Course Descriptions
Department of Architecture
R. F. Abrams, E. Akleman, J. Alexander, A. Angulo Mendivil, L. O. Beltran, M. J. Clayton (Interim Head), C. H. Culp, R. R. Davison, Jr., L. O. Degelman, F. E. Downing, H. F. Eilers, J. G. Fairey, P. Fisk, III, A. Geva, J. O. Greer, J. S. Haberl, D. K. Hamilton, W. He, R. C. Hill, K. E. Hillier, J. Hirsh, D. H. House, J. M. Hutchinson, R. E. Johnson, G. A. Kalas, N. Klein, C. LaFayette, P. Lang, T. R. Larsen, G. L. Maffei, G. J. Mann, V. Miranda*, A. B. Nichols, T. Nishimoto*, F. I. Parke*, V. L. Paul, M. W. F. Quantrill, J. T. Regan, S. Rodiek, R. J. Schiffhauer, A. D. Seidel, M. M. Shepley, V. Srinivasan, P. J. Tabb, L. G. Tassinary, R. S. Ulrich, G. Vasquez de Velasco, R. B. Warden, W. V. Wells, Y. Williams, D. G. Woodcock, W. Yan
* Graduate Advisor
The Department of Architecture offers the following graduate degree programs for eligible students seeking advanced educational opportunities: Master of Architecture as the professional degree accredited by NAAB, Master of Science in Architecture, Master of Science in Visualization Sciences and Doctor of Philosophy. Entry to the MArch is directly from a pre-architectural four-year degree program, or, with appropriate prerequisite work (Career Change Program), from other four-year degree backgrounds.
The Department of Architecture offers specialization certificates in Health Systems and Design, Historic Preservation, Environmental Hazard Management, Facility Management and Sustainable Urbanism. These areas of specialization are supported by qualified faculty, research centers and laboratories. Other areas of exploration in which graduate students are engaged include design, architectural computing, history and theory, energy and sustainability, housing, health and educational facility design, and urban design.
In the United States, most state registration boards and the overiding National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a prerequisite for licensure. The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), is the sole agency authorized to accredit U.S. professional degree programs in architecture. The MArch is the NAAB accredited professional degree program at Texas A&M University.
Accredited degree programs may consist of a pre-professional 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.
Because of the important role of computing in the disciplines housed within the College of Architecture, all entering students are required to possess a portable, network-ready personal computer capable of running software appropriate to their academic program. Financial aid is available to assist students in their computer purchases. No student will be denied admission to Texas A&M University based on inability to purchase a computer. Additional information is available on the college web site at http://archone.tamu.edu.
Architecture
(ARCH)
600. Introduction to Architecture and Urban Design. (1-1). Credit 2.
Introductory seminar and studio on architecture and urban design; focus on topical readings, in-class discussions and short writing exercises; provides opportunity to learn or refine hand drawing, rendering, and model building, and to learn to be productive and creative within the studio context. Prerequisite: Graduate classification.
601. Design Fundamentals I. (3-9). Credit 6.
Introduction to the development of verbal (design vocabulary), graphic, research and critical thinking skills through the design of small-scale projects, and investigation of typologies and precedents as the basis for architectural design. Prerequisites: Graduate classification; career change program.
602. Design Fundamentals II. (3-9). Credit 6.
Further development of verbal, graphic, research and critical thinking skills through architectural design projects, with emphasis on basic understanding of major philosophical doctrines and their influence on architectural theory; studies of place-making, space, form and order; knowledge of world views, formal spatial manipulations and design vocabulary. Prerequisites: ARCH 601, 610, 612 or approval of instructor.
603. Design Fundamentals III. (2-4). Credit 6.
Theory and practice of architecture; methods and techniques used in the analysis and synthesis of concepts unique to spatial enclosure; developing responses to building systems; objects in a current cultural, physical or social context; complex building programs, site development and design solutions integrating formally expressive visual ideas and functional planning. Prerequisite: ARCH 602.
