Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) Degree (Direct Entry Option)
The program leading to the BArch degree is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), https://naab.org.
Program Learning Outcomes for the BArch Degree
Upon completing the BArch degree, students will be able to:
- Formulate architectural projects that integrate design skills with critical thinking, engaging broader theoretical, social, political, economic, cultural, and environmental issues.
- Explore how technology, issues of the environment, and construction inform innovative design solutions.
- Strategize how the relationship of architectural concepts, communication and representation techniques, and construction technology can innovate practice.
- Innovate the knowledge and practice of architecture through advanced critical thinking, experimentation, and research.
- Explore the practice of architecture though the Preceptorship Program, a year-long supervised internship in an architectural firm that subsequently informs advanced research and design.
- Project innovative architectural practices and ideas through experimental research and design, synthesizing heterogeneous cultural and technical considerations into a coherent project.
- Integrate experience in architectural practice with experimental design projects through advanced building technologies, including material, structural, environmental, and mechanical systems.
Requirements for the BArch Degree
For general university requirements, see Graduation Requirements. Students pursuing the BArch degree, direct entry option must complete:
- A minimum of 25 courses (137 credit hours) to satisfy major requirements.
- A minimum of 192 credit hours to satisfy degree requirements.
- A minimum of 19 courses (107 credit hours) taken at the 300-level or above.
- A minimum of 55 credit hours of general elective requirements, 45 of which must be taken outside of the School of Architecture (courses outside of departmental (ARCH) course offerings), and 10 of which may be taken as free electives from any subject code.
- A Preceptorship; Students must complete a 9-12 month internship and enroll in ARCH 500 .3,4
- No courses from study abroad or transfer credit. For additional departmental guidelines regarding transfer credit, see the Policies tab.
- A minimum major GPA of 2.00 or higher in all coursework that satisfies requirements for the major with a minimum grade of C (2.00 grade points) in each upper-level required course.
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 Architecture and Building Science | 137 | |
| Total Credit Hours Required for the BArch Degree | 192 | |
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| ARCH 101 | PRINCIPLES OF ARCHITECTURE I - SPACE | 6 |
| ARCH 102 | PRINCIPLES OF ARCHITECTURE II - SYSTEMS | 6 |
| ARCH 201 | PRINCIPLES OF ARCHITECTURE III - CONTEXT | 6 |
| ARCH 202 | PRINCIPLES OF ARCHITECTURE IV - URBANITY 1 | 6 |
| ARCH 207 | TECHNOLOGY I | 3 |
| ARCH 225 / HART 225 | INTRODUCTION TO ARCHITECTURAL THINKING | 3 |
| ARCH 301 | COMPREHENSION I - STRUCTURE | 6 |
| ARCH 302 | COMPREHENSION II - ASSEMBLY | 6 |
| ARCH 309 | TECHNOLOGY II | 3 |
| ARCH 314 | TECHNOLOGY III | 3 |
| ARCH 316 | TECHNOLOGY IV | 3 |
| ARCH 345 / HART 345 | FOUNDATIONS IN THE HISTORY AND THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE I (1450-1850) | 3 |
| ARCH 346 | FOUNDATIONS IN THE HISTORY AND THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE II (1850-1950) | 3 |
| ARCH 352 | FOUNDATIONS IN THE HISTORY AND THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE III (1950-2000) | 3 |
| ARCH 401 | ADVANCED TOPICS I - ENVIRONMENT | 6 |
| ARCH 402 | ADVANCED TOPICS II - TERRITORY 2 | 6 |
| ARCH 403 | DEGREE PROJECT SEMINAR | 3 |
| Preceptorship and Advanced Requirements | ||
| Practice 3 | ||
| ARCH 500 | PRECEPTORSHIP PROGRAM (1st semester) 4 | 15 |
| ARCH 500 | PRECEPTORSHIP PROGRAM (2nd semester) 4 | 15 |
| ARCH 423 / ARCH 623 | PROFESSIONALISM AND MANAGEMENT IN ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE 5 | 3 |
| Design 6 | ||
| ARCH 601 | ADVANCED OPTION STUDIO - RESEARCH PLATFORMS | 10 |
| ARCH 602 | ADVANCED OPTION STUDIO II- RESEARCH PLATFORMS | 10-12 |
| Departmental (ARCH) Elective Requirements | ||
| Select 9 credit hours from departmental (ARCH) course offerings at the 300-level or above | 9 | |
| Total Credit Hours Required for the Major in Architecture and Building Science | 137 | |
| Additional Elective Requirements | ||
| Select 45 credit hours from any course offerings outside of ARCH course offerings | 45 | |
| Select 10 additional credit hours as free electives from any course offerings | 10 | |
| Additional Credit Hours to Complete Degree Requirements * | ||
| University Graduation Requirements * | 31 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 192 | |
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. |
| 1 | During the second semester of a student's second year of studies, they must complete the Second-Year Gateway Review with the School of Architecture. For additional departmental guidelines, see the Policies tab. |
