Twin Cities campus

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Twin Cities Campus

Architecture B.D.A.

School of Architecture
College of Design
  • Program Type: Baccalaureate
  • Requirements for this program are current for Spring 2018
  • Required credits to graduate with this degree: 120
  • Required credits within the major: 48
  • Degree: Bachelor of Design in Architecture
The Bachelor of Design in Architecture (BDA) program exposes students to a broad-based approach to design as it relates to architecture. Students learn to think through architecture, often in ways and with projects not necessarily tied to the traditional building scale or to building systems. Students use the lens of architectural design to address a broad range of issues within architecture and as a bridge to other disciplines. Students develop verbal and visual skills in architecture, and practice the design process as a dialogue between divergent and convergent making and thinking. They undertake projects that link architecture with explorations in visual media (including film, photography, virtual reality), social, cultural and environmental concerns (preservation, disaster relief, neighborhood needs), focused concerns (daylight, facade, material, or modeling studies), and allied disciplines (set design, landscape architecture, urban studies). All major coursework must be taken A-F.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
  • via classroom (the majority of instruction is face-to-face)
Admission Requirements
Students must complete 30 credits before admission to the program.
A GPA above 2.0 is preferred for the following:
  • 2.80 already admitted to the degree-granting college
  • 2.80 transferring from another University of Minnesota college
  • 2.80 transferring from outside the University
Students must complete 30 credits before admission to the program. Freshmen and transfers are usually admitted to pre-major status before admission to this major.
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the Office of Admissions website.
Required prerequisites
Prerequisite Courses, Primary Core
It is required that students complete the following classes prior to admission to the BDA:
ARCH 1281 - Design Fundamentals I [AH] (4.0 cr)
ARCH 2301 - Drawing and Critical Thinking (4.0 cr)
ARCH 2281 - Design Fundamentals II (4.0 cr)
General Requirements
All students in baccalaureate degree programs are required to complete general University and college requirements including writing and liberal education courses. For more information about University-wide requirements, see the liberal education requirements. Required courses for the major, minor or certificate in which a student receives a D grade (with or without plus or minus) do not count toward the major, minor or certificate (including transfer courses).
Program Requirements
Additional Classes, BDA Primary Core
ARCH 3412W - Architectural History Since 1750 [HIS, GP, WI] (3.0 cr)
ARCH 3411W - Architectural History to 1750 [HIS, GP, WI] (3.0 cr)
or ARCH 3411V - Architectural History to 1750 [HIS, GP, WI] (3.0 cr)
Design Core
Design workshops are designated Arch 32XX. New courses will periodically be added to this list.
Take 12 - 18 credit(s) from the following:
· ARCH 3211 {Inactive} (2.0 cr)
· ARCH 3212 - BDA: Analytical Modeling of Contemporary Architecture (3.0 cr)
· ARCH 3221 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)
· ARCH 3222 - BDA Box Problem (2.0 cr)
