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Academic Catalog 2023-2024

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Architectural Studies, BS

2023-2024 Edition

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The Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies teaches students the rigorous design methods of architecture while also offering a flexible curriculum focused on key contemporary topics related to the built environment. After a common sequence of design, history, and technology courses, students may choose from a rich array of electives in the School of Architecture and throughout the university. The culmination of the major is a single capstone course required for all students.

Students will emerge with a strong portfolio, a foundational grounding in architectural design, and will be well equipped for further graduate education or work experience in design-related fields and creative industries. The Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies can be completed in four years. Students in this major participate in one six-month co-op and have the option of a second four-month summer co-op. Students also have the option to study abroad for a semester.

Students may choose from one of three areas of emphasis—real estate; sustainability; or history, theory, and culture—or work with the department to put together a customized plan of study. 

Complete all courses listed below unless otherwise indicated. Also complete any corequisite labs, recitations, clinicals, or tools courses where specified and complete any additional courses needed beyond specific college and major requirements to satisfy graduation credit requirements.

Universitywide Requirements

All undergraduate students are required to complete the Universitywide Requirements.

NUpath Requirements

All undergraduate students are required to complete the NUpath Requirements.

NUpath Requirements Natural and Designed World (ND), Creative Expression/Innovation (EI), Interpreting Culture (IC), Societies and Institutions (SI), and Difference and Diversity (DD) are met through the major course requirements.

NUpath Requirements Formal and Quantitative Reasoning (FQ), Analyzing and Using Data (AD), and Ethical Reasoning (ER) must be met through electives.

Architectural Studies Major Requirements

Course List
Code Title Hours
Architecture at Northeastern
ARCH 1000
Architecture at Northeastern
General Architecture and Studio
ARCH 1110Fundamental Architectural Representation4
ARCH 1120Fundamental Architectural Design6
ARCH 2130Site, Space, Program6
ARCH 2140Urban Housing6
ARCH 3170Architecture, Infrastructure, and the City6
Technology
ARCH 2260Introduction to Building Systems4
History
ARCH 1310Buildings and Cities, A Global History4
ARCH 2340
and ARCH 2341
Modern Architecture
and Recitation for ARCH 2340
4
Architecture History Electives
Choose any course in the range of ARCH 2300 to ARCH 2399.4
Capstone
ARCH 4960Architectural Studies Capstone4

Major Electives

Students who wish to be considered for Northeastern's two-year Master of Architecture degree should take Architectonic Systems (ARCH 2240) and Structural Systems (ARCH 5230). 

Course List
Code Title Hours
Complete six of the following elective courses. At least four courses must be taken in the School of Architecture. At least two must be above the 2000 level:24
Any ARCH or LARC course
Real Estate
ENTR 2303
Marketing Strategies for Startups
ENTR 3330
Design Thinking for Startups
ENTR 4501
Integrated Studies in Entrepreneurial Startups
INNO 2206
Global Social Enterprise
MKTG 2209
Introduction to Marketing
Sustainability
CIVE 1200
How Cities Work: Experiencing Urban Infrastructure
CIVE 2334
Environmental Engineering: Principles, Technology, and Sustainability
CIVE 4566
Design for Sustainable Transportation: Netherlands
ENVR 3200
Water Resources
PHIL 1180
Environmental Ethics
SBSY 5100
Sustainable Design and Technologies in Construction
SBSY 5200
Sustainable Engineering Systems for Buildings
History, Theory, and Culture
ARTG 5110
Information Design History
ARTH 1100
Interactive Media and Society
ARTH 2215
History of Graphic Design

*Please be aware: Not all courses are available every semester and some have prerequisites. 

Optional Preparation for Two-Year Master of Architecture

Course List
Code Title Hours
If students wish to be eligible for the two-year Master of Architecture program at Northeastern, they should take the four courses listed here. ARCH 2240 and 5230 may count as electives toward the major:
ARCH 2240
Architectonic Systems
ARCH 5230
Structural Systems
MATH 1241
Calculus 1
PHYS 1141
General Physics

Architectural Studies Major Credit Requirement

Complete 72 semester hours in the major.

Program Requirement

128 total semester hours required

Sample Plan of Study

Year 1
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
ARCH 10001ARCH 11104Elective4Vacation
ARCH 13104ARCH 11206Elective4 
ENGW 11114EEAM 20001  
Elective4Architecture History Elective (1 of 2)4  
Elective4Elective4  
 17 19 8 0
Year 2
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
ARCH 21306ARCH 21406Optional Summer Co-opOptional Summer Co-op
ARCH 22604ARCH 2340
and ARCH 2341
4  
ARCH 2330
and ARCH 2331
4ENGW 33144  
Architecture History Elective (2 of 2)4Elective4  
 18 18 0 0
Year 3
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
Semester in Segovia (or Boston)14.4Co-op0Co-op0Vacation
Language elective1.6   
 16 0 0 0
Year 4
FallHoursSpringHours  
Elective4ARCH 49604  
Elective4Elective4  
Elective4Elective4  
Elective4Elective4  
 16 16  
Total Hours: 128
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