Academics / Academic programs /
Bachelor of Architecture
The Architecture curriculum leads to the Professional Degree of Bachelor of Architecture, which allows the students to practice the profession of Architects in its wide range of applications, or to pur-sue Graduate studies in Architecture, Urban Design, Urban Plan-ning, Landscape Design, Construction Management, or other re-lated fields.
This comprehensive approach begins with a common Foundation Year, in which students are introduced to design as a general field, from which they proceed in their specialization. The Program offers a wide exposure to the current issues and problems of theoretical and practical nature, complemented by a number of activities such as international studios, workshops, visiting critics, and exchanges with architecture and design institutes worldwide.
The total number of credits required for graduation with a Bachelor of Architecture Degree is 176 credits, which can be completed in a minimum of five academic years (after the Freshman year), includ-ing Summer modules.
Mission
The Mission of the Architecture Program is to give students a com-prehensive education, based on the humanistic approach to the discipline. This Program prepares students to assume their role as Architects upon graduation, and/or to pursue Graduate studies in Architecture, and other related fields.
Educational Objectives
The purpose of the Bachelor of Science in Interior Design is to:
- Offer students, who successfully complete their studies, the Profession Degree of Bachelor of Architecture.
- Provide a platform for graduate specializations in Architec-ture, Urban Planning, Urban Design, Landscape Design, Digital Design, and other fields in design.
- Develop a broad base of theoretical knowledge, and the necessary practical skills.
- Assert the role of the Architect as a synthesizer of the dif-ferent factors which affect the built environment.
- Expose students to the current issues in theory and prac-tice, and to the latest technology in the field.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Bachelor of Architecture Program will acquire the following skills:
- The ability to practice architecture in various contexts and cultures.
- The capacity for critical thinking, and the ability for problem solving.
- The ability to identify design issues, conduct research, and to provide solutions.
- An understanding of the urban dimension of architecture, and the consequences of building activities on the envi-ronment.
- The capacity to deal innovatively with projects of different types, and scales.
- The capacity to elaborate projects with innovative structural systems, detailing, and material.
- The capacity to operate in a multi-disciplinary environment.
- The capacity to serve the community in organizations of both public and private sectors.
Major Requirements:
First Year (Foundation)
Fall Semester: 13 credits
| Number |
Course |
Cr |
| ARC231 | Design Studio I-A | 3 |
| ARC232 | Design Studio I-B | 3 |
| ARC241 | Technical Graphics I | 2 |
| ARC271 | History of Design | 2 |
| ART221 | Drawing I | 3 |
Spring Semester: 14 credits
| Number |
Course |
Cr |
| ARC233 | Design Studio II-A | 3 |
| ARC234 | Design Studio II-B | 3 |
| ARC240 | Sketching | 2 |
| ARC251 | Introduction to Computer Graphics | 3 |
| ARC261 | Introduction to Design | 2 |
| ETH201 | Moral Reasoning | 1 |
Summer Modules I and II: 9 credits
| Number |
Course |
Cr |
| PHO211 | Photography I | 3 |
| — | Art Elective* | 3 |
| — | General University Requirement** | 3 |
Second Year
Fall Semester: 16 credits
| Number |
Course |
Cr |
| ARC331 | Design Studio III | 6 |
| ARC351 | Computer Graphics I | 2 |
| ARC341 | Technical Graphics II | 3 |
| ARC371 | History of Architecture I | 3 |
| ARC361 | Theory I | 2 |
Spring Semester: 15 credits
| Number |
Course |
Cr |
| ARC332 | Design Studio IV | 6 |
| ARC352 | Computer Graphics II | 2 |
| ARC342 | Technical Graphics III | 3 |
| ARC372 | History of Architecture II | 2 |
| ARC363 | Theory II | 2 |
Summer Modules I and II: 12 credits
| Number |
Course |
Cr |
| ARC311 | Building Systems I | 3 |
| ARC312 | Building Systems II | 3 |
| — | General University Requirement** | 3 |
| — | General University Requirement** | 3 |
Third Year
Fall Semester: 15 credits
| Number |
Course |
Cr |
| ARC431 | Design Studio V | 6 |
| ARC421 | Building Technology I | 2 |
| ARC411 | Building Systems III | 3 |
| PED101 | Basic Health | 1 |
| — | General University Requirement** | 3 |
Spring Semester: 15 credits
| Number |
Course |
Cr |
| ARC432 | Design Studio VI | 6 |
| ARC422 | Building Technology II | 2 |
| ARC412 | Building Systems IV | 3 |
| — | Professional Elective**** | 3 |
| PED— | Physical Education | 1 |
Summer Modules I and II: 10 credits
| Number |
Course |
Cr |
| ARC481 | Construction Documents | 4 |
