Degrees & Programs Degrees :: M.ARCH - Undergraduate
M Arch: 5-year Undergraduate
The Master of Architecture program is structured with required courses and electives to give students a thorough professional preparation, and opportunities for study in the liberal arts, and for advanced study in architecture. First-year courses include required study in design, visual and digital media, architectural history and theory, and technological systems, in addition to writing, and other electives in cultural knowledge and scientific inquiry.
The emphasis in first year design is on developing a fundamental understanding of formal, spatial and material principles in architecture, while obtaining a strong skill base in freehand drawing, descriptive geometry, material techniques, and visual and digital media. First year electives allow students to supplement their background in physics or calculus, to begin or advance foreign language study, to broaden their skill in the arts, or to choose any other subject area from among over forty offered throughout the University’s undergraduate divisions. In their first semester, students will also participate in one of the many TIDES (Tulane InterDisciplinary Experience) offered throughout the university to engage other students and faculty in an intimate interactive environment.
Second and third-year courses include the majority of program requirements. Intensive studio work in architectural design is complemented by study in architectural history and theory, structures, technological systems, digital media and urban studies. In second year, students are fully immersed in digital design techniques while learning to incorporate knowledge from historic, environmental, social, programmatic and technological studies into the design studio. This is followed by third year, where in the second semester, a fully integrated program of coursework allows students a truly synthetic experience in the comprehensive design of a complex architectural project.
The fourth year curriculum involves advanced architectural design in elective studio courses as well as graduate level seminars in architectural theory, technology, professional concerns, urban studies and digital media. In the fourth year of study, emphasis is placed on the relationship of architecture to the urban environment, both locally and globally. Students will spend one semester at the new Tulane City Center, studying in one of the many programs ranging from urban design, to housing, to designbuild. After completing third year, students will also have the opportunity for international study, through various programs ranging from one week to full semester abroad programs in Europe, Latin America and Asia. Upper level study is intended to be diverse and includes many electives intended to provide significant opportunities for study within architecture as well as in the liberal arts and sciences.
In the fifth year of study, students will develop an advanced thesis through research, analysis and design in one of four curricular streams. In addition to academic year studies, students are also required to spend two summers working in architecture firms in order to gain an understanding of architecture as a profession.
Transfer students with previous college work but without any background in architecture may take an intensive summer curriculum as the equivalent of first-year. The intensive summer program includes no English or general electives because previous college work is a prerequisite. For such students, the Master of Architecture as a first college degree may then be obtained in four additional years.
Core Curriculum and Electives
Year 1 - Fall Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| DSGN 110 | 4 |
| AVSM 110 | 2 |
| AHST 111 (satisfied fine arts req.) | 3 |
| English 101 (must complete first year) | 4 |
| TIDES | 1 |
| Foreign Language | 3-4 |
| Semester Total | 17-18 |
Year 1 - Spring Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| DSGN 120 | 4 |
| ADGM 120 (satisfies fine arts req.) | 2 |
| ATCS 110 Tech Systems I (satisfies non-lab sci.) | 3 |
| Foreign Language | 3-4 |
| University Elective | 3 |
| Semester Total | 15-16 |
Year 2 - Fall Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| DSGN 210 Architecture Studio | 6 |
| ADGM 310 Digital Media II (satisfies fine arts req.) | 3 |
| AHST 310 History of Arch. I (satisfies fine arts req) | 3 |
| Technological Systems II (ATCS 310) | 3 |
| ATCS 310 Tech Systems II | 3 |
| Lab Science | 4 |
| Semester Total | 19 |
Year 2 - Spring Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| DSGN 220 Architecture Studio | 6 |
| ADGM 320 Digital Media III (satisfies fine arts req) | 3 |
| AHST 311 History of Arch I (satisfies fine arts req) | 3 |
| ATCS 320 Tech Systems III | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning (comp by 5th semester) | 3 |
| Semester Total | 18 |
Portfolio Review
Year 3 - Fall Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| DSGN 310 Architecture Studio | 6 |
| AHST 410 Contemporary (satisfied fine arts req.) | 3 |
| ATCS 410 Integrated Technologies I | 3 |
| APFC 410 Professional Concerns I | 3 |
| Social Science (URST classes counts) | 3 |
| Semester Total | 18 |
