Bachelor of Science in Architecture
Wentworth's undergraduate, pre-professional NAAB-based program grants a Bachelor of Science in Architecture (B.S.–Arch.) at the end of the four-year sequence of study. The first two years provide a broad introduction to the field of architecture and serve as the common core for all concentrations. Lecture courses convey an overview of the field—history, theory, technology, and practice—while studio courses focus on graphic skills, design fundamentals, and conceptual understanding of structure, building tectonics, and environmental issues. The department’s emphasis on both the art and the science of architecture is stressed throughout this introductory curriculum.
The third and fourth years of the Bachelor of Science in Architecture program build on the skills and knowledge of the first two years, while introducing students (by academic concentration—see below) to more complex and varied studio topics—including building tectonics, site and environmental design, comprehensive design, and community design—as well as structures, environmental systems, and professional practice. Studio content is closely coordinated with co-requisite courses, encouraging students to make connections between subjects and to develop a well-synthesized approach to design.
Concentrations
The architecture program at Wentworth offers three areas of concentration, which allow students to pursue a particular focus or point of emphasis in their study of architecture. The core architectural education is similar across concentrations, and all achieve the same learning outcomes. Students express their preference of concentrations at the end of their second year.
Form and Culture
This concentration explores the influence of the arts, humanities, and society on architecture and design. Seen through the lens of history and cultural expression, traditional and emerging design methods are engaged.
Tectonic Studies
This concentration offers students an in-depth knowledge of the craft of materials and architectural assemblies that inform design. Tectonic Studies emphasizes the tangible, material nature of architecture, encompassing the art and science of making buildings.
Built Environment
This concentration provides students with the skills and insight to make positive contributions to cities and communities by developing an understanding of existing social and physical context. Built Environment places particular emphasis on the complementary nature of urban design, built heritage, and cultural landscapes.
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Curriculum
Freshman Year
| Fall Semester |
Course |
R |
L |
C |
| ARCH115 |
Survey of Architecture I |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| ARCH155 |
Design Principles I |
2 |
4 |
4 |
| ENGL100 |
English I |
4 |
0 |
4 |
| MATH205 |
College Mathematics I |
3 |
2 |
4 |
|
Total |
12 |
6 |
15 |
| Spring Semester |
Course |
R |
L |
C |
| ARCH165 |
Survey of Architecture II |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| ARCH175 |
Design Principles II |
2 |
4 |
4 |
| ENGL115 |
English II |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| MATH250 |
Precalculus |
3 |
2 |
4 |
| PHYS210 |
College Physics |
3 |
2 |
4 |
|
Total |
14 |
8 |
18 |
Sophomore Year
| Fall Semester |
Course |
R |
L |
C |
| ARCH235 |
Materials and Methods I |
4 |
0 |
4 |
| ARCH245 |
Architectural Design and Technology I |
0 |
12 |
6 |
| ELECTIVE |
Lower Level Social Science Elective |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| LITR445 |
Literature and the Modern Age |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
Total |
11 |
12 |
17 |
| Spring Semester |
Course |
R |
L |
C |
| ARCH335 |
Materials and Methods II |
4 |
0 |
4 |
| ARCH345 |
Architectural Design and Technology II |
0 |
12 |
6 |
| ELECTIVE |
Upper Level Humanities or Social Science Elective* |
4 |
0 |
4 |
| HUMN460 |
Art and Theory |
4 |
0 |
4 |
| ENGL350 |
Writing Competency Assessment |
- |
- |
0 |
|
Total |
12 |
12 |
18 |
Junior Year
FORM AND CULTURE CONCENTRATION
| Fall Semester |
Course |
R |
L |
C |
| ARCH402 |
History of Architecture I |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| ARCH456 |
Studio III: Tectonics |
0 |
12 |
6 |
| ARCH481 |
Structures I |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| ARCH482 |
Site Planning and Landscape |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| ELECTIVE |
Architectural Elective |
4 |
0 |
4 |
| ARCH370 |
IDP Registration |
- |
- |
0 |
|
Total |
13 |
12 |
19 |
| Spring Semester |
Course |
R |
L |
C |
| ARCH502 |
History of Architecture II |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| ARCH516 |
Studio IV: Site & Environment |
0 |
12 |
6 |
| ARCH528 |
Environmental Systems |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| ELECTIVE |
Architectural Elective |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
Total |
10 |
12 |
16 |
| Summer Semester |
Course |
R |
L |
C |
| COOP400 |
