Undergraduate Catalog
2005 - 2007

 

PROGRAMS AND COLLEGES

      Dean: Professor Lambla; Chair: Betsy West; Associate Dean:  Associate Professor Gray; Professors: Sauda, Brentrup, Walters; Associate Professors: Benzing, Carlson-Reddig, Grech, Nelson, Ryan, Snyder, Swisher, Thaddeus, Wong; Assistant Professors: Clark, Gamez, Reittinger, Samuels; Part‑time Lecturers: Preiss; Adjunct Professors: Kelley, Williams, Farris, Cole; Emeritus Professors: Hight, MacLean. 

Mission.  The mission of the College of Architecture (CoA) is to further the discourse between the theory and practice of architecture by the education and training of students, the work and research of the faculty, and ongoing engagement with the University, the profession, and the community.  Architecture in the narrow sense includes important public monuments and, in the broader sense, the constructed environment at all scales.

 To prepare undergraduate students to become future community and architectural leaders, the College of Architecture seeks to provide both a liberal and a professional education based on a holistic view of the built environment.  The studio/seminar sequence in the Core Program emphasizes both writing and making to introduce students to alternative and complementary methods of investigating problems.  The professional degree path in the Advanced Program culminates in a comprehensive architectural project emphasizing self-direction and individualized instruction.

 Admission.  All students must first apply and be accepted by the University.  Following acceptance to the University, application is then made to the College by: 1) completion and submission of a CoA application; 2) an evaluation of this application by a faculty committee; and, if selected, 3) a personal interview, including the presentation of samples of their creative work.

Admission to the College of Architecture is to the Five-Year Bachelor of Architecture program at the undergraduate level.  Following Year 3, students are required to submit an “Individualized Study Plan” with the Academic Advisor which declares their intent to pursue one of two academic tracks:  either a four-year, Bachelor of Arts in Architecture program (which is not a professionally accredited degree) or the five-year, Bachelor of Architecture program (professionally accredited). 

However, students must maintain a minimum grade point average set by college faculty (3.0 in architectural studies through the fourth year) to be granted automatic continuation to the fifth year. Students who do not perform at this level must submit a separate application for admission to the fifth year Bachelor of Architecture program.

The professional program leads to the Bachelor of Architecture degree which requires a total of 158 credit hours.  This five-year program provides the professional degree accredited by the National Architectural Accreditation Board (NAAB). Students in this program are also awarded a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture degree at the end of four years.

 Core Program.  All students in the College complete a three-year core sequence of courses designed to provide a solid understanding of fundamental issues, knowledge, and skills in architecture.  These courses include a series of coordinated studios, skill-building workshops and seminars, a four-semester sequence of architectural history (two survey courses and two topics electives), and four courses in building technology (one course in architectural materials, two semesters of structural design, and one course in Environmental Control Systems).

 Advanced Program.  Students proceeding toward the Bachelor of Architecture degree program enter the Advanced Program in their Fourth and Fifth Years of study.  These years present the opportunity for greater depth of inquiry, breadth of understanding and synthesis through architectural design.

 In the Fourth Year several topical design studios are offered which permit focused study.  These include (typically): urban and community design, tectonic issues, lighting and energy use, landscape and site, and contemporary issues in architectural design.  Additionally, students enrolled in the Advanced Program complete one remaining course in building technology (Building Systems Integration) and Professional Practice.

 The Fifth Year is composed of a year-long sequence of two linked studios which are directed at an individual Comprehensive Architectural Project involving design research and application.

 The College also offers a one-year Bachelor of Architecture program for students who have an architectural or environmental design degree from another NAAB accredited institution.  Following an assessment of student performance criteria for equivalence with the UNC Charlotte program, students will be required to complete a minimum of 30 credit hours, including 12 hours of architectural studio, nine hours of other architectural courses and nine hours of general studies.  No transfer credit is accepted for this program.

 Foreign Language Requirement.  All students who earn a degree in the College of Architecture are required to demonstrate proficiency in the language of their choice through the 1202 level. 

      Proficiency can be demonstrated in the following ways:    (1) completing the required course work at UNC Charlotte; (2) completing three years of the same language in high school through level three; (3) achieving a satisfactory score on the foreign languages placement test; (4) through approved transfer or transient credit earned at other accredited institutions; or (5) a combination of the above methods (e.g., placing out of or earning transfer or transient credit for 1201 and completing the 1202 course, completing 1201 and placing out of or earning transfer or transient credit for 1202).