| 2 | During the second semester of a student's fourth year of studies, they must complete the Fourth-Year Continuation Review with the School of Architecture. For additional departmental guidelines, see the Policies tab. |
| 3 | By participating in Preceptorship, each student agrees to all the terms specified by Rice and/or the assigned Preceptorship office, including: registration fees, start and end dates, work responsibilities, performance expectations, and agreement to return to Rice the subsequent year. Failure to meet these expectations will result in an unsatisfactory grade evaluation and may prevent further progress in the program. Students' concerns while on Preceptorship should be brought to the attention of the Director of External Programs as soon as possible. While on Preceptorship, a student remains a Rice student and is governed by applicable student codes of conduct, rights, and responsibilities. |
| 4 | ARCH 500 is taken for a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grade and must be completed with a Satisfactory grade. As a S/U course, it does not apply to the requirement of a minimum grade of C (2.00 grade points) in each required course. |
| 5 | Students will substitute a departmental (ARCH) course at the 300-level or above only if the student already completed ARCH 423/ARCH 623 during their first four years of study. |
| 6 | If students are attending the Rice School of Architecture in Paris, students must enroll in one semester of ARCH 620 Architectural Problems as their studio courses, in place of ARCH 601 or ARCH 602. |
Required Plan-of-Study
Students must complete the required ARCH course offerings below in the sequence and semester prescribed by the School of Architecture.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1st Semester (Fall) | Credit Hours | |
| ARCH 101 | PRINCIPLES OF ARCHITECTURE I - SPACE | 6 |
| ARCH 225 | INTRODUCTION TO ARCHITECTURAL THINKING | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| 2nd Semester (Spring) | ||
| ARCH 102 | PRINCIPLES OF ARCHITECTURE II - SYSTEMS | 6 |
| ARCH 345 | FOUNDATIONS IN THE HISTORY AND THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE I (1450-1850) | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Second Year | ||
| 1st Semester (Fall) | ||
| ARCH 201 | PRINCIPLES OF ARCHITECTURE III - CONTEXT | 6 |
| ARCH 207 | TECHNOLOGY I | 3 |
| ARCH 346 | FOUNDATIONS IN THE HISTORY AND THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE II (1850-1950) | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| 2nd Semester (Spring) | ||
| ARCH 202 | PRINCIPLES OF ARCHITECTURE IV - URBANITY 1 | 6 |
| ARCH 309 | TECHNOLOGY II | 3 |
| ARCH 352 | FOUNDATIONS IN THE HISTORY AND THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE III (1950-2000) | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Third Year | ||
| 1st Semester (Fall) | ||
| ARCH 301 | COMPREHENSION I - STRUCTURE | 6 |
| ARCH 314 | TECHNOLOGY III | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| 2nd Semester (Spring) | ||
| ARCH 302 | COMPREHENSION II - ASSEMBLY | 6 |
| ARCH 316 | TECHNOLOGY IV | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| 1st Semester (Fall) | ||
| ARCH 401 | ADVANCED TOPICS I - ENVIRONMENT | 6 |
| ARCH 403 | DEGREE PROJECT SEMINAR | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| 2nd Semester (Spring) | ||
| ARCH 402 | ADVANCED TOPICS II - TERRITORY 2 | 6 |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Fifth Year | ||
| 1st Semester (Fall) | ||
| ARCH 500 | PRECEPTORSHIP PROGRAM | 15 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| 2nd Semester (Spring) | ||
| ARCH 500 | PRECEPTORSHIP PROGRAM | 15 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Sixth Year | ||
| 1st Semester (Fall) | ||
| ARCH 601 | ADVANCED OPTION STUDIO - RESEARCH PLATFORMS | 10 |
| ARCH 423 / ARCH 623 | PROFESSIONALISM AND MANAGEMENT IN ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE 3 | 3 |
| Upper-Level ARCH Electives | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| 2nd Semester (Spring) | ||
| ARCH 602 | ADVANCED OPTION STUDIO II- RESEARCH PLATFORMS | 10-12 |
| Upper-Level ARCH Electives | 6 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 137 | |
Footnotes and Additional Information
| 1 | During the second semester of a student's second year of studies, they must complete the Second-Year Gateway Review with the School of Architecture. For additional departmental guidelines, see the Policies tab. |
| 2 | During the second semester of a student's fourth year of studies, they must complete the Fourth-Year Continuation Review with the School of Architecture. For additional departmental guidelines, see the Policies tab. |
| 3 | Students are permitted to take ARCH 423/ARCH 623 in the first or second semester of their sixth year of studies. |
Policies for the BArch Degree
The Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) degree is the primary undergraduate professional architecture program at Rice University. Students who apply to and are accepted into the University and the School of Architecture enter directly into this 6-year professional program.
