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: 226.0
Co-op Options: No-Co-op (Five years); One Co-op (Five years)
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 give students an understanding of the discipline. Introductory-level design studios are at the heart of the curriculum. They challenge students to apply knowledge acquired from these 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 co-op program. This allows students to work full-time in an architecture or design firm or related fields, either locally, nationally, or internationally. The Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies program prepares students for architecture and architecture-related employment. While this program is not NAAB-accredited and does not directly prepare for architectural licensure and registration, the pre-professional Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies degree offers a strong foundation in architecture for future graduate studies in Architecture if desired. It is also the ideal foundation to explore other related disciplines while pursuing an individualized path of interdisciplinary coursework, or to continue their architectural design studies with additional studio courses.
The MS in Urban Strategy program is a cross-disciplinary, 45.0 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, 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 101 | Introduction to Civic Engagement | 1.0 |
COOP 101 | Career Management and Professional Development * | 1.0 |
ENGL 101 | Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research | 3.0 |
or ENGL 111 | English Composition I | |
ENGL 102 | Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing | 3.0 |
or ENGL 112 | English Composition II | |
ENGL 103 | Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres | 3.0 |
or ENGL 113 | English Composition III | |
MATH 101 | Introduction to Analysis I | 4.0 |
MATH 102 | Introduction to Analysis II | 4.0 |
PHYS 182 | Applied Physics I | 3.0 |
PHIL 317 | Ethics and Design Professions | 3.0 |
UNIV A101 | The Drexel Experience | 2.0 |
Arts and Humanities - students elect a minimum of 12 credits | 12.0 | |
Natural Science - students elect a minimum of 3 credits | 3.0 | |
Social Science - students elect a minimum of 9 credits | 9.0 | |
Free Electives | 24.0 | |
Architecture Requirements | ||
Studios (must be taken in sequence) | ||
ARCH 181 | Architecture Studio 1A | 4.0 |
ARCH 182 | Architecture Studio 1B | 4.0 |
ARCH 183 | Architecture Studio 1C | 4.0 |
ARCH 281 | Architecture Studio 2A | 4.0 |
ARCH 282 | Architecture Studio 2B | 4.0 |
ARCH 283 | Architecture Studio 2C | 4.0 |
ARCH 490 | Capstone Project I | 4.0 |
ARCH 492 | Capstone Project II | 4.0 |
Required Professional Courses | ||
ARCH 141 | Architecture and Society I | 3.0 |
ARCH 142 | Architecture and Society II | 3.0 |
ARCH 143 | Architecture and Society III | 3.0 |
ARCH 170 | Architectural Technology I | 3.0 |
ARCH 172 | Architectural Technology II | 3.0 |
ARCH 173 | Architectural Technology III | 3.0 |
ARCH 211 | Architectural Representation I | 2.0 |
ARCH 212 | Architectural Representation II | 2.0 |
ARCH 213 | Architectural Representation III | 2.0 |
ARCH 224 | Architectural Representation IV | 2.0 |
ARCH 225 | Architectural Representation V | 2.0 |
ARCH 226 | Architectural Representation VI | 2.0 |
WEST 210 | Innovative Problem Solving | 3.0 |
Architecture Electives | ||
Select 23.0 credits from the list below: | 23.0 | |
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 Electives | ||
Select 18.0 credits from the list below: | 18.0 | |
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 616 | Public Finance and Cost Benefit Analysis | 3.0 |
EOH 550 | Introduction to Urban Health | 3.0 |
URBS 510 | History of Urban Space | 3.0 |
URBS 520 | What is a City | 3.0 |
URBS 530 | Quantitative Methods & Reasoning for Urban Strategists | 3.0 |
URBS 610 | Civic Engagement & Participatory Methods | 3.0 |
URBS 620 | City of Systems | 3.0 |
URBS 630 | Spatial Reasoning for Urbanists, Architects & Designers | 3.0 |
URBS 670 | Thesis I: Research Inquiry & Design | 3.0 |
URBS 680 | Thesis II: Fieldwork | 3.0 |
URBS 690 | Thesis III: Documentation | 3.0 |
Electives | ||
Select 12.0 credits from the following 500-600 level courses (including T580 and T680): | 12.0 | |
Any AADM (Arts Administration) | ||
Any AAML (Arts Administration and Museum Leadership) | ||
Any BUSN (General Business) | ||
Any CHP (Community Health and Prevention) | ||
Any COM (Communication) | ||
Any DSRE (Design Research) | ||
Any EDPO (Educational Policy) | ||
Any ENTP (Entrepreneurship and Innovation) | ||
Any ENVP (Environmental Policy) | ||
Any HMP (Health Management and Policy) | ||
Any INTR (Interior Design) | ||
Any PBHL (Public Health) | ||
Any PLCY (Public Policy) | ||
Any SCTS (Science, Technology and Society) | ||
Any URBS (Urban Strategy) | ||
Total Credits | 226.0 |
- *
Students not participating in co-op will take one additional credit of ARCH Elective instead of COOP 101.
