institute of architecture and planning

master in architecture

master in city and regional planning

master in landscape architecture

bs in architecture and environmental design

curriculum

The curriculum is intended to support the mission of BSAED program and Morgan State University. Students must follow the curriculum from their matriculation into the University. The distribution of courses over a four-year period represents the recommended sequence to be followed. Not all courses are offered every semester. Students must refer to Morgan’s WEBSIS and/or their faculty mentor to determine the course offerings for each semester.

The following is the core curriculum of the 125 credit program:

First Year (Fall)

 

Credits

ORIE.107

Freshman Orientation for BSAED Majors

1

ARCH.101

Concepts & Theory of the Built Environment I

3

ARCH 103

Communication Skills I

3

ENGL.101

Freshman Composition I

3

HIST.101/105

W. History I or US History I

3

HEED.100

Healthful Living

2

PHEC Elec

Physical Education Activity Elective

1

 

 

 

First Year (Spring)

 

ARCH.102

Concepts & Theory of the Built Environment II

3

ARCH.104

Communication Skills II

3

ENGL.102

Freshman Composition II

3

HIST.102/106

W. History II or US History II

3

MATH.126

Analytical Geometry

4

 

 

 

Second Year (Fall)

 

ARCH.201

Basic Design

3

ARCH.203

Communication Skills III

3

ARCH.205

History of the Built Environment I

3

ARCH.207

Site Planning

3

HUMA.201

Intro to Humanities I

3

GENL.201

Computer Literacy

2

 

 

 

Second Year (Spring)

 

ARCH.202

Design Studio I

4

ARCH.204

Communication Skills IV

3

ARCH.206

History of the Built Environment II

3

HUMA.202

Intro to Humanities I

3

PHYS.101

Intro to Physics

3

 

 

 

Third Year (Fall)

 

 

ARCH.301

Design Studio II

4

ARCH.303

Sustainability

3

ARCH.305

Design and Human Behavior

3

ARCH Conc.

ARCH Concentration/Elective

3

PHIL.109

Intro to Logic

3

 

 

 

Third Year (Spring)

 

ARCH.302

Design Studio III

4

ARCH.304

Urban Development of Baltimore

3

ARCH.308

Office Practice and Management

3

ARCH Conc.

ARCH Concentration/Elective

3

MHTC.103

Intro to Group Dynamics

3

 

 

 

Fourth Year (Fall)

 

ARCH.401

Design Studio IV

4

ARCH Conc.

ARCH Concentration/Elective

3

BIOL.101

Intro to Biology I

3

HIST.350

Intro to African Diaspora

3

 

 

 

Fourth Year (Spring)

 

ARCH.402

Design Studio V

4

ARCH Conc.

ARCH Concentration/Elective

3

ARCH Elec

ARCH Elective

3

 

Humanities Elective

3

 

 

 

 

General Education Credits

48

 

Core Credits

65

 

Concentration Credits

12

 

Total Credits

125

Course Description

ARCH 101      Concepts and Theory of the Built Environment I
6 Hours, 3 Credits
This course focuses on critical thinking and problem solving as it relates to the built environment. The course uses critique as a method for investigating environmental design issues, studied through the lens of critical theory, critical race theory, modernism, phenomenology, and post-structuralist theory. The major concern is to prepare students to be able to think critically about the forces that affect their daily lives (private sphere) and the built environment (public sphere). Prerequisite: Approval by the BSAED Program Coordinator

ARCH 102      Concepts and Theory of the Built Environment II
6 Hours; 3 Credits
This course is a critique of the built environment through the lens of structuralism, post-structuralism and post-modernist theory. It focuses on the analysis of specific ways in which cultural institutions are used to built environment and dictate what is acceptable and normal within various cultures that offer privilege to some and marginalization or renouncement to others. Prerequisite:ARCH 101

ARCH 103      Communication Skills I  6 Hours; 3 Credits

This course focuses on the fundamental techniques of two and three-dimensional drawing representations including orthographic drawings, model-making, one and two point perspective drawings, freehand drawing and sketching, and black/white and color rendering. It uses representation tools to enable students with the knowledge, skills and abilities to create and render plans, sections, isometrics, and sketches that reflect a conceptual understanding of the built environment.Prerequisite: None

ARCH 104      Communication Skills II
6 Hours; 3 Credits
ARCH 104 continues the development of graphic communication skills introduced in ARCH 103. The knowledge and skills furnish students with the building blocks necessary to competently execute two and three-dimensional computer-aided exercises which will be the focus of ARCH 203. Prerequisite: ARCH 103

ARCH 201      Basic Design
6 Hours; 3 Credits
An introduction to ideas of composition, color, structure, materials, and the shaping of space to create form. Prerequisite: ARCH 101, 102, 103, 104 or approval from the Program Coordinator.

