StudyQA — Bachelor: Architecture — Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

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Description Contents Requirements Funding

The five-year undergraduate program seeks applicants curious about the acquisition of knowledge, the creative and
scientific aspects of buildings, the importance of ecological design, the power of learning, the value of hard work, and the transformative opportunities afforded the next generation of architects committed to changing the world. Conceived as a supportive and inspiring environment for the beginning student of architecture, the program offers a comprehensive curriculum comprised of architectural design, history/theory, and technology courses as preparation for our graduates to become future leaders in the profession.

The School has an extensive international study abroad program enabling students to spend one full semester in Italy, India or China. In addition, the School also offers a semester-long program in New York City for undergraduate students to study at the Center for Architecture Science and Ecology (CASE), a unique educational and research consortium between Rensselaer and the renowned architecture firm of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), as an opportunity to pursue research on next-generation sustainable architecture.

The Bachelor of Architecture from Rensselaer is a professional degree fully accredited by the National Architectural Accreditation Board. Graduates of the School are distinguished by being creatively independent, technologically astute, progressive, professionally ambitious with a strong sense of social responsibility, and prepared for career advancement at any level

FIRST YEAR

Fall

ARCH 2150 – The Ethos of Architecture Credit Hours: 2
ARCH 2160 – Architectural Media Credit Hours: 2
ARCH 2510 – Materials and Design Credit Hours: 2
ARCH 2520 – Digital Constructs 1 Credit Hours: 2
ARCH 2800 – Architectural Design Studio 1 Credit Hours: 5
MATH 1500 – Calculus for Architecture, Management, and HASS Credit Hours: 4

Spring

ARCH 2370 – Energy, Comfort and Ecology Credit Hours: 2
ARCH 2530 – Digital Constructs 2 Credit Hours: 2
ARCH 2810 – Architectural Design Studio 2 Credit Hours: 5
ARCH 4090 – Architectural Case Studies Credit Hours: 2
ARCH 4120 – Modernity in Culture, Civilization, and Architecture 1 Credit Hours: 2
PHYS 1050 – General Physics Credit Hours: 4

SECOND YEAR

Fall

ARCH 2330 – Structures 1 Credit Hours: 3 (See footnote 3 below)
ARCH 2350 – Construction Systems Credit Hours: 2
ARCH 2540 – Digital Constructs 3 Credit Hours: 2
ARCH 2820 – Architectural Design Studio 3 Credit Hours: 5
ARCH 4100 – An Architectural Genealogy 1 Credit Hours: 2 (See footnote 2 below)
ARCH 4130 – Modernity in Culture, Civilization, and Architecture 2 Credit Hours: 2

Spring

HASS Elective Credit Hours: 4 (See footnote 1 below)
ARCH 2360 – Environmental and Ecological Systems Credit Hours: 4(See footnote 3 below)
ARCH 2550 – Digital Constructs 4 Credit Hours: 2
ARCH 2830 – Architectural Design Studio 4 Credit Hours: 5
ARCH 4110 – An Architectural Genealogy 2 Credit Hours: 2
(See footnote 2 below)

THIRD YEAR

Fall

HASS Elective Credit Hours: 4
MATH Elective Credit Hours: 4
ARCH 4330 – Structures 2 Credit Hours: 3 (See footnote 3 below)
ARCH 4560 – Materials and Enclosures Credit Hours: 2
ARCH 4820 – Integrated Design SchematicCredit Hours: 5

Spring

ARCH 4150 – Contemporary Design Approaches Credit Hours: 2
ARCH 4540 – Professional Practice 1 Credit Hours: 2 (See footnote 4 below)
ARCH 4740 – Building Systems and Environment Credit Hours: 4 (See footnote 3 below)
ARCH 4830 – Integrated Design Development Credit Hours: 5
BIOL 1010 – Introduction to Biology Credit Hours: 3
BIOL 1015 – Introduction to Biology Laboratory Credit Hours: 1

FOURTH YEAR

Fall

Professional Elective Credit Hours: 2
Professional Elective Credit Hours: 2
HASS Elective Credit Hours: 4
ARCH 4050 – Cities and Their Territories Credit Hours: 2
ARCH 4550 – Professional Practice 2 Credit Hours: 2
ARCH 4770 – Architectural Design Studio 5 Credit Hours: 5

Spring

Professional Elective Credit Hours: 2
Professional Elective Credit Hours: 2
Elective Credit Hours: 4
HASS Elective Credit Hours: 4
ARCH 4780 – Architectural Design Studio 6 Credit Hours: 5

FIFTH YEAR

Fall

HASS Elective Credit Hours: 4
Elective Credit Hours: 4
Professional Elective Credit Hours: 2
ARCH 4790 – Architectural Design Studio 7 Credit Hours: 5
ARCH 4910 – Final Project Design Research Seminar Credit Hours: 3

Spring

Science Elective Credit Hours: 4
Free Elective Credit Hours: 4
Professional Elective Credit Hours: 2
ARCH 4590 – Economics and Architecture Credit Hours: 2
ARCH 4920 – Final Project Design Studio Credit Hours: 5 (See footnote 1 below)

Footnotes

HASS Institute communications intensive requirement (see Class Hour Schedule for approved courses); Final Project Design Studio will fulfill the Architecture major communications intensive requirement.
Four credits of the HASS core requirements are embedded within the Architectural Genealogy sequence: ARCH 4100 and ARCH 4110.
Four credits of the Institute core Science requirements are embedded within the technology sequence: ARCH 2330, ARCH 2360, ARCH 4330, and ARCH 4740.
Taken in the same semester as ARCH 4830.

Requirements

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for all non-native English speakers. Applicants who have completed three or more years of secondary education in the U.S. may request an exemption by emailing Rensselaer Admissions. Rensselaer expects a minimum TOEFL score of at least 88 iBT, or 570 PBT. For students not able to take the TOEFL, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Pearson’s Test of English (PTE) may be substituted for the TOEFL. An IELTS score of at least 7.0 or a PTE score of at least 59 is expected. Only the academic format is accepted.
In general, we look for students who have earned A’s and B’s in a challenging curriculum. We pay close attention to exactly which classes you have taken and how you have performed in them, instead of focusing on a certain GPA.
Portfolio
Request a letter of recommendation from a counselor or teacher.
A recommendation provided by a math or science teacher who knows you well is preferred.
Remit the $70 application fee.