· ARCH 3223 - BDA: Screen Test: Metal Work (2.0 cr)
· ARCH 3250 - Design Workshop (1.0-6.0 cr)
· ARCH 3261 - BDA: The Art of Daylighting Design: Exquisite Rooms (3.0 cr)
· ARCH 3271 - BDA: Watercolor Sketching: Exploring Iconic Sites (2.0 cr)
BDA Secondary Core
These courses provide introductions to curricular core areas within the school.
Take 3 or more course(s) totaling 9 or more credit(s) from the following:
· ARCH 3511 - Material Transformations: Technology and Change in the Built Environment [TS] (3.0 cr)
· ARCH 3611 - Design in the Digital Age (3.0 cr)
· ARCH 4561 - Architecture and Ecology [ENV] (3.0 cr)
· ARCH 4671 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)
· ARCH 4701W - Introduction to Urban Form and Theory [WI] (3.0 cr)
· ARCH 3711W - Environmental Design and the Sociocultural Context [SOCS, CIV, WI] (3.0 cr)
or ARCH 3711V - Honors: Environmental Design and the Sociocultural Context [SOCS, CIV, WI] (3.0 cr)
Architecture Electives
Take 9 or more credit(s) from the following:
· ARCH 3xxx
· ARCH 4xxx
· ARCH 5xxx
· LA 3501 - Environmental Design and Its Biological and Physical Context [ENV] (3.0 cr)
Upper-division Writing Intensive within the major
Students are required to take one upper-division writing intensive course within the major. If that requirement has not been satisfied within the core major requirements, students must choose one course from the following list. Some of these courses may also fulfill other major requirements.
Take 0 - 1 course(s) from the following:
· ARCH 3411W - Architectural History to 1750 [HIS, GP, WI] (3.0 cr)
· ARCH 3711W - Environmental Design and the Sociocultural Context [SOCS, CIV, WI] (3.0 cr)
· ARCH 4701W - Introduction to Urban Form and Theory [WI] (3.0 cr)
· ARCH 3411V - Architectural History to 1750 [HIS, GP, WI] (3.0 cr)
· ARCH 3711V - Honors: Environmental Design and the Sociocultural Context [SOCS, CIV, WI] (3.0 cr)
Program Sub-plans
A sub-plan is not required for this program.
Accelerated
Students accepted to this track join first-year M. Arch students in their classes while enrolled as undergraduate students. Courses taken in their final year as an undergraduate count as elective credits toward the BDA degree, and if accepted into the graduate program will continue to year two (of three) of the M. Arch program. Students may apply at the end of their junior year of the BDA program (within 32 credits of completing the degree requirements) and apply and the end of their senior year to the graduate school to formally join the graduate program. At the time of application, all liberal education requirements and all required BDA coursework must be completed or in progress slated to be completed by the end of the semester. Eligibility to apply is based on BDA GPA as well as overall GPA. The preferred BDA GPA is 3.8 or higher. Students with a GPA of 3.5 to 3.8 may apply but must also submit a GRE score. Application to the accelerated program must include all materials needed to apply for the M. Arch. program (portfolio, letters of recommendation, writing samples). Students advancing to the second year of the three-year M. Arch program will apply to the graduate school during the normal application time (see http://arch.design.umn.edu/admissions/graduate/). At that time, the application will only include the online graduate school application to the graduate program (no portfolio, letters of recommendation, writing samples, or GRE).
  
