Architectural Studies BS / Urban Strategy MS

Major: Architectural Studies and Urban Strategy
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science (BS) and Master of Science (MS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 229.0
Co-op Options: No-Co-op (Five years); One Co-op (Five years)
BS Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 04.0803
BS Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 25-1031
MS Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 45.1201
MS Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 19-3051

About the Program

The Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies degree offers an introduction to architecture while affording students the flexibility to customize their studies based on their interest in the realm of design and the built environment. The program encompasses foundation courses in the applied and social sciences, the humanities, and a range of architecture courses to prepare students to give students an understanding of the discipline. At the heart of the curriculum are the introductory-level design studios where students are challenged to apply their knowledge acquired from the above disciplines to consequential design problems.

As an art, a technical craft and an ethical practice, Architecture is the culturally responsible design and production of buildings that are functional, sustainable, inspiring, and responsive to their physical and social contexts. Students have the opportunity to reinforce their skills in the field by opting to participate in Drexel’s signature coop program, giving students the opportunity to work full-time in an architecture or design firm or related fields either locally, nationally or internationally. The BS in Architectural Studies program prepares students for entry level employment in architecture and in fields related to architecture, However this program is not NAAB accredited and does not directly prepare for architectural licensure and registration.

The pre-professional BS in Arch Studies degree creates the foundation in the field of architecture as preparation for continued education in a professional NAAB accredited graduate degree program. It is also the ideal foundation for specialization in other related disciplines such as design research, urban strategy, interior architecture and design, construction management, real estate development, digital media and animation.

The MS in Urban Strategy program is a cross-disciplinary, 48.0 credit master’s degree designed to prepare students to become 21st century urbanists equipped to collaboratively and creatively solve complex multi-faceted urban challenges on all levels: locally, nationally and globally. The program boasts a cross-disciplinary curriculum focused on strategy, problem solving, and collaboration in the domains of urban planning, design, health, engineering, policy, community and economic development and sociology.

Additional Information

For more information, visit the Architecture Program website.

Admission Requirements

BS Architectural Studies:
• The admission requirements will be similar to those admitted to the Architecture Program; 1250+/- SAT scores and 3.3+/- high school GPA.
• Applicants should submit eight to 12 pieces of work in a variety of media that demonstrate a balance of technique and concept. Portfolio guidelines for the B.S. Architectural Studies will follow the current Westphal College description.
• Writing Supplement.

MS Urban Strategy
Transcripts: Provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended

Standardized Test Scores: GRE/MAT test scores are accepted and appreciated, but not required. TOEFL scores are required for international applicants or applicants who earned a degree outside the U.S. (minimum scores: 100/577/233). Scores will be reviewed based on section scores and total scores. IELTS scores may be submitted in lieu of TOEFL scores.

Essay: Please write approximately 500 words explaining your reasons for pursuing a degree from Drexel; your short-term and long-term career plans; and how your background, experience, interest, and/or values, when combined with a Drexel degree, will enable you to pursue these goals successfully.

Résumé: Please submit a resume electronically

Letters of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation are required. To electronically request recommendations, you must list your recommenders and their contact information on your application. We advise that you follow up with your recommenders to ensure they received your recommendation request — they may need to check their junk mail folder. Additionally, it is your responsibility to confirm that your recommenders will submit letters by your application deadline and follow up with recommenders who have not completed their recommendations.

Academic Experience: You must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 in your major.

