2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]


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Architecture (B.F.A.)



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Program Coordinator/Contact

Brian Rex, Department Head
Department of Architecture
Chicoine Architecture, Mathematics and Engineering Hall 378
605-688-4841

Program Information

The department has three academic components:

  1. The first year School of Design cross-disciplinary experience.
  2. The three semester pre-professional building arts and public works design experience.
  3. The seven semester professional program experience.

A Bachelor of Fine Arts in Architecture degree (BFA-Arch) is recommended for those who want a studio-based liberal arts education in architecture as their first post-secondary experience.  Students in this program typically come from high school, community colleges / technical institutes, and transfer from other majors.  The B.F.A. in Architecture is 120 credit hours in eight semesters that can be completed in four regular (Fall & Spring only) academic years.  Students completing the B.F.A. can apply to the two year Master of Architecture program to cap the education as NAAB accredited professional training in architecture.  One must hold an NAAB accredited degree to become an architect.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the architecture major, students will be able to:

  • Move ideas from abstract to concrete through graphical methods.
  • Measure and understand the impact of ideas on theoretical, social, political, economic, cultural, and environmental contexts.
  • Use a diverse range of mediated practices to think about and convey architectural ideas, including writing, investigating, speaking, drawing, and modeling.
  • Comprehend the technical aspects of both construction and mediating technologies and be able to apply that comprehension to architectural solutions.
  • Capacity to synthesize a wide range of variables into an integrated design solution.
  • Understand business principles for the practice of architecture, including management, advocacy, and the need to act legally, ethically, and critically for the good of the client, society, and the public. (Cross-curricular Skill: Ethical Reasoning)

Academic Requirements

Architecture students must maintain at least a major GPA of 2.6 and an overall GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the duration of the program.  A grade of a “C” or better is required in all ART, ARTE, ARTH, GDES, DSGN, LA, ARCH, CM and ID courses. 

Course Delivery Format

The curriculum is interactive, haptic and performance based, offering problem solving experiences in all major areas of professional practice.

Requirements for Architecture Major: 120 Credits


Bachelor of Fine Arts

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements


Bachelor of Fine Arts Requirements: 3

System General Education and/or major coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements. Consult program advisor for details. See the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences  for additional information about Bachelor of Fine Arts specifications.

School of Design Requirements


School of Design Electives


Select 6 credits from the list below.  Students are required to take any two ART or GDES courses from the list below. Contact the School of Design advisor for approval of additional courses. Credits: 6

Electives


Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Total Required Credits: 120


Summary of Program Requirements


Bachelor of Fine Arts

System General Education Requirements 31 Credit Hours
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements 3 Credit Hours
School of Design Requirements* 14 Credit Hours
Major Requirements 68 Credit Hours
Supporting Coursework 4 Credit Hours
Electives** 3 Credit Hours

*System General Education Requirements, Major Requirements, and Supporting Coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements.  
**Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Academic Advising Guide Sheet


The goal of the academic advising guide sheets and sample plans of study is to promote undergraduate student success by guiding all students to timely completion of an undergraduate degree. Students are not limited to the course sequence provided for their academic program. Instead, the sample plan of study is one possible path to completing your degree and is meant to be used as a guide for planning purposes in consultation with an academic advisor. The plans also help students prepare for meetings with their academic advisor and track their progress in their selected academic program.

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