Architecture M.Arch. - Curriculum

Introduction to the range of architectural representation skills necessary to effectively document basic architectural form and space. Skill development will be both manual and digital. Class 2, Studio 4, Credit 3 (F) (This class is restricted to students in the ARCH-MARCH program.) Studio 2 (Fall).

Further study of architectural representation skills necessary to effectively document more complex architectural form and space. Skill development will be both manual and digital. (Pre-requisite ARCH-611 Architectural Representation I) Class 2, Studio 4, Credit 3 (S) (Prerequisites: ARCH-611 or equivalent course.) Studio 4 (Spring).

Students study global architecture from pre-history to the 15th century, including form, technology, urban context, and how architecture reflects social, cultural, and political concerns. Class 3, Credit 3 (F) (This class is restricted to students in the ARCH-MARCH program.) Lecture 3 (Fall).

Students study global architecture from the 15th to the 21st century, including form, technology, urban context, and how architecture reflects social, cultural, and political concerns. (This class is restricted to students in the ARCH-MARCH program.) Lecture 3 (Spring).

Exploration of basic architectural space and form through studio design problems. Problems require understanding of elements such as spatial relationships, circulation, light, and orientation. (Co-requisite, ARCH-611 Architectural Representation I). Classroom 3, Studio 9, Credit 6 (F) (Co-requisites: ARCH-611 or equivalent course.) Studio 12 (Fall).

Students will analyze and solve building based architectural design problems with a focus on residential design and other wood based structures. (Pre-requisite, ARCH-631 Architectural Design I, Corequisite, ARCH-621 Architectural Representation II). Classroom 3, Studio 9, Credit 6 (S) ARCH- (Co-requisites: ARCH-641 or equivalent course.) Studio 12 (Spring).

Students will receive an overview of the various passive and active architectural and engineering systems that comprise a building project while focusing on wood frame construction. (Co-requisite ARCH- 632 Architectural Design II) Class 3, Credit 3 (S) (Co-requisites: ARCH-632 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Spring).

Students will study the interaction between industrial, environmental/ecological and social systems in the built environment by introduction of systems thinking and the multiple disciplines comprising sustainability. (acceptance into M. Arch. program or permission of instructor) Class 3, Credit 3. (F) (This class is restricted to graduate students in the Golisano Institute for Sustainability (ARCH-MARCH, SUSTSY-MS, SUST-PHD).) Lecture 3 (Fall).

ARCH-699 Co-op Architecture This course provides a ten-week (350 hour min.) work experience in the field. (Second year program status) Credit 0 (Su) (This class is restricted to students in the ARCH-MARCH program.) CO OP (Summer).

Building on the 1st year studios that explored basic communications between form and space this introduction to the 2nd year will investigate in greater depth the complexity and integrated nature of the architectural object and design process. Students will explore the artistic, conceptual, creative, and experiential side of architecture as a way of developing a rigorous process of architectural form-making. By developing methods, parameters, and alternatives of form-making, issues such as expression, perception, and representation will be explored. Although site design will be the focus of the course, full building designs will be examined in response to site parameters. Students will be expected to work in teams to explore communally a broad spectrum of design strategies at every opportunity. (Prerequisites: ARCH-632 or equivalent course. Co-requisites: ARCH-741 or equivalent course.) Studio 12 (Fall).

Investigation of architectural design as a response to the modern urban context. This includes an understanding of urban design and planning, as well as community involvement. (Prerequisites: ARCH-731 or equivalent course. Co-requisites: ARCH-742 or equivalent course.) Studio 12 (Spring).

This course presents the various systems that comprise a project’s site work; architectural materials/methods, civil engineering, and landscaping architecture as well as site constraints. (Prerequisites: ARCH-641 or equivalent course. Co-requisite: ARCH-731 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Fall).

The major tectonic components of a building will be studied in this course focusing on the building envelope and typical structural configurations. Structural inquiry will fully cover the field of statics. (Prerequisites: ARCH-741 or equivalent course. Co-requisites: ARCH-734 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Spring).

A survey of architectural theory and criticism with emphasis on contemporary architecture. Students will investigate, learn, and apply critical thinking, as well as communicate it to others. (Prerequisites: ARCH-621 and ARCH-622 or equivalent courses.) Lecture 3 (Fall).

This course immerses students in the field of urban and regional planning by studying and actively engaging in the planning process through projects with community agencies. (Pre-requisite, ARCH-632 Architectural Design II) Class 3, Credit 3 (S) (Prerequisites: ARCH-621, ARCH-622 and ARCH-632 or equivalent courses.) Lecture 3 (Spring).

Students will learn how to assess the impact and interrelations of built environments on the natural environment by utilizing life cycle assessment tools and principles of sustainability. (ARCH-761 Understanding Sustainability) Class 3, Credit 3 (S) (Prerequisites: ARCH-761 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Spring).

The measurement science, performance metrics, assessment tools, and fundamental data critical for the development and implementation of building systems associated with life-cycle operation of buildings while maintaining a healthy indoor environment. (This class is restricted to graduate students in the Golisano Institute for Sustainability (ARCH-MARCH, SUSTSY-MS, SUST-PHD).) Lecture 3 (Fall).

Masters-level Global Experience by the candidate under the direction of an RIT instructor, a program with another academic institution, or an independent travel experience for no credit. Students may enroll once for a maximum of 3 credits towards their degree requirement. The subject of each offering varies depending on the location and focus of the faculty member’s or student’s interest. Study Abrd 3 (Fall, Spring, Summer).

This course examines the adaptive reuse of existing spaces, with implicit exposure to the basics of historic preservation. Students will examine and document an existing “real” space within the region, and propose coherent and rational architectural interventions for that space. (Prerequisites: ARCH-734 or equivalent course. Co-requisites: ARCH-743 or equivalent course.) Studio 12 (Fall).

This studio provides the opportunity for students to execute a comprehensive and integrative project from schematic design through design development. (Prerequisites: ARCH-733 or equivalent course. Co-requisites: ARCH-744 or equivalent course.) Studio 12 (Spring).

Typical interior building components will be studied in this course from subdivision of space down to selection of material finishes as they relate to building code regulations. Structural inquiry will continue with full coverage of strength of materials. (Prerequisites: ARCH-742 or equivalent course. Co-requisites: ARCH-733 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Fall).

In conjunction with the co-requisite course, students will document a building design with design development drawings, including MEP with a focus on environmental systems and lighting. (Pre-requisite ARCH-743 Integrated Building Systems III, Co-requisite ARCH-733 Architectural Studio IV: Comprehensive) Class 3, Credit 3 (S) (Prerequisites: ARCH-743 or equivalent course. Co-requisites: ARCH-733 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Spring).

Students frame individual thesis proposals through various research approaches, critical readings, presentations and examinations of architecture; physicality, socially, culturally, historically and technologically. (Prerequisite, 60 credit hours in the program) Class 3, Credit 3 (F) (This class is restricted to students in the ARCH-MARCH program.) Lecture 3 (Fall).

Students will study the roles of stakeholders involved in architecture within the context of project management and business practices including legal responsibilities, and professional ethics. (Second year courses) Class 3, Credit 3 (S) (This class is restricted to students in the ARCH-MARCH program.) Lecture 3 (Spring).

Students will propose, design, and defend an architectural design or research problem, while working closely with a selected faculty committee. (Prerequisite, ARCH-753 Research Methods/Thesis Preparation) Class 3, Studio 9, Credit 6 (F, W, Su) (Prerequisites: ARCH-753 or equivalent course.) Thesis 6 (Fall).