MS Architecture – Design Computation

PROGRAM OVERVIEW & FACULTY

Within architecture, there is a unique opportunity to develop students who will have the knowledge to lead the integration of the computer into architectural practice and research. As firms rely more and more on computation, those who know how to think, program and script will be able to change the way architects design and practice. We see the day fast approaching when the IT department at firms is not separate but rather is at the core of what architects do. Already, in advanced practices across the world, computing and design are completely intertwined. UNC Charlotte has a variety of facilitates associated with this program including an advanced Digital Fabrication Lab including a KUKA KR-60 Robotic Arm, an Interaction Design Lab, the UNC Charlotte Visualization Center.

The College of Arts + Architecture’s Digital Arts Lab (DArts) is a hub for research and activity in this area. Ravin School of Architecture’s distinctive areas of faculty research include Emergent Material Practices and The Computed Environment. Faculty researching, teaching, and mentoring students in Deign Computation include:

For more information, please contact Master of Science Graduate Program Director Dr. Emily Makas

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

MS in Architecture (30 Credit Hours)

The recommended path to complete this 30-credit program as a stand alone degree is 12 months so that Research Methods, Pre-Thesis, and Thesis may be taken in sequence. Alternatively, students may choose to work or conduct research over the summer and complete their thesis in the second fall semester.

Fall (12 credits)

  • ARCH 5611 (3) – Computational Research Methods
  • Electives (9) – Approved electives (i.e. ARCH 5050, 5607, 6050, 6306, 6890 or DBSA 5122, 6156, 6160, 6162, 6165)

Spring (12 credits)

  • ARCH 7800 (3) – Pre-Thesis
  • ARCH 7212 (4) – Research Lab
  • GRAD 6302 (2) – Responsible Conduct of Research
  • Elective (3) – Approved elective (i.e. ARCH 5050, 5607, 6050, 6306, 6890 or DBSA 5122, 6156, 6160, 6162, 6165)​

Summer or Fall (6 credits)

  • ARCH 7900 (6) – Thesis

More information can be found in the UNC Charlotte Graduate Catalog.

DUAL DEGREE OPTIONS

The MS in Architecture with a concentration in Design Computation can be combined with a number of other degrees and concentrations to create. When pursuing these degrees together, time can be saved as courses can overlap and some requirements are waived. Options include:

MArch / MS Design Computation

Any of the three Master of Architecture concentrations can be combined with the Master of Science in Architecture with a concentration in Design Computation; however this dual degree works best for students in the MArch I or II concentrations . This combination links a professional design degree with a specialized degree focused on exploring connections between contemporary architectural practice and computational strategies such as AI, VR, AR, human computer interaction, ubiquitous computing, gaming and visualization.

The Graduate Program Directors for both the MArch, Dr. Mona Azarbayjani, and the MS in Architecture, Dr. Emily Makas, will guide dual degree students to keep them on track for both programs; however, typical plans of study could look like the following for each MArch track:

PLAN of STUDY: MArch II / MS Architecture Design Computation – 66 credits

When completed together, a specified 15 credits of the 96-credit MArch II and specified 9 credits of the 30-credit MS in Architecture are waived as per the UNC Charlotte catalog, for a 66-credit dual degree.

Fall 1 (15 Credit Hours)

  • ARCH 5203 – Architectural History III (3)
    • students with a BA in Architecture from UNC Charlotte that have taken ARCH 4203 may take ARCH 5204 – History Topics instead
  • ARCH 5604 – Computational Methods (3)
    • students with a BA in Architecture from UNC Charlotte that have taken ARCH 4604 may take ARCH 6306 – Tech Topics instead
  • ARCH 5611 – Computational Research Methods (3)
  • ARCH 7101 – Topical Design Studio (6)

Spring 1 (16 Credit Hours)

  • ARCH 5204 – Architectural History Topic (3)
  • ARCH 5605 – Computational Practice (3)
    • students with a BA in Architecture from UNC Charlotte that have taken ARCH 4605 may take ARCH 6306 – Tech Topics instead
  • ARCH 6306 – Technology Topic (3)
  • ARCH 7211 – Research Lab (4)
  • GRAD 6302 – Responsible Conduct of Research (3)

Fall 2 (15 credit hours)

  • HIST 6306 – Technology Topic (3)
  • ARCH 5305 – Building Systems Integration (3)
  • ARCH 7201 – Research and Design Methods (3)
  • ARCH 7103 – Integrated Studio (6)

