Bachelor of Science in Architecture
About This Program
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 consists of 120 credit hours. Those pursuing a BS Arch degree will declare their major upon completion of all first-year courses. Students are expected to show consistent satisfactory progress toward completion of the degree.
The Master of Architecture offers outstanding graduating students from UTA's Bachelor of Science in Architecture program the opportunity to participate in a facilitated admissions program.
Competencies
- Upon completion, students will understand architectural history, theory, and principles in a global and cultural context.
- Upon completion, students will demonstrate creative and critical thinking skills in architectural design.
- Upon completion, students will be able to apply spatial reasoning and problem-solving in design solutions.
- Upon completion, students will be able to integrate aesthetics, function, and sustainability in architectural projects.
Admissions Criteria
Admission to the Architecture sequence is open to all students meeting the general requirements for entrance to the University. Please visit our website for the full application procedure, including important deadline information.
To declare a major (enter 2nd year) in Architecture and gain permission to enroll in BS ARCH courses:
- The student will have completed 1st year BS ARCH required classes with a grade of C or better.
- The student will have completed 1st year core classes recommended for the Architecture degree plan with grades of C or better within all Math and English courses.
- Have a minimum of a 2.8 GPA both overall at UT Arlington as well as within the Architecture sequence.
- Completion of the First Year portfolio review 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.
Programs Cohort
The undergraduate program in the School of Architecture at the University of Texas at Arlington is 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.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | Spring Semester | Hours |
| ARCH 1301 | 3 | ARCH 1302 | 3 |
| ARCH 1501 | 5 | ARCH 1502 | 5 |
| UNIV-AR 1131 or ARCH 1101 | 1 | ||
| 9 | 8 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Hours | Spring Semester | Hours |
| ARCH 2321 | 3 | ARCH 2303 | 3 |
| ARCH 2503 | 5 | ARCH 2504 | 5 |
| 8 | 8 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Hours | Spring Semester | Hours |
| ARCH 3322 | 3 | ARCH 3304 | 3 |
| ARCH 3325 | 3 | ARCH 3506 | 5 |
| ARCH 3505 | 5 | ||
| 11 | 8 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Hours | Spring Semester | Hours |
| ARCH 4327 | 3 | ARCH 4508 | 5 |
| ARCH 4507 | 5 | ADVANCED ARCH THEORY ELECTIVE | 3 |
| ADVANCED ARCH ELECTIVE | 3 | ADVANCED ARCH ELECTIVE | 3 |
| 11 | 11 | ||
| Total Hours: 74 | |||
Curriculum
| Foundations | ||
| General Core Requirements | 42 | |
| Students must complete specific courses in certain core areas. | ||
| For Communication select: | ||
| RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION I | ||
Any other approved core Communication course. | ||
| For Creative Arts select: | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO DESIGN IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT | ||
| For Life & Physical Science select: | ||
| GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS I | ||
| THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT AND HUMAN HEALTH | ||
or GEOL 1340 | WEATHER AND CLIMATE | |
or GEOL 1330 | GLOBAL WARMING | |
or PHYS 1351 | ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT | |
| For Mathematics select: | ||
| TRIGONOMETRY | ||
| For Component Area Option select: | ||
| ARCHITECTURAL CALCULUS WITH ANALYTIC GEOMETRY | ||
or MATH 1426 | CALCULUS I | |
| Architecture Foundations (Basic Studies) | ||
| Additional hours required in core. | 1 | |
| UNIV-AR 1131 | STUDENT SUCCESS | 1 |
| or ARCH 1101 | STUDENT SUCCESS | |
| Architecture Specialization (Major Studies) | ||
| ARCH 1302 | HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIOR DESIGN I: FOUNDATIONS | 3 |
| ARCH 2303 | HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE II: MODERNITY, MODERNISM AND CRISIS | 3 |
| ARCH 2321 | TECTONICS I: MATERIALS + MAKING | 3 |
| ARCH 3304 | HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE III: ANALYSIS OF BUILDINGS, DRAWINGS AND TEXTS | 3 |
| ARCH 3322 | TECTONICS II: FORCES | 3 |
| ARCH 3325 | TECTONICS III: ARCHITECTURE + THE ENVIRONMENT | 3 |
| ARCH 4327 | TECTONICS IV: RESILIENT SYSTEMS | 3 |
| ARCH 1501 | DESIGN STUDIO I: DRAWING + COMMUNICATION | 5 |
| ARCH 1502 | DESIGN STUDIO II: SPACE + FORM | 5 |
| ARCH 2503 | DESIGN STUDIO III: ELEMENTS + MATERIALITY | 5 |
| ARCH 2504 | DESIGN STUDIO IV: ASSEMBLY + EVENT | 5 |
| ARCH 3505 | DESIGN STUDIO V: PLACE + GROUND | 5 |
| ARCH 3506 | DESIGN STUDIO VI: SYSTEMS + CITIES | 5 |
| ARCH 4507 | DESIGN STUDIO VII: ENVIRONMENT + CULTURE | 5 |
| ARCH 4508 | DESIGN STUDIO VIII: AGENCY + RESILIENCE | 5 |
| Select any 4000-level ARCH in theory as approved by advisor. | 3 | |
| Select 6 hours of 4000-level ARCH courses. | 6 | |
| Select electives sufficient to complete 120 hours (with at least 36 at the 3000/4000 level). | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Suggested Course Sequence
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | Spring Semester | Hours |
| ARCH 1301 | 3 | ARCH 1302 | 3 |
| ARCH 1501 | 5 | ARCH 1502 | 5 |
| UNIV-AR 1131 or ARCH 1101 | 1 | ENGL 1302 (or other approved Communication course) | 3 |
| ENGL 1301 | 3 | MATH 1327 or 1426 | 3 |
| MATH 1303 | 3 | Government/Political Science | 3 |
| 15 | 17 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Hours | Spring Semester | Hours |
| ARCH 2321 | 3 | ARCH 2303 | 3 |
| ARCH 2503 | 5 | ARCH 2504 | 5 |
| U.S. History (part 1) | 3 | U.S. History (part 2) | 3 |
| PHYS 1441 | 4 | Governent/Political Science | 3 |
| ENVR 2314, GEOL 1330, GEOL 1340, or PHYS 1351 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 17 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Hours | Spring Semester | Hours |
| ARCH 3322 | 3 | ARCH 3304 | 3 |
| ARCH 3325 | 3 | ARCH 3506 | 5 |
| ARCH 3505 | 5 | Component Area Option | 3 |
| Social & Behavioral Science | 3 | Language, Philosophy & Culture | 3 |
| 14 | 14 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Hours | Spring Semester | Hours |
| ARCH 4327 | 3 | ARCH 4508 | 5 |
| ARCH 4507 | 5 | 4000-level ARCH theory elective | 3 |
| 4000-level ARCH elective | 3 | 4000-level ARCH elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 14 | 14 | ||
| Total Hours: 120 | |||
Program Completion
GRADES
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.
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.
Advising Resources
The College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs (CAPPA) at UT Arlington equips students with skills and knowledge to address real-world challenges in design, public policy, and research. Our Advising Office supports academic and career success. Explore our Future Students page to connect with an Academic Advisor and shape your future.
Location:
203 CAPPA Building
Email:
cappa.advising@uta.edu
Phone:
817-272-2801