Degree Requirements
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Undergraduate Degree Programs | College of Architecture Requirements | Tracks in Architecture | Combined Studies
Undergraduate Degree Programs
The College of Architecture offers course work leading to two undergraduate degrees: the Bachelor of Science in Architecture and the Bachelor of Arts in Architecture. The requirements for both degrees are the same through the junior year. Students choose which degree program they wish to pursue. Further information about the particular requirements and curricular structures of the undergraduate degree programs is listed below.
Students in the College of Architecture select, in consultation with their advisors, a course of study that satisfies the formal degree requirements, addresses their interests, and best meets their overall goals.
Students begin with a design studio and take required courses in the College of Arts & Sciences in addition to electives across the university. To encourage students to focus their academic and professional interests, they are required to select one of five tracks in architecture.
For the Bachelor of Science degree, students continue to study architecture in depth through the senior year. For those in the Bachelor of Arts program, the fourth year offers the flexibility of studying outside of architecture or pursuing other electives.
Continuing for Graduate Study Years
Students receiving the Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree can apply to two-year Master of Architecture programs. Students receiving the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in architecture usually apply to three-year Master of Architecture programs. Please visit the Graduate School of Architecture & Urban Design section of this Bulletin for more information.
College of Architecture Requirements
Students in the class of 2028 and beyond must fulfill the following degree requirements. For class of 2027 academic requirements, see the 2023-2024 Bulletin. For class of 2026 and prior classes, refer to the 2022-2023 Bulletin.
Academic Requirements (18 units)
- College Writing (3 units): Every student must demonstrate proficiency in reading and writing the English language and must begin to develop mature skills in framing and revising arguments by completing course work as determined by the College Writing Program (CWP), with a grade of C- or better. Transfer students must fulfill the writing requirement by taking an approved writing course or by review of a writing portfolio. For more information, visit the College Writing Program website.
- Calculus I (3 units): All students must complete MATH 1510 Calculus I (Natural Sciences/Math) with a C- or better. Transfer credit cannot be used to fulfill the Calculus I requirement; the requirement can be fulfilled with Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) credit.
- Physics I (3 units): Students must complete PHYSICS 1740 Physics I (Natural Sciences/Math) with a C- or better.
- Humanities (3 units): Humanities courses examine the human condition as it has been documented and expressed in both past and contemporary times. This area includes courses from literature (both in English and other languages), Classics, History, Philosophy and Religious Studies, as well as some courses in the creative arts such as Dance, Drama, Music and Writing. Courses tagged HUM Humanities ArtSci IQ fulfill the humanities requirement.
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 units): These courses use qualitative and quantitative observation to explore the social environment, relationships with society and forms of human behavior. This area includes courses from Anthropology, Economics, Education, International and Area Studies, Political Science and Psychological & Brain Sciences as well as courses from other areas, including interdisciplinary studies. Courses tagged SSC Social and Behavioral Sciences ArtSci IQ fulfill the social and behavioral sciences requirement.
- Art History (3 units): Students must complete ARTARCH 1515 History of Western Art, Architecture & Design with a C- or better; this course may not be taken Pass/No Pass.
Major Required Courses: Bachelor of Science in Architecture*
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 1000 | Practices in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urban Design | 3 |
| ARCH 1110 | Introduction to Design Processes I | 4.5 |
| ARCH 1120 | Introduction to Design Processes II | 4.5 |
| ARCH 1210 | Representation I | 1.5 |
| ARCH 1220 | Representation II | 1.5 |
| ARCH 2110 | Architectural Design I | 6 |
| ARCH 2120 | Architectural Design II | 6 |
| ARCH 2210 | Architectural History I: Antiquity to Baroque | 3 |
| ARCH 2220 | Architectural History II: Architecture Since 1880 | 3 |
| ARCH 3110 | Architectural Design III | 6 |
| ARCH 3120 Architectural Design IV or ARCH 3121 Architectural Design IV (Urban Design + Landscape Systems) | 6 | |
| ARCH 3310 | Environmental Systems I | 3 |
| ARCH 3340 | Building Systems | 3 |
| ARCH 4110 Architectural Design V or ARCH 4111 Architectural Design V (Florence) | 6 | |
| ARCH 4120 Architectural Design VI or ARCH 4121 Architectural Design VI (Urban Design + Landscape Systems) | 6 | |
| ARCH 4340 | Structures I | 3 |
| ARCH 4350 | Structures II | 3 |
| History/Theory Research & Writing Elective | Courses tagged AR Research & Writing | 3 |
| LANDARCH 2040 | Shared Ecologies and Design | 3 |
| Open Electives** | 27 | |
| Architecture Track*** | Select three courses in a chosen track | |
| Total Units | 102 | |
- *
A maximum of 15 non-Washington University units (including Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and transfer credit) is permitted.
