Bachelor of Architecture

The bachelor's degree program begins intensively with architectural studies in the first year and provides for a mix of architectural and general university studies throughout the program. The curriculum includes two cycles of development. The first cycle of five semesters provides a foundation in understanding architecture, concluding with integrative studies after two years of introductory work. The second cycle, also five semesters, provides the opportunity to explore many aspects of architecture and to develop individual strengths and interests. The second cycle, and the program, concludes with a comprehensive thesis project of the student's choice and initiative.

Admission as a First Year Student

All applicants to the School of Architecture must first complete the university application form and return it to the USC Office of Admission along with all Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or other test scores. All architecture applicants, including all transfer students and all international students, are required to submit SAT or the American College Testing (ACT) assessment.

Admission with Advanced Placement

It is possible, in selected instances, that a transfer student from an accredited junior college, community college or other university may be eligible for advanced placement at the second year level or above if previous work includes a minimum of 32 semester units of acceptable academic credit in a pre-architecture program. The academic credit must include eight semester units in architectural design or environmental design. Students accepted for advanced placement must still comply with all requirements for the degree.

Advanced placement applicants are required to submit a portfolio to the School of Architecture prior to the application deadline.

Summer Transfer Studio

A seven-week summer design studio allows highly qualified students transferring from community college programs to be evaluated for advanced placement in the fall semester. Applicants must submit a portfolio by May 1. During the summer studio, transfer students must demonstrate significant design and drawing skill to justify advanced placement. Successfully completing this summer transfer studio allows students to reduce the required 10-semester design sequence by two semesters, reducing USC residency to four years. For information about qualifying for this program, contact the school at (213) 740-2420.

Transfer students who are admitted with fewer than 32 units of college level work and who have only limited drawing or design skills will usually be placed in the first year of the five-year design sequence. Previous academic work may in part be applied toward required and elective courses for the five-year Bachelor of Architecture program.

Advisement

The School of Architecture maintains an advisement service for the benefit of all students in the school. Soon after being accepted, new students are advised by mail of an appointment for preregistration advisement. A complete record is kept of the progress of each student while in attendance. Appointments for interviews with an advisor may be scheduled at any time during the academic year.

Design Studio Grade Point Average Requirement

Less than average work in design is not considered sufficient for a professional degree. Students must receive a grade of C (2.0) or above in each semester of design (ARCH 102abL, 202abL, 302L, 402abcdL, 502L) in order to continue in the design sequence and to graduate. Students will be required to repeat the course until such a grade is achieved.

Transfer Limit for Design Studio Credit

School of Architecture majors enrolling for a semester of study off campus are limited to the transfer of only one design studio course within the ARCH 402abcdL sequence. Approval of transfer credit will be dependent upon portfolio review by an appointed faculty review committee.

Pass/No Pass Courses

Architecture students are permitted to take a maximum of 24 units of non-architecture electives, exclusive of the writing requirement, MATH 108 and PHYS 125aLg, on a pass/no pass option. No more than 12 units of pass/no pass courses may be applied to general elective requirements; no more than four units may be taken in one semester. Students who have taken non-architecture courses pass/no pass in the past (i.e., before admission to architecture) may count such pass/no pass courses toward, but not in addition to, the maximum of 24 units.

Acceleration

Students in upper division (ARCH 402abcdL) may accelerate by one semester in the design sequence by completing a summer studio course with the grade of C or higher.

Time Limits

While there are no specific time limits for completing the bachelor's degree (except in the case of discontinued programs) the School of Architecture may require additional course work of students who remain in the degree program beyond six years.

