Architecture
Description:
This program leads to the Associate of Arts degree in Architecture. It prepares students for transfer to professional schools of architecture. The primary goals of the program are to provide students with the fundamental professional knowledge and technical skills needed to compete in the challenging and rewarding career of architecture, and to foster the development of each student's creative capacities, reflecting an integrated understanding of the multi-faceted factors influencing design decisions.
The curriculum and faculty are dedicated to providing each student with strong design skills and technical experiences early in his or her education. In the Architecture program, the design studio is the focus. It is here that design fundamentals are acquired, and technical, historical and theoretical concepts are synthesized and applied. Students increase their spatial visualization capabilities and are guided in developing a design process and a personal creative vision. At the same time, they learn to work as part of a design team. The design projects are organized to build aesthetic understanding, technical abilities, sensitivity to human needs and awareness of the social consequences of design decisions.
At the College, the study of architecture reflects the diverse and evolving roles and responsibilities of the design professional. The program provides a broad liberal arts education, drawing upon art, science, humanities, social science, and the history of architecture and interior design. This is the vital foundation that leads to the ability to design buildings that are functional, lasting and beautiful.
Program Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
- Creatively solve specific design problems related to the fundamentals of architectural design in the built environment with the use of critical thinking, analysis, research, 2-D and 3-D formal ordering systems, and visual perception throughout the design process.
- Communicate effectively individually or as a member of a team:
- Orally
- Written
- In design drawings utilizing freehand drawing, manual and computer drafting
- By producing three-dimensional analog models and computer modeling
- Describe the fundamentals of common construction materials and methods, their use in building components and assemblies, and their environmental impact.
- Explain the complex interaction of people, place, historical / cultural / environmental / technological contexts in architecture.
Program Entry Requirements:
Interested high school students should complete a year of geometry, two years of algebra and two years in art-related areas (drawing, sculpture, photography or related areas). Mechanical drafting or Computer Assisted Design is also advantageous.
Students are required to satisfy placement at the time of admission. Students identified as needing developmental coursework must satisfactorily complete the appropriate English and mathematics courses prior to enrolling in courses required by the degree program.
Program of Study and Graduation Requirements:
To qualify for the A. A. degree in Architecture, a student must complete a minimum of 64 credits as prescribed, attain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 ("C" average) and earn a "C" or higher in all ADC and ART courses.
Course Sequence:
Semester 1
| Course Number and Name | Prerequisites and Corequisites | Credits | Gen Ed Req. |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADC 101 - Introduction to Design and Construction | 3 credits | Tech Comp* | |
| ADC 103 - CAD Basics | 3 credits | Tech Comp* | |
| ADC 109 - Design Studio I | 4 credits | ||
| MATH 161 - Precalculus I (or above as per placement) ** | FNMT 118 or MATH 118 with a grade of "C" or better | 3 credits | Quantitative Reasoning |
| ENGL 101 - English Composition I or ENGL 101H - English Composition I (Honors) | 3 credits | Writing/Research/Info Lit 1 |
Semester 2
| Course Number and Name | Prerequisites and Corequisites | Credits | Gen Ed Req. |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADC 159 - Design Studio II | ADC 103 , ADC 109 | 4 credits | |
| ADC 112 - Construction Materials and Detailing: Properties | ADC 103 or ADC 109 | 3 credits | |
| ADC 160 - Presentation Techniques | ADC 103 | 3 credits | |
| ART 105 - Drawing I | 3 credits | Oral Communication/Creative Expression | |
| ENGL 102 - The Research Paper or ENGL 102H - The Research Paper (Honors) | ENGL 101 with a grade of "C" or better | 3 credits | Writing/Research/Info Lit 2 |
Semester 3
| Course Number and Name | Prerequisites and Corequisites | Credits | Gen Ed Req. |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADC 209 - Design Studio III | ADC 159, ADC 160 | 4 credits | |
| ADC 212 - Construction Materials and Detailing: Methods | ADC 103 or ADC 109 | 3 credits | |
| ADC 221 - History of Architecture and Interiors I | ENGL 101 | 3 credits | |
| ADC 260 - Advanced Presentation Techniques | ADC 160; and ADC 209 which may be taken be taken concurrently, or ADC 163 which may be taken concurrently | 3 credits | |
| PHYS 111 - General Physics I** or Scientific Reasoning Elective | For PHYS 111: MATH 162 or MATH 171 | 3 or 4 credits | Scientific Reasoning |
Semester 4
| Course Number and Name | Prerequisites and Corequisites | Credits | Gen Ed Req. |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADC 222 - History of Architecture and Interiors II | ADC 221 and ENGL 102 which may be taken concurrently | 3 credits | |
| ADC 253 - Environmental Systems I or ADC 254 - Environmental Systems II | ADC 253: ADC 103 or ADC 109 ADC 254: ADC 101 and ADC 103 or ADC 109 | 3 credits | |
| ADC 259 - Design Studio IV | ADC 209 | 4 credits | |
| ADC 176 / HIST 176 - Philadelphia History: Architecture and Planning | 3 credits | Cultural Analysis & Interpretation | |
| Directive Elective (choose one): ADC 163 - Architectural Visualization with Autodesk Revit or ADC 226 - Introduction to Building Structures or SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology or SOC 101H - Introduction to Sociology (Honors) | For ADC 163: ADC 103 For ADC 226: MATH 137 or higher | 3 credits |
Notes:
* Students must complete ADC 101 and ADC 103 to meet the Technological Competency requirement.
** MATH 162 or MATH 171 and PHYS 111 recommended for transfer students
Minimum Credits Needed to Graduate:
64General Education Requirements:
All general education requirements necessary for graduation are met through the courses in the program as indicated above. Students who wish to take courses that differ from the general education courses indicated above must complete a course substitution request form. To access the form, login to the MyCCP portal, and in the Student tab, under Electronic Forms, click on the Records and Registration Forms link, then choose Request For Course Substitution Of Graduation Requirement link. A more detailed explanation of the College's general education requirements is also available.
For More Information, Contact:
The Division of Liberal Studies, Room BR-21, 1700 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130, Telephone (215) 751-8450; or the College Information Center (215) 751-8010.