More program views..
View college catalog(s):
· College of Design

View future requirement(s):
· Fall 2022
· Spring 2021
· Fall 2020
· Fall 2018

View sample plan(s):
· Architecture
· Accelerated Sample Plan

View checkpoint chart:
· Architecture B.D.A.
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ARCH 1281 - Design Fundamentals I (AH)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall
Using architecture broadly defined, students will develop essential habits of work and mind, as well as an ability to understand the relationship between drawing, making and exploring. The course will introduce and begin to build an understanding of the role of iteration and critique, as well as traditional and contemporary modes of representation in architecture.
ARCH 2301 - Drawing and Critical Thinking
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: Arch 1301/Arch 5371/LA 5301/LA
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
This course provides an in-depth foundation for understanding how drawing functions as a discipline-specific way of thinking, brings self-critical precision to non-verbal production, and supports processes of conceptual exploration. prereq: Arch 2281 or department consent
ARCH 2281 - Design Fundamentals II
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Spring
Foundation architectural design studio. Design principles, technical drawing, material manipulation.
ARCH 3412W - Architectural History Since 1750 (HIS, GP, WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
Examples of the built environment from the Enlightenment to the present are studied within a broad social, cultural, and political context. Major architectural movements and their associated forms and designs. prereq: Soph or above
ARCH 3411W - Architectural History to 1750 (HIS, GP, WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Arch 3411W/Arch 3411V
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
This course will begin to situate us, and our work, in the context of the much larger, much longer human story. Architecture, both in practice and in its historical study, is fundamentally about people. In studying the human past through the built environment, from prehistory to 1750, we will see how architecture, both the ordinary and the extraordinary, is the product of its cultural, political, and social context. People make buildings and spaces, and buildings and spaces shape the ideas and behaviors of people. By studying architectural history we will learn about trends of style and form, but our primary emphasis is to learn about the relationships, practices, narratives, and beliefs that have constituted human culture around the world and across time. prereq: first year writing requirement; Soph or above
ARCH 3411V - Architectural History to 1750 (HIS, GP, WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Arch 3411W/Arch 3411V
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall
This course will begin to situate us, and our work, in the context of the much larger, much longer human story. Architecture, both in practice and in its historical study, is fundamentally about people. In studying the human past through the built environment, from prehistory to 1750, we will see how architecture, both the ordinary and the extraordinary, is the product of its cultural, political, and social context. People make buildings and spaces, and buildings and spaces shape the ideas and behaviors of people. By studying architectural history we will learn about trends of style and form, but our primary emphasis is to learn about the relationships, practices, narratives, and beliefs that have constituted human culture around the world and across time. prereq: first year writing requirement; Soph or above
ARCH 3212 - BDA: Analytical Modeling of Contemporary Architecture
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Insight into analytical modeling as one of the most important tools for a designer. Exercises, activities and iterative making of analytical models will help students to gain insight into works of contemporary architecture; analyze constituent elements and systems of form, space and order; investigate and make visible the underlying conceptual notions that generated the work; explore physical modeling as modes and techniques of analysis and representation; explore the specific issue of scale in analysis, representation and design resolution; read 2-D architectural drawings and translate them into 3-D physical form; and generally improve physical modeling skills.
ARCH 3222 - BDA Box Problem
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Students gain insight into the process of making by designing a wooden box that addresses a specific ritual, ceremony, event or activity of their choosing. The box will be evaluated on creativity, technique, craft, and risk. Introduction and practice with a variety of woodworking joints and techniques used to construct a wooden box.
ARCH 3223 - BDA: Screen Test: Metal Work
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Understanding the screen as an architectural element and screening as an architectural device. Understanding the nature of making and material craft in the design process, specifically metals and metal alloys designed and fabricated as architectural screen panels. Students develop: ability to understand, work with and transform metals; design vocabulary around screens, screening and patterns in architecture; design ideas as material assemblies and spatial propositions; verbal and visual communication skills as part of the design process; criteria for making design decision relevant for using screens, screening and patterns in architecture.
ARCH 3250 - Design Workshop
Credits: 1.0 -6.0 [max 54.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Design process as it relates to architecture. Hands-on projects involving interactive design process. Students develop rigorous/inventive graphic means of communicating. prereq: 2281, [Arch BA or BDA major]
ARCH 3261 - BDA: The Art of Daylighting Design: Exquisite Rooms
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Daylighting design and luminous phenomena have long captured the imagination of designers and architects. The beauty and power of light and shadow inspires the work of the greatest architectural masters. This BDA Workshop explores the many roles of daylighting in architectural design and how it is shaped by the intersection of both poetic and performance goals and aspirations. A select group of exquisite rooms of leading modern and contemporary architects will be compared and contrasted to gain insight into larger luminous design concepts, principles, strategies, and lessons on the art of daylighting design. Physical and computer models, photography, rendered drawings, diagramming, and computer analysis will be explored to understand the daylighting design philosophies, strategies, and details of 'Masters of Light' and the application of daylighting design lessons to an individual daylight investigation. Learning objectives are: to compare and contrast poetic and performance daylighting design concepts, principles, and strategies of modern and contemporary masters; to develop a comparative knowledge of daylighting theories and practices from case studies of exquisite rooms to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively develop and assess qualitative and quantitative daylighting strategies; and to develop a personal daylighting design theory, process, and practice.