605. Architectural Design I. (2-12). Credit 6.
Application of verbal, graphic, research, critical thinking and fundamental design skills to architectural projects that emphasize design theory, systems of ordering in architecture and urban design, use of precedents, site and contextual issues; includes program development and concerns for public health, safety and welfare. Core design studio for professional degree candidates. Prerequisite: Graduate classification.*
606. Architectural Design II. (2-12). Credit 6.
Application of verbal, graphic, research, critical thinking and fundamental design skills to architectural projects that emphasize the integration of structural, environmental, life safety, building envelope systems, and building service systems; includes code compliance, resource conservation, cost control and economic analysis. Core design studio for professional degree candidates. Prerequisite: ARCH 605.*
607. Architectural Design III. (2-12). Credit 6.
Application of verbal, graphic, research, critical thinking and comprehensive design skills to advanced architectural projects or design competitions that address cultural traditions, human behavior and diversity, the context of architecture, collaborative skills, ethics and professional judgement. Core design studio. Prerequisite: ARCH 606.*
610. Visual Communications. (2-4). Credit 3.
Investigation and practice of various communication techniques used to explore, verify and present design decisions in architecture; freehand drawing principles; graphic theory and mechanical drawing techniques; architectural presentation and rendering methods in different media and their application. Prerequisite: Graduate classification.
612. Structural and Environmental Technology Concepts. (3-0). Credit 3.
An introductory course which is intended to quickly and broadly develop the vocabulary base, visual understanding and familiarity with technological systems that architects deal with throughout their practice. Prerequisites: MATH 142 and PHYS 201 or equivalents; graduate classification.
614. Elements of Architectural Structures. (2-2). Credit 3.
Investigation of the structural factors that influence the development of architectural space and form; introduction of the physical principles that govern statics and strength of materials through design of timber and steel components of architectural structures. Prerequisite: ARCH 612 or approval of instructor.
615. Elements of Environmental Control Systems. (3-0). Credit 3.
Theory and applications of building energy use, envelope design, shading analysis, heating and cooling systems, lighting design, building water supply, plumbing and drainage systems, electrical, acoustical, fire and lightning protection, transportation systems and construction materials; design opportunities, calculations, equipment selection and component sizing as they relate to design. Prerequisite: ARCH 612 or approval of instructor.
619. Applied Solar Energy. (3-0). Credit 3.
Technology behind applied solar energy design, including: calculating solar radiation, heat transfer related to solar design; active systems; FCHART and economics. Prerequisites: ARCH 333, 334 or 615, or approval of instructor.
621. Energy Optimization in Building Design. (3-0). Credit 3.
Optimum energy use strategies for buildings, energy audit methods, life-cycle cost analysis of building energy systems, solar system applications, building system optimization by computer simulation techniques; case studies in passive energy and solar applications. Prerequisites: ARCH 633; CPSC 203 or equivalent.*
622. Sustainable Building Design Technology. (3-0). Credit 3.
Fundamentals of sustainability in building, including social, political and economic issues—focusing particularly on conservation of natural resources; design and construction of earth integrated solar buildings, including cooling, heating, lighting and habitability assessments. Prerequisite: Graduate classification or approval of instructor.
623. Design Methods I. (3-0). Credit 3.
Importance of intuitive methods in design; meaning, symbolism and creativity in art and architecture; techniques to develop creative approaches to problem-solving.
624. Theory of Placemaking. (3-0). Credit 3.
An introduction to and an exploration of the sources, principles, theories, and physical expressions of the phenomenon of place creation and its relationship to sustainable urbanism; investigates the origin of place theory and its meaning as expressed in the various forms, functions and scales of places applicable to architecture and planning. Prerequisite: Graduate classification.
625. Sustainable Housing Design. (3-0). Credit 3.
Principles, needs and calculations procedures for the use of on site resources contributing to off grid sustainable residential design. Prerequisites: ENDS 233; ARCH 334.