- **
A maximum of 9 units may be applied to physical education, lessons, and/or independent studies. School of Continuing & Professional Studies courses do not count toward degree requirements.
- ***
Track courses may fulfill Humanities and Social Sciences distribution requirements (tagged HUM Humanities ArtSci IQ or SSC Social and Behavioral Sciences ArtSci IQ); History/Theory Research and Writing elective requirements (AR Research & Writing); or open elective requirements. Track courses are identified with one of the following course tags: AR History & Theory Track, AR Ecologies & Sustainable Environments Track, AR Entrepreneurship & Practice Track, AR Fabrication & Visualization Track, or AR Socially Engaged Practice Track.
Major Required Courses: Bachelor of Arts in Architecture*
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 1000 | Practices in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urban Design | 3 |
| ARCH 1110 | Introduction to Design Processes I | 4.5 |
| ARCH 1120 | Introduction to Design Processes II | 4.5 |
| ARCH 1210 | Representation I | 1.5 |
| ARCH 1220 | Representation II | 1.5 |
| ARCH 2110 | Architectural Design I | 6 |
| ARCH 2120 | Architectural Design II | 6 |
| ARCH 2210 | Architectural History I: Antiquity to Baroque | 3 |
| ARCH 2220 | Architectural History II: Architecture Since 1880 | 3 |
| ARCH 3110 | Architectural Design III | 6 |
| ARCH 3120 | Architectural Design IV or ARCH 3121 Architectural Design IV (Urban Design + Landscape Systems) | 6 |
| ARCH 3340 | Building Systems | 3 |
| ARCH 4190 | Senior Capstone in Architecture | 3 |
| History/Theory Research & Writing Elective | Courses tagged AR Research & Writing | 3 |
| LANDARCH 2040 | Shared Ecologies and Design | 3 |
| Open Electives** | 45 | |
| Architecture Track*** | Select three courses in a chosen track | |
| Total Units | 102 | |
- *
A maximum of 15 non-Washington University units (including Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and transfer credit) is permitted.
- **
A maximum of 9 units may be applied to physical education, lessons, and/or independent studies. School of Continuing & Professional Studies courses do not count toward degree requirements.
- ***
Track courses may fulfill Humanities and Social Sciences distribution requirements (tagged HUM Humanities ArtSci IQ or SSC Social and Behavioral Sciences ArtSci IQ); History/Theory Research and Writing elective requirements (AR Research & Writing); or open elective requirements. Track courses are identified with one of the following course tags: AR History & Theory Track, AR Ecologies & Sustainable Environments Track, AR Entrepreneurship & Practice Track, AR Fabrication & Visualization Track, or AR Socially Engaged Practice Track.
Tracks in Architecture
All students must complete a track in architecture as part of their degree requirements. In consultation with their major advisor, students select a track during their third semester. Tracks consist of 9 units of coursework in a focused area of study. A minimum of 6 units of track courses must be taken in the Sam Fox School, with up to 3 units permitted from the College of Art. Up to 3 units taken outside the Sam Fox School can also count toward this requirement. Track courses may fulfill Humanities and Social Sciences distribution requirements (tagged HUM Humanities ArtSci IQ or SSC Social and Behavioral Sciences ArtSci IQ), History/Theory Research and Writing elective requirements (AR Research & Writing), or open elective requirements, and they may also be counted toward minors.
Students choose one of the following five tracks:
Ecologies and Sustainable Environments
Total Units Required: 9
- College of Architecture coursework: 3-9 units
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 3438 | Carbon Neutrality in Architectural Design | 3 |
| ARCH 4478 | Radical Mapping | 3 |
| LANDARCH 5330 | Landscape Ecology | 3 |
| LANDARCH 5424 | Seeds | 3 |
| LANDARCH 6360 | Landscape Architecture History & Theory | 3 |
| LANDARCH 6370 | Modern and Contemporary Landscape Architecture | 3 |
| URBDES 5420 | Ideas in Urbanism | 3 |
| URBDES 5421 | Infrastructural Urbanism | 3 |
| URBDES 5424 | Alternative Atlas: STL | 3 |
| URBDES 6210 | Metropolitan Urbanism | 3 |
| URBDES 6220 | Metropolitan Development | 3 |
| URBDES 6230 | Metropolitan Sustainability | 3 |
| URBDES 6401 | Advanced Seminar in Urban Sustainability I | 3 |
- College of Art coursework: up to 3 units
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ART 1155 | Eco Art | 3 |
- Coursework outside the Sam Fox School: up to 3 units
- Any course tagged AR Ecologies & Sustainable Environments Track
- Any ENST (Environmental Studies) course listed at the 3000 level or above
Entrepreneurship and Practice
Total Units Required: 9
- College of Architecture coursework: 3-6 units
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 3429 | In Detail: Observation, Drawing, & Discovery | 3 |
| ARCH 3451 | Portfolio Design | 3 |
