Environmental Design in Architecture (Bachelor)
The Bachelor of Environmental Design in Architecture (BEDA) is a four-year, pre-professional degree program that immerses students in architectural design fundamentals through studio- and project-based courses. Students take an array of classes that focus on history, theory, technology, structures, materials, construction, and general education subjects. The BEDA program prepares students for further study in a professional degree program such as the one-year Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) or a two-year Master of Architecture (M.Arch). The BEDA also prepares students for advanced study in related fields such as Landscape Architecture and City Design.
The four years of the BEDA curriculum are divided into:
- The First Year Experience (a common first year curriculum shared by all majors in the College of Design)
- The Second Year Concentrated Architectural Studies
- The Third Year Concentrated Architectural Studies
- The Fourth Year (study abroad, “swing” studios in other majors; design/build studio; and elective seminars).
Learn more about the BEDA program about the School of Architecture on our website.
Plan Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture Core Requirements | |||
| ARC 162 | An Introduction to Architecture | 3 | |
| ARC 211 | Natural Systems and Architecture 1 | 3 | |
| ARC 241 | History of World Architecture 1 | 3 | |
| ARC 232 | Structures and Materials 1 | 3 | |
| ARC 242 | History of Western Architecture 1 | 3 | |
| ARC 251 | Digital Representation | 3 | |
| ARC 331 | Architectural Structures I 1 | 3 | |
| ARC 332 | Architectural Structures II 1 | 3 | |
| ARC 414 | Environmental Control Systems 1 | 3 | |
| ARC 432 | Architectural Construction Systems | 3 | |
| ARC 441 | History of Contemporary Architecture 1 | 3 | |
| Restricted Elective 2 | 3 | ||
| Architecture Studio Requirement | |||
| D 100 | Design Inquiry I: Methods and Processes | 3 | |
| D 101 | Design Inquiry II: Methods and Processes | 3 | |
| D 104 | First Year Studio I 1 | 6 | |
| D 105 | First Year Studio II 1 | 6 | |
| ARC 201 | Architectural Design: Environment 1 | 6 | |
| ARC 202 | Architectural Design: Form 1 | 6 | |
| ARC 301 | Architectural Design: Tectonics 1 | 6 | |
| ARC 302 | Architectural Design: Technology 1 | 6 | |
| ARC 401 | Architectural Design: Urban 1 | 6 | |
| ARC 402 | Architectural Design: Advanced 1 | 6 | |
| Mathematics & Natural Sciences | |||
| Mathematics Elective | 3 | ||
| PY 211 | College Physics I | 4 | |
| International Experience | |||
| International Experience (verify requirement) 2 | 0 | ||
| General Education Program (GEP) Courses | |||
| ENG 101 | Academic Writing and Research 1 | 4 | |
| GEP Humanities | 3 | ||
| GEP Social Sciences | 6 | ||
| GEP Mathematical Sciences | 3 | ||
| GEP Natural Sciences | 3 | ||
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 2 | ||
| GEP Additional Breadth | 3 | ||
| GEP U.S. Diversity (verify requirement) | |||
| GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement) | |||
| Foreign Language Proficiency (verify requirement) | |||
| Free Electives | |||
| Free Electives (12 Hr S/U Lmt) 2 | 5 | ||
| Total Hours | 126 | ||
- 1
A grade of C- or higher is required.
- 2
Students should consult their academic advisors to determine how to complete this requirement.
Mathematics Electives
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| MA 107 | Precalculus I | 3 | |
| MA 108 | Precalculus II | 3 | |
| MA 111 | Precalculus Algebra and Trigonometry | 3 | |
| MA 121 | Elements of Calculus | 3 | |
| MA 131 | Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A | 3 | |
| MA 141 | Calculus I | 4 |
Semester Sequence
This is a sample.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| D 100 | Design Inquiry I: Methods and Processes | 3 |
| D 104 | First Year Studio I 1 | 6 |
| ENG 101 | Academic Writing and Research | 4 |
| Mathematics Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| D 101 | Design Inquiry II: Methods and Processes | 3 |
| D 105 | First Year Studio II 1 | 6 |
| ARC 162 | An Introduction to Architecture | 3 |
| PY 211 | College Physics I | 4 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ARC 201 | Architectural Design: Environment 1 | 6 |
| ARC 211 | Natural Systems and Architecture 1 | 3 |
| ARC 241 | History of World Architecture 1 | 3 |
| GEP Mathematical Sciences | 3 | |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ARC 202 | Architectural Design: Form 1 | 6 |
| ARC 232 | Structures and Materials 1 | 3 |
| ARC 242 | History of Western Architecture 1 | 3 |
| ARC 251 | Digital Representation | 3 |
| GEP Natural Sciences | 3 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ARC 301 | Architectural Design: Tectonics 1 | 6 |
| ARC 331 | Architectural Structures I 1 | 3 |
| ARC 432 | Architectural Construction Systems 1 | 3 |
| ARC 441 | History of Contemporary Architecture 1 | 3 |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ARC 302 | Architectural Design: Technology 1 | 6 |
| ARC 332 | Architectural Structures II 1 | 3 |
| ARC 414 | Environmental Control Systems 1 | 3 |
| GEP Social Sciences | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ARC 490 or ARC 401 | Architecture International Studio 1 or Architectural Design: Urban | 6 |
| Free Elective | 2 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Additional Breadth (Humanities/Social Sciences/Visual and Performing Arts) | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ARC 402 | Architectural Design: Advanced 1 | 6 |
| Restricted Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Social Sciences | 3 | |
| GEP Humanities | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 126 | |
- 1
A grade of C- or higher is required.
Major/Program Footnotes:
- No more than one studio may be taken in any semester.
- Foreign language proficiency at 102 level is required for graduation but does not count toward the degree requirements.
Career Opportunities
Career Titles
- Architect
- Architecture Professor
- Environmental Planner
- Facilities Planner
- Industrial Designer
- Interior Designer
- Landscape Architect
- Model Maker
- Solar Energy Systems Designer
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