Degree Requirements

General Education Requirements
CIVC 101Introduction to Civic Engagement1.0
COOP 101Career Management and Professional Development *1.0
ENGL 101Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research3.0
or ENGL 111 English Composition I
ENGL 102Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing3.0
or ENGL 112 English Composition II
ENGL 103Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres3.0
or ENGL 113 English Composition III
MATH 101Introduction to Analysis I4.0
MATH 102Introduction to Analysis II4.0
PHYS 182Applied Physics I3.0
PHIL 317Ethics and Design Professions3.0
UNIV A101The Drexel Experience2.0
Arts and Humanities - students elect a minimum of 12 credits12.0
Natural Science - students elect a minimum of 3 credits3.0
Social Science - students elect a minimum of 9 credits9.0
Free Electives24.0
Architecture Requirements
Studios (must be taken in sequence)
ARCH 181Architecture Studio 1A4.0
ARCH 182Architecture Studio 1B4.0
ARCH 183Architecture Studio 1C4.0
ARCH 281Architecture Studio 2A4.0
ARCH 282Architecture Studio 2B4.0
ARCH 283Architecture Studio 2C4.0
ARCH 490Capstone Project I4.0
ARCH 492Capstone Project II4.0
Required Professional Courses
ARCH 141Architecture and Society I3.0
ARCH 142Architecture and Society II3.0
ARCH 143Architecture and Society III3.0
ARCH 170Architectural Technology I3.0
ARCH 172Architectural Technology II3.0
ARCH 173Architectural Technology III3.0
ARCH 211Architectural Representation I2.0
ARCH 212Architectural Representation II2.0
ARCH 213Architectural Representation III2.0
ARCH 224Architectural Representation IV2.0
ARCH 225Architectural Representation V2.0
ARCH 226Architectural Representation VI2.0
WEST 210Innovative Problem Solving3.0
Architecture Electives23.0
Sustainable Built Environment I
Sustainable Built Environment II
Theories of Architecture I
Theories of Architecture II
Theories of Architecture III
History of Philadelphia Architecture
Intensive Architectural Studies
Studies in Vernacular Architecture
Contemporary Architecture
Environmental Psychology and Design Theory
The Development Process
Urban Design Seminar
Advanced Drawing
Computer Applications in Architecture
Case Studies in Architectural Technology
Energy and Architecture
The Architectural Detail
Introduction to Historic Preservation
Interdisciplinary Pathway Electives18.0
Art History
Building Skills in Object Analysis
History of Modern Design
Art of India
Art of China
Art of Japan
Contemporary Art
African Art
Latin American Art
Material Matters in Contemporary Art
Construction Management
Understanding Construction Drawings
Introduction to Sustainability in Construction
Contracts And Specifications I
Contracts and Specifications II
Estimating I
Techniques of Project Control
Fine Arts and Visual Studies
Design II
Design III
Tablet Drawing
Multimedia: Space
Multimedia: Materials
Game Design & Production
Computer Programming I
Overview of Digital Media
Digital Storytelling
Game Design Lab II
Game User Interface Design
Scripting for Game Design
Overview of Computer Gaming
Serious Games
Experimental Games
Interior Design
History of Modern Architecture and Interiors
Textiles for Interiors
Interior Materials
Visual Culture: Interiors
Visual Culture: Furniture
Furniture Design
Product Design
History and Analysis of Product Design
Applied Making I
Intro to Product Design
Design Thinking in Product Design
Applied Design Visualization
Smart Product Design
Introduction to CAD Product Design
Interdisciplinary Product Design Studio
Architectural Design
Architecture Studio 3A
Architecture Studio 3B
Architecture Studio 4A
Architecture Studio 4B
Specialized Studio
Urban Strategy Requirements
ECON 616Public Finance and Cost Benefit Analysis3.0
EOH 550Introduction to Urban Health3.0
URBS 510History of Urban Space3.0
URBS 520What is a City3.0
URBS 530Quantitative Methods & Reasoning for Urban Strategists3.0
URBS 610Civic Engagement & Participatory Methods3.0
URBS 620City of Systems3.0
URBS 630Spatial Reasoning for Urbanists, Architects & Designers3.0
URBS 670Thesis I: Research Inquiry & Design3.0
URBS 675Thesis Seminar I1.5
URBS 680Thesis II: Fieldwork3.0
URBS 685Thesis Seminar II1.5
URBS 690Thesis III: Documentation3.0
Graduate Electives **12.0
Total Credits229.0
*

Students not participating in co-op will take one additional credit of ARCH Elective instead of COOP 101.

**

Select 12.0 credits from 500-600 level courses, including Special Topics (T580 and T680) in AADM, AAML, BUSN, CHP, COM, DSRE, EDPO, ENTP, ENVP, HMP, INTR, PBHL, PLCY, SCTS, URBS

Sample Plan of Study

4+1, 1 co-op (Accelerated program completed in 5 years)

Students complete undergraduate requirements in four years, then convert to graduate status in the fifth and final year

