Architecture (BARCH), Bachelor of Architecture
Dunwoody's Bachelor of Architecture is a three-year, full-time professional degree program. The program invites applications from students with related degrees from other institutions as well as recipients of the Associate in Applied Science degree in Architectural Drafting & Design. Applications for admission into year three are accepted based on transcript and portfolio review.
Upon acceptance into the Bachelor of Architecture degree program, students acquire the capacity to become leaders in the profession. During their three years in the program, students harness advanced design and building technologies as a design tool to conceive of comprehensive architectural works. Students acquire leadership skills during practice-based studios with real world projects serving under-served communities worldwide. To support these public interest design initiatives, concurrent courses include professional practice and Architectural Registration Exam preparation. Students learn to design in historical and cultural contexts through courses in history, theory, culture, service learning, community and civic engagement, and design build projects. Concurrently, students engage in Hawk Core Curriculum courses in critical and creative thinking, research methods, and business courses in marketing, accounting, and management.
The Bachelor of Architecture degree program is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).
In the United States, most registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a prerequisite for licensure. The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), which is the sole agency authorized to accredit professional degree programs in architecture offered by institutions with U.S. regional accreditation, recognizes three types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture, and the Doctor of Architecture. A program may be granted an eight-year term, an eight-year term with conditions, or a two-year term of continuing accreditation, or a three-year term of initial accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established education standards. Doctor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degree programs may require a non-accredited undergraduate degree in architecture for admission. However, the non-accredited degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.
Dunwoody College of Technology's School of Design offers the following NAAB-accredited degree program:
Bachelor of Architecture: 150 Semester Credits
Year of Next Accreditation Visit: 2031
Length of Program: 3 years (6 semesters)
Classes Offered: Day; Distance Learning
Available Starts: Fall Semester
Accreditation: National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB)
By the end of this program, students will be able to:
- Collaborate on design solutions.
- Demonstrate professionalism, ethics, and leadership.
- Constructively review and critique and welcome feedback.
- Communicate visually and verbally with a variety of stakeholders.
- Apply knowledge of human experience and global context to design solutions.
- Apply the design process.
- Apply the principles and elements of design.
- Documentation and integration of design solutions.
- Utilize standards that protect the health, safety, and well-being of stakeholders.
- Demonstrate knowledge and responsibility for sustainable design.
- Demonstrate technical knowledge.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Requirements | ||
| ARTS2200 | Global Design History | 3 |
| Social Science Elective | 3 | |
| Math/Science Elective | 3 | |
| Communications Elective | 3 | |
| General Electives | 18 | |
| Technical Requirements | ||
| Technical Credits Transfer | 45 | |
| ARCH3011 | Housing Studio | 5 |
| ARCH3012 | Urbanism & Landscape | 3 |
| ARCH3013 | Structures | 3 |
| SODN3015 | Design Communication | 1 |
| ARCH3021 | Community Studio | 5 |
| SODN3023 | Universal Design | 3 |
| ARCH3023 | Community Practice | 3 |
| SODN3024 | 2D Design | 1 |
| ARCH4011 | Prefabrication Studio | 5 |
| ARCH4012 | Building Systems | 3 |
| ARCH4013 | Professional Practice | 3 |
| SODN4014 | 3D Design | 1 |
| ARCH4021 | Adaptive Reuse Studio | 5 |
| ARCH4022 | Building Envelope | 3 |
| ARCH4023 | Building Economics | 3 |
| SODN4024 | 4D Design | 1 |
| ARCH5011 | Integrated Studio | 5 |
| SODN4013 | Designing Careers | 3 |
| SODN4015 | Capstone Research | 3 |
| ARCH5014 | Virtual Environments | 1 |
| ARCH5021 | Capstone Studio | 5 |
| ARCH5022 | Advanced Detailing | 3 |
| ARCH5024 | Independent Topics | 1 |
| Choose 2 Courses of Design Electives | ||
| SODN3012 | Sustainable Design | 3 |
| SODN3014 | Surface Design | 3 |
| SODN2014 | UX/UI Design | 3 |
| SODN2022 | Lighting Design | 3 |
| EGDN2022 | Multimedia | 3 |
| SODN3022 | Furniture Design | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 150 | |
The following sample academic plan demonstrates how a student's schedule might look on a semester-by-semester basis, including elective courses. Your actual degree plan may differ from this sequence, depending on whether you start in the fall or spring semester, what transfer credits you may have (if any), and which Hawk Core Curriculum courses and electives you take and when you take them.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ARCH3011 | Housing Studio | 5 |
