Architecture

The NAAB-accredited five-year Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) program prepares students to be design-thought leaders in a variety of fields, as well as to continue on their path to licensure in the profession of architecture. The B.Arch program begins with three largely scripted years of studio and coursework, providing students a strong, multifaceted foundation in architectural principles and methods. In the fourth and fifth years, students tailor their studio and course choices to the interests they’ve honed in their first three years: they may choose to continue a general-studies approach or may concentrate their work more heavily in a specific architectural subdiscipline. All B.Arch graduates are thoroughly prepared to continue toward professional licensure, but the tone of their education is distinctly personal.

Each course required for the B.Arch program falls into one of seven categories, each pursuing a set of specific objectives for student learning:

• Studio (168 units): Architectural design studio (prescribed for the first three years and selective thereafter) is the backbone of every semester in the B.Arch program. Students learn to combine rigorously rational and resourcefully creative techniques to identify design problems, collect and analyze data, apply theoretical and practical strategies in creation of a design solution, and evaluate its results through extensive testing; and to describe and work at various points along the continuum between form-finding and form-making. (Courses: Foundation I & II, Elaboration I & II, Integration I & II, Advanced Synthesis Options Thesis/Studio I & II)

• Critical Practice (42 units): A multifaceted field of practice, architecture interacts with dynamic social, organizational, economic, professional, and cognitive contexts. In this sequence, students learn to use methods from cognitive psychology to analyze the influence of human factors on design, construction and occupancy; to resolve ethical dilemmas with adjudication strategies based in architectural case study; to demonstrate critical awareness and broad understanding of the factors informing the intelligent resolution of architecture and construction; and to identify the roles of architects, urban designers and planners in shaping the built environment in a global context. (Courses: First Year Seminar: Architecture Edition I & II, Case Studies in Architecture and Urban Studies, Human Factors in Architecture, Real Estate Design and Development, Issue of Practice)

• Design Tools (24 units): Drawing and modeling both by hand and with the computer are core skills for developing powers of observation, the ability to think in three dimensions, and the communication of architectural ideas. By using a range of analog and digital design tools to engage in the act of making, students will be able to explore, analyze, formulate, fabricate, and represent ideas about the built environment. (Courses: Analog and Digital Media I, Analog and Digital Media II)

• Environmental Science (27 units): Environmental education is one of our highest priorities. In this sequence, students learn to describe first principles of and computational approaches to the lighting and thermal performance of buildings; to demonstrate qualitative and quantitative climate- and environment-responsive strategies (energy conservation, passive heating/cooling, daylighting, natural ventilation); to select, configure, and represent building service systems; and to maintain global awareness of high-performance systems-integration strategies. (Courses: Building Physics, Environment I: Climate & Energy, Environment II: Mechanical Systems for Buildings)

• History (27 units): In architectural history courses, students learn to identify chronologically and geographically diverse building styles, building types, and urban plans; to describe the cultural, intellectual and aesthetic contexts surrounding the creation of those buildings and sites; to write clearly and persuasively about the historic built environment; and to demonstrate critical thinking, quality research, and effective information management. In addition to the two-semester Historical Survey of World Architecture, each student completes one elective course on architectural history within the School of Architecture. A minor in architectural history is available to students completing four additional, approved, nine-unit architectural history courses beyond these three required courses. (Courses: Historical Survey of World Architecture and Urbanism, Modern Architecture, Architectural History III)

• Building Technology (18 units): We understand technical knowledge as design knowledge and place major emphasis on understanding the state-of-the-art and innovative building structure, enclosure, mechanical, lighting, and interior systems. Students learn to design gravity- and lateral load-resisting systems for buildings; to select, configure and size construction systems in wood, masonry, steel, and concrete; and to distinguish among construction materials with regard to their process of manufacture, their physical properties, their environmental performance, and their methods of selection and specification. (Courses: Materials and Assembly, Structures/Statics)

• General Studies (135 units): University coursework in mathematics, physical sciences, social sciences, writing, and history are prerequisite to the School’s own offerings. (Courses: Exploring Pittsburgh, Interpretation and Argument, Computing @ Carnegie Mellon, Descriptive Geometry, Generative Modeling, Fundamentals of Computational Design, University Electives)

First Year: FOUNDATION

Second Year: ELABORATION

Third Year: INTEGRATION

Fourth Year: ADVANCED TOPICS

Fifth Year: ADVANCED TOPICS

• Common Application
• $75 application fee*
• Official high school transcript (please review our Academic Requirements)**
• Secondary School Counselor Evaluation
• Teacher Recommendation
• Common Application essay and personal statement
• All fine arts applicants to the Schools of Architecture, Art, Design, Drama and Music are required to arrange an audition or portfolio review.
• Home schooled applicants should submit an academic portfolio/transcript consistent with their state guidelines and a list of all textbooks used.
• Applicants must provide proof of meeting all requirements for an official high school diploma, by the end of May of the year of graduation, and submit an official final transcript, GED or certificate of completion from your local school district or state board of education by the end of July of the year of matriculation.
• The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required if your native language is not English. Carnegie Mellon requires TOEFL scores of 102 or better on the internet-based TOEFL (as of Fall 2010) or an IELTS score of 7.5 and above. Carnegie Mellon carefully reviews the sub-scores of each of these exams and considers those candidates with reading, listening, speaking and writing sub-scores of 25 or more on TOEFL and 7.5 or more on IELTS to be candidates with high levels of English proficiency. Please arrange to have these scores sent no later than January 1st. Carnegie Mellon's TOEFL code is 2074.
• InitialView interviews are recommended for non-native English speakers but are not required. Often these interviews can measure readiness for engagement in the classroom and also showcase a student’s personality, likes and dislikes as well as the area of intended major. InitialView interviews can show English language proficiency while also corroborating the application with more details about the student.
• If your secondary school transcript or any other admission document is written in a language other than English, it should be accompanied by an official translation and verified by a counselor or school official to be true copies of the original.
• If you are preparing for the International Baccalaureate or the General Certificate of Education (GCE) A-level examinations, please send your expected exam results.

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course