Architecture: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

Program Overview

Architecture is a dynamic, multidisciplinary field that integrates art, science, and technology to design functional, sustainable, and aesthetically compelling built environments. This program prepares students to think critically about space, structure, and human experience through rigorous study and hands-on design practice.

• Design Theory and Practice: Explores foundational principles of spatial composition, form, and visual communication, emphasizing creativity and conceptual development in architectural projects.
• Structural Systems: Focuses on the engineering and material logic behind building frameworks, including load distribution, stability, and the integration of structural elements into design.
• Building Technology and Materials: Examines the properties, applications, and performance of construction materials, as well as advancements in building envelope systems and environmental control.
• Sustainable Design and Environmental Systems: Addresses energy efficiency, climate-responsive architecture, and strategies for minimizing environmental impact through renewable resources and lifecycle analysis.
• Urban and Contextual Design: Investigates the relationship between buildings and their surrounding environments, including site planning, urban density, and cultural or historical context.
• History and Theory of Architecture: Provides a critical understanding of architectural movements, key figures, and philosophical underpinnings across time and global regions.
• Professional Practice and Project Management: Covers legal, ethical, and administrative aspects of architectural work, including contracts, project scheduling, client relations, and regulatory compliance.
• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Digital Modeling: Develops proficiency in industry-standard software for drafting, 3D modeling, visualization, and building information modeling (BIM).