| ARCH3012 | Urbanism & Landscape | 3 |
| ARCH3013 | Structures | 3 |
| SODN3015 | Design Communication | 1 |
| Communications Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ARCH3021 | Community Studio | 5 |
| SODN3023 | Universal Design | 3 |
| ARCH3023 | Community Practice | 3 |
| SODN3024 | 2D Design | 1 |
| ARTS2200 | Global Design History | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ARCH4011 | Prefabrication Studio | 5 |
| ARCH4012 | Building Systems | 3 |
| ARCH4013 | Professional Practice | 3 |
| SODN4014 | 3D Design | 1 |
| Social Sciences Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ARCH4021 | Adaptive Reuse Studio | 5 |
| ARCH4022 | Building Envelope | 3 |
| ARCH4023 | Building Economics | 3 |
| SODN4024 | 4D Design | 1 |
| Natural Sciences/Mathematics Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ARCH5011 | Integrated Studio | 5 |
| SODN4013 | Designing Careers | 3 |
| SODN4015 | Capstone Research | 3 |
| SODN3012 |
Sustainable Design or Surface Design or UX/UI Design |
3 |
| ARCH5014 | Virtual Environments | 1 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ARCH5021 | Capstone Studio | 5 |
| ARCH5022 | Advanced Detailing | 3 |
| SODN2022 |
Lighting Design or Multimedia or Furniture Design |
3 |
| ARCH5024 | Independent Topics | 1 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Transfer Credits | ||
| Fall | ||
| Technical Transfer Credits | 45 | |
| General Education Transfer Credits | 15 | |
| Credits | 60 | |
| Total Credits | 150 | |
Descriptions
ARCH3011 | Housing Studio | Lecture/Studio (5 Credits)
Housing Studio examines opportunities by rethinking how we build, maintain, and occupy structures through a housing project. Emphasis is placed on modern construction techniques, building materials, and processes. Gain an effective understanding of design flexibility and a sense of community and placemaking through site context and barrier-free design.
ARCH3012 | Urbanism & Landscape | Lecture (3 Credits)
Urbanism and Landscape examines the physical and sociological elements of constructed environments. Learning focuses on context, topography, hydrology, site/place, user perception, landscapes, and urban form.
ARCH3013 | Structures | Lecture (3 Credits)
Structures examines how buildings carry and distribute load. Learning focuses on properties of conventional and emerging structural systems and examining the strength of materials, applied mechanics, and structural theory.
ARCH3021 | Community Studio | Lecture/Studio (5 Credits)
Community Studio examines equitable design practices used to develop and articulate a communitydriven project. Emphasis is placed on community engagement, addressing stakeholder needs, site and regulatory conditions, and barrier-free design. Explore project scale, use of materials, and placemaking to address issues related to the public realm.
Prerequisite(s): ARCH3011
ARCH3023 | Community Practice | Lecture (3 Credits)
Community Practice explores the process by which research, communication, collaboration, and community engagement lead to understanding. Learning focuses on documentation, interpretation, programming and equitable design practices in support of the designer's role connecting community to design objectives.
ARCH4011 | Prefabrication Studio | Lecture/Studio (5 Credits)
Prefabrication Studio examines innovative methods and processes used in the construction of a project using modular building components. Emphasis is placed on manufacturing techniques, material performance, and custom design solutions based on research and technological applications.
Prerequisite(s): ARCH3021
ARCH4012 | Building Systems | Lecture (3 Credits)
Building Systems examines the relationship between structure, enclosure, building controls, and mechanical and electrical systems. Learning focuses on issues related to building performance, constructability, systems integration, sustainability, life-cycle analysis, and the interrelationship of architecture and engineering functions.
ARCH4013 | Professional Practice | Lecture (3 Credits)
Professional Practice examines the financial, contractual, and ethical responsibilities of an architect and business practices. Learning focuses on the responsibilities of design professionals, practice models, and the process of marketing skills in a service industry.
ARCH4021 | Adaptive Reuse Studio | Lecture/Studio (5 Credits)
Adaptive Reuse Studio explores the repurposing of an existing historical building for a new program and hospitality use. Emphasis is placed on preservation techniques, integration of new and existing structure, and building systems as well as the expression of the building's character. Gain effective collaborative skills through historical research and the exploration of sustainable techniques and environmental factors of the site.
Prerequisite(s): ARCH4011
ARCH4022 | Building Envelope | Lecture (3 Credits)
Building Envelope examines a building's performance and efficiency as it relates to its enclosure. Learning focuses on how the building envelope and internal building systems work together to create healthy, resilient, comfortable, and sustainable buildings.