Co-op Work Semester I |
- |
- |
0 |
|
Total |
- |
- |
0 |
TECTONIC STUDIES CONCENTRATION
| Fall Semester |
Course |
R |
L |
C |
| ARCH406 |
History of Architecture I |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| ARCH467 |
Studio III: Tectonics |
0 |
12 |
6 |
| ARCH481 |
Structures I |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| ARCH528 |
Environmental Systems |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| ELECTIVE |
Architectural Elective |
4 |
0 |
4 |
| ARCH370 |
IDP Registration |
- |
- |
0 |
|
Total |
13 |
12 |
19 |
| Spring Semester |
Course |
R |
L |
C |
| COOP400 |
Co-op Work Semester I |
- |
- |
0 |
|
Total |
- |
- |
0 |
| Summer Semester |
Course |
R |
L |
C |
| ARCH482 |
Site Planning and Landscape |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| ARCH517 |
Studio IV: Site & Environment |
0 |
12 |
6 |
| ARCH604 |
History of Architecture II |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| ELECTIVE |
Upper Level Humanities or Social Science Elective* |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
Total |
10 |
12 |
16 |
BUILT ENVIRONMENT CONCENTRATION
| Fall Semester |
Course |
R |
L |
C |
| ARCH408 |
History of Architecture I |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| ARCH469 |
Studio III: Tectonics |
0 |
12 |
6 |
| ARCH481 |
Structures I |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| ARCH528 |
Environmental Systems |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| ELECTIVE |
Architectural Elective |
4 |
0 |
4 |
| ARCH370 |
IDP Registration |
- |
- |
0 |
|
Total |
13 |
12 |
19 |
| Spring Semester |
Course |
R |
L |
C |
| COOP400 |
Co-op Work Semester I |
- |
- |
0 |
|
Total |
- |
- |
0 |
| Summer Semester |
Course |
R |
L |
C |
| ARCH482 |
Site Planning and Landscape |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| ARCH519 |
Studio IV: Site & Environment |
0 |
12 |
6 |
| ARCH606 |
History of Architecture II |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| ELECTIVE |
Upper Level Humanities or Social Science Elective* |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
Total |
10 |
12 |
16 |
Senior Year
FORM AND CULTURE CONCENTRATION
| Fall Semester |
Course |
R |
L |
C |
| ARCH554 |
Theory Studies |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| ARCH556 |
Studio V: Comprehensive Design (Study Abroad) |
0 |
12 |
6 |
| ELECTIVE |
Architectural Elective |
4 |
0 |
4 |
| ELECTIVE |
Upper Level Humanities or Social Science Elective* |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
Total |
11 |
12 |
17 |
| Spring Semester |
Course |
R |
L |
C |
| ARCH531 |
Structures II |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| ARCH625 |
Professional Practice I: Contract Documents |
4 |
0 |
4 |
| ARCH656 |
Studio VI: Community Design |
0 |
12 |
6 |
| ELECTIVE |
Upper Level Humanities or Social Science Elective* |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
Total |
11 |
12 |
17 |
| Summer Semester |
Course |
R |
L |
C |
| COOP600 |
Co-op Work Semester II |
- |
- |
0 |
|
Total |
- |
- |
0 |
TECTONIC STUDIES CONCENTRATION
| Fall Semester |
Course |
R |
L |
C |
| COOP600 |
Co-op Work Semester II |
- |
- |
0 |
|
Total |
- |
- |
0 |
| Spring Semester |
Course |
R |
L |
C |
| ARCH558 |
Material Studies |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| ARCH567 |
Studio V: Comprehensive Design (Study Abroad) |
0 |
12 |
6 |
| ELECTIVE |
Architectural Elective |
4 |
0 |
4 |
| ELECTIVE |
Upper Level Humanities or Social Science Elective* |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
Total |
11 |
12 |
17 |
| Summer Semester |
Course |
R |
L |
C |
| ARCH531 |
Structures II |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| ARCH625 |
Professional Practice I: Contract Documents |
4 |
0 |
4 |
| ARCH667 |
Studio IV: Community Design |
0 |
12 |
6 |
| ELECTIVE |
Architectural Elective |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
Total |
11 |
12 |
17 |
BUILT ENVIRONMENT CONCENTRATION
| Fall Semester |
Course |
R |
L |
C |
| COOP600 |
Co-op Work Semester II |
- |
- |
0 |
|
Total |
- |
- |
0 |
| Spring Semester |
Course |
R |
L |
C |
| ARCH560 |
Urban Studies |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| ARCH569 |
Studio V: Comprehensive Design (Study Abroad) |
0 |
12 |
6 |
| ELECTIVE |
Architectural Elective |
4 |
0 |
4 |
| ELECTIVE |
Upper Level Humanities or Social Science Elective* |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
Total |
11 |
12 |
17 |
| Summer Semester |
Course |
R |
L |
C |
| ARCH531 |
Structures II |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| ARCH625 |
Professional Practice I: Contract Documents |
4 |
0 |
4 |
| ARCH669 |
Studio VI: Community Design |
0 |
12 |
6 |
| ELECTIVE |
Architectural Elective |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
Total |
11 |
12 |
17 |
R=Class Hours Per Week, L=Lab Hours Per Week, C=Semester Credit Hours
* Please refer to the
upper level humanities/social sciences elective requirement.