Year 3 - Spring Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| DSGN 320 Comprehensive Studio | 6 |
| ATCS 420 Integrated Technologies II | 3 |
| APFC 420 Prof. Concerns II: BIM | 3 |
| Semester Total | 15 |
Year 4 - Fall Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| DSGN 410 TCC/URBANbuild | 6 |
| Advanced AHST Elective | 3 |
| Social Science (URST classes counts) | 3 |
| Semester Total | 12 |
Year 4 - Spring Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| DSGN 320/420 platform | 6 |
| Architecture Electives | 9 |
| Semester Total | 15 |
Year 5 - Fall Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| DSGN 510 Thesis Research Studio | 6 |
| Thesis Research | 3 |
| University Elective | 3 |
| Semester Total | 12 |
Year 5 - Spring Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| DSGN 520 Thesis Studio | 6 |
| Thesis Support | 3 |
| University Elective | 3 |
| Semester Total | 12 |
Elective Areas for Distribution
To help ensure academic breadth within the liberal arts and depth within the field of architecture, students in the Master of Architecture curriculum may take elective credits. Students are required to distribute a portion of these elective credits among courses in the humanities and fine arts (12 credits, including 9 in lecture courses), social sciences (6 credits), science and mathematics (6 credits) and 12 additional university credits. Courses offered by the liberal arts colleges fall into these three categories. All students are required to complete foreign language proficiency (see Liberal Arts and Science section for further information) and to take one elective course with an emphasis on non-Western traditions.
Students in the Master of Architecture I curriculum are required to take 3 credits in digital design tools prior to completion of third-year, 3 elective credits in advanced Structure/Technology, 3 elective credits in advanced History/Theory, and 3 elective credits in advanced Professional Practice. Additionally students have to complete 15 credits of architecture electives. The Associate Dean, at her discretion, may authorize waiver of the distribution requirements in special cases. Students in dual degree programs may also receive special consideration.
- Humanities and Fine Arts
- African & African Diaspora Studies
- Art History
- Art Studio
- Classical Studies
- Communication
- Dance
- English
- Jewish Studies
- Language - placement required
- Music
- Philosophy
- Theatre
- Social Sciences
- Anthropology
- Economics
- Education
- History
- Latin American Studies
- Political Economy
- Political Science
- Sociology
- Women’s Studies
- Sciences and Mathematics
- Astronomy
- Cell & Molecular Biology
- Chemistry
- Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
- Computer Science
- Geology
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Psychology
list needs to be updated to include all schools/departments outside of architecture
Summer Internship
So that students may acquire practical experience within the profession of architecture, the School requires two twelve-week periods of summer employment in an architect’s office after third year and prior to graduation. This internship experience can be fulfilled by work in an architect’s office or in related professional areas. Most students do their summer fieldwork after the third and fourth years.
To receive credit for summer work, students must complete a form available in the School office. At the beginning of the following fall semester, the School requests from the summer employer verification of length of employment and quality of performance.
Foreign travel in an organized program or work for an authorized housing non-profit agency may substitute for one of the summer internships. These proposals must also be approved by the Associate Dean preceding the summer in which the travel or research is to be undertaken.
Successful participation in the URBANbuild program will substitute for one 12-week internship.
Foreign Study
5. Portfolio Review
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Thesis/ Research Studio Requirements
Requirements are generally taken in the prescribed year indicated in the curricula above, but some required courses may be taken in another year, to allow strategic placement of electives. Generally, all courses required for the professional degree must be completed prior to entry into fifth-year. In special circumstances, the Associate Dean may waive this requirement.
Minor or Major in Another Division
An architecture student may elect to pursue a minor or major in another division of the University, in addition to the pursuit of the Master of Architecture (non-accelerated program). Anyone who is interested in such a program should contact the appropriate department chair and develop a program of courses in the chosen field. This proposal should be approved by the department chair and forwarded to the Associate Dean in the School of Architecture. When all requirements are met, the transcript will reflect that a minor or major has been completed. Successfully completed minor or major courses can fulfill the School’s distribution of electives requirement. This does not eliminate other distribution requirements, however, and could require additional courses for graduation.
