Approved by: Graduate Council
Implementation Date: Spring 2016
Note: Deletions are strikethroughs. Insertions are underlined.
Catalog Copy
ARCH 5301. Materials and Assembly Principles. (3) Prerequisite: ARCH 5302 or permission of instructor. Introduces the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of architectural materials, systems, and processes. Students will be introduced to the physical properties of materials relevant to their application in construction, assembly, and detail systems. Topics include: masonry, concrete, wood, steel, glass, cladding, and roofing and flooring materials and their assemblies. (Fall) (Spring)
ARCH 5302. Environmental Systems Principles. (3) Prerequisite: ARCH 5301 or permission of instructor. Introduces qualitative and quantitative analytical methods commonly used to assess the impact of environmental forces on occupant thermal and luminous comfort, energy performance, and regional sustainability. Students will be introduced to the interplay between climatic events, patterns of building use, and the architectural variables that inform the appropriate application of building systems technology. Topics include: building envelope performance, and the introduction of passive and mechanical systems for heating, cooling, illuminating, and ventilating buildings. (Spring) (Fall)
ARCH 5605. Computational Practice. (3) Prerequisite: ARCH 5604 or permission of instructor. Capstone course for digital media and computational studies in the School of Architecture. The goal of this seminar course is to provide students with experience using advanced digital tools and methods, including digital fabrication, parametrics, Building Information Modeling/Management (BIM), scripting, and performance analysis in preparation for professional practice and/or advanced graduate research. (Spring)
Master of Architecture I Curriculum
The MArch I curriculum requires a minimum of 96 hours to be completed during three academic years and one summer session.
Year One
Summer (6 hours)
- ARCH 6100 Design Studio: Basics (3)
- ARCH 6601 Ideas in Architecture (3)
Fall (15 hours)
- ARCH 6101 Design Studio: Fundamentals (6)
- ARCH 5201 Architectural History I: Prehistory-1750 (3)
ARCH 5301 Material and Assembly Principles (3)- ARCH 5302 Environmental Systems Principles (3)
- ARCH 6602 Representation I: Fundamentals (3)
Spring (15 hours)
- ARCH 6102 Design Studio: Fundamentals (6)
- ARCH 5202 Architectural History II: 1750-Present (3)
ARCH 5302 Environmental Systems Principles (3)- ARCH 5301 Material and Assembly Principles (3)
- ARCH 6603 Representation II: Digital Fundamentals (3)
Year Two
Fall (15 hours)
- ARCH 7101 Design Studio: Topical (6)
- ARCH 5203 Architectural History III: Survey of Contemporary Theory (1950-Present) (3)
- ARCH 5303 Structural Principles (3)
- ARCH 5604 Computational Methods (3)
Spring (15 hours)
- ARCH 7102 Design Studio: Comprehensive (6)
- ARCH 5304 Structural Systems (3)
- ARCH 5605 Computational Practice (3)
- ARCH 7201 Design Methodologies (3)
ARCH 6050 Architectural Elective (3)*
Year Three
Fall (15 hours)
- ARCH 7103 Design Studio: Topical (6)
- ARCH 7202 Final Project/Thesis Document (3)
- ARCH 5305 Building Systems Integration (3)
- ARCH 6050 Architectural Elective (3)*
Spring (15 hours)
- ARCH 7104 Final Project/Thesis Studio (6)
- ARCH 5206 Professional Practice (3)
ARCH 5605 Computational Practice (3)- ARCH 6050 Architectural Elective (3)*
- ARCH 6050 Architectural Elective (3)*
*ARCH 5204/5205 or ARCH 6306/6307 can be substituted for ARCH 6050.
Optional Summer Session Courses
- ARCH 6050 Architectural Elective (3) and ARCH 5204 History Topic (3) (Study Abroad)
- ARCH 6890 Directed Independent Study (1-3)
- ARCH 7950 Directed Research Study (3)
Note: MArch I candidates, as an option, may pursue an area of concentration (three concentration electives are required). Qualifying concentration electives are described in the Course Descriptions section below.
Master of Architecture II Curriculum
The MArch II curriculum requires a minimum of 60 credit hours to be completed during two academic years. If applicants accepted to the MArch II curriculum are evaluated and found deficient in entry-level competencies, they will be required to enroll in additional coursework beyond the 60 credits to complete their degree. Below is a list of expected entry-level competencies.
The combined dual degree of Master of Architecture and Master of Urban Design (MArch/M.U.D) requires a minimum of 74 credit hours to be completed in three calendar years of full-time study, including a summer studio in a foreign country. Details of this dual degree are listed under the following Master of Urban Design section. This three-year dual degree is only available to students in the Master of Architecture II curriculum. Applicants for this dual degree must meet all the admission requirements and entry-level competencies for the MArch II curriculum.
Expected Entry-Level Competencies for MArch II Candidates:
- A minimum of six semesters of architectural design studios;
- A minimum of three semesters of architectural history and/or theory courses;
- A minimum of four semesters of building technology courses equivalent to the following UNC Charlotte’s School of Architecture courses:
- ARCH 5301 Material and Assembly Principles (3)
- ARCH 5302 Environmental Systems Principles (3)
- ARCH 5303 Structural Principles (3)
- ARCH 5304 Structural Systems (3)
To ensure that incoming students are evaluated appropriately, the School of Architecture requires candidates for the MArch II curriculum to furnish the Architecture Graduate Admissions Committee and Graduate Program Coordinator relevant course descriptions and syllabi of all architecture courses passed and completed which may satisfy entry-level competencies. The following curriculum is modeled for students accepted to the program who have satisfied all entry-level competencies.
Master of Architecture II Curriculum
Year One
Fall (15 hours)
- ARCH 7101 Design Studio: Topical (6)
- ARCH 5203 Architectural History III: Survey of Contemporary Theory (1950-Present) (3)*
- ARCH 6307 Technology Topic (3)
- ARCH 5604 Computational Methods (3)**
*UNC Charlotte undergraduates who have previously taken ARCH 4203 should substitute ARCH 4205 (Architectural History Elective) for ARCH 5203.
** UNC Charlotte undergraduates who have previously taken ARCH 4604 should substitute ARCH 6050 (Architectural Elective) for ARCH 5604.
Spring (15 hours)
- ARCH 7102 Design Studio: Comprehensive (6)
- ARCH 7201 Design Methodologies (3)
- ARCH 5605 Computational Practice (3)
- ARCH 6306 Technology Topic (3)
ARCH 6050 Architectural Elective (3)***
Year Two
Fall (15 hours)
- ARCH 7103 Design Studio: Topical (6)
- ARCH 7202 Final Project/Thesis Document (3)
- ARCH 5305 Building Systems Integration (3)
- ARCH 6050 Architectural Elective (3)***
Spring (15 hours)
- ARCH 7104 Final Project/Thesis Studio (6)
ARCH 5605 Computational Practice (3)- ARCH 5206 Professional Practice (3)
- ARCH 6050 Architectural Elective (3)***
- ARCH 6050 Architectural Elective (3)***
***ARCH 5204/5205 or ARCH 6306/6307 can be substituted for ARCH 6050.
Optional Summer Session Courses
- ARCH 6050 Architectural Elective (3) and ARCH 5204 History Topic (3) (Study Abroad)
- ARCH 6890 Directed Independent Study (1-3)
- ARCH 7950 Directed Research Study (3)
Note: MArch II candidates are required to pursue an area of concentration. Three (3) qualifying ARCH 6050 courses are mandatory to satisfy the required concentration sequence. See Course Descriptions section below.