Five-Year Curriculum for the Bachelor of Architecture Degree

First Year, First Semester		Units
ARCH 102aL	Architectural Design I	4
ARCH 105L	Fundamentals of Design Communication	2
ARCH 114	Introduction to Modern Architecture	2
General Education	Social Issues	4
MATH 108*	Introductory College Mathematics, or
WRIT 140*	Writing and Critical Reasoning	4
		____
		16
First Year, Second Semester		Units
ARCH 102bL	Architectural Design I	4
ARCH 211	Materials and Methods of Building Construction	3
PHYS 125aL**	Physics for Architects	4
General Education, or
WRIT 130*	Analytical Writing	4
		____
		15
Second Year, First Semester		Units
ARCH 202aL	Architectural Design II	6
ARCH 213a	Building Structures and Seismic Design	3
ARCH 214a	History of Architecture	4
General Education		4
		____
		17
Second Year, Second Semester		Units
ARCH 202bL	Architectural Design II	6
ARCH 213b	Building Structures and Seismic Design	3
ARCH 214b	History of Architecture	4
General Education		4
		____
		17
Third Year, First Semester		Units
ARCH 215	Design for the Thermal and Atmospheric Environment	3
ARCH 302L	Architectural Design III	6
ARCH 313	Design of Building Structures	3
General Education		4
		____
		16
Third Year, Second Semester		Units
ARCH 315	Design for the Luminous and Sonic Environment	3
ARCH 402aL	Architectural Design IV	6
ARCH 411	Architectural Technology, or
ARCH 412	Architecture Technology in Europe	3
General Education		4
		____
		16
Fourth Year, First Semester		Units
ARCH 314	Theory and Criticism: Recent Trends and Developments	3
ARCH 402bL	Architectural Design IV	6
ARCH 520	Professional Practice: Pre-Design	2
Electives		4
		____
		15
Fourth Year, Second Semester		Units
ARCH 402cL	Architectural Design IV	6
ARCH 521	Professional Practice: Project Documentation	2
Advanced Writing Course		4
Electives		4
		____
		16
Fifth Year, First Semester		Units
ARCH 402dL	Architectural Design IV	6
ARCH 501	Thesis Preparation	2
ARCH 522	Professional Practice: Project and Office Administration	2
Electives		6
		____
		16
Fifth Year, Second Semester		Units
ARCH 502L	Architectural Design V	6
ARCH 523	Professional Practice: Legal and Economic Context	2
Electives		8
		____
		16

*All students must enroll in WRIT 140 in the fall except those who are required to take MATH 108. These students must take WRIT 130 the following spring.

**PHYS 125aL fulfills the General Education requirement in Category IV.

Core Requirements

In order to take advantage of elective opportunities in the advanced program, students must complete the following courses before the end of the special integrative semester (third year, first semester): ARCH 102abL, 105L, 202abL, 302L, 114, 211, 214ab, 213ab, 215; MATH 108 (or equivalent); PHYS 125aL (or equivalent); and WRIT 140 or WRIT 130.

Allocation of Elective Units

A total of 22 units of electives is included toward completion of the 160 units for the degree.

Professional Electives

A minimum of 10 units in architecture is required.

General Education Requirements

As of fall 1997, the university has instituted a new general education program, designed to be a simpler, more coherent and more integrated introduction to the breadth of knowledge outside the major discipline which is expected of every undergraduate who receives a degree from USC. This new program requires six courses in different categories, plus writing and diversity requirements, which are described in detail here.

All students who (1) enter the School of Architecture as freshmen in the summer of 1997 or later; or (2) begin college elsewhere in the summer of 1997 or later; or (3) began college earlier but transfer to USC in the summer of 2000 or later, must satisfy the requirements of the new general education program. Other students whose schedules permit are encouraged to follow the new program as well. However, continuing and transfer students in the fall of 1997 may elect to satisfy a "transitional" plan instead.

Students who are required to take MATH 108 during the freshman year may take their Social Issues course in the fall and WRIT 130 separately in the spring.

Free Electives

An additional 12 units in any category of professional courses, humanities, social sciences and communication and natural sciences. Natural sciences include astronomy, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, geological sciences, mathematics (excluding MATH 108 or equivalent) and physics (excluding PHYS 125aLg or equivalent).

Architecture Minor

Two minors are offered by the School of Architecture. Students from other majors may choose to minor in either architecture or architectural history.

The minor in architecture allows students to specialize in a variety of areas of study including: housing, history and theory, landscape architecture, computers, technology, and historic preservation.

The history minor provides students with a foundation of fundamental principles of architectural history and electives which combine theory, regional and special history studies.

To declare the minor, students must first meet with a School of Architecture advisor and create a program of studies to be approved by the advisor. Students on academic probation will not be accepted into the minor program.

