Architecture BS - Program Requirements

Statement on Continuous Studio Enrollment: Students must complete the appropriate design studio each semester to maintain continuous enrollment in the academic program, unless a student is approved for a studio leave of absence by School of Architecture and Planning Undergraduate Education. Studio leaves of absence are often approved for students with medical, legal, military, or other extenuating circumstances, and students must be in good academic standing with the Department of Architecture and the University at Buffalo to be eligible for a studio leave of absence.

A student who resigns design studio with an "R" (resign) grade without prior approval for a studio leave of absence will be disqualified from the preprofessional Bachelor of Science in Architecture. A student who has been disqualified may apply for re-entry through the Undergraduate Transfer and Re-Entry Application Form, available from School of Architecture and Planning Undergraduate Education.

Students are reviewed on their progress within the pre-professional Bachelor of Science in Architecture by University at Buffalo Architecture on a semesterly basis. This review determines the student's eligibility to continue onto the next level in the undergraduate preprofessional program. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.500 in all required architecture curricular courses and a minimum cumulative UB GPA of 2.000 is required for satisfactory academic progress and progression through the undergraduate program. Grades lower than C- in any design studio and media course will not count toward the preprofessional Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree requirements, and a grade of F in any design studio may result in dismissal from University at Buffalo Architecture. 

Courses completed at other colleges and universities are not automatically accepted as fulfilling departmental requirements. While select architecture courses taken elsewhere may be accepted, determination is made by an evaluation of the student's transcripts, course content, contact hours, and grades earned. A minimum passing grade on a 4.000 scale is required in each course for possible articulation in accordance with SUNY policy. Student transcript evaluations are conducted by School of Architecture and Planning Undergraduate Education. Design studio placement in the undergraduate architecture program is made by the department following this formal evaluation, in tandem with portfolio review, when applicable. Design studio courses completed at other colleges are accepted by University at Buffalo Architecture as transfer elective credit only. The preprofessional Bachelor of Science in Architecture is a fall-only, space available, admission program.

Architecture and architecture-related courses include courses in architecture; environmental design, urban design, studio art; 2-D and 3-D design; hand drafting; art history; and math. A minimum GPA of 2.500 in architecture and related courses and a minimum overall GPA of 2.700 is required for admission consideration. Preferred applicants will have an associate’s in Architecture or less than 34 credit hours earned. Admission to University at Buffalo is on a space-available basis. Contact School of Architecture and Planning Undergraduate Education for course advisement.

ARC 101 Design Studio 1
ARC 102 Design Studio 2
ARC 121 Introduction to Architecture
AED 199 UB Seminar
UBC 399 UB Capstone
ARC 201 Design Studio 3 **
ARC 202 Design Studio 4 **
ARC 211 American Diversity and Design
ARC 231 Architecture History : Ancient - 1450
ARC 234 Architecture History : 1450 - Present
ARC 241 Introduction to Environmental Systems
ARC 301 Design Studio 5
ARC 302 Design Studio 6
ARC 311 Architecture Media 3
ARC 312 Architecture Media 4
ARC 352 Structures 1
ARC 362 Architectural Theory
ARC 403 Design Studio 7
ARC 404 Design Practicum/Proseminar
ARC 411 Architecture Media 5
ARC 412 Architecture Media 6
ARC 442 Construction Technology
ARC 453 Structures 2
ARC 473 Environmental Systems 2
ARC *** Architecture Elective (3.0 credits)
MTH 121 Survey of Calculus and Its Applications 1 or MTH 131 Calculus Analysis for Management
PHY 101 or AED 101 College Physics I*
Minimum of 18 credits of non-ARC liberal arts electives

The following is a possible sample, but not all-inclusive, list of possible electives offered by University at Buffalo Architecture on an intermittent basis. For additional course advisement, please contact School of Architecture and Planning Undergraduate Education.

