University Catalog

Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Urban Design

About This Program

The Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Urban Design degree combines a core liberal arts curriculum with a structured sequence of courses in sustainable urban design, landscape architecture, architecture, planning, and public affairs. In addition to these courses, students within the program select 18 hours of upper-level electives from a list that includes courses from many disciplines within the university.

In their first two years, students will complete a foundation curriculum (basic studies) taken by all undergraduates in the School of Architecture. In addition to work in the arts and sciences, Basic Studies includes all required core curriculum for the degree as well as 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, the student completes two years of major studies, an intensive series of courses and studios on the theory, history, skill, and practice of sustainable urban design.

Competencies

  1. Upon completion, students will demonstrate knowledge of environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, and resource conservation
  2. Upon completion, students will demonstrate understanding of climate-responsive design, including passive design strategies, energy use, and urban heat island mitigation.
  3. Upon completion, students will demonstrate familiarity with green building standards (e.g., LEED, BREEAM) and sustainable construction practices.


 
 

Admissions Criteria

Admission to the Sustainable Urban Design basic studies sequence is open to all students meeting the general requirements for entrance to the University.

MAJOR DECLARATION

To declare a major for a fall semester, qualified applicants will submit their request to declare a major in the Academic Advisor’s office at the completion of the spring semester of second year, by the program specified deadline.

Official records of coursework taken at other institutions or universities must be submitted to the CAPPA undergraduate advising office 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 and complete the program.

Curriculum

Foundations
General Core Requirements 42
Students must complete specific courses in certain core areas.
For Communication select:
RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION I
RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION II
For Creative Arts select:
INTRODUCTION TO ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIOR DESIGN
For Language, Philosophy & Culture select:
INTRODUCTION TO GLOBAL ISSUES
For Life & Physical Sciences select 2 from the following: 2
BIOLOGY FOR NON-SCIENCE MAJORS: LIFE ON EARTH
INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
GLOBAL WARMING
EARTH SYSTEMS
WEATHER AND CLIMATE
GEOLOGIC HAZARDS
ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT
For Mathematics select:
CONTEMPORARY MATHEMATICS
TRIGONOMETRY
For U.S. History select:
HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES TO 1865
TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE IN AMERICAN SOCIETY, I
HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1865 TO PRESENT
TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE IN AMERICAN SOCIETY, II
Sustainable Urban Design Foundations (Basic Studies)20
STUDENT SUCCESS
STUDENT SUCCESS
INTRODUCTION TO PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABLE URBAN DESIGN
DIGITAL METHODS IN SUSTAINABLE URBAN DESIGN
DESIGN COMMUNICATIONS
URBAN DIAGRAMMING AND COMMUNICATION I
URBAN DIAGRAMMING AND COMMUNICATION II
URBAN DESIGN STUDIO I: URBAN RESILIENCY
Sustainable Urban Design Specialization (Major Studies)25
HISTORY OF URBAN DESIGN, FORM, AND INFRASTRUCTURE
URBAN DESIGN STUDIO II: MOBILITY
URBAN SUSTAINABILITY CAPSTONE PREP
URBAN SUSTAINABILITY PROJECT CAPSTONE
URBAN DESIGN STUDIO III: CLIMATE CHANGE
URBAN DESIGN STUDIO IV: ADVANCED SUSTAINABLE URBAN DESIGN
Sustainability Specialization 21
Landscape Architecture
INTRODUCTION TO LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
ENVIRONMENTAL ART AND DATA VISUALIZATION
DESIGN AND HUMAN BEHAVIOR
Planning
SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES
INTRODUCTION TO GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
INTERMEDIATE GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Public Affairs
URBAN GEOGRAPHY
Electives12
Select 4 from the following (some options require prerequisites):
Architecture
ARCHITECTURE AND ENVIRONMENT 1
SITE DESIGN 1
HISTORY OF URBAN FORM 1
HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION 1
ENERGY USE AND CONSERVATION IN ARCHITECTURE 1
POLITICS AND PRACTICE OF PRESERVATION 1
Landscape Architecture
SITE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT PROCESSES
REGIONALISM, CREATIVITY, AND DESIGN
PLANT IDENTIFICATION AND ECOLOGY
Interior Design
HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION 1
Planning
INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL & SUSTAINABILITY STUDIES
THE METROPLEX
FOUNDATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND SUSTAINABILITY
GREEN CITIES AND TRANSPORTATION
Business
BUSINESS IN A GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT
Engineering
INTRODUCTION TO SUSTAINABLE ENGINEERING
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
Liberal Arts
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
UNIVERSAL DESIGN & ACCESSIBILITY IN THE PERFORMING ARTS
CITIES AND SUBURBS IN THE UNITED STATES
ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES
HISTORY OF THE DALLAS-FORT WORTH METROPLEX
UNIVERSAL DESIGN & ACCESSIBILITY IN THE PERFORMING ARTS
Science 2
BIOLOGY FOR NON-SCIENCE MAJORS: LIFE ON EARTH
THE SPATIAL HUMANITIES
EARTH SYSTEMS
Social Work
SOCIAL CLIMATE OF CITIES
Total Hours120

At least 36 hours must be 3000/4000 level.

1

Must be fully declared into the SUD major studies program for enrollment consideration into upper-level ARCH and INTD classes.

2

Courses on elective list taken as Life and Physical Science requirements cannot count for both. Classes can only be used to fulfill one requirement.

Suggested Plan of Study

First Year
Fall SemesterHoursSpring SemesterHours
ARCH 1101 or UNIV-AR 11311ENGL 13023
ARCH 13013MATH 13033
ENGL 13013POLS 23123
MATH 13013UDES 13043
UDES 13013UDES 24414
UDES 13413 
 16 16
Second Year
Fall SemesterHoursSpring SemesterHours
GLOBAL 23013HIST 13023
HIST 13013POLS 23113
PLAN 43563UDES 25515
UDES 24424Life & Physical Sciences Core3
Life & Physical Sciences Core3Social/Behavioral Sciences Core3
 16 17
Third Year
Fall SemesterHoursSpring SemesterHours
LARC 43003PAPP 43073
LARC 43243PLAN 43573
PLAN 43203UDES 33033
UDES 35525UDES 45515
 14 14
Fourth Year
Fall SemesterHoursSpring SemesterHours
UDES 43043LARC 43263
UDES 45525UDES 44044
SUD Elective3SUD Elective3
ENVR 13013SUD Elective3
 14 13
Total Hours: 120

FACILITATED ADMISSION to the MLA

The Master of Landscape Architecture offers outstanding graduating students from UTA's Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Urban Design program the opportunity to participate in a Facilitated Admissions program. See advisor for details.

Program Completion

In addition to CAPPA Undergraduate Policies, the following specific polices apply the Sustainable Urban Design BS.

Competence in Oral Presentations

Students obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Sustainable Urban Design demonstrate oral proficiency by taking and passing UDES 2551, UDES 3552, UDES 4551, and UDES 4552, or approved equivalents.

Competence in Computer Use

Students obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Sustainable Urban Design 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.

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

Web:

General advising

Future students