Campuses:
This is archival data. This system was retired as of August 21, 2023 and the information on this page has not been updated since then. For current information, visit catalogs.umn.edu.
Twin Cities Campus
Architecture B.D.A.School of Architecture
College of Design
In the Bachelor of Design in Architecture (BDA) program, students take a broad 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 architecture to address a broad range of issues within the discipline and practice of architecture and as a bridge to other disciplines and modes of practice. 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:
Admission Requirements
Students must complete
30 credits
before admission to the program.
Freshman and transfer students are usually admitted to pre-major status
before admission to this major.
A GPA above 2.0 is preferred for the following:
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the
Office of Admissions
website.
Required prerequisites
Prerequisite Courses, Primary Core
Student must complete the following classes prior to admission to the BDA program.
ARCH 1281 - Design Fundamentals I
[AH]
(4.0 cr)
ARCH 2281 - Design Fundamentals II
(4.0 cr)
ARCH 1621W - Introduction to Critical Inquiry in Practice
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
or
ARCH 1621V - Introduction to Critical Inquiry in Practice
[WI]
(3.0 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
The Architecture BDA requires 9 upper-division (3xxx-level or higher) credits outside College of Design designators. These include: ARCH, ADES, DES, GDES, IDES, LA, PDES, RM.
At least 24 upper division credits in the major must be taken at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus.
BDA Primary Core
NOTE: Students must complete Arch 2301 prior to Design Core requirements.
Take 3 or more course(s) from the following:
·
ARCH 2301 - Drawing and Critical Thinking
(4.0 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)
·
ARCH 3412W - Architectural History Since 1750
[HIS, GP, WI]
(3.0 cr)
or
ARCH 3412V - Honors: Architectural History Since 1750
[HIS, GP, WI]
(3.0 cr)
Design Core - Design Workshops
Topics of courses will vary each semester. Students repeat courses in order to complete the 9 credit minimum.
Take 9 - 15 credit(s) from the following:
·
ARCH 3231 - Intensive Applications Design Workshop
(3.0 cr)
·
ARCH 3232 - Extensive Applications Design Workshop
(3.0 cr)
Design Core - Advanced Design Workshops
Topics of courses will vary each semester. Students repeat courses in order to complete the 9 credit minimum.
Take 9 - 15 credit(s) from the following:
·
ARCH 4231 - Advanced Intensive Applications Design Workshop
(3.0 cr)
·
ARCH 4232 - Advanced Extensive Applications Design Workshop
(3.0 cr)
Architecture History / Theory Electives
Take 6 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
ARCH 4421W - Architecture and Interpretation: The Cave and the Light
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
or
ARCH 4424 - Renaissance Architecture
(3.0 cr)
or
ARCH 4425W - Baroque Architecture
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
or
ARCH 4432 - Modern Architecture
(3.0 cr)
or
ARCH 4434 - Contemporary Architecture
(3.0 cr)
or
ARCH 4410 - Topics in Architectural History
(1.0-4.0 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 4451 - Contemporary Architectural Thinking
(3.0 cr)
·
ARCH 4561 - Architecture and Ecology
[ENV]
(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 Electives Outside the College
Take 9 credits upper-division credits (3xxx-level or higher) outside the College of Design designators. These include: ARCH, ADES, DES, GDES, IDES, LA, PDES, RM.
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 3411V - Architectural History to 1750
[HIS, GP, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
ARCH 3411W - Architectural History to 1750
[HIS, GP, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
ARCH 3412W - Architectural History Since 1750
[HIS, GP, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
ARCH 3711V - Honors: Environmental Design and the Sociocultural Context
[SOCS, CIV, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
ARCH 3711W - Environmental Design and the Sociocultural Context
[SOCS, CIV, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
ARCH 4425W - Baroque Architecture
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
ARCH 4701W - Introduction to Urban Form and Theory
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
Program Sub-plans
A sub-plan is not required for this program.
Integrated Architecture BDA/Architecture M. Arch
The integrated option allows a limited number of qualified undergraduates to complete the BDA and M.Arch degrees in six rather than seven years. Accepted students complete year one of the M.Arch curriculum during the senior year of their undergraduate degree. Some M.Arch courses satisfy upper division BDA requirements or may satisfy general elective credits.
Students accepted to the integrated BDA+M.Arch degree must substantially complete BDA requirements before their senior year, and have a program plan in place verifying that undergraduate degree program requirements will be met by the end of the senior year.
Integrated status is granted on a competitive basis. Students must work with their academic advisor and the undergraduate program director to complete a pre-application. Eligibility is based on program GPA (courses with ARCH designator) and overall UMN GPA; preferred program GPA is 3.8 or higher. The program application includes: a transcript, writing samples, three recommendation letters, a design portfolio, and a program plan for completing the BDA degree within the first year of the professional program coursework. Integrated students apply to the M.Arch degree and are granted a deferred start date while they complete their first year of the M.Arch as their final year of the undergraduate degree.
|
|
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Arch 1621W/Arch 1621V |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Arch 1621W/Arch 1621V |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
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 |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Arch 3411W/Arch 3411V |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Arch 3411W/Arch 3411V |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Arch 3412V / Arch 3412W |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 15.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 15.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 15.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 15.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Arch 4421/Arch 5421 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Arch 4424/Arch 5424 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Arch 4425/Arch 5425 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Arch 4432/Arch 5432 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Arch 4434/Arch 5434 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 1.0 -4.0 [max 24.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Arch 4501/Arch 4561/Arch 5501 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Arch 3711W/Arch 3711V |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Arch 3711W/Arch 3711V |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Arch 3411W/Arch 3411V |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Arch 3411W/Arch 3411V |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Arch 3711W/Arch 3711V |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Arch 3711W/Arch 3711V |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Arch 4425/Arch 5425 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |