Architecture

Master of Science in Architecture

The Master of Science in Architecture program offers the opportunity for advanced study and research in specialized areas related to building design, construction, and operations over a broad range of scales, providing the basis for diverse career paths and/or entry into a Ph.D.-level program. The M.S. is not directed toward professional licensing and therefore is not accredited by the NAAB as a “first professional degree.” While an undergraduate degree in architecture or a related field is not required, applicants must demonstrate relevant background and experience, as well as capabilities for undertaking advanced academic study.

The Master of Science program allows a student to conduct a research-based program of study which can be expected to contribute to the body of knowledge in the design and building professions, and may lead to future study in the doctoral program, where advanced standing may be awarded for acceptable graduate credits earned at the master’s level.

Students will develop their own programs of study in cooperation with appropriate faculty and in consideration of the courses and facilities available. A brief description of the available research concentrations follows:

  • Building Science: Studies in the category of Building Science focus on various environmental systems issues over a broad range of scales and may concentrate on the following (or other) areas: energy and building design; mechanical systems and large buildings; lighting and daylighting; natural ventilation and air flow; indoor air quality; acoustics and theater design; and building structure, assembly, and/or economics.
  • Industrial Design: This graduate program option offers students with architecture, design, and other undergraduate design experience, an opportunity to pursue a course of studies in industrial design. Its purpose is to provide a research focus for solving design problems, as well as a framework to achieve professional competency in the field. The option is concerned with the evaluation and application of human factors and environmental/behavioral research in the design and development of products and product environments for home, institutional, and transportation settings. It seeks to establish a better understanding of the critical interface between user needs, equipment and related space, and to apply this knowledge in the design of safe, efficient, and comfortable products and product environments. Students conduct independent and group research, participate in seminars and group projects of institutional, government and commercial sponsorship, or theoretical nature, and must produce a research-based thesis for graduation.
  • Computing and Representation: Students working in this concentration will study how the design process can be described, how we represent things to ourselves and others by various notation schemes, how computers can support a design process in designing, learning, analyzing, and programming, computer capability in representation, and what organization is required for paint, line-drawing, and spatial modeling programs. Since a large group of faculty in the college is engaged in the development of an integrated computer support system for design, there is opportunity for students in this area of concentration to be engaged directly in the development of such a system, and to participate intensively in discussions concerning its organization.
  • Interior Design: This concentration allows those with professional degrees in Interior Design or closely related areas the opportunity for advanced research which is expected to add to the body of knowledge in the discipline of Interior Design. Potential research areas include design practice, history of interiors, computer applications in interior design, and environmental factors related to interiors.

In addition, research concentrations in Urban Design and Architectural Structures, within the Master of Science in Architecture program, are currently under development.

The Master of Science degree is awarded upon satisfactory completion of an approved plan of study of at least 36 credit hours, normally including a thesis representing up to 10 hours of the total hours required.

For more information, please see MS.Arch. Program Policies, Procedures and Guidelines .