626. The Embodiment of Place. (3-0). Credit 3.
Embodiment of Place will review the philosophies and theories of significant form embodiment and location. Place vs. space will be clarified and used to introduce the underlying patterns of “being” and the pleasure that embodied entities take from meaningful place experience. A set of domains will be introduced that cut across formal and informal place experiences as a way of thinking and transforming design, at all scales.
628. Tools for Green Building Design. (3-0). Credit 3.
Modeling tools and techniques to explore and support sustainable design; develop a deeper understanding of the relationship between architectural design and the environmental forces of sun, wind, and light; design-centered course; helps test the students architectural designs through the use of available modeling tools. Prerequisite: Graduate classification.
631. Architectural Structures III. (3-0). Credit 3.
Structural analysis of building structural systems: components, frames, shapes; selection and economics of structural systems; survey of current structural design codes; supervision practices in structural construction. Prerequisite: ARCH 431 or approval of instructor.
633. Environmental Systems III. (3-0). Credit 3.
Building energy consumption patterns and conservation strategies; natural and mechanical subsystems for environmental control; subsystem design criteria, economic considerations and selection methods. Prerequisite: ARCH 334.*
634. Architectural Lighting. (2-1). Credit 3.
Attributes of the lighting environment, lighting and energy issues, daylight availability, building design for daylighting, heat loss control, solar shading, daylighting models, graphical analytical and computer methods of analysis, visual and lighting comfort evaluation, integration of daylight and electric light, energy analysis. Prerequisite: ARCH 449 or equivalent.
638. Architectural Theory—Renaissance Through 19th Century. (3-0). Credit 3.
Review of architectural theory and practice from the 15th to 19th centuries with emphasis on the classical tradition, its transformations in France and in Great Britain and Germany; aspects of this evolution. Prerequisite: Graduate classification.
639. Twentieth Century Architecture: Theory and Practice. (3-0). Credit 3.
Background and exploration of Modern Architecture, including consideration of region, materials, structure and style, as well as the social and economic factors that influence architectural form and content; discussion of the work and writings of 20th century architects and architectural theorists. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.
640. Morphology of Architectural Form. (3-0). Credit 3.
Forces influencing structure and form of architecture: climate, culture, site, economics, construction methods. Prerequisite: Graduate classification.
642. Data Processing in Environmental Design. (2-3). Credit 3.
Application of the computer to architectural problems; the computer as a mapping device for graphical display of spatially related data; simple and multiple linear regression on sets of data; correlation analyses and practice at running the computer for these applications.
643. Software Development for Building Design. (2-3). Credit 3.
Microcomputer software development for applications in building design and analysis including structures, acoustics, daylighting, economics, energy use and other design support systems; applications of microcomputer programming languages to data structuring, file management, algorithm development and simulation methods for building related problems. Prerequisite: ARCH 642 or equivalent.
644. Seminar in Art and Architectural History. (3-0). Credit 3.
Advanced topics in art and architectural history emphasizing methods of analysis and development of theory; topics vary each semester. Prerequisite: Visualization Graduate Classification or approval of instructor.
646. Historic Preservation Theory and Practice. (3-0). Credit 3.
History of the preservation movement in the U.S. Architectural and regulatory techniques employed in building preservation; case study of selected examples. Prerequisite: Graduate classification.*
647. Recording Historic Buildings. (2-9). Credit 5.
Techniques for recording historic buildings; measuring and drawing to Historic American Building Survey Standards; field experience in photography, field notes and record drawing preparation. Prerequisites: Graduate classification; appropriate background in architectural drawing; approval of instructor.*
648. Building Preservation Technology. (3-0). Credit 3.
Preservation technology related to the diagnosis and treatment of defects in buildings; case studies of significant historic structures. Field study may be required for which departmental fees may be assessed to cover costs. Prerequisite: ARCH 646 or approval of instructor.