Curriculum Outline:  Bachelor of Architecture

Core Program

 First Year
ARCH 1101 Architecture Design Studio 1............................ 5
ARCH 1601 Architectural Seminar......................................... 2
MATH 1103 .............................................................................. 3
ENGL 1101 ................................................................................. 3
LBST 1101, 1102, 1103, 1104 or 1105...................................... 3

ARCH 1102 Architecture Design Studio 2............................ 5
ARCH 1602 Architectural Seminar......................................... 2
MATH, STAT or PHIL............................................................ 3
ENGL 1102 ................................................................................. 3
PHYS 1101 with lab (Physical Science)................................. 4

Second Year
ARCH 2101 Architecture Design Studio 3 (O) .................... 5
ARCH 2601 Architectural Seminar (W)................................. 3
ARCH 4211 Architectural History I ...................................... 3
*Life or Physical Science......................................................... 4
LBST 2101.................................................................................. 3

ARCH 2102 Architecture Design Studio 4............................ 5
ARCH 4312 Architectural Materials...................................... 3
ARCH 4212 Architectural History II...................................... 3
LBST 2102.................................................................................. 3
Social Science (Gen Ed)........................................................... 3

Third Year
ARCH 3101 Architecture Design Studio 5............................ 5
ARCH 4313 Structures 1 ......................................................... 3
ARCH 4315 Environmental Control Systems....................... 3
Foreign Language..................................................................... 4

ARCH 3102 Architecture Design Studio 6............................ 5
ARCH 4314 Structures 2 ......................................................... 3
ARCH 4214 Topics in Arch. History..................................... 3
ARCH 4050 Architectural Elective*....................................... 3
Foreign Language..................................................................... 4(Individual Study Plan Required of all students)

Advanced Program                                                 

Fourth Year
ARCH 4101 Topical Architectural Studio............................. 5
ARCH 4213 Topics in Arch. History..................................... 3
ARCH 4050 Architectural Elective*....................................... 3
LBST 2211, 2212, 2213, 2214 or 2215...................................... 3

ARCH 4102 Topical Architectural Studio............................. 5
ARCH 4050 Architectural Elective*....................................... 3
General Elective* (W).............................................................. 3
Architectural or General Elective*......................................... 3

Bachelor of Arts degree in Architecture: 128 hours

Fifth Year
ARCH 4103 Project Document................................................ 6
ARCH 4317 Bldg. Systems Integration................................. 3
Architectural or General Elective*......................................... 3
Concepts & Ideas Course....................................................... 3 

ARCH 4104 Project Design..................................................... 6
ARCH 4112 Architectural Practice ........................................ 3
Architectural or General Elective*......................................... 3
General Elective*...................................................................... 3

Bachelor of Architecture: 30 hours

      Students submitting an “Individualized Study Plan” in their Third Year may alternatively pursue a four-year Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Architecture requiring a total of 128 credit hours.  This degree is not an accredited first professional degree. The course requirements for this degree track differ substantially from those of the Bachelor of Architecture program. These differences are primarily aimed at providing a flexible curriculum that replaces design studios and Structures II with directed electives.

This degree is for students not intending to continue to the five-year, professional degree. Students choose to augment their architectural studies with coursework from other University departments in their fourth year, double major or minor in other disciplines, or prepare to pursue graduate studies in related fields (such as, planning, urban design, landscape architecture, or architectural history).

Curriculum Outline:  Bachelor of Arts in Architecture

First Year
ARCH 1101 Architecture Design Studio 1............................ 5
ARCH 1601 Architectural Seminar......................................... 2
MATH 1103  ............................................................................. 3
ENGL 1101 ................................................................................. 3
LBST 1101, 1102, 1103, 1104 or 1105...................................... 3

ARCH 1102 Architecture Design Studio 2............................ 5
ARCH 1602 Architectural Seminar......................................... 2
MATH, STAT or PHIL............................................................ 3
ENGL 1102.................................................................................. 3
PHYS 1101 with lab (Physical Science)................................. 4

Second Year

ARCH 2101 Architecture Design Studio 3 (O) .................... 5
ARCH 2601 Architectural Seminar (W)................................. 3
ARCH 4211 Architectural History I ...................................... 3
*Life or Physical Science......................................................... 4
LBST 2101.................................................................................. 3

ARCH 2102 Architecture Design Studio 4............................ 5
ARCH 4312 Architectural Materials...................................... 3
ARCH 4212 Architectural History II...................................... 3
LBST 2102.................................................................................. 3
Social Science (Gen Ed)........................................................... 3

Third Year
ARCH 3101 Architecture Design Studio 5............................ 5
ARCH 4313 Structures 1 ......................................................... 3
ARCH 4315 Environmental Control Systems....................... 3
Foreign Language..................................................................... 4

ARCH 3102 Architecture Design Studio 6............................ 5
ARCH 4314 Structures 2 (Optional)....................................... 3
ARCH 4214 Topics in Arch. History II.................................. 3
ARCH 4050 Architectural Elective*....................................... 3
Foreign Language..................................................................... 4
(Individual Study Plan Required of all students)

Fourth Year
ARCH 4213 Topics in Arch. History I................................... 3
General Elective* (W).............................................................. 3
LBST 2211, 2212, 2213, 2214 or 2215...................................... 3

Architectural or General Elective*......................................... 3
 

Architectural or General Elective*......................................... 3
Architectural or General Elective*......................................... 3
General Elective*...................................................................... 3
General Elective*...................................................................... 3
General Elective*...................................................................... 3

Bachelor of Arts degree in Architecture: 128 hours

*Courses to be selected in accordance with program of study developed with and approved by faculty advisor.