Architecture Electives
Architecture Electives are listed below by concentration (and other) categories to assist students in shaping their course of study. Students are not required to choose electives within their area of concentration, and are encouraged to pursue breadth as well as depth in their architectural studies.
The following list indicates the Department’s elective offerings during the last three years:
Form and Culture
- ARCH435 Design Methods
- ARCH449 Constructing Sacred Space
- ARCH453 History of Architectural Ornament
- ARCH554 Theory Studies
- ARCH590 Architectural Proportion: History, Theory & Application
- ARCH590 Conception and Representation: Analog Boundaries in Digital Design
- ARCH590 Design Thinking
- ARCH590 Generative Design Computing
- ARCH590 Heroic Modernism
- ARCH590 Informal Architecture | Social Engagements
- ARCH590 The Modern House
- ARCH590 The Other American Moderns
- ARCH590 Perception & Human Factors in Architecture
- ARCH590 Scandinavia
- ARCH590 Survey of Computational Design
- ARCH590 Why Architects Have Drawn
Tectonic Studies
- ARCH432 Environmental Acoustics and Lighting
- ARCH433 Tectonics And Design
- ARCH558 Material Studies
- ARCH590 Architecture, Energy, People
- ARCH590 Bridge Architecture and Design
- ARCH 590 Building Information Modeling in Architecture
- ARCH590 Caveats of Digital Design: Practical Application of Digital Design & Fabrication
- ARCH590 Computer-Based Structural Analysis & Design
- ARCH590 Constructing Engagements
- ARCH590 Design Computing & Digital Fabrication
- ARCH590 Materials in Design
- ARCH590 Plastic Geometries: Introduction to NURBS Modeling
- ARCH590 Sustainable Design
- ARCH590 Switzerland
- ARCH590 Visualization & Interpretation in Architecture
Built Environment
- ARCH560 Urban Studies
- ARCH566 Latin American Architecture & Landscape
- ARCH590 Architecture, Energy, People
- ARCH590 Boston, the City and the Sea
- ARCH590 Building the City of the Future
- ARCH590 Community Development as Urban Design
- ARCH590 Cultural Heritage & Urban Development
- ARCH 590 Introduction to Urban Design & Planning
- ARCH590 Italy
- ARCH590 Mapping the City
- ARCH590 Transitions in Religious Architecture in Asia Minor
- ARCH590 Transportation Intervention & Urban / Community Design
- ARCH590 Urban Infrastructure
- ARCH590 Urban Retrofit
- ARCH590 Vernacular Architecture
- ARCH590 Visual Perception & the City: The Lessons of Boston
Representation
- ARCH590 Architectural Analysis
- ARCH590 Architectural Photography
- ARCH590 Architecture Rendering: Color Techniques
- ARCH590 BIM & Advanced Representational Media
- ARCH590 Color Relations in Painting
- ARCH590 Drawing and Thinking
- ARCH590 Hand Drawing for Architects and Designers
- ARCH590 Sculpture
Professional Practice
- ARCH537 Project Planning
- ARCH590 Design Entrepreneurship
- ARCH627 Fundamentals of Design Finance