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 Program. 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.
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 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
ARCH 141 | 3.0 | ARCH 142 | 3.0 | ARCH 143 | 3.0 | VACATION | |
ARCH 181 | 4.0 | ARCH 182 | 4.0 | ARCH 183 | 4.0 | ||
ARCH 211 | 2.0 | ARCH 212 | 2.0 | ARCH 213 | 2.0 | ||
ENGL 101 or 111 | 3.0 | ENGL 102 or 112 | 3.0 | CIVC 101 | 1.0 | ||
MATH 101 | 4.0 | MATH 102 | 4.0 | ENGL 103 or 113 | 3.0 | ||
UNIV A101 | 1.0 | UNIV A101 | 1.0 | (UG) Elective | 3.0 | ||
17 | 17 | 16 | 0 | ||||
Second Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
ARCH 170 | 3.0 | ARCH 172 | 3.0 | ARCH 173 | 3.0 | COOP 101* | 1.0 |
ARCH 224 | 2.0 | ARCH 225 | 2.0 | ARCH 226 | 2.0 | (UG) Architecture Elective | 6.0 |
ARCH 281 | 4.0 | ARCH 282 | 4.0 | ARCH 283 | 4.0 | (UG) Arts & Humanities Elective | 3.0 |
(UG) Arts & Humanities Elective | 3.0 | PHYS 182 | 3.0 | (UG) Architecture Elective | 2.0 | (UG) Elective | 3.0 |
(UG) Interdisciplinary Pathway Elective | 3.0 | (UG) Elective | 6.0 | (UG) Elective | 3.0 | ||
(UG) Social Science Elective | 3.0 | (UG) Natural Science Elective | 3.0 | ||||
18 | 18 | 17 | 13 | ||||
Third Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
WEST 210 | 3.0 | (UG) Architecture Elective | 3.0 | COOP EXPERIENCE | COOP EXPERIENCE | ||
(UG) Architecture Elective | 3.0 | (UG) Arts & Humanities Elective | 3.0 | ||||
(UG) Arts and Humanities Elective | 3.0 | (UG) Interdisciplinary Pathway Elective | 3.0 | ||||
(UG) Interdisciplinary Pathway Elective | 3.0 | (UG) Social Science Elective | 3.0 | ||||
(UG) Social Science Elective | 3.0 | URBS 630 | 3.0 | ||||
URBS 510 | 3.0 | ||||||
18 | 15 | 0 | 0 | ||||
Fourth Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
ARCH 490 | 4.0 | ARCH 492 | 4.0 | PHIL 317 | 3.0 | Student converts to Grad status | |
(UG) Interdisciplinary Pathway Elective | 3.0 | (UG) Architecture Elective | 3.0 | (UG) Architecture Elective | 6.0 | ||
(UG) Elective | 6.0 | (UG) Interdisciplinary Pathway Elective | 3.0 | (UG) Interdisciplinary Pathway Elective | 3.0 | ||
URBS 520 | 3.0 | (UG) Elective | 3.0 | ECON 616 | 3.0 | ||
URBS 530 | 3.0 | URBS 620 | 3.0 | Graduate Elective | 3.0 | ||
URBS 610 | 3.0 | BS in Architectural Studies Awarded (181 cr) | |||||
19 | 19 | 18 | 0 | ||||
Fifth Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
EOH 550 | 3.0 | URBS 680 | 3.0 | URBS 690 | 3.0 | ||
URBS 670 | 3.0 | Graduate Elective | 3.0 | Graduate Elective | 3.0 | ||
