Curriculum
Architecture is interdisciplinary in nature, drawing from various bases of knowledge and requiring collaboration with other fields. Our program balances architectural education with a strong liberal arts base. You can take classes in any field that interests you across the University—art, engineering, computer science, psychology, literature, business, and more—allowing you to develop your abilities to think, communicate, and work across disciplinary lines.
Degree Options
We offer two degree options—the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Architecture and the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Architecture—that allow students to individualize their educational experience. All students pursue one of five undergraduate tracks, and may choose to add minors, second majors, and dual degrees; this includes several minors offered within the Sam Fox School. While the BS in Architecture is an optimal springboard to graduate school, both tracks prepare you to move on to a master’s degree, positioning you for teaching and leadership positions in architecture and other related fields.
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Architecture
The Bachelor of Science in Architecture offers a more intensive study of architecture during your senior year. You’ll take an upper-level design studios focused on advanced building design, along with structures courses, architectural history/theory courses that emphasize urban design issues, and technology courses in environmental systems or landscape architecture.
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Architecture
The Bachelor of Arts in Architecture is a more flexible course of study that allows you to take additional architecture design studios or pursue courses in other areas of interest across the university.
Year-by-Year Overview
All architecture students take similar courses in the first three years; courses during the fourth year will differ depending on the degree.
- Beginning design studios, with exploration of materials, media, and geometry
- Interdisciplinary drawing course
- Design of a small building
- Introduction to digital technology
- Additional course work in the liberal arts
- Design studios focused on the relationship of architecture to the landscape and to the urban environment
- Interdisciplinary elective studies between art, architecture, and design
- Architectural history courses
- Additional course work in the liberal arts
- Intensified design studios exploring building assemblies, structure, landscape, and sustainability
- Building systems course
- Architectural theory course
- Additional course work in the liberal arts
For Bachelor of Science in Architecture:
- Continue in-depth study of architecture through design studios
- Structures courses
- Architectural history and theory course work, with an emphasis on urban design issues
- Technology courses in environmental systems or landscape architecture
For Bachelor of Arts in Architecture:
- Student-directed capstone project
- Ultimate flexibility to complete a second major or additional minor, or to explore other areas of interest
- Option to take additional architecture course work, including your choice of studios and theory classes
Courses
Within the architecture program, you’ll explore a wide array of media and techniques, including freehand drawing and computer-aided design. You’ll also study building technology and architectural history and theory. Offerings vary each semester, but recent courses and topic areas have included:
- Architecture Design Studio
- Drawing and Representation
- Digital Technology and Fabrication
- Architectural History and Theory
- Building Systems and Structures
- Environmental Systems
- Landscape Architecture
- Urban Design
- Community Building
- Furniture Design
Tracks
All BS and BA in Architecture students must complete a track as part of their degree requirements. Tracks are designed to help you find and hone your focus within architecture and give you the opportunity to extend your learning in architecture to other disciplines. For details about what courses are in each track, visit the WashU Bulletin.
The Ecologies and Sustainable Environments track introduces foundational aspects of sustainable design across disciplines, emphasizing the critical role of creativity and interdisciplinary thinking in confronting climate change and the intertwined nature of sustainability with social justice.
The Entrepreneurship and Practice track prepares students to think creatively about designing their future architectural or creative practice. Students learn the business fundamentals specific to architecture and creative fields through a rigorous curriculum focusing on professional practice, management principles, and marketing strategies.
The Fabrication and Visualization track explores emerging technology and media as they relate to architecture and culture. Students evaluate the broader implications of media and technology in virtual and physical platforms working with faculty invested in cutting-edge creative discourse.
The History & Theory track introduces foundational aspects of visual literacy and critical analysis of architecture and related fields, with attention to their cultural resonance and social impact. Students study the built environment — including cities, buildings, and landscapes — across a wide range of global and historical contexts, and draw on perspectives from other disciplines as well.
The Socially Engaged Practice track underlines creativity as a catalyst in initiating social change. Students learn to harness creative practices in addressing pervasive social and economic challenges, focusing on the transformative power of design in fostering positive societal transformations.
What is the difference between a track and a minor?
All BA and BS in Architecture students pursue a track. Tracks are 9 credits, all counted toward the major. Students interested in diving deeper into the knowledge learned in a track might also pursue an optional minor. Minors are typically 15 credits, most of which do not count toward the major.
Digital Technologies
Technology plays a critical role in the educational experience of our students; therefore, the Sam Fox School is committed to the integration of relevant technology into our curriculum. As part of our College of Architecture curriculum, our faculty provide required instruction in digital design technologies beginning in the first year, guided by established industry standards and best practices.
We strongly recommend that College of Architecture first-year students acquire a computer and software that meet or exceed the specifications noted in the guide below. Instruction for introductory courses on digital tools is designed to meet the precise specifications of the hardware and software listed. This laptop and software will serve as a basic, but versatile, toolkit and will support at least the first two years of your education in architecture. Due to advances in technology and subsequent upgrades in software, you may need to acquire a new, more powerful computer in your junior or senior year in order to complete your area of study.