ARCH 202      Design Studio I (Design Process)
9 Hours, 4 Credits
This course emphasizes the integration of critical research practices that contributes to basic programming that informs the design process. The course introduces students to the fundamentals of design and formal ordering by exploring the implications of theory, history, technology, and the environment; factors that influence design thinking, practices, outcomes and modes of representation. Students are introduced to design principles through small-scale projects (1000 square feet or less). Prerequisite: ARCH 101, 102, 103, 104, 106, 201, 203 or approval from the Program Coordinator.

ARCH 203      Communication Skills III
6 Hours; 3 Credits
Whereas in ARCH 103 and ARCH 104 students use T-squares, parallel bars and set-squares, ARCH 203introduces students to the use of two-dimensional computer-aided design software as a visual communication tool. This course will also introduce students to computer 3-Dimentional geometric modeling as a tool to conceive, analyze, simulate and experience the built environments. The knowledge and skills furnish students with the abilities necessary to perform competently in the design studio or professional office. Prerequisite: ARCH 103, 104.

ARCH 204      Communication Skills IV
6 Hours; 3 Credits
This course introduces students to multimedia and digital medias as communication tools necessary in present and market design projects.Students integrate text, graphics, animation (2D and 3D), video, audio and music to create dynamic, interactive presentations that can be used as a sales and marketing tool for architecture, landscape, and urban planning projects. Students create CD-ROM, DVD, and WEB-based multimedia content, by combining CAD, 3D Modeling, Animations, GIS, and voice-over to communicate their design ideas. The knowledge and skills furnish students with the abilities necessary for performance competently in the design studio or professional office. Prerequisite: ARCH 203.

ARCH 205      History of the Built Environment I (Antiquity – 17th Century)
3 Hours; 3 Credits
This course introduces students to the major events that affected the built environment internationally, from Antiquity through the 17th Century. Students are introduced to the socio-economic dynamics that were associated with the history of the built environment. Prerequisite: None

ARCH 206      History of the Built Environment II (17th Century – 1900s)
3 Hours; 3 Credits
This course is an introduction to architectural, urban planning and landscape architectural history from the 17th Century through the 1900s, with an emphasis on the significance of vernacular traditions. The developments of specific built form topologies are studied, including patron residential, religious, civic structures, and urban space. Emphasis is being placed on two specific topics of investigation and discussion: 1) significant designers, their theories and buildings; and 2) how cities evolved, and adapted with new functions, technology, and styles of habitation. Prerequisite: ARCH 205.

ARCH 207      Site Planning
6 Hours; 3 Credits
This course introduces students to the principles and practices of site planning and design that take place within a biophysical and social context to accommodate human needs and aspirations. The course focuses on spatial information and mapping; site selection and programming; site inventory and analysis; design and implementation: conceptual development and design development. Prerequisite: ARCH 103,104 [Formerly ARCH 303]

ARCH 301      Design Studio II (Introduction to Design Programming) 
9 Hours; 4 Credits
This course introduces students to design programming and explores a series of multifaceted design issues such as environmental relationships, urban setting, climatic conditions, local government codes, etc. Planning and design exercises stress analysis as well as synthesis of context, function, form, space, and construction while emphasizing principles drawn from prerequisite theory, history and technology courses. The projects increase in scale, complexity and level of detail (1500 square foot or less). Prerequisite: ARCH 101, 102, 103, 104, 201, 203, 204, 205, 205, 206, 301 or approval from the Program Coordinator

ARCH 302      Design Studio III (Principles of Urban Design)
9 Hours; 4 Credits
This course will explore various issues related to the programming, planning, and designing of urban infrastructures. Emphasis will be placed on the requirements, analyzing various environmental concerns, planning considerations and jointly developing design solutions that address architectural and landscape architectural requirements. Prerequisite: ARCH 101, 102, 103, 104, 106, 201, 203, 204, 205, 205, 206, 301 or approval from the Program Coordinator.