649. Advanced History of Building Technology. (3-0). Credit 3.
Readings and discussion of current topics in history of building technology; development of understanding the importance of materials and methods of construction to the creation of historical forms. Prerequisite: Graduate classification or approval of instructor.
651. Emerging Strategies in Architectural Management. (3-0). Credit 3.
Emerging strategies in Architectural Management; a critical examination of alternative forms of practice; topics include: internship and practice, firm strategies, organization design and culture, firm economics, project organization and design leadership.
652. Facility Information Technology. (3-0). Credit 3.
Analyze facility design and management processes; select appropriate information technologies and implement innovative information technology solutions; emphasis on addressing the facility life cycle. Prerequisite: Graduate classification.
657. Advanced Professional Practice and Ethics. (3-0). Credit 3.
Issues and relationships within the business, legal and political environment; legal forms of practice; office organization, personnel practices, policies and management; expanded services; economics of practice, profit planning and accounting; client selection; standard form agreements with consultants and for specialized services, risk management. Prerequisites: ARCH 457 and graduate classification.
660. Design Programming. (3-0). Credit 3.
Study of successful programming approaches to meet user needs in design projects; history and definition of programming, programming techniques, documentation and case studies; applications to buildings, landscape projects and urban design. Prerequisite: Graduate classification.
663. Interior Architecture. (3-0). Credit 3.
Theory and application of design processes incorporating programming, space planning, analysis and communication of interior requirements for various building types with emphasis on spatial organization, selection of components and materials to satisfy user needs; emphasis on design of the workplace as the synthesis of human factors, organizational theory, systems technology and communication. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.*
674. Typologies of Contemporary Hospital Design. (3-0). Credit 3.
Introduction to the contemporary planning of hospitals; comparisons of hospital design by contemporary practitioners; best practice models, repetitive patterns, and innovative designs. Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing or permission of instructor.
675. Health Design and Research. (3-0). Credit 3.
Examination of health environments to include buildings, healthcare gardens and restorative landscapes, and urban design for home-based care and independent living; emphasis on research-informed approaches for patient-centered design that reduce stress and promote improved health outcomes. Prerequisite: Graduate classification.
676. Survey of Human Behavior and Design. (3-0). Credit 3.
Examination of human behavior and attitudes that influence spatial decision making; includes sections on environment and behavior, real estate finance, urban design decision making. Prerequisite: Graduate classification.
677. Neuroscience and Architecture. (3-0). Credit 3.
Advanced introduction to the field of experimental psychophysiology with applications taken primarily from the field of environmental psychology and supplementing with examples from the fields of social and cognitive neuroscience; exposure to the foundations, principles and selected applications of neuroscience. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.
681. Seminar. Credit 1 each semester.
Discussion and review of current practice in architecture and environmental design.
684. Professional Internship. Credit 1 to 8.
Professional practice under approved arrangement with public or private agencies or in residence to complement academic course work and to provide the basis for, and allow the preparation of, an appropriate report. Prerequisite: Approval of department head.
685. Directed Studies. Credit 1 to 6 each semester.
Individual problems involving application of theory and practice in design and construction of buildings and groups of buildings. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor and department head.
689. Special Topics in... Credit 1 to 6.
Selected topics in an identified field of architecture. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor or department head.
690. Research Ideologies for Architecture. (3-0). Credit 3.
Design of research in architecture; evaluation of research methodologies from current research literature. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor and department head.
691. Research. Credit 1 or more each semester.
Research for and preparation of dissertation.
693. Professional Study. Credit 1 or more each semester.
Application of verbal, graphic, research and critical thinking skills to an approved, individually selected architectural issue or design project that will advance the broad understanding of architecture and its impact on people. The terminal requirement for the Master of Architecture degree. May be taken more than once but not more than 6 hours used toward a degree. Prerequisites: ARCH 605, 606, 607; approved proposal.
* Field trips may be required for which departmental fees may be assessed to cover costs.