The curriculum consists of integrated sequences across Design Studios, History and Theory, Technology, and Practice. All required courses must be taken in the sequence and semesters specified by the School of Architecture, barring exceptional circumstances approved in writing by the Director of Undergraduate Studies or the Dean.
Program Stages and Continuation Gateways
- Foundational Stage (Years 1-2)
Focuses on core design, history/theory, and technology sequences, alongside university distribution requirements. At the end of the 4th semester, students undergo a Second-Year Gateway Review based on academic performance and portfolio progress. Continuation requires a minimum 3.00 major GPA and no more than one studio grade in the C range.
- Intermediate Stage (Years 3-4)
Advanced design studios, technology, and design research sequences. At the conclusion of the 8th semester, students undergo a Fourth-Year Continuation Review to evaluate readiness for field placement. Continuation into the Preceptorship stage requires maintaining a minimum 3.00 major GPA.
- Professional Stage (Years 5-6)
Comprises the full-year Preceptorship Program (ARCH 500) in an active architecture firm, followed by a final year of advanced option studios (ARCH 601/ARCH 602), professional practice coursework (ARCH 423/ARCH 623), and upper-level electives.
Program Restrictions and Exclusions
Students pursuing the BArch degree should be aware of the following program restrictions:
- Students pursuing the BArch degree may not additionally declare the BA degree with a major in Architectural Studies.
- Students pursuing the BArch degree (direct entry option) may not additionally declare the BA degree with a major in Architecture.
Transfer Credit
For Rice University’s policy regarding transfer credit, see Transfer Credit. Some departments and programs have additional restrictions on transfer credit. Requests for transfer credit must be approved for Rice equivalency by the designated transfer credit advisor for the appropriate academic department offering the Rice equivalent course (corresponding to the subject code of the course content). 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 the applicable transfer credit advisor as well as their academic program director when considering transfer credit possibilities.
Departmental Transfer Credit Guidelines
Students pursuing the major in Architecture should be aware of the following program-specific transfer credit guidelines:
- Transfer credit received via the articulation of approved exam credit, such as Advanced Placement (AP) credit, International Baccalaureate (IB) credit, or A-level credit will not be considered towards major requirements.
- Transfer credit coursework cannot be applied to or used to meet any of the major's course requirements, barring exceptional circumstances approved in writing by the Director of Undergraduate Studies or the Dean of the School of Architecture.
Additional Information
For additional information, please see the School of Architecture website: https://arch.rice.edu/.
Opportunities for the BArch Degree
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.
Rice Architecture - Paris
BArch students entering their fifth year may apply to the Paris program to complete one semester in Paris.
Recent Preceptor Offices
- Bohlin Cywinski Jackson (San Francisco)
- Diller Scofidio + Renfro (New York)
- Ennead Architects (New York)
- Henning Larsen (New York)
- Johnston Marklee (Los Angeles)
- Kieran Timberlake (Philadelphia)
- Olson Kundig (Seattle)
- Payette (Boston)
- Pei Cobb Freed & Partners (New York)
- Pelli Clarke & Partners (New Haven)
- Rogers Partners (New York)
- SHoP (New York)
- SOM (San Francisco)
- Thomas Phifer & Partners (New York)
- Weiss/Manfredi (New York)
- WXY (New York)
- ZGF (Los Angeles)
Additional Information
For additional information, please see the School of Architecture website: https://arch.rice.edu/.