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
- Upon completion, students will demonstrate knowledge of environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, and resource conservation
- Upon completion, students will demonstrate understanding of climate-responsive design, including passive design strategies, energy use, and urban heat island mitigation.
- 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 | ||
Another Communication class | ||
| For Creative Arts select: | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO DESIGN IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT | ||
| For Language, Philosophy & Culture select: | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO GLOBAL ISSUES | ||
| For Life & Physical Sciences select 2 from the following: 2 | ||
| BIOLOGY II FOR NON-SCIENCE MAJORS | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE | ||
| GLOBAL WARMING | ||
| EARTH SYSTEMS | ||
| WEATHER AND CLIMATE | ||
| NATURAL DISASTERS AND HAZARDS | ||
| ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT | ||
| For Mathematics select: | ||
| TRIGONOMETRY | ||
| For Component Area Option (2 courses required): | ||
Any Core Approved Mathematics Course | ||
Any Core Approved Second Course | ||
| Sustainable Urban Design Foundations (Basic Studies) | ||
| UDES 1101 | ACADEMIC SUCCESS SKILLS IN SUSTAINABLE URBAN DESIGN | 1 |
| or UNIV-AR 1131 | STUDENT SUCCESS | |
| UDES 1301 | INTRODUCTION TO PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABLE URBAN DESIGN | 3 |
| UDES 1304 | DIGITAL METHODS IN SUSTAINABLE URBAN DESIGN | 3 |
| UDES 1341 | DESIGN COMMUNICATIONS | 3 |
| UDES 2441 | URBAN DIAGRAMMING AND COMMUNICATION I | 4 |
| UDES 2442 | URBAN DIAGRAMMING AND COMMUNICATION II | 4 |
| UDES 2551 | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO I: URBAN RESILIENCY | 5 |
| Sustainable Urban Design Specialization (Major Studies) | ||
| UDES 3303 | HISTORY OF URBAN DESIGN, FORM, AND INFRASTRUCTURE | 3 |
| UDES 3552 | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO II: MOBILITY | 5 |
| UDES 4304 | URBAN SUSTAINABILITY CAPSTONE PREP | 3 |
| UDES 4404 | URBAN SUSTAINABILITY PROJECT CAPSTONE | 4 |
| UDES 4551 | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO III: CLIMATE CHANGE | 5 |
| UDES 4552 | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO IV: ADVANCED SUSTAINABLE URBAN DESIGN | 5 |
| Sustainability Specialization | ||
| Landscape Architecture | ||
| LARC 4300 | INTRODUCTION TO LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE | 3 |
| LARC 4324 | ENVIRONMENTAL ART AND DATA VISUALIZATION | 3 |
| LARC 4326 | DESIGN AND HUMAN BEHAVIOR | 3 |
| Planning | ||
| PLAN 4320 | SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES | 3 |
| PLAN 4356 | INTRODUCTION TO GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS | 3 |
| PLAN 4357 | INTERMEDIATE GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS | 3 |
| Public Affairs | ||
| PAPP 4307 | URBAN GEOGRAPHY | 3 |
| Electives | 9 | |
| Select 3 from the following (some options require prerequisites): | ||
| Architecture | ||
| ARCHITECTURE AND ENVIRONMENT 1 | ||
| SITE DESIGN 1 | ||
| HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION 1 | ||
| ENERGY USE AND CONSERVATION IN ARCHITECTURE 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 II FOR NON-SCIENCE MAJORS | ||
| THE SPATIAL HUMANITIES | ||
| EARTH SYSTEMS | ||
| Social Work | ||
| SOCIAL CLIMATE OF CITIES | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
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 Semester | Hours | Spring Semester | Hours |
| UDES 1101 or UNIV-AR 1131 | 1 | Communication | 3 |
| ARCH 1301 | 3 | Government/Political Science | 3 |
| ENGL 1301 | 3 | MATH 1303 | 3 |
| UDES 1301 | 3 | UDES 1304 | 3 |
| UDES 1341 | 3 | UDES 2441 | 4 |
| Component Area Option - Mathematics | 3 | ||
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Hours | Spring Semester | Hours |
| GLOBAL 2301 | 3 | UDES 2551 | 5 |
| PLAN 4356 | 3 | Government/Political Science | 3 |
| UDES 2442 | 4 | Life & Physical Sciences (from major-specific options) | 3 |
| Life & Physical Sciences (from major-specific options) | 3 | Social & Behavioral Sciences | 3 |
| U.S. History (part 1) | 3 | U.S. History (part 2) | 3 |
| 16 | 17 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Hours | Spring Semester | Hours |
| LARC 4300 | 3 | PAPP 4307 | 3 |
| LARC 4324 | 3 | PLAN 4357 | 3 |
| PLAN 4320 | 3 | UDES 3303 | 3 |
| UDES 3552 | 5 | UDES 4551 | 5 |
| 14 | 14 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Hours | Spring Semester | Hours |
| UDES 4304 | 3 | LARC 4326 | 3 |
| UDES 4552 | 5 | UDES 4404 | 4 |
| Component Area Option | 3 | SUD Elective | 3 |
| SUD Elective | 3 | SUD Elective | 3 |
| 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:
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