| — | General University Requirement** | 3 |
| — | General University Requirement** | 3 |
Fourth Year
Fall Semester: 16 credits
| Number |
Course |
Cr |
| ARC531 | Design Studio VII | 5 |
| ARC501 | Design Workshop I | 1 |
| ARC521 | Building Technology III | 2 |
| ARC523 | Environmental Systems I | 3 |
| ARC581 | Urban Planning I | 3 |
| ARC— | History and Theory Elective*** | 2 |
Spring Semester: 15 credits
| Number |
Course |
Cr |
| ARC532 | Design Studio VIII | 5 |
| ARC502 | Design Workshop II | 1 |
| ARC522 | Building Technology IV | 2 |
| ARC524 | Environmental Systems II | 3 |
| ARC561 | Seminar | 2 |
| — | Professional Elective**** | 2 |
Summer Modules I and II: 7 credits
| Number |
Course |
Cr |
| ARC538 | Internship | 1 |
| — | Professional Elective**** | 3 |
| — | General University Requirement** | 3 |
Fifth Year
Fall Semester: 9 credits
| Number |
Course |
Cr |
| ARC631 | Design Studio IX | 5 |
| ARC601 | Final Project Research | 1 |
| ARC584 | Building Codes and Laws | 1 |
| — | Professional Elective**** | 2 |
Spring Semester: 10 credits
| Number |
Course |
Cr |
| ARC632 | Design Studio X | 5 |
| — | Professional Elective**** | 2 |
| — | General University Requirement** | 3 |
*Art Electives:
| Number |
Course |
Cr |
| ART211 | Ceramics I | 3 |
| ART212 | Ceramics II | 3 |
| ART222 | Drawing II | 3 |
| ART334 | Graphics | 3 |
| ART341 | Painting I | 3 |
| ART342 | Painting II | 3 |
| ART351 | Sculpture I | 3 |
| ART352 | Sculpture II | 3 |
| COM225 | The Art of Film | 3 |
| COM241 | Introduction to Acting | 3 |
| COM242 | Introduction to the Art of Theater | 3 |
| COM345 | Modern Drama | 3 |
| MUS201 | Fundamentals of Music | 3 |
| PHO212 | Photography II | 3 |
**General University Requirements:
| Number |
Course |
Cr |
| ARA2–/3– | Arabic Language/Literature | 3 |
| — | Liberal Arts Curriculum Elective | 3 |
| — | Liberal Arts Curriculum Elective | 3 |
| — | Liberal Arts Curriculum Elective | 3 |
| ENG202 | Sophomore Rhetoric | 3 |
| ENG203 | Fundamentals of Oral Communication | 3 |
| ETH201 | Moral Reasoning | 1 |
| HLT201 | Basic Health | 1 |
| PED— | Physical Education | 1 |
| — | Liberal Arts Curriculum Elective | 3 |
| — | Liberal Arts Curriculum Elective | 3 |
***History and Theory Electives:
| Number |
Course |
Cr |
| ARC375 | Introduction to Islamic Art | 3 |
| ARC376 | Introduction to Islamic Architecture | 3 |
| ARC461 | Topics in Architecture Theory | 2 |
| ARC471 | Contemporary Trends | 2 |
| ARC472 | Classical Art and Architecture | 2 |
| ARC473 | Architecture of the Renaissance | 2 |
| ARC475 | Islamic Architecture in the Age of Empires | 2 |
| ARC476 | Art and Architecture of the Mamluks | 2 |
| ARC477 | Art and Architecture of the Umayyads | 2 |
| ARC478 | The Decorative Arts of Islam | 2 |
****Professional Electives:
| Number |
Course |
Cr |
| ARC373 | History of Landscape Design | 2 |
| ARC375 | Introduction to Islamic Art | 3 |
| ARC376 | Introduction to Islamic Architecture | 3 |
| ARC381 | Architectural Photography | 2 |
| ARC405 | Design Workshop—IAAD | 1 |
| ARC404 | Landscape Design Workshop | 2 |
| ARC435 | Design Studio—IAAD | 4 |
| ARC451 | Digital Modeling | 3 |
| ARC452 | Computer Animation | 2 |
| ARC453 | Programming | 2 |
| ARC461 | Topics in Architecture Theory | 2 |
| ARC471 | Contemporary Trends | 2 |
| ARC472 | Classical Art and Architecture | 2 |
| ARC473 | Architecture of the Renaissance | 2 |
| ARC475 | Islamic Architecture in the Age of Empires | 2 |
| ARC476 | Art and Architecture of the Mamluks | 2 |
| ARC477 | Art and Architecture of the Umayyads | 2 |
| ARC478 | The Decorative Arts of Islam | 2 |
| ARC482 | Regional Architecture I | 2 |
| ARC483 | Regional Architecture II | 3 |
| ARC484 | Regional Urbanism | 3 |
| ARC551 | Computer Graphics Studio | 3 |
| ARC582 | Urban Planning II | 2 |
| ARC585 | Professional Practice | 2 |
| ARC591 | International Studio | 3 |
| ARC592 | International Workshop | 2 |
| ARC595 | International Studio—IAAD | 3 |
| DES403 | Furniture Design Workshop | 2 |
| DES484 | Furniture Design | 2 |
| GRA302 | Advanced Computer Graphics | 3 |
| GRA484 | Web Design | 3 |
| PKG570 | Introduction to Packaging | 3 |
| PKG572 | Packaging Dynamics and Permeation | 3 |
| PKG573 | Packaging Types and Processes | 3 |
| PKG574 | Paper and Paperboard Packaging | 3 |
| PKG575 | Corrugated Packaging | 3 |
| PKG576 | Rigid Plastic Packaging | 3 |
| PKG577 | Packaging for Food, Drug and Cosmetics | 3 |
| PKG578 | Food Preservation Packaging | 3 |
| PKG579 | Special Topic Course in Packaging Engineering | 3 |
| PKG580 | Packaging Design | 3 |
| PKG582 | Structural Packaging | 3 |
| PKG584 | Package Branding | 3 |
| PKG586 | Computer Graphics for Packaging | 3 |
| PKG588 | Packaging Applications | 3 |
| PKG589 | Special Topic Course in Packaging Design | 3 |
