Architecture and Inventive Technologies (BS)

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Technology and innovation are becoming increasingly important in the field of architecture and new technological developments have the potential to enable a built environment that is much more sustainable, socially responsible and resilient than it is today. Rather than training students to follow the traditional model of client-based professional services, students will learn to be leaders who develop innovative architectural products, an architecture-related field that is underrepresented but growing. This program will look at architecture and the architectural market through a lens of entrepreneurship as students develop critical thinking skills to address the wicked problems of the 21st century, such as climate change, social justice, health and wellness, and our increasingly virtual world. Students will be taught to think about the problems related to architecture and the built environment in more product-oriented or service-related (i.e. construction/assembly methods, manufacturing, delivery, life-cycle, digital apps) ways.

Required Courses

The degree requires a total of 128 units, including 70 units of core seminars, workshops and major electives; 48 units from the university’s General Education program and 10 units of free electives.

Lower Division (31 units)
ARCH 104 History and Theory of Architecture, Technology, Innovation Units: 3
ARCH 105L Fundamentals of Design Communication Units: 2
ARCH 108 Idea to Reality Units: 3
ARCH 109 Design Foundation Workshop Units: 4
ARCH 207 Computer Applications in Architecture Units: 2
ARCH 211 Materials and Methods of Building Construction Units: 3
ARCH 218 Resilient Design Units: 3
ARCH 219 Design at the Scale of the Human Body Workshop Units: 4
ARCH 228 Social Environments Units: 3
ARCH 229 Shelter Design Workshop Units: 4
Upper Division (30 units)
ARCH 318 Experimental Futures Units: 3
ARCH 319 Architectural Product Design Workshop Units: 4
ARCH 328 Entrepreneurial Practices for Architecture Units: 3
ARCH 329 Professional Practicum Workshop Units: 4
ARCH 431 Nonconventional Materials for the Built Environment Units: 3
ARCH 470a Architectural Studies Capstone Units: 1
ARCH 470b Architectural Studies Capstone Units: 3
ARCH 521 Health and the Designed Environment: Landscape, Place, and Architecture Units: 4
ARCH 581 Techniques in Digital Fabrication Units: 3
ARCH 588 Physical Computing: Linking Architectural Computing with the Physical World Units: 3

Electives

Nine units of electives are required, to be chosen from the School of Architecture; Iovine and Young Academy, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Science, Roski School of Art and Design, or the Price School of Public Policy. Elective classes must be approved by the School of Architecture Academic Adviser.

Free Electives

Ten units of free electives are required, which may be chosen from across the university.

General Education Requirements

The university’s general education program provides a coherent, integrated introduction to the breadth of knowledge you will need to consider yourself (and to be considered by other people) a generally well-educated person. See the General Education page for more information.

Architecture and Inventive Technologies (BS)

Required Courses

Lower Division (31 units)

Upper Division (30 units)

Electives

Free Electives

General Education Requirements