Bachelor of Science in Architecture
Architectural design is developed and practiced as a mode of critical inquiry from the scale of the city to the scale of the hand. It provides a framework for the study of contemporary culture, grounded in history and extended through observation, analysis and design. The director of the Undergraduate Program in Architecture is Betsy Roettger.
CURRICULAR FOCUS
The undergraduate program is a pre–professional program providing the balance of a broad liberal arts foundation with a design studio preparation for graduate study in architecture.
- An integrated curriculum of studies in the liberal arts and architecture to promote an understanding of design as a cultural expression
- A strong preparation for graduate professional study in architecture with a broader mandate to cultivate leadership in a range of potential career paths
- Opportunities for focused study through concentrations in Architectural Design or Architectural Studies
- Minors in Landscape Architecture as well as minors or double majors in other disciplines in the School and University
ADMISSION
- Transfer students are accepted each fall up through the beginning of the third year. Students wishing to transfer into the Department of Architecture should refer to the Transfer section of the Undergraduate Admissions page.
- Admission to Undergraduate Programs in Architecture is handled through the University of Virginia Undergraduate Admissions Office. For undergraduate. Applicants apply to the University, not to the School of Architecture.
CURRICULUM
Students entering the Department of Architecture follow one curriculum for their first three years. Starting in their second year, the strategic choices of electives will prepare the student to pursue the concentration of their choice.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
FIRST YEAR
Fall Semester
- ARCH 1010 Lessons of the Lawn (4)
- AR H 1010 History of Architecture: Ancient to Medieval (4)
- ENWR 1510 Academic Writing 6 (3)
- HUM/SCI Elective 1,7 (3)
- Open Elective 4,5 (3)
- Total Credits: 17
Spring Semester
- ARCH 1020 Lessons in Making (4)
- AR H 1020 Renaissance to Modern (4)
- MATH 1210 Applied Calculus2 (3)
- HUM/SCI Elective1,7 (3)
- Open Elective4,5 (3)
- Total Credits: 17
SECOND YEAR
Fall Semester
- ARCH 2010 Introduction to Architectural Design8 (6)
- PHYS Physics Elective (3)
- HUM/SCI Elective1,7 (3)
- Social SCI Elective (3)
- Total Credits: 15
Spring Semester
- ARCH 2020 Introduction to Architectural Design8 (6)
- AR H Architectural History Elective (3)
- Natural SCI Elective (3)
- Social SCI Elective (3)
- Total Credits: 15
THIRD YEAR
Fall Semester
- ARCH 3010 Architectural Design8 (6)
- AR H 3230 Building and Climate8 (4)
- ARCH 3120 Architectural Theory and Analysis (3)
- ARCH 3410 CAAD 3D Modeling & Visualization8,10 (3)
- Total Credits: 16
Spring Semester
- ARCH 3020 Architectural Design8 (6)
- ARCH 3240 Introduction to Structural Design8 (4)
- ARCH 3260 Building Matters8 (4)
- Landscape Architecture Elective (3)
- Total Credits: 17
4TH YEAR ELECTION OF CONCENTRATION
At the end of the spring semester of the third year, each student will elect a course of study for the fourth year from the following list. The choices are designed to maximize the opportunities for undergraduate study given the wide range and scope of student interests and potential career paths.
4TH YEAR: PRE-PROFESSIONAL CONCENTRATION
This Concentration is for students intent on pursuing a career as a practicing Architect. The curriculum is designed to maximize the opportunities to explore complex issues and conditions through design as well as representing intentions in material form.
4TH YEAR: ARCHITECTURAL STUDIES CONCENTRATION
This Concentration is designed for students interested in expanding the scope of their study to include the related design fields of landscape architecture or urban planning. This option also allows students interested in the relationship between the practice of architectural design and research of architectural history or technical issues related to building and the environment to pursue these interests. Minors offered within the School of Architecture are the primary vehicle used to complete the degree requirements.
4TH YEAR: MULTI-DISCIPLINARY CONCENTRATION
This Concentration is for students interested in exploring the connection between architecture and another discipline. This discipline can be something as close to architecture as art or engineering, or it could also be a more distant field, such as business, archaeology, or materials science. It is the student’s responsibility to make the case for the connection. Fulfilling the requirements for a minor in the related field is the primary vehicle used to complete the degree requirements.
FOURTH YEAR, ARCHITECTURAL STUDIES CONCENTRATION
Fall Semester
- Minor Requirement (3)
- Minor Requirement (3)
- ARCH Architecture Elective — Minor Related3 (3)
- ARCH Architecture Elective3 (3)
- Open Elective4,5 (3)
- Total Credits: 15
Spring Semester
- Minor Requirement (3)
- Minor Requirement (3)
- ARCH Architecture Elective 3 (3)
- Open Elective4,5 (3)
- Open Elective4,5 (3)
- Total Credits: 15
Degree Total: 127
FOURTH YEAR — PRE-PROFESSIONAL CONCENTRATION
Fall Semester
- ARCH 4010 Architectural Design8 (6)
- ARCH Architecture Elective3 (3)
- ARCH Architecture Elective (3)
- Open Elective4,5 (3)
- Total Credits: 15
Spring Semester
- ARCH 4020 Architectural Design (6)
- ARCH Architecture Elective3 (3)
- Open Elective4,5 (3)
- Open Elective (3)
- Total Credits: 15
Degree Total: 127
FOURTH YEAR — MULTI-DISCIPLINARY CONCENTRATION
Fall Semester
- Minor Requirement (3)
- Minor Requirement (3)
- ARCH Architecture Elective — Minor Related3 (3)
- ARCH Architecture Elective3 (3)
- Open Elective4,5 (3)
- Total Credits: 15
Spring Semester
- Minor Requirement (3)
- Minor Requirement (3)
- ARCH Architecture Elective3 (3)
- Open Elective4,5 (3)
- Open Elective4,5 (3)
- Total Credits: 15
Degree Total: 127
Notes:
A minimum grade point average of 2.0 is required.
1. For Transfer students and civil Engineering minors: Engineering and math courses may be considered by the program director as fulfilling HUM/SCI requirements.
2. Students scoring above 600 on the math SAT are encouraged to take MATH 131. Students who have not completed a trigonometry course prior to matriculation, or who scored below 550 on the math SAT, are required to take MATH 103 Pre-Calculus in lieu of an Open Elective in the first semester.
3. ARCH Elective: Any course designated with one of the following prefixes: ARCH, AR H, LAR, PLAN or 400 Level PLAC, ARCH Elective — Minor Related: An ARCH Elective that is directly related to the Minor Study Area.
4. One Open Elective per semester may be taken Credit/No Credit. A Maximum of 8 hours of degree credit will be granted for Ensemble Music or Dance. A maximum of 12 hours of degree credit will be granted for AIRS, MISC, & NASC courses. PHYE “Physical Education” credits do not count toward degree totals.
5. It may be necessary to use Open Electives to complete the requirements of a Minor.
6. See separate English Advising notes.
7. ARCH Elective courses do not count towards Humanities or Sciences electives.
8. A student must receive a grade of at least a C- to pass this course.
9. L AR 5130 may be taken in place of L AR 5120.
10. ARCH 3410 may be taken in 3rd or 4th year, required for Pre-Professional (Design Concentration only).
STUDY ABROAD
Architecture students may, with approval, spend a semester in one of the programs abroad when offered. See the International page.