervise the independent study, must complete a submit a CAPPA Independent Study form with a detailed outline on what the independent study will cover, why it is needed, and how many credits are requested.
- The faculty member will submit the completed/signed form to the CAPPA undergraduate advising office at arch.advising@uta.edu.
- The Independent Study request is subject to administrative approval.
Any independent study from programs outside of the student's current major are still subject to the Independent Study Policy above for consideration of application to the degree.
Requirements for a Bachelor of Science Degree in Architecture
| Architecture | ||
| UNIV-AR 1131 | STUDENT SUCCESS | 1 |
| or ARCH 1101 | ACADEMIC SUCCESS SKILLS IN ARCHITECTURE | |
| ARCH 1301 | INTRODUCTION TO ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIOR DESIGN | 3 |
| ARCH 1341 | DESIGN COMMUNICATIONS I | 3 |
| ARCH 1342 | DESIGN COMMUNICATIONS II | 3 |
| ARCH 2303 | HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIOR DESIGN I | 3 |
| ARCH 2304 | HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIOR DESIGN II | 3 |
| ARCH 2551 | BASIC DESIGN AND DRAWING I | 5 |
| ARCH 2552 | BASIC DESIGN AND DRAWING II | 5 |
| ARCH 3323 | CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND METHODS | 3 |
| ARCH 3324 | STRUCTURES I | 3 |
| ARCH 3343 | ARCHITECTURE COMPUTER GRAPHICS (DESIGN COMMUNICATION III) | 3 |
| ARCH 3361 | ARCHITECTURE AND ENVIRONMENT | 3 |
| ARCH 3364 | SITE DESIGN | 3 |
| ARCH 3553 | DESIGN STUDIO: ARCHITECTURE I | 5 |
| ARCH 3554 | DESIGN STUDIO: ARCHITECTURE II | 5 |
| ARCH 4362 | STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS IN BUILDINGS | 3 |
| ARCH 4556 | DESIGN STUDIO: ARCHITECTURE III | 5 |
| ARCH 4557 | DESIGN STUDIO: ARCHITECTURE IV | 5 |
| Communications | ||
| ENGL 1301 | RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION I | 3 |
| ENGL 1302 | RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION II | 3 |
| Political Science | ||
| POLS 2311 | GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES | 3 |
| POLS 2312 | STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT | 3 |
| History | ||
| HIST 1301 | HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES TO 1865 | 3 |
| HIST 1302 | HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1865 TO PRESENT | 3 |
| Mathematics | ||
| MATH 1303 | TRIGONOMETRY | 3 |
| MATH 1327 | ARCHITECTURAL CALCULUS WITH ANALYTIC GEOMETRY | 3 |
| or MATH 1426 | CALCULUS I | |
| Natural Science | ||
| PHYS 1441 | GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS I | 4 |
| PHYS 1442 | GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS II | 4 |
| Language, Philosophy & Culture Elective | 3 | |
| Literature | ||
| English or modern languages literature or other approved substitute | 3 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences Elective | ||
| Designated courses in social or cultural anthropology, archaeology, social/political/cultural geography, economics, psychology, sociology, classical studies, or linguistics | 3 | |
| University Elective | ||
| Selected from University course offerings and approved by the academic advisor | 2 | |
| Advanced Electives | ||
| Advanced architectural history | 3 | |
| Advanced architectural theory | 3 | |
| Advanced architectural elective | 3 | |
| Advanced courses selected by the student with the advice, counsel, and approval of the designated undergraduate advisor for the option | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 128 | |
A least 36 hours must be 3000/4000 level.