Architecture Minor

Required courses		Units
ARCH 102a	Architectural Design I	4
ARCH 105L	Fundamentals of Design Communication	2
ARCH 114	Introduction to Modern Architecture	2
Sixteen or more units from the core course pool (8 units must be upper division 300- or 400-level courses)		16
		____
Total Units		24

Core Course Pool		Units
ARCH 206a	Shelter	4
ARCH 207ab	Computer Applications in Architecture	2-2
ARCH 209	Modern Housing	3
ARCH 211	Materials and Methods of Building Construction	3
ARCH 213ab	Building Structures and Seismic Design	3-3
ARCH 214ab	History of Architecture	4-4
ARCH 215	Design for the Thermal and Atmospheric Environment	3
ARCH 308L	Wind Tunnel Laboratory	4
ARCH 313	Design of Building Structures	3
ARCH 314	Theory and Criticism: Recent Trends and Developments	3
ARCH 315	Design for the Luminous and Sonic Environment	3
ARCH 322	Great Houses of Los Angeles	4
ARCH 326	The Modern Movement in Architecture	4
ARCH 341	History of Italian Architecture 1400-1990	4
ARCH 409	American Architecture and Urbanism	4
ARCH 411	Architectural Technology	3
ARCH 417	Computer Programming in Architecture	3
ARCH 418	Designing with Natural Forces	3
ARCH 434	Nature Landscape and Gardens in Non-Western Cultures	4
ARCH 440	Literature and the Urban Experience	4
ARCH 442	Women's Spaces in History: "Hussies," "Harems," and "Housewives"	4
ARCH 499	Special Topics	2-8
ARCH 507*	Theories of Computer Technology	3
ARCH 511L*	Seminar: Building Systems	4
ARCH 513L*	Seminar: Advanced Structures	4
ARCH 515L*	Seminar: Advanced Environmental Systems	4
ARCH 521*	Professional Practice: Project Documentation	2
ARCH 522*	Professional Practice: Project and Office Administration	2
ARCH 523*	Professional Practice: Legal and Economic Context	2
ARCH 532ab*	Elements of the Urban Landscape	2-2

*Note: In order to receive undergraduate credit for 500-level courses, students must obtain pre-approval. Students wishing to select 500-level courses as part of their program of study for the minor should meet with an academic advisor to obtain instructions.

Architectural History Minor

Required courses (8 units)		Units
ARCH 214ab	History of Architecture	4-4
Three courses from the following core course pool		11-12
		____
Total Units		19-20

Core Course Pool		Units
ARCH 314	Theory and Criticism: Recent Trends and Developments	3
ARCH 326	The Modern Movement in Architecture	4
ARCH 341	History of Italian Architecture 1400-1990	4
ARCH 409	American Architecture and Urbanism	4
ARCH 440	Literature and the Urban Experience	4
ARCH 442	Women's Spaces in History: "Hussies," "Harems," and "Housewives"	4

Spring Semester in Italy: Milan-Como Anthony A. Marnell II, Italian Architecture Study 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, which was initiated in summer 1989 and is held in spring semesters, is coordinated by Professor Panos Koulermos. A full semester of study includes courses in design; history and theory; technology; and cultural studies. Third- and fourth-year students and graduate students are eligible for the program.

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

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

Semester in France

The school also offers a study abroad program in Saintes, France. The goal of the 16-unit semester program in France is to provide a place for 12 outstanding 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 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

Each year, the School of Architecture offers special one, two- and three-week programs to help high school students explore the possibilities of careers in architecture.

Living on campus in a USC residence hall, students participate in studio classes with professional critics and design a small building. They present their designs in a special review attended by parents and friends. They visit some of the most dramatic and worthwhile examples of architecture in the Los Angeles area and talk to some of the architects who designed them. They attend lectures and films on architecture as well as several social events with faculty and students of the School of Architecture.

The workshop is open to all individuals interested in exploring architecture education and practice. Some tuition scholarships are available. A non-residential program is available for older, local students.

For additional information, contact the School of Architecture office at (213) 740-2420.

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, the second-year class has 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, Frei Otto, Aldo Rossi, Joseph Esherick, Fritz Neumeyer, Peter Eisennman, Henry Cobb, Klaus Herdeg, Ricardo Legorreta, Tadao Ando, Toyo Ito, Fumihiko Maki, Raphael Moneo, Mario Botta, Roland Ranier, Anthony Vidler and Richard Meier.

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

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