• ARC 318 Design Methods
• ARC 322 Race and Place in the Built Environment
• ARC 422 Introduction To Building Reuse 
• ARC 435 American Architecture and Urbanism
• ARC 436 Citizen Planning School
• ARC 448 Building Projects 
• ARC 449 Architectural Materials
• ARC 455 Structures 3 
• ARC 475 Environmental Controls: Acoustics and Lighting 
• ARC 479 Sustainable Design 
• ARC 482 Professional Practice 
• ARC 484 Professional Practice 2: From Starting a Firm to Alternative Practices
• ARC 488 Special Topics: Seminar in Design Theory 
• ARC 496 Community Design Service 
• ARC 499 Independent Study
• ARC 330 Global Issues in Design Practice

**Studio Foundations to Architecture Program (ARC 101). The Studio Foundations to Architecture program (ARC 101) is a series of mandatory pre-architecture studio sessions, taught by the Architecture faculty, compulsory for all first year students admitted to the preprofessional Bachelor of Science in Architecture, and is an integral educational component of the first year design studios. Enrolled first year studio students (ARC 101LAB) receive information on the required Studio Foundations to Architecture program prior to summer undergraduate orientation. For more information on the Studio Foundations to Architecture program, contact School of Architecture and Planning Undergraduate Education.

**Student Passport Requirement: All domestic U.S. students entering the ARC 201-ARC 202 studio sequence must have a passport, passport card, or other approved documents (including a valid NEXUS card, government-issued photo ID {e.g. Driver's License} and proof of U.S. citizenship such as a U.S. birth certificate, naturalization certificate or expired U.S. passport) for required studio excursions into Canada. Domestic U.S. students may visit the Department of State website for further information and guidelines on Canadian entry and re-entering the United States. International students should contact International Student Services, 210 Talbert Hall, North Campus, for information on guidelines for traveling to Canada and re-entering the United States.

Architecture students are placed into mathematics, physics, and English courses based upon the following criteria: SAT/ACT/TOFEL/ALEKS/CLEP assessment scores and/or AP courses and/or IB higher level exams and/or completed collegiate courses. Students placed into ULC 148 or MTH 115 for the Freshmen Fall must complete MTH 121 or MTH 131 during the Freshmen Spring. Students completing MTH 121 or MTH 131 during the Freshmen Spring must complete College Physics 1 during the Summer semester between the Freshmen Spring and Sophomore Fall. MTH 121 or MTH 131 and College Physics 1 must be completed as pre-reqs for the Sophomore Fall (ARC 201-ARC 311-ARC 241) semester.

Students admitted to the preprofessional Bachelor of Science in Architecture (BS Arch) must complete the appropriate design studio (ARC 101-ARC 102, ARC 201-ARC 202, ARC 301-ARC 302, ARC 403-ARC 404, ARC 406) each semester to maintain continuous enrollment in the academic program.

Architecture design studios (ARC 101-ARC 102, ARC 201-ARC 202, ARC 301-ARC 302, ARC 403-ARC 404, ARC 406) are majors-only design studios. Concurrent enrollment in multiple design studios is prohibited.

Applicants with an earned baccalaureate degree must contact School of Architecture and Planning Undergraduate Education prior to applying to the pre-professional Architecture BS for alternative academic advisement and information on the accredited professional 3+ year Master of Architecture degree. The accredited professional Master of Architecture 3+ year degree is tailored for students with undergraduate degrees in environmental design, arts, humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and applied technologies.

University at Buffalo Architecture offers the designations offers the designations “with distinction,” “with high distinction,” and “with highest distinction” to students who achieve a certain level of academic excellence in the major or minor upon graduation.

The award of Program Distinction is based on the UB GPA for the program. A minimum of 50% of credits for the major or minor program must be completed at UB. University at Buffalo Architecture requires a minimum of 3.250 for “with distinction”; 3.500 for “with high distinction”; and 3.750 for “with highest distinction.”

Students should consult with an academic advisor to determine how any transfer or exam credit might be utilized in meeting general education, prerequisite, or major requirements.

See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements for general education and remaining university requirements.

Total Credit Hours Required represents the minimum credits needed to complete this program, and may vary based on a number of circumstances. This chart should not be used for financial aid purposes.