Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree with a Major in Architectural Studies
Program Learning Outcomes for the BA Degree with a Major in Architectural Studies
Upon completing the BA degree with a major in Architectural Studies, students will be able to:
- Gain knowledge of the history and theory of architecture in relation to broader social, technological, and cultural practices and transformations.
- Understand the design process in architecture through a variety of scales and problems and with an appreciation of design’s importance in the quality of our cities and environment.
- Explore and develop specific interests concerning the discipline and/or its relationship to other fields and endeavors.
Requirements for the BA Degree with a Major in Architectural Studies
For general university requirements, see Graduation Requirements. Students pursuing the BA degree with a major in Architectural Studies must complete:
- A minimum of 12 courses (48 credit hours) to satisfy major requirements.
- A minimum of 120 credit hours to satisfy degree requirements.
- A minimum of 2 courses (6 credit hours) taken at the 300-level or above.
The courses listed below satisfy the requirements for this major. In certain instances, courses not on this official list may be substituted upon approval of the major’s academic advisor, or where applicable, the department's Director of Undergraduate Studies. (Course substitutions must be formally applied and entered into Degree Works by the major's Official Certifier.) Students and their academic advisors should identify and clearly document the courses to be taken.
Summary
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Total Credit Hours Required for the Major in Architectural Studies | 48 | |
| Total Credit Hours Required for the BA Degree with a Major in Architectural Studies | 120 | |
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| Design Studios | ||
| ARCH 101 | PRINCIPLES OF ARCHITECTURE I - FORM | 6 |
| ARCH 102 | PRINCIPLES OF ARCHITECTURE II - SYSTEMS | 6 |
| ARCH 201 | PRINCIPLES OF ARCHITECTURE III - CONTEXT | 6 |
| ARCH 202 | PRINCIPLES OF ARCHITECTURE IV - URBANITY | 6 |
| History and Theory | ||
| ARCH 225 / HART 225 | INTRODUCTION TO ARCHITECTURAL THINKING | 3 |
| ARCH 345 / HART 345 | FOUNDATIONS IN THE HISTORY AND THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE I (1450-1850) | 3 |
| Technology | ||
| ARCH 207 | TECHNOLOGY I | 3 |
| ARCH 309 | TECHNOLOGY II | 3 |
| Elective Requirements | ||
| Select 4 elective courses from departmental (ARCH) course offerings | 12 | |
| Total Credit Hours Required for the Major in Architectural Studies | 48 | |
| Additional Credit Hours to Complete Degree Requirements * | 41 | |
| University Graduation Requirements * | 31 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
Footnotes and Additional Information
| * | Note: University Graduation Requirements include 31 credit hours, comprised of Distribution Requirements (Groups I, II, and III), FWIS, and LPAP coursework. In some instances, courses satisfying FWIS or distribution requirements may additionally meet other requirements, such as the Analyzing Diversity (AD) requirement, or some of the student’s declared major, minor, or certificate requirements. Additional Credit Hours to Complete Degree Requirements include general electives, coursework completed as upper-level, residency (hours taken at Rice), and/or any other additional academic program requirements. |
Policies for the BA Degree with a Major in Architectural Studies
Admission
The BA degree with a major in Architectural Studies provides a foundation in architectural ideas and design while allowing a broader pursuit of other fields as an undergraduate. Enrollment is restricted to students admitted into the architecture program who have completed the first two years of required courses. Approval is based on academic performance and demonstrated aptitude indicating that the student is on track for continued study in the discipline.
Transfer Credit
For Rice University’s policy regarding transfer credit, see Transfer Credit. Some departments and programs have additional restrictions on transfer credit. The Office of Academic Advising maintains the university’s official list of transfer credit advisors on their website: https://oaa.rice.edu. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic program’s transfer credit advisor when considering transfer credit possibilities.
Departmental Transfer Credit Guidelines
Students pursuing the major in Architectural Studies should be aware of the following departmental transfer credit guidelines:
- Requests for transfer credit will be considered by the program director (and/or the program’s official transfer credit advisor) on an individual case-by-case basis.
Additional Information
For additional information, please see the School of Architecture website: https://arch.rice.edu/.
Opportunities for the BA Degree with a Major in Architectural Studies
Academic Honors
The university recognizes academic excellence achieved over an undergraduate’s academic history at Rice. For information on university honors, please see Latin Honors (summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude) and Distinction in Research and Creative Work. Some departments have department-specific Honors awards or designations.
Additional Information
For additional information, please see the School of Architecture website: https://arch.rice.edu/.