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ARCH 1413.0ARCH 1423.0ARCH 1433.0VACATION
ARCH 1814.0ARCH 1824.0ARCH 1834.0 
ARCH 2112.0ARCH 2122.0ARCH 2132.0 
ENGL 101 or 1113.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0CIVC 1011.0 
MATH 1014.0MATH 1024.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
UNIV A1011.0UNIV A1011.0WEST 2103.0 
 17 17 16 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ARCH 1703.0ARCH 1723.0ARCH 1733.0COOP 101*1.0
ARCH 2242.0ARCH 2252.0ARCH 2262.0(UG) Architecture Elective6.0
ARCH 2814.0ARCH 2824.0ARCH 2834.0(UG) Arts & Humanities Elective3.0
(UG) Arts & Humanities Elective3.0PHYS 1823.0(UG) Architecture Elective2.0(UG) Elective3.0
(UG) Interdisciplinary Pathway Elective3.0(UG) Elective6.0(UG) Elective3.0 
(UG) Social Science Elective3.0 (UG) Natural Science Elective3.0 
 18 18 17 13
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
(UG) Architecture Elective3.0(UG) Architecture Elective3.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
(UG) Arts and Humanities Elective3.0(UG) Arts & Humanities Elective3.0  
(UG) Interdisciplinary Pathway Elective3.0(UG) Interdisciplinary Pathway Elective3.0  
(UG) Social Science Elective3.0(UG) Social Science Elective3.0  
(UG) Elective3.0URBS 6303.0  
URBS 5103.0   
 18 15 0 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ARCH 4904.0ARCH 4924.0PHIL 3173.0Student converts to Grad status
(UG) Interdisciplinary Pathway Elective3.0(UG) Architecture Elective3.0(UG) Architecture Elective6.0 
(UG) Elective6.0(UG) Interdisciplinary Pathway Elective3.0(UG) Interdisciplinary Pathway Elective3.0 
URBS 5203.0(UG) Elective3.0ECON 6163.0 
URBS 5303.0URBS 6203.0Graduate Elective3.0 
 URBS 6103.0
BS in Architectural Studies Awarded (181 cr)
 
 19 19 18 0
Fifth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
EOH 5503.0URBS 6751.5URBS 6851.5 
URBS 6703.0URBS 6803.0URBS 6903.0 
Graduate Elective3.0Graduate Elective3.0Graduate Elective3.0 
 9 7.5 7.5 
Total Credits 229
*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

4+1, Non-co-op (Accelerated program completed in 5 years)

Students complete undergraduate requirements in four years, then convert to graduate status in the fifth and final year

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ARCH 1413.0ARCH 1423.0ARCH 1433.0VACATION
ARCH 1814.0ARCH 1824.0ARCH 1834.0 
ARCH 2112.0ARCH 2122.0ARCH 2132.0 
ENGL 101 or 1113.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0CIVC 1011.0 
MATH 1014.0MATH 1024.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
UNIV A1011.0UNIV A1011.0WEST 2103.0 
 17 17 16 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ARCH 1703.0ARCH 1723.0ARCH 1733.0VACATION
ARCH 2242.0ARCH 2252.0ARCH 2262.0 
ARCH 2814.0ARCH 2824.0ARCH 2834.0 
(UG) Arts and Humanities Elective3.0PHYS 1823.0(UG) Architecture Elective3.0 
(UG) Interdisciplinary Pathway Elective3.0(UG) Elective6.0(UG) Natural Science Elective3.0 
(UG) Social Science Elective3.0 (UG) Elective3.0 
 18 18 18 0
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
(UG) Arts and Humanities Elective3.0(UG) Architecture Elective3.0PHIL 3173.0VACATION
(UG) Interdisciplinary Pathway Elective3.0(UG) Arts & Humanities Elective3.0(UG) Architecture Elective6.0 
(UG) Social Science Elective3.0(UG) Interdisciplinary Pathway Elective3.0(UG) Arts & Humanities Elective3.0 
(UG) Elective3.0(UG) Social Science Elective3.0(UG) Interdisciplinary Pathway Elective3.0 
URBS 5103.0URBS 6303.0  
 15 15 15 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ARCH 4904.0ARCH 4924.0(UG) Architecture Elective6.0Student converts to Grad status
(UG) Architecture Elective3.0(UG) Architecture Elective3.0(UG) Interdisciplinary Pathway Elective3.0 
(UG) Elective6.0(UG) Interdisciplinary Pathway Elective3.0(UG) Elective3.0 
URBS 5203.0(UG) Elective3.0ECON 6163.0 
URBS 5303.0URBS 6103.0Graduate Elective3.0 
 URBS 6203.0
BS in Architectural Studies Awarded (181 cr)
 
 19 19 18 0
Fifth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
EOH 5503.0URBS 6751.5URBS 6851.5 
URBS 6703.0URBS 6803.0URBS 6903.0 
Graduate Elective3.0Graduate Elective3.0Graduate Elective3.0 
 9 7.5 7.5 
Total Credits 229