B.A. in Architectural Studies at University of Pittsburgh

Required Courses | 54 credits

The term-by-term sequence outlined here is based on a student declaring Architectural Studies as their major in the fall of their first year. All the requirements can be completed in 4 years if a student declares in their second year at Pitt.

[1] The Gateway seminar for all Architectural Studies majors is ARC 0110 | Approaches to the Built Environment, which is offered in both the fall and spring terms. All majors should take this course as soon as they declare their major. It is intended as the first in a sequence of required courses in architectural history and ideas, including ARC 0150 | Introduction to Western Architecture | and ARC 0114 | Modern Architecture.

The above three courses should be taken before more advanced courses in architectural history and ideas, especially the required writing-intensive course ARC 1160 | Architecture: Image, Text, Theory.

[2] Design studios are the backbone of the B.A. in Architectural Studies and must be completed sequentially, starting with ARC 0201 | Foundation Studio, which is offered in both the fall and spring terms.

    •    ARC 1201 | Design Studio 1 is only offered in the spring term;
    •    ARC 1202 | Design Studio 2 is only offered in the fall term.

[3] Courses in digital media

    •    ARC 1911 | Architecture + Digital Media 1 is offered only in the fall term

          and should be taken at the same time as ARC 0201 | Foundation Studio.
    •    ARC 1912 | Architecture + Digital Media 2 is offered only in the spring 

         term and should be taken at the same time as ARC 1201 | Design Studio 1

[4] Three required courses in Studio Arts are important adjuncts to Architectural Studies design studios. SA 0130 | Foundation Drawing and SA 0140 | Foundation Sculpture should be taken early and must be complete before enrolling in SA 1430 | Perspective Drawing. All Architectural Studies majors are encouraged to take addition courses in the Studio Arts department.

[5] The Physics requirement can be taken any time; it is recommended that it be taken early.