 Academic Standards.  Following are specific academic standards for each degree program:

 B.A. degree in Architecture: One grade of D in a studio is permissible.  A grade of D in a subsequent studio will require repeating the course.  A student may not repeat a course more than once.  Successive D grades will result in academic suspension. 

 To graduate, an overall grade point average of 2.0 must be achieved in all courses offered by the College. 

Bachelor of Architecture degree: A grade of C is the minimum passing grade in both studios, ARCH 4103 and 4104. A grade of D in ARCH 4103 prohibits a student from entering ARCH 4104; a grade of D in ARCH 4104 prohibits a student from graduating.  Courses for which a grade of D is received must be taken again; any student receiving less than a grade of C when repeating a studio course will be suspended from enrollment in the CoA. 

A grade of F in either ARCH 4103 or 4104 requires a student to reapply to the 5^th year program. 

To graduate, all students must maintain an overall grade point average of 2.5 in Fifth-Year coursework offered by the College. 

Areas of Academic Focus.  College faculty offer expertise to provide instruction in the following areas: 

Architectural Design Studios and Seminars: The studios and seminars provide both analytical and synthetic experiences along with the opportunity to pursue intense study of physical‑environmental related subject(s). These courses link humanistic, physical phenomena, social‑psychological, behavioral and perceptional studies. 

Building Technology Courses: These courses provide a basic quantitative and qualitative understanding of building materials, structural theory and design, environmental control issues, and building systems integration.  

Architectural History  Courses: These courses develop an understanding of the relationships between culture and its physical manifestations from ancient to contemporary times. 

Architectural Electives: These courses provide opportunities for topical study of issues current and historic to architectural practices: theoretical concerns, urban design, landscape, representational ability, technical skill, community practice, and constructional/making concerns. 

Electives are organized around the following three themes or concentrations: 

(1) Architectural Design, Theory, & Practice
This concentration focuses on a sophisticated and detailed study of building and site design involving issues of form, space, order, and typology as well as cultural and physical context, concept, meaning, etc. It includes both investigation and criticism of contemporary practice and practitioners as well as the role of theory and historical precedent relative to the design and making of architecture. 

(2) Urbanism
This concentration focuses on the critical role of architecture in the city - the process and specific intent of physical intervention in urban landscapes and infrastructures. Through the design of groups of buildings as well as larger scale urban areas, issues of policy, politics, finance, planning, place, and culture are introduced as part of the essential conception and history of the city fabric.

(3) Architectural Technology
This concentration focuses on study and experimentation addressing emerging issues of sustainable design and the creative development of building envelopes and systems that utilize both new and traditional materials, technology, and construction methods in innovative and beautiful ways. Seeking to explore the historical as well as contemporary realms of thermal, tactile and visual issues embedded in this field, students address appropriate material selection, methods of daylighting, passive and active systems for heating and cooling, etc. with consideration of both qualitative and quantitative outcomes.

Independent Studies: When appropriate, a student may pursue a self‑directed, faculty‑approved study of a particular, significant architectural topic or subject. 

General University Requirements and Directed Electives: Courses to meet the University's General Education requirements and elective studies are included in a student‑selected, faculty‑approved plan of study.

 Advising: The advising program consists of three tiers: Staff Academic Advisor; Core and Advanced Program Coordinators; and faculty career advisors. 

Education Abroad Programs: The College has conducted studio and field study summer programs in Italy and Spain since 1987 for students in the Advanced Program. In addition, exchange arrangements exist through the Office for International Programs for students to study architecture for one or two semesters at: University of Copenhagen (Denmark); Kingston University (London, England); The University of Applied Science, (Aachen, Germany); Monterrey Tech (Monterrey, Mexico); and the Henry van de Velde Institute (Antwerp, Belgium).  

Accreditation.  The College of Architecture maintains accredited status through the National Architectural Accrediting Board, which reviews the curriculum, facility, faculty, and program resources annually.  In addition, the NAAB conducts an intensive site visit every six years.  The College has maintained full accreditation standards as prescribed by this board and includes the requisite statement: 

“In the United States, most state registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a prerequisite for licensure. The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), which is the sole agency authorized to accredit US professional degree programs in architecture, recognizes two types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture and the Master of Architecture. A program may be granted a six-year, three-year, or two-year term of accreditation, depending on its degree of conformance with established educational standards.

 Master's degree programs may consist of a preprofessional undergraduate degree and a professional graduate degree, which when earned sequentially, comprise an accredited professional education. However, the pre-professional degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.

The NAAB grants candidacy to new programs that have developed viable plans for achieving initial accreditation. Candidacy status indicates that a program should be accredited within six years of achieving candidacy, if its plan is properly implemented.”

 © 2005 UNC Charlotte | Privacy Statement  
Page Maintained by: Academic Affairs

Page Last Updated: 12/19/2005 02:26 PM