ARCH 3271 - BDA: Watercolor Sketching: Exploring Iconic Sites
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Students will develop skills in representation and visualization using watercolor as a medium for examining architecture as material, structure and attitude. Students will explore creative methods in representation through a process of working en plein air. A new site of architectural significance will be visited each week. The goal of this design workshop is for students to discover and capture a sense of space, material and design in a personal manner, developing skills in representation as well as in design process. The way of working en plein air reflects a tradition in architecture of studying precedents in situ as well as an attitude captured by Frederick Frank in The Zen of Seeing, namely: To stop rushing around, to sit quietly on the grass, to switch off the world and come back to the earth, to allow the eye to see a willow, a bush, a cloud, a leaf, is an unforgettable experience.
ARCH 3511 - Material Transformations: Technology and Change in the Built Environment (TS)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Periodic Fall
Surveys development of significant architectural material technologies/their relationships to society/natural environment.
ARCH 3611 - Design in the Digital Age
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Arch 3611/Arch 5611
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
Introduction to design, design process. Developing/understanding ways of seeing, thinking, and acting as a designer. Changes in design being wrought by digital technology. Team design project.
ARCH 4561 - Architecture and Ecology (ENV)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Arch 4501/Arch 4561/Arch 5501
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
Introduction to theories/practices of ecological approaches to architectural design. Ecological context, implications/opportunities of architecture. Historical/theoretical framework for ecological design thinking. Issues studied at various scales: site/community, building, component.
ARCH 4701W - Introduction to Urban Form and Theory (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Spring
Urban form, related issues of design/theory/culture. Thematic history of cities. Lectures, discussions, assignments. prereq: [3411, 3412] or instr consent
ARCH 3711W - Environmental Design and the Sociocultural Context (SOCS, CIV, WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Arch 3711W/Arch 3711V
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall
Designed environment as cultural medium/product of sociocultural process/expression of values, ideas, behavioral patterns. Design/construction as complex political process. prereq: Soph or above
ARCH 3711V - Honors: Environmental Design and the Sociocultural Context (SOCS, CIV, WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Arch 3711W/Arch 3711V
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall
Designed environment as cultural medium and as product of a sociocultural process and expression of values, ideas, and behavioral patterns. Design/construction as complex political process. prereq: Honors, [soph or above]
LA 3501 - Environmental Design and Its Biological and Physical Context (ENV)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
Dynamic relationships between environmentally designed places and biological/physical contexts. Integration of created place and biological/physical contexts. Case studies, student design.
ARCH 3411W - Architectural History to 1750 (HIS, GP, WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Arch 3411W/Arch 3411V
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
This course will begin to situate us, and our work, in the context of the much larger, much longer human story. Architecture, both in practice and in its historical study, is fundamentally about people. In studying the human past through the built environment, from prehistory to 1750, we will see how architecture, both the ordinary and the extraordinary, is the product of its cultural, political, and social context. People make buildings and spaces, and buildings and spaces shape the ideas and behaviors of people. By studying architectural history we will learn about trends of style and form, but our primary emphasis is to learn about the relationships, practices, narratives, and beliefs that have constituted human culture around the world and across time. prereq: first year writing requirement; Soph or above
ARCH 3711W - Environmental Design and the Sociocultural Context (SOCS, CIV, WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Arch 3711W/Arch 3711V
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall
Designed environment as cultural medium/product of sociocultural process/expression of values, ideas, behavioral patterns. Design/construction as complex political process. prereq: Soph or above
ARCH 4701W - Introduction to Urban Form and Theory (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Spring
Urban form, related issues of design/theory/culture. Thematic history of cities. Lectures, discussions, assignments. prereq: [3411, 3412] or instr consent
ARCH 3411V - Architectural History to 1750 (HIS, GP, WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Arch 3411W/Arch 3411V
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall
This course will begin to situate us, and our work, in the context of the much larger, much longer human story. Architecture, both in practice and in its historical study, is fundamentally about people. In studying the human past through the built environment, from prehistory to 1750, we will see how architecture, both the ordinary and the extraordinary, is the product of its cultural, political, and social context. People make buildings and spaces, and buildings and spaces shape the ideas and behaviors of people. By studying architectural history we will learn about trends of style and form, but our primary emphasis is to learn about the relationships, practices, narratives, and beliefs that have constituted human culture around the world and across time. prereq: first year writing requirement; Soph or above
ARCH 3711V - Honors: Environmental Design and the Sociocultural Context (SOCS, CIV, WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Arch 3711W/Arch 3711V
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall
Designed environment as cultural medium and as product of a sociocultural process and expression of values, ideas, and behavioral patterns. Design/construction as complex political process. prereq: Honors, [soph or above]