StudyQA — Bachelor: Architecture — Rice University (Page 2)

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Description Contents Requirements Funding

The Rice School of Architecture (RSA) focuses on speculative practice -- that is, the teaching and research of architecture and urban design as speculations that will advance professional practice as well as the built environment. Intimate student-faculty interaction, academic freedom, and unrestricted institutional cooperation within and outside the university are distinctive qualities of the architecture degree programs at Rice.

Rice’s undergraduate architecture programs maintain a balance between a design-focused study of architecture and a broad general education. In addition to formal coursework, students benefit from lectures and presentations from distinguished practitioners and scholars, symposia and other cultural events, and the unique Rice Preceptorship program, which places students in an outstanding professional office for a nine-month internship.

Students pursuing the BA degree with a major in Architecture (ARCH) must complete:

A minimum of 17 courses (75 credit hours) to satisfy major requirements.
A minimum of 130 credit hours to satisfy degree requirements.
A minimum of 11 courses (45 credit hours) at the 300-level or higher.
A minimum of 45 credit hours outside of the major requirements.

The BA in Architecture, leading to a BArch degree, is the primary undergraduate architecture program at Rice. Students who apply and are accepted into the University and the School of Architecture enter directly into this program. The required courses for the Major of a BA in Architecture leading to a BArch consist of four integrated sequences in the following areas: Design Studios, History and Theory, Technology, and Practice. Courses in these sequences must be taken in the order and semesters specified by the School of Architecture.

The curriculum for this professional degree program sequence has three two-year long stages. The first stage provides a foundation sequence in design, history and theory, and technology taken in the first and second years. Students are also expected to fulfill the majority of University general distribution requirements during these two years. The curriculum is designed to provide an intensive focus on architecture, while allowing each student to receive a broad education and to pursue other interests.

At the end of the first stage, students apply for the approval of their Major in Architecture by the School of Architecture. Approval is based on academic performance and demonstrated aptitude.

The second intermediate stage occurs in the third and fourth years. Students complete the courses required for the major of a BA in Architecture, remaining university requirements, and take electives through which each student can develop his or her particular interests in the field and in other areas. In their fourth year, students pursue a design research sequence through a seminar in the fall that is linked to the spring studio. At the end of this stage, and with the completion of all major and university requirements, students graduate, receiving the degree of a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture.

The third and final stage consists of the Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) degree (see below) and includes the year of Preceptorship. The BArch is only open to students who have completed the first four years at the Rice School of Architecture and who apply for admission into this stage of the program during their fourth year. As with the approval for Major two years prior, approval is based on academic performance and demonstrated aptitude.

In addition to these formal course requirements, students are expected to contribute to the intellectual culture of the RSA by attending public lectures and symposia and participating in the final reviews at the end of each semester where students across the school publicly present their work. Further information on policies and procedures are detailed in the RSA student handbook, which is distributed as a pdf to every incoming student.

REQUIRED COURSES
Students must complete a total of 17 courses (75 credit hours) as listed below. All courses listed below must be taken in the sequence and semester prescribed above.

1st Semester
Students must complete the following 2 courses (9 credit hours):

ARCH 101 Principles of Architecture I–Order [ 6 credit hours ]
ARCH 225/HART 225 History and Theory I–Introduction [ 3 credit hours ]

2nd Semester
Students must complete the following course (6 credit hours)

ARCH 102 Principles of Architecture II–Representation [ 6 credit hours ]

3rd Semester
Students must complete the following 2 courses (9 credit hours):

ARCH 201 Principles of Architecture III–Organization [ 6 credit hours ]
ARCH 207 Technology I–The Frame [ 3 credit hours ]

4th Semester
Students must complete the following 3 courses (12 credit hours):

ARCH 202 Principles of Architecture IV–Effects [ 6 credit hours ]
ARCH 345/HART 345 History and Theory II–pre 1890 [ 3 credit hours ]
ARCH 309 Technology II–The Shell [ 3 credit hours ]

5th Semester
Students must complete the following 3 courses (12 credit hours):

ARCH 301 Intermediate Problems in Architecture I–Situation [ 6 credit hours ]
ARCH 346 History and Theory III–1890-1968 [ 3 credit hours ]
ARCH 314 Technology III–The Envelope [ 3 credit hours ]

6th Semester
Students must complete the following 3 courses (12 credit hours):

ARCH 302 Intermediate Problems in Architecture II–Legibility [ 6 credit hours ]
ARCH 352 History and Theory IV–1968-Present [ 3 credit hours ]
ARCH 316 Technology IV–The Environment [ 3 credit hours ]

7th Semester
Students must complete the following 2 courses (9 credit hours):

ARCH 401 Advanced Topics in Architecture–The Metropolis [ 6 credit hours ]
ARCH 403 Degree Project Seminar–Watkin Research Seminar [ 3 credit hours ]

8th Semester
Students must complete the following course (6 credit hours):

ARCH 402 Advanced Topics in Architecture–Watkin Research Seminar [ 6 credit hours ]

ELECTIVES
To fulfill the remaining requirements for the BA degree with a major in Architecture, students must complete a total of 55 additional credit hours. At least 45 credit hours must be completed from coursework outside of ARCH course offerings.

The Coalition Application, or theCommon Application and Rice Writing Supplement, or the Universal College Application and the Rice Supplement
$75 nonrefundable application fee orfee waiver
Official high school transcript. Transcripts must be submitted by your high school and will not be accepted by fax or email.
Official Test Scores: either the SAT and two Subject Tests related to your proposed area of study, or the ACT.
School Report (counselor recommendation)
One Teacher Evaluation (teacher recommendation)
Midyear Report (to be submitted when senior midyear grades become available)
The Rice International Student Financial Statement
If English is not your first language or your language of instruction in school, you must submit official TOEFL or IELTS scores.
An electronic portfolio.