Research Track

Pedagogical intent and description

The Research Track allows motivated students to explore and participate in research to create new knowledge in the built environment. This track introduces students to the rigor of scientific and naturalistic methods of inquiry. Areas of research include sustainable design, technology, history, historic preservation, practice, evidence-based design, health issues, visualization, simulation, entrepreneurship, leadership and others. Students graduating in the Research Track may apply for graduate studies in architecture or related disciplines.

The Research Track requires a 3.0 GPA for entry. Students will write proposals for funding from the University and Honors Research Grants to be utilized in their fourth year of study. Key course include: Ends 101-Design Process, Arch 291-Research and Arch 491-Research.

If another graduate program besides architecture is being pursued, courses in the first semester of the fourth year may be substituted with the recommendation of the Research Advisor and approval of the Upper Division Coordinator to enhance the research experience.

Ends 101-Design Process-Credit 3. Fundamental design processes, issues and theories relevant to design resolution and the creation of new ideas; Creative thought processes from the formation of ideas through incubation to final product and future impact on the physical environment and society. This course may be substituted for either Arch 249 or Arch 250.

Arch 291- Research in Architecture Innovation-Credit 3. Problem seeking and discovery. Fundamental processes involved in research and innovation. This is a required course normally taken in the second year of study as an architectural elective.

Arch 491-Advanced Architecture Innovation Research-Credit 1 to 6. Research conducted under the direction of faculty member in the College of Architecture. May be repeated 2 times for credit. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.