Architectural Engineering

About the Program

Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering (BSAE): 193.0 quarter credits

The architectural engineering major prepares graduates for professional work in the analysis, design, construction, and operation of residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial buildings. The program develops engineers familiar with all aspects of safe and economical construction. Students study the principles of structural support and external cladding, building environmental systems, and project management and develop depth in at least one area.

The program integrates building disciplines, including coordination with architects; construction managers; civil, mechanical, and electrical engineers; and others. Students use computer-aided design tools to understand system interactions; perform analysis, design, scheduling, and cost analysis; and present their work.

The first two years of the curriculum cover fundamentals necessary for all engineers. The pre-junior and junior years emphasize building systems and the principles governing their performance. In addition to the core engineering and science, students learn architectural approaches through studio design. Seniors focus on either structural or building environmental systems design, as well as a full-year realistic design project. The academic program is complemented by exposure to professional practice in the co-op experience.

A special feature of the major is senior design. A group of students works with a faculty advisor to develop a significant design project selected by the group. All architectural engineering students participate in a design project.

Mission Statement

The civil and architectural engineering faculty are responsible for delivering an outstanding curriculum that equips our graduates with the broad technical knowledge, design proficiency, professionalism, and communications skills required for them to make substantial contributions to society and to enjoy rewarding careers.  

Program Educational Objectives

Architectural engineering graduates will become professionals who analyze, design, construct, manage, or operate residential, commercial, institutional and industrial buildings and systems, or advance knowledge of the field.

Student Outcomes

The department’s student outcomes reflect the skills and abilities that the curriculum is designed to provide to students by the time they graduate. These are:  

a)            an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering;

b)            an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data;

c)            an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability;

d)            an ability to function on multidisciplinary teams;

e)            an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems;

f)             an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility;

g)            an ability to communicate effectively;

h)            the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context;

i)             a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning;

j)             a knowledge of contemporary issues;

k)            an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for architectural engineering practice.

Concentration Options

Mechanical Concentration (HVAC)

Students who choose the mechanical concentration (HVAC) prepare for careers dealing with the building environment. As co-ops and graduates, they will be involved in the many design aspects of building environmental control, including:

• building load definitions
• equipment selection and design
• distribution system design
• control systems design
• energy analysis and system optimization
• building operation for safety, economy and maximum performance

Structural Concentration

Students who choose the structural concentration prepare for careers dealing with the building structure. As co-ops and graduates, they will be involved in the design of the many aspects of building structure including:

• building load definitions
• structural system design
• foundation system design

Digital Building Concentration*

Students who choose the new digital building concentration prepare for careers dealing with the role of computer technology in building design, construction and operation. As co-ops and graduates, they will be involved in:

• development and use of Building Information Models (BIM) and databases
• configuration and operation of building sensor and actuator networks and monitoring systems
• developing and maintaining construction schedules, databases and monitoring systems

*Available for enrollment starting in academic year 2014-2015.

Additional Information

The Architectural Engineering program is accredited by the EAC Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.

For more information about this major, contact the program director:

James E. Mitchell
Associate Professor
Civil Arch & Environmental Engineering
james.mitchell@drexel.edu

Degree Requirements

Writing-Intensive Course Requirements

In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.

A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Center. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.

Sample Plan of Study

BS Architectural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

5 YR UG Co-op Concentration/Mechanical Engineering

BS Architectural Engineering, Structural

5 YR UG Co-op Concentration/Structural

Co-op/Career Opportunities

The major in architectural engineering prepares students for professional work in residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial building systems, in cooperation with architects and other engineers.

Sample Co-Op Experiences

When students complete their co-op jobs, they are asked to write an overview of their experiences. These brief quotes are taken from some recent student reports:

Project technician, major university: “Studied and surveyed existing buildings and facilities for: their compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, heating and air conditioning equipment sizing, electrical loads, and their planning and usage of space. Designed improvements from the field surveys taken, and developed construction drawings. Worked closely with the workforce in
implementing these changes.”

CAD technician, private engineering firm: “Prepared computer generated construction plans for various water and sewer reconstruction projects. . . .Was able to expand my knowledge of Auto CAD to include Advanced Design Modules."

Visit the Drexel Steinbright Career Development Center page for more detailed information on co-op and post-graduate opportunities.

Dual/Accelerated Degree

The Accelerated Program of the College of Engineering provides opportunities for highly talented and strongly motivated students to progress toward their educational goals essentially at their own pace. Primarily through advanced placement, credit by examination, flexibility of scheduling, and independent study, the program makes it possible to complete the undergraduate curriculum and initiate graduate study in less than the five years required by the standard curriculum.

Dual Degree Bachelor’s Programs

A student completing the Bachelor of Science degree program in architectural engineering may complete additional courses (specified by the department) to earn the Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering. (The reverse is difficult because of prerequisites in the sequence of architectural studio design courses, which begins in the sophomore year. )

Bachelor's/Master's Dual Degree Program

Exceptional students can also pursue a master of science degree in the same period as the bachelor of science. Exceptional students can also pursue a master of science degree in the same period as the bachelor of science. For more information about this program, visit the Department's BS /MS Dual Degree Program page.

Minor in Architectural Engineering

The minor in architectural engineering, designed to broaden the professional capabilities of students, offers the building systems portion of the architectural engineering curriculum with enough attention to structural components for completeness. Pursuing a minor in architectural engineering can be of interest to mechanical engineering students who wish to learn the application of HVAC systems within the building context; to civil engineering students who require knowledge of large-scale infrastructure systems; and to chemical engineering students who wish to understand the energy and distribution aspects of process plant design.

The minor consists of a minimum of 24 credits total, with five required core courses. Students take a minimum of eight additional credits taken from a list of optional courses.

While this minor is primarily designed to provide technical knowledge and skills to other engineers, with the appropriate prerequisites students from other disciplines—such as architecture—can also complete this minor.

Prerequisites

The common engineering core curriculum prerequisites are required of all students in the College of Engineering. Students from other colleges will need the appropriate background prerequisite courses in physics, mathematics and thermodynamics.

Facilities

The Department is well equipped with state-of-the-art facilities:

• The department computer labs are in operation: a computer-assisted design (CAD) and computerized instructional lab; and a graduate-level lab (advanced undergraduates can become involved in graduate-level work).
• External labs are used for surveying, building diagnostics, and surface and ground-water measurements.
• A $4.5-million instruction and research lab renovation was funded by the National Science Foundation, alumni, and corporations.

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty

Interdepartmental Faculty

Emeritus Faculty