ARCH 303      Sustainability
3 Hours, 3 Credits
This course explores ‘green technology’ as well as the relationship between the built environment and such vital challenges as energy consumption, power supply, alternative energy sources, and building materials. Students further examine the social, ecological, and economic impact of built form on the environment by studying the relationship among natural, biological, ecological processes, urban sprawl, and environmental resources. The content of this course will be examined through the lens of the following six principles of ‘green design:” conserving energy, working with climate, minimizing new resources, respect for users, respect for site and holism.Prerequisite: ENGL 102, ARCH 102, 207 [Formerly ARCH 405]

ARCH 304      Urban Development of Baltimore
6 Hours, 3 Credits
The course introduces students to the principles and practices of urban planning using the Baltimore/Washington metropolitan areas as a case study. Students organize and carryout on-site case studies. Prerequisite: ARCH 204, 207

ARCH 305      Design and Human Behavior
3 Hours; 3 Credits
This course covers the cultural, social, and psychological factors of human behavior that must be taken into consideration when designing the environment. This includes considering the characteristics, causes, and consequences of acts, meanings, participation, relationships, and settings; plus the forms they assume and variations they display. Theories and methods of environmental assessment and design are studied based on an understanding of mutually supportive relationships between people and their physical environments. Prerequisites: ARCH 102,206 [Formerly ARCH 421]

ARCH 308      Office Practice and Management
3 Hours; 3 Credits
This course examines a variety of office practice and management work environments and relationships through direct involvement of the student with an assigned firm. Additionally, the course covers such issues as office procedures, designer-client contractor relationships, the influence of information systems on the practice of design, and contractual documents related to practice. Prerequisite: ENGL 102

ARCH 311      Statics and Strength of Materials
3 Hours; 3 Credits
This course is devoted to the development and application of the principles of static mechanics and strength of materials as they relate to the analysis of building structures. Prerequisites: PHYS 101 & MATH 126 or Calculus-Based Course [Formerly ARCH 305]

ARCH 321      Grading & Drainage
6 Hours; 3 Credits
This course is the study of the shaping of the earth’s surface in an ecological, technical and aesthetic manner with an emphasis on-the technical ability to transform design ideas into physical reality. Specific topics include contours and slope analysis, the grading process, earthwork, storm runoff analysis, and grading as design. Prerequisite: ARCH 207 [Formerly ARCH 422]

ARCH 322      Technology Resources for Planners
6 Hours; 3 Credits
This course is an introduction to Geographic Information Systems and its specific application to the built environment profession. Topics include: spatial modeling, visual analysis, resource management, site design, master planning, and public advocacy. Prerequisite: ARCH 104 [Formerly ARCH 436]

ARCH 331      Environmental Justice
3 Hours; 3 Credits
This course incorporates complex issues of environmental justice and social equity as important components to discussing community planning and public policy actions. This includes community-related environmental projects, e.g., public transportation services, housing supply, community development, public infrastructure, public education and health. The focus is to determine not only the social needs but also revenue and policy constraints so that environmental decisions become better informed, more accurate and less harmful. Prerequisite: None

ARCH 341      Introduction to Construction Management
3 Hours; 3 Credits
This course is an introduction to basic principles and skills required to organize and manage large construction projects, including the issues of liability and coordination responsibilities of the owner, project manager, general contractor, sub-contractor, and design professionals. Prerequisite: None [Formerly ARCH 451]

ARCH 342      Construction Operations
3 Hours; 3 Credits
This course introduces the basic principles and elements required to organize, operate and manage small-, medium-, and large-sized construction companies. It focuses on the operation from the executive perspective: contractual responsibilities and the roles of contractor, owner, and design and engineering professionals. It also explores the issues of labor relations and dispute resolution. Prerequisite: ARCH 308, 341

ARCH 401      Design Studio IV (Research-based Design Studio)
9 Hