Apr 18, 2024  
2016-2018 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2016-2018 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Architecture and Environmental Design, B.S.


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The Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Environmental Design (BSAED) is a four year pre-professional degree program that prepares students for careers in Architecture and Environmental Design professions. The program is based on the understanding that the skills required for designing the built environment comes from a broad education that draws on science, technology, humanities and the arts.

The BSAED curriculum provides a balanced course of study, which includes courses in graphic skills, technology, history, and theories of the built environment as well as courses throughout the university. The core of the program are the design studio courses where students synthesize what they have learned in the exploration of hypothetical and real life design projects. BSAED graduates are prepared for entry level positions in architecture and environmental design fields as well as advancement to professional degree programs, including the SA+P graduate programs in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and City and Regional Planning.

Mission

The BSAED program supports the mission of Morgan State University and the School of Architecture and Planning to:

Provide access to the architecture and environmental design professions for African American and minority students.

Engage in continued research and provide academic service and curriculum focused on the sustainable redevelopment of Baltimore and the surrounding region.

Program Overview

The BSAED program requires 120 credits for the completion of the pre-professional Bachelor of Science degree and provides coursework and preparation for students interested in pursuing professional degrees in Architecture, Landscape Architecture and City and Regional Planning at Morgan and other schools nationally. The program distributes the University General Education (GER) across four years of study.

  • The freshman year provides the introduction to communication skills and design concepts required for the beginning design student.
  • The sophomore year engages students in a range of design project types and continues the build the student’s knowledge of history and technology related to the built environment.
  • The junior year focus’ specifically on project types and issues affecting the Baltimore region both in studio courses and related lecture courses
  • The senior year provides the opportunity for students to focus on any of the areas in design taught within the School of Architecture and Planning including Construction Management, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and City and Regional Planning.

3+2 Programs

The School of Architecture and Planning offers an accelerated 5-year (BSAED plus Masters) track for the following graduate programs:

Master in Architecture
Master in City and Regional Planning
Master in Landscape Architecture

Students must apply to this competitive program in the spring of the third (Junior) year in the BSAED program. The admission criteria is based on cumulative GPA, portfolio, letter of intent, and letters of recommendation. Students completing one of the 3+2 programs, will earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degrees. These degree programs are accredited and prepare students to pursue a career as an architect, planner, or landscape architect.

Requirements for BSAED degree


  1. Students must complete all University General Education and Core requirements
  2. Students must earn a cumulative average of 2.0 or better.
  3. Students must earn a 2.0 or better in their major courses with no outstanding grades below “C” (which includes all required supporting courses).
  4. Students must earn the final thirty (30) credits of their degree at Morgan.
  5. Students must satisfactorily earn 78 credits in the major and 120 credits total.

The required courses are listed under the following three subgroups. Students majoring in Architecture and Environmental Design must complete the following courses:

A. General Education Requirements


Total: 40


B. University Requirements


  • ORAP 107 - Fresh. Orientation 1 credits.
  • PHEC XXX - Phys. Ed. Act. Elec. 1 credits.

Total: 2


C. Core Requirements


Total: 78


*Please contact your academic advisor/program director for eligible core electives and fourth year studio course options.

Note


BSAED Students planning to register for ARCH 402 - Building Design II  or considering applying for the 3+2/Master in Architecture (M.Arch) program must register for the following Technology Elective courses: ARCH 311  (Prereq: MATH 113  or MATH 126  & PHYS 101 ) and ARCH 312  in their third year.

BSAED Students planning to pursue a professional degree in Landscape Architecture by applying for the 3+2/Masters of Landscape Architecture (M.L.A.) Program must register for the following Technology Elective: ARCH 321  in the junior (third) year of the program.

BSAED Students planning to pursue a professional degree in City and Regional Planning by applying for the 3+2/Master in City & Regional Planning (M.C.R.P.) Program must register for the following Technology Elective: ARCH 322  in the junior (third) year of the program.

Policies


Change of Major

Students considering changing their major to Architecture and Environmental Design must have a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA. Students with less than 2.0 may be considered upon review of the student’s academic plan developed with the School’s Retention Coordinator.

Educational Purpose

The purpose of the pre-professional BSAED Program is to prepare students to continue into graduate programs or entry level positions in the design and construction fields. Each student is given the opportunity to develop their technical ability, intellectual preparedness and professional outlook, and is expected to display the motivation and rigor towards their studies that will be required of them in future professional environments. Faculty will facilitate the course of study and serve as mentors to their students.

Attendance

Attending classes is a basic responsibility of every Morgan student who is enrolled in courses in the BSAED program. Attendance in class is evidence of minimum engagement with the material of the course needed to matriculate and master the content at hand. Because the curriculum of the program is delivered to students in a variety of learning environments, it is important that each instructor have authority over the precise terms of their own attendance policy as outlined in each course syllabus. The following points are to be considered the SA+P’s collective policy to be referenced in all syllabi, or unless otherwise outlined with individual faculty variation within a particular course syllabus:

The general attendance policy is to allow a student to miss the equivalent of one week of class sessions (three classes if the course meets three times/week, etc.) without directly affecting the student’s grade and ability to complete the course. If additional absences are required for a personal illness/family emergency, pre-approved academic reason/religious observance, the situation should be discussed and evaluated with the faculty member and appropriate Chair on a case-by-case basis. For each absence over that allowed number, the student’s letter grade can be lowered up to one full letter grade. This policy or any variation of it should be stated clearly in the syllabus of the course.

Student Engagement

The Architecture and Environmental Design professions are characterized by active civic and professional engagement. As a student in Morgan’s BSAED program you will similarly be expected to participate beyond the classroom in the activities of the program, the school and the local professional community. Participation is encouraged and may be required by individual faculty, included in course syllabi and calculated as part of a course grade.

Required Materials

The classroom environment represents a significant investment of time and resource on behalf of both student and faculty. Accordingly, students are expected to be prepared with appropriate tools, supplies and texts as required to perform their work. A lack of appropriate tools, supplies and resources will not excuse incomplete or missing work. Difficulty obtaining the required materials should immediately be discussed with your instructor.

One Studio per Semester

Students are permitted to take a maximum of one 6-credit studio per semester.

Grade Dispute Policy

Grade disputes within the BSAED Program will follow the procedure set forth by the School of Architecture and Planning. Students will have fifteen (15) working days from the date the final course grade is posted in WEBSIS to raise a grade dispute.

Course Repeat Policy

Courses with “D” or “F” grades may be repeated twice without written permission. To repeat a course more than twice requires written permission from the student’s program director.

Suggested Curriculum Sequence


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