- College of Art coursework: up to 3 units
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| DESIGN 1421 | Illustration Entrepreneur | 3 |
| DESIGN 3550 | Branding & Identity | 3 |
| FASHION 2410 | Business of Fashion | 3 |
- Coursework outside the Sam Fox School: up to 3 units
- Any course tagged AR Entrepreneurship & Practice Track
Fabrication and Visualization
Total Units Required: 9
- College of Architecture coursework: 3-9 units
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 3434 | Body as Site: Jewelry Design as Architecture | 1.5 |
| ARCH 3534 | Furniture Design | 3 |
| ARCH 4420 | Fabricated Drawings | 3 |
| ARCH 4427 | Digital Ceramics | 3 |
| ARCH 4459 | Precast Concrete Enclosures | 3 |
| ARCH 4467 | Expanding Skin | 3 |
| ARCH 4506 | Mixed-Reality Fabrication | 3 |
| ARCH 4507 | Fields and Frames | 3 |
- College of Art coursework: up to 3 units
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ART 1519 | Compositions in Clay | 3 |
| ART 2624 | Time-Based: Animation Tools and Methods | 3 |
| ART 3628 | TBMA: Art Practice (Immersive Environments) | 3 |
| DESIGN 1265 | Visual Principles for the Screen | 3 |
| DESIGN 2506 | Digital Game Design | 3 |
| DESIGN 3260 | UX Research Methods for Design | 3 |
| DESIGN 3408 | The Narrative Image: Form/Structure/Function | 3 |
| FASHION 2220 | Introduction to Fashion Design | 3 |
- Coursework outside the Sam Fox School: up to 3 units
- Any course tagged AR Fabrication & Visualization Track
- Any CSE (Computer Science and Engineering) course listed at the 3000 level or above
- Any DRAMA course listed at the 3000 level or above
- Any FILM (Film and Media Studies) course listed at the 3000 level or above
- Any MEMS (Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science) course listed at the 3000 level or above
History and Theory
Total Units Required: 9
- College of Architecture coursework: 3-9 units
- Any ARCH, LANDARCH, or URBDES course tagged AR History & Theory Track
- College of Art coursework: up to 3 units
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| FASHION 3220 | Fashion History and Research | 3 |
- Coursework outside the Sam Fox School: up to 3 units
- Any course tagged AR History & Theory Track
- Any ARTARCH (Art History and Archaeology) course listed at the 3000 level or above
Socially Engaged Practice
Total Units Required: 9
- College of Architecture coursework: 3-9 units
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 2090 | Design Process | 3 |
| ARCH 3401 | Drawing on the City | 3 |
| ARCH 3404 | Community Building | 3 |
| ARCH 3424 | Urban Books | 3 |
| ARCH 4475 | Community Design Sprints | 15 |
| ARCH 4477 | Segregation By Design: A Historical Analysis of the Impact of Planning and Policy in St. Louis | 3 |
| ARCH 4478 | Radical Mapping | 3 |
| ARCH 4509 | Towards Common Ground | 3 |
| URBDES 5403 | Public Space and City Life: Contemporary Discourses on Public Space | 3 |
| URBDES 5412 | Everyday Urbanism: Global and Local Practices | 3 |
| URBDES 5423 | Informal Cities: The Future of Global Urbanism | 3 |
| URBDES 5424 | Alternative Atlas: STL | 3 |
| URBDES 6150 | Informal Cities Workshop: Designing Urbanity: Collective Housing in Emergent Cities | 1 |
- College of Art coursework: up to 3 units
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ART 1152 | Engaging Community: Understanding the Basics | 1.5 |
| DESIGN 2258 | Interaction Design: Understanding Health and Well-Being | 3 |
- Coursework outside the Sam Fox School: up to 3 units
- Any courses tagged AR Socially Engaged Practice Track
- Any PSYCH (Psychological and Brain Sciences) course listed at the 3000 level or above
- Any URST (Urban Studies) course listed at the 3000 level or above
- Any WGSS (Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies) course listed at the 3000 level or above
Regulations
- Students may take one non-required course on a Pass/No Pass basis each semester.
- Students may enroll for credit in only one supervised performance course during any semester. Students may earn a maximum of 9 units toward the degree in supervised performance and/or in group or individual performance courses, internships, and independent studies combined. School of Continuing & Professional Studies courses do not count toward degree requirements.
Combined Studies
Washington University offers students the option to study across disciplines and to take advantage of the wide range of courses available. Students may choose to major in architecture and minor in another subject in architecture or to major in architecture and choose a minor or second major in an area from a different undergraduate school.
Major requirements (i.e., any course required to be taken within the Sam Fox School) may not be double-counted for another degree, major, or minor unless specifically allowed by a Sam Fox School minor. Open/general electives and Arts & Sciences distribution requirements are permitted to double-count for another degree, major, or minor.