Undergraduate

Bachelor of Science in Architecture

The four-year Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree serves both as a non-professional liberal arts degree, and as preparation for further graduate study in architecture and related fields. Students completing a Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree may apply to professional Bachelor of Architecture and Master of Architecture and Doctor of Architecture professional degree programs in order to fulfill their educational requirements toward professional registration in architecture.

Degree Requirements
Students pursuing the four-year Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree program must successfully complete the following required courses and electives, in addition to the University general education requirements.

Mathematics Requirement
MATH 136 Precalculus or MATH 213 Calculus I are required for all architecture majors and are a prerequisite for required courses in structures. Successful completion of one of these courses also fulfills the general education requirement in mathematics. Students are encouraged to complete the highest level of mathematics that they place into, in recognition of the fact that some Roger Williams University minors and graduate study options at other institutions may require calculus. Students seeking to complete a Minor in Structural Engineering must complete MATH 213 Calculus I.

Science Requirement
Architecture majors are required to complete PHYS 109L Physics I-Algebra Based and Lab or PHYS 201L Physics I-Calculus Based and Lab, and either BIO 104L Biology II or NATSC 103 Earth Systems Science and Lab. Both BIO 104 and NATSC 103 count toward the Minor in Sustainability Studies.

Design
Students are required to complete the five-course Architectural Design Core Studio sequence, and one advanced architectural design studio. The Core consists of five sequential semesters addressing fundamental architectural design issues, and graphic and computer communications skills. An advanced architectural studio or a topical studio in urban issues completes the studio sequence.

Or

History/Theory
The History/Theory sequence is a combination of required introductory and intermediate courses, and advanced elective options.

And one of the following Intermediate Level course options

Students may pursue advanced History/Theory electives from a menu of Architecture Electives options.

Environment and Human Behavior
The Environment and Human Behavior sequence is a two-part structure of required intermediate level courses, and advanced elective options.

Students may pursue advanced Environment and Human Behavior electives from a menu of Architecture Electives options.

Technical Systems
The Technical Systems sequence is intended to make students aware of practical and theoretical aspects of the interrelationships between materials, building systems, and structures, an understanding of which is essential for both functional and imaginative design.

Students may pursue advanced Technical Systems courses from a menu of Architecture Elective options.

Practice and Professional Development

Students may pursue advanced Practice and Professional Development courses from a menu of Architecture Elective options.

Architecture Electives
Completion of one Architecture Elective is required for graduation. Architecture Electives complement required coursework, providing an enhanced knowledge base in areas of faculty expertise. Students are also eligible to register for graduate level Architecture Electives during their senior year.

300 level or above Historic Preservation Courses
500 level or above Architecture Electives (with permission)

Electives
Completion of two electives is required for graduation.

Students are free to choose from the University’s course offerings to satisfy this requirement. Pre-requisites for MATH 136 Precalculus (MATH 101 Principles of Algebra, Math 107 Intermediate Algebra, Math 117 College Algebra) and prerequisites for WTNG 102 Expository Writing, (WTNG 100 Introduction to Academic Writing) will not count as electives toward the Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree.

Bachelor of Science in Architecture / Master of Architecture 4+2 Degree Program

The Bachelor of Science in Architecture/Master of Architecture 4+2 degree program is an NAAB-accredited Architecture professional degree sequence. Students can expect to complete the degree program sequence through a program of five and one half or six years of study, though students may accelerate through summer study.

Degree Requirements
Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Architecture/Master of Architecture professional degree program must successfully complete the following required courses and electives, in addition the University general education requirements. Students complete a minimum of ten 500-600 level courses and 38 credits at the graduate level.

Mathematics Requirement
Math 136 Precalculus or MATH 213 Calculus I are required for all architecture majors, and are a prerequisite for required courses in the structures sequence. Successful completion of one of these courses also fulfills the University’s general education requirement in mathematics. Students are encouraged to complete the highest level of mathematics that they place into, in recognition of the faculty that some Roger Williams University minors and graduate study options at other universities may require calculus. Students seeking to complete a Minor in Structural Engineering must complete MATH 213 Calculus I.

Science Requirement
Architecture majors are required to complete PHYS 109L Physics I-Algebra Based and Lab or PHYS 201L Physics I-Calculus Based and Lab, and either BIO 104L Biology II or NATSC 103 Earth Systems Science and Lab. Both BIO 104 and NATSC 103 count toward the Minor in Sustainability Studies.

Design
The design studio sequence consists of core studios, advanced undergraduate studios, comprehensive design studio, graduate studios, and a final graduate thesis design studio. The Core consists of five sequential semesters addressing fundamental architectural design issues and graphic skills. This is followed by one semester of advanced architectural design studio and one advanced topical studio in urban issues. At the graduate level, students undertake comprehensive design studio, and two additional graduate topical studios, before exploring a thesis topic of their own choosing for the final semester of the professional degree program.

History/Theory
The History/Theory sequence is a three-part structure of required introductory and intermediate courses, and advanced elective options. Students complete a two-course introductory survey of Art and Architectural History, followed by a History of Modern Architecture and Theory of Architecture requirements, one intermediate course in the History of Architecture chosen from a broad menu of options, and one advanced elective option:

and one of the following Intermediate Level Course Options

and one of the following:

Environment and Human Behavior
Environment and Human Behavior coursework develops students skills and understanding relative to environment, social aspects and research methodology.

Technical Systems
The technical systems sequence gives students an essential understanding of the practical and theoretical interrelationships between the structural, environmental and enclosure systems of a building, and introduces them to various building materials, assemblies and services. Students complete seven required courses, including a three course structures sequence and two courses each in Construction Materials and Assemblies and in Environmental Systems.

Practice and Professional Development
Practice and Professional Development coursework develops students’ communication skills and understanding of the role of architects within society and in relation to the various participants in the building process. This sequence culminates with the Graduate Thesis Seminar, where students are asked to formulate an independent architectural investigation that engages a set of issues that further their understanding of Architecture as a cultural medium and as a profession.

Architecture Electives
In addition to the elective options outlined above in History/Theory, the completion of four Architecture Electives is required for graduation, with a minimum of three at the Graduate Level.

Undergraduate Architecture Electives (one required or four at the graduate level)

300 Level or Above Historic Preservation courses

Graduate Architecture Electives (a minimum of three required):
Students are encouraged to look at these electives as a means to explore various concentrations available within the MS in Architecture program. Graduate electives are grouped in the areas of Sustainable Design, Urban Design, Digital Media and Historic Preservation. In addition some multidisciplinary Core MS in Architecture courses are available as Architecture Electives.

Master of Architecture and & Master of Science in Architecture with Concentration options
The elective categories above reflect the concentrations available within the Master of Science degree option. Students in the Master of Architecture program may apply six credits from that degree toward a Master of Science degree.

Electives
Completion of two electives outside of the major is required for graduation.

Students are free to choose from the University’s course offerings to satisfy this requirement. Prerequisites for MATH 136 Precalculus (MATH 117 College Algebra) and prerequisites for WTNG 102 Expository Writing (WTNG 100 Introduction to Academic Writing) will not count as electives toward the Bachelor of Science/Master of Architecture degree sequence .