Spring 2 (15 credit hours)

  • ARCH 5206 – Professional Practice (3)
  • ARCH 7104 – Diploma Studio (6)
  • Approved ARCH or DBSA Elective (3)
  • ARCH 7800 – Thesis Prep (3)

Summer or Fall 2 (6 credits)

  • ARCH 7900 – Thesis (6)

66 Total Credit hours

PLAN of STUDY: MArch I / MS Architecture Design Computation – 102 credits

When completed together, a specified 15 credits of the 96-credit MArch I and specified 9 credits of the 30-credit MS in Architecture are waived as per the UNC Charlotte catalog, for a 102-credit dual degree.

Fall 1 (15 Credit Hours)

  • ARCH 5201 – Architectural History I (3)
  • ARCH 5602 – Materials (3)
  • ARCH 6602 – Representation I (3)
  • ARCH 6101 – Design Studio (6)

Spring 1 (15 Credit Hours)

  • ARCH 5202 – Architectural History II (3)
  • ARCH 5603 – Environmental Systems (3)
  • ARCH 6603 – Representation II (3)
  • ARCH 6101 – Design Studio (6)

Summer 1 (6 credits)

  • ARCH 7101 – Studio (6)

Fall 2 (15 Credit Hours)

  • ARCH 5203 – Architectural History III (3)
  • ARCH 5604 – Computational Methods (3)
  • ARCH 5611 – Computational Research Methods (3)
  • ARCH 7101 – Topical Design Studio (6)

Spring 2 (16 Credit Hours)

  • ARCH 5204 – Architectural History Topic (3)
  • ARCH 5605 – Computational Practice (3)
  • ARCH 6306 – Technology Topic (3)
  • ARCH 7211 – Research Lab (4)
  • GRAD 6302 – Responsible Conduct of Research (3)

Fall 3 (15 credit hours)

  • HIST 6306 – Technology Topic (3)
  • ARCH 5305 – Building Systems Integration (3)
  • ARCH 7201 – Research and Design Methods (3)
  • ARCH 7103 – Integrated Studio (6)

Spring 3 (115 credit hours)

  • ARCH 5206 – Professional Practice (3)
  • ARCH 7104 – Diploma Studio (6)
  • Approved ARCH or ENGR Elective (3)
  • ARCH 7800 – Thesis Prep (3)

Summer or Fall 3 (6 credits)

  • ARCH 7900 – Thesis (6)

102 Total Credit hours

MS Design Computation / MSIT Human-Centered Design

Any of the three Master of Architecture concentrations can be combined with the Master of Science in Information Technology with a concentration in Human-Centered Design ; offered by the Department of Software Information Systems in the College of Computing and Informatics. This combination links a professional design degree with a computer science degree for students with a programming background that are interested in a deeper exploration of software systems design, databases, and design prototyping.

More information can be found in the UNC Charlotte Graduate Catalog.

The Graduate Program Directors for the MArch, Dr. Mona Azarbayjani, and the Graduate Program Coordinator for the MS in Information Technology, Katie Watson, will guide dual degree students to keep them on track for both programs; however, typical plans of study could look like the following for each MArch track:

PLAN of STUDY: MS Design Computation / MSIT Human-Centered Design

When completed together, a specified 9 credits of the 30-credit MS in Architecture Design Computation and specified 9 credits of the 30-credit MSIT Human Centered Design are waived as per the UNC Charlotte catalog, for a 42-credit dual degree.

Fall (12 credits)

  • ARCH 5611 – Computational Research Methods (3)
  • ITIS 6300 – Human-Centered Design (3)
  • ITIS 5166 – Network-Based Application Development (3)
  • ITCS 5122 – Visual Analytics (3)

Spring (12 credits)

  • ARCH 7800 – Pre-Thesis (3)
  • ARCH 7212 – Research Lab (4)
  • GRAD 6302 – Responsible Conduct of Research (2)
  • ITIS 5350 – Design Prototyping (3)

Fall (12 credits)

  • ITIS 6200 – Principles of Information Security and Privacy (3)
  • ITIS 6120 – Applied Databases (3)
  • ITIS 5390 – Interaction Design Projects (3)
  • ITIS 6342 – Information Technology Project Management (3)

Spring 2 (6 credits)

  • ARCH 7900 – Thesis (6)
  • IT Project Capstone (0)