Suggested Course Sequence
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | Spring Semester | Hours |
| UNIV-AR 1131 or ARCH 1101 | 1 | ARCH 1342 | 3 |
| ARCH 1301 | 3 | ENGL 1302 | 3 |
| ARCH 1341 | 3 | HIST 1301 | 3 |
| ENGL 1301 | 3 | MATH 1327 | 3 |
| MATH 1303 | 3 | Social & Behavioral Sciences Elective | 3 |
| POLS 2312 | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Hours | Spring Semester | Hours |
| ARCH 2303 | 3 | ARCH 2304 | 3 |
| ARCH 2551 | 5 | ARCH 2552 | 5 |
| HIST 1302 | 3 | PHYS 1442 | 4 |
| PHYS 1441 | 4 | POLS 2311 | 3 |
| Language, Philosophy, & Culture Elective | 3 | Literature Elective | 3 |
| 18 | 18 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Hours | Spring Semester | Hours |
| ARCH 3323 | 3 | ARCH 3324 | 3 |
| ARCH 3343 | 3 | ARCH 3361 | 3 |
| ARCH 3553 | 5 | ARCH 3364 | 3 |
| Adv. ARCH History or Adv. ARCH Elective | 3 | ARCH 3554 | 5 |
| University Elective | 2 | ||
| 16 | 14 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Hours | Spring Semester | Hours |
| ARCH 4362 | 3 | ARCH 4557 | 5 |
| ARCH 4556 | 5 | Adv. ARCH Theory Elective | 3 |
| Adv. ARCH or Adv. ARCH History Elective | 3 | Advanced Elective | 3 |
| Advanced Elective | 3 | Advanced Elective | 3 |
| Advanced Elective | 3 | ||
| 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.
- *
Plan requirements/classes are subject to change. As needed, students may be changed into the most current plan. Any changes will not impact the student's graduation timeline.
Minors Advising:
Director for Academic Affairs & Advising: Cheryl Donaldson
Minor in Architecture History
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.
| CORE | 6 | |
| ARCH 2303 | HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIOR DESIGN I | 3 |
| ARCH 2304 | HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIOR DESIGN II | 3 |
| ADDITIONAL 4 ARCH HISTORY COURSES | 12 | |
| ARCH 3312 | HISTORY OF CONTEMPORARY THEORY | 3 |
| ARCH 4305 | THE CITY OF ROME | 3 |
| ARCH 4307 | THE LIFE OF CITIES | 3 |
| ARCH 4308 | HISTORY OF URBAN FORM | 3 |
| ARCH 4309 | MUSEUMS: HISTORY, CULTURE, DESIGN | 3 |
| ARCH 4310 | SKYSCRAPER HISTORIES | 3 |
| ARCH 4315 | TOPICS IN THE HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN (as topic varies) 1 | 3 |
| ARCH 4316 | MODERN ARCHITECTURE I | 3 |
| ARCH 4317 | MODERN ARCHITECTURE II | 3 |
| ARCH 4322 | ARCHITECTURE + POLITICS | 3 |
| ARCH 4340 | MODERN + CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE IN MEXICO | 3 |
| ARCH 4353 | HISTORY OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE | 3 |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
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A Special Topics courses whose offerings continually are changing.
Minor in Environmental and Sustainability Studies
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 or CE 2300: Introduction to Sustainable Engineering, 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.
| CORE | 3 | |
| ESST 2300 | INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL & SUSTAINABILITY STUDIES | 3 |
| or CE 3300 | INTRODUCTION TO SUSTAINABLE ENGINEERING | |
| FIELD OF INTEREST [4 courses] (choose group) | 12 | |
| Group 1: Liberal Arts, Social Sciences, and Business (CAPPA, COBA, COLA, SSW) | ||
| or | ||
| Group 2: Natural Sciences and Engineering (COS, COE) | ||
| ALTERNATE GROUP [1 course] | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Minor in Urban and Public Affairs
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.
| CORE | 6 | |
| PLAN 1301 | INTRODUCTION TO URBAN LIFE | 3 |
| PLAN 3301 | THE METROPLEX | 3 |
| FIELD OF INTEREST [4 courses] (choose group) | 12 | |
| Group 1: Public Administration | ||
| or | ||
| Group 2: Urban Affairs | ||
| Total Hours | 18 | |