USC School of Architecture

Undergraduate Degrees

International and Other Programs

Spring Semester in Italy: Milan-Como Anthony A. Marnell II, Italian Architecture Studies Program

The School of Architecture has a study-abroad program in Milan, a city in the forefront of Italian modern architecture and the center of Italian design. Students are housed and have classroom and studio space in Como, a small and pleasant lakeside town about 30 miles from Milan.

The program is held in the spring semester. A full semester of study includes courses in design; history and theory; technology; and cultural studies. Fourth-year students are eligible for the program.

The Milan-Como Program is one of two U.S. school of architecture programs in this part of Italy. Strong relationships are fostered with the place, its people and culture.

Visits are planned to Rome, Florence, Sienna and Venice, and there are opportunities for travel and study in Austria, Switzerland, France and Germany.

Fall Semester in France

The school also offers a study abroad program in Saintes, France. The goal of the 15-unit semester program in France is to provide a place for 12 fourth- and fifth-year architecture students to extend the boundaries of their architectural studies beyond the USC campus. Students develop an understanding of the relationship between architecture and the culture that influences it, which serves to build a broader, more thoughtful, critical framework for their own work. Students experience first-hand significant architectural built work from Medieval times to the present day in a variety of European locations. They compare the development of architecture in Europe, especially France, with that which has occurred in the United States.

The city of Saintes has provided a 5,800 square foot building in the historical medieval section of the city for the program. The facilities include housing for students and faculty, kitchen and dining area, and studio work space as well as a model shop, library, computer center and garden. The new Sarah Campbell Blaffer Gallery is an important part of the partnership with the local community and is used for displaying student and faculty work and other significant projects.

Summer Programs

The School of Architecture offers a number of summer program options that allow students to complete a full 16-unit semester that would typically be completed during a fall or spring semester. These options do not provide for acceleration of the degree but do allow for make up so that students may get back on schedule. Students who complete a full 16 units of degree requirements during the summer could take a following fall or spring semester off to travel or work and still graduate on schedule for the five-year degree.

Summer Semester in Asia

The School of Architecture offers a summer semester in Asia. Accompanied by USC faculty, students will spend the first two weeks in Japan, including study tours in Tokyo and Kyoto. They will next visit Shanghai for 10 days where housing will be provided by Fudan University. The remainder of the time will be spent in Kuala Lumpur in residence at the University of Malaya. During this time, USC students will work on a project in cooperation with students from the School of Architecture at the University of Malaya.

The purpose of this program is to offer students in the School of Architecture an opportunity to:

work on a real project in a country where development is a prime goal of the government and where opportunities for architecture students to complete internships and gain employment after graduation are expanding;
work with the physical requirements, governmental regulations and economic situations that affect the design of projects that can be realized;
become familiar with practitioners in Malaysia and Singapore to learn about architectural practice in these areas; and
expand appreciation of the importance of Asian development in the current world market and show practitioners USC graduates' ability to contribute to development in Asia.

Summer Studio in Los Angeles

Upper division students at USC and students at any level from other accredited schools of architecture may enroll in summer design studies for design credit. Special project opportunities are arranged to encourage full use of Los Angeles as an excellent architectural laboratory.

The Building Science Program in Civil Engineering

The Department of Civil Engineering offers an undergraduate program leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, with an emphasis in building science. The curriculum includes most of the work which is required for the major in structures, plus 30 units in architectural studies offered by the School of Architecture. See the School of Engineering section of this catalogue for further information.

Exploration of Architecture Summer Program for High School Students

The School of Architecture offers one-, two- and three-week programs for high school students (ages 15 or older) who have no previous experience but are interested in architecture. The program, which began in 1983, is particularly rewarding for students who are contemplating a career in architecture. However, all students find the exposure to the unique problem-solving methodologies of architecture a benefit regardless of their final career choice. Living on campus in a USC residence hall, high school students experience what it is like to be a university student. They participate in studio classes with professional critics and present their ideas in reviews attended by parents and friends. The program also exposes them, through case studies, sketching exercises and field trips, to some of the most dramatic and impressive historical and modern architecture of Los Angeles. International students have especially appreciated the opportunity to pursue this summer program of study that is not highly dependent on English language skills. Limited financial assistance is available.

Obtain program details by visiting the School of Architecture Web site (www.usc.edu/architecture) or by calling (800) 281-8616.

Exhibits of Student Work

From time to time students are given the opportunity to show work in class and in exhibitions. Students provide such work voluntarily and at their own risk. Work that is lost, damaged or stolen is not the responsibility of the school.

Field Trips

Field trips are organized each year in support of various aspects of the academic program. During the past several years, students have made trips to La Jolla to see the Salk Institute and to Catalina Island in connection with a studio project. In addition, students regularly visit sites of significance in the Los Angeles area.

Lectures and Exhibitions

The school provides significant service to the community and profession through public programs and by the participation of faculty members in community and professional activities.

With the support and cooperation of the Architectural Guild, the school generates a vigorous program of lectures, exhibitions and tours.

During the past several years a large number of the world's most distinguished architects have lectured at USC. These include Frank Gehry, Mario Botta, Thom Mayne, Fumihiko Maki, Jean Nouvel, Henry Cobb, Richard Meier, Will Bruder, Enrique Norten, Mark Mack and Steven Ehrlich.

The school also provides the Helen Lindhurst Architecture Gallery for major architectural exhibitions. Recent shows have included important international architects such as Christoph Kapeller, Renzo Piano, Santiago Calatrava, Herman Hertzberger, and Alvaro Siza, as well as USC faculty, students and alumni.

Catalogue 2005-06