ARCH4023 | Building Economics | Lecture (3 Credits)
Building Economics examines business strategies for the construction, renovation and/or redevelopment of buildings. Learning focuses on the tools of economic analysis, building life-cycle costs, market factors, building regulations, budgeting, and estimating.
ARCH5011 | Integrated Studio | Lecture/Studio (5 Credits)
Integrated Studio builds upon previous coursework to design a comprehensive architectural project. Emphasis is placed on selecting structural and mechanical systems, material construction, identification of zoning and code constraints, and appropriate construction and assembly types. Demonstrate and communicate effective construction drawings, specifications, documentation, and integration of systems.
Prerequisite(s): ARCH4021
ARCH5014 | Virtual Environments | Seminar (1 Credit)
Virtual Environments explores tools and methods for creating time- and motion-based architectural visualization. Discover and develop techniques for visual storytelling, 2D and 3D rendering, and animation.
ARCH5021 | Capstone Studio | Lecture/Studio (5 Credits)
Capstone Studio explores a self-directed, comprehensive design project supported by design research and cultural and social contexts. Emphasis is placed on individual design philosophy, process, learning, working, and thinking associated with academic work and practice. Demonstrate design skills that synthesize a comprehensive and professional understanding to solve design problems through exploration and iteration.
ARCH5022 | Advanced Detailing | Lecture (3 Credits)
Advanced Detailing enhances knowledge of architectural detailing, specifications, building assembly, and construction practices. Learning focuses on the documentation necessary to effectively implement and communicate design intent for construction.
ARCH5024 | Independent Topics | Seminar (1 Credit)
Independent Topics provides an opportunity to explore individually selected subject matter. Discover and develop topics related to individual goals and self-discovery.
EGDN2022 | Multimedia | Lecture (3 Credits)
Multimedia explores the tools, concepts, and production methods needed to create engaging design narratives. Learning focuses on the meaning, messaging, typography, image, and time-based motion communication.
SODN2022 | Lighting Design | Lecture (3 Credits)
Lighting Design explores the properties, aesthetic qualities, and technical considerations of artificial and natural light. Examine function, interaction, and lighting controls to enhance interior and exterior environments.
SODN3012 | Sustainable Design | Lecture (3 Credits)
Sustainable Design explores environmental factors and sustainable design strategies through the use of performance assessment tools and metrics. Learning focuses on material, product, and life-cycle with an emphasis on reducing environmental impact and maintaining healthy environments.
SODN3014 | Surface Design | Lecture (3 Credits)
Surface Design explores patterns, color enhancements, and visual problem-solving through traditional and digital techniques. Learning focuses on brand expression, marketability, and production techniques.
SODN3015 | Design Communication | Seminar (1 Credit)
Design Communication explores the skills and techniques of professional presentation and communication. Develop verbal and visual presentations that effectively describe design intent.
SODN3022 | Furniture Design | Lecture (3 Credits)
Furniture Design explores aesthetic, ergonomic, and functional issues related to the creation of custom furniture. Learning focuses on responsive design solutions through research, prototyping, and use of materials to develop a personal design approach to designing and making furniture.
SODN3023 | Universal Design | Lecture (3 Credits)
Universal Design explores the legal and ethical responsibility that designers have in the creation of furnishings, objects, spaces, and environments. Learning focuses on ergonomics, anthropometrics, social factors, standards, and regulations and how they impact life safety.
SODN3024 | 2D Design | Seminar (1 Credit)
2D Design explores geometry, form, and patterning through research and hands-on exploration. Discover and develop visual and verbal communication skills for describing 2D forms.
SODN4014 | 3D Design | Seminar (1 Credit)
3D Design explores form through material exploration and experimentation. Develop design solutions using analog and digital tools, composition, prototyping, and visual communication.
SODN4024 | 4D Design | Seminar (1 Credit)
4D Design explores the language of design, user experience, and interaction with motion, sounds, and interfaces. Develop design solutions that are influenced by 2D and 3D principles.
SODN4013 | Designing Careers | Lecture (3 Credits)
Designing Careers prepares students to navigate the professional working environment upon graduation. Learning focuses on enhancing job readiness, career options, refining portfolio, professional communication, personal brand, and networking opportunities.
SODN4015 | Capstone Research | Lecture (3 Credits)
Capstone Research focuses on the tools, methods, and skills needed to develop and frame the Capstone Studio project. Learning focuses on data collection, interpretation, analysis, and synthesis of a comprehensive design brief used to guide the Capstone Studio project through research.