Graduate Elective | 3.0 | ||||||
9 | 6 | 6 | |||||
Total Credits 226 |
- *
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 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
ARCH 141 | 3.0 | ARCH 142 | 3.0 | ARCH 143 | 3.0 | VACATION | |
ARCH 181 | 4.0 | ARCH 182 | 4.0 | ARCH 183 | 4.0 | ||
ARCH 211 | 2.0 | ARCH 212 | 2.0 | ARCH 213 | 2.0 | ||
ENGL 101 or 111 | 3.0 | ENGL 102 or 112 | 3.0 | CIVC 101 | 1.0 | ||
MATH 101 | 4.0 | MATH 102 | 4.0 | ENGL 103 or 113 | 3.0 | ||
UNIV A101 | 1.0 | UNIV A101 | 1.0 | (UG) Elective | 3.0 | ||
17 | 17 | 16 | 0 | ||||
Second Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
ARCH 170 | 3.0 | ARCH 172 | 3.0 | ARCH 173 | 3.0 | VACATION | |
ARCH 224 | 2.0 | ARCH 225 | 2.0 | ARCH 226 | 2.0 | ||
ARCH 281 | 4.0 | ARCH 282 | 4.0 | ARCH 283 | 4.0 | ||
(UG) Arts and Humanities Elective | 3.0 | PHYS 182 | 3.0 | (UG) Architecture Elective | 3.0 | ||
(UG) Interdisciplinary Pathway Elective | 3.0 | (UG) Elective | 6.0 | (UG) Natural Science Elective | 3.0 | ||
(UG) Social Science Elective | 3.0 | (UG) Elective | 3.0 | ||||
18 | 18 | 18 | 0 | ||||
Third Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
WEST 210 | 3.0 | (UG) Architecture Elective | 3.0 | PHIL 317 | 3.0 | VACATION | |
(UG) Arts and Humanities Elective | 3.0 | (UG) Arts & Humanities Elective | 3.0 | (UG) Architecture Elective | 6.0 | ||
(UG) Interdisciplinary Pathway Elective | 3.0 | (UG) Interdisciplinary Pathway Elective | 3.0 | (UG) Arts & Humanities Elective | 3.0 | ||
(UG) Social Science Elective | 3.0 | (UG) Social Science Elective | 3.0 | (UG) Interdisciplinary Pathway Elective | 3.0 | ||
URBS 510 | 3.0 | URBS 630 | 3.0 | ||||
15 | 15 | 15 | 0 | ||||
Fourth Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
ARCH 490 | 4.0 | ARCH 492 | 4.0 | (UG) Architecture Elective | 6.0 | Student converts to Grad status | |
(UG) Architecture Elective | 3.0 | (UG) Architecture Elective | 3.0 | (UG) Interdisciplinary Pathway Elective | 3.0 | ||
(UG) Elective | 6.0 | (UG) Interdisciplinary Pathway Elective | 3.0 | (UG) Elective | 3.0 | ||
URBS 520 | 3.0 | (UG) Elective | 3.0 | ECON 616 | 3.0 | ||
URBS 530 | 3.0 | URBS 610 | 3.0 | Graduate Elective | 3.0 | ||
URBS 620 | 3.0 | BS in Architectural Studies Awarded (181 cr) | |||||
19 | 19 | 18 | 0 | ||||
Fifth Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
EOH 550 | 3.0 | URBS 680 | 3.0 | URBS 690 | 3.0 | ||
URBS 670 | 3.0 | Graduate Elective | 3.0 | Graduate Elective | 3.0 | ||
Graduate Elective | 3.0 | ||||||
9 | 6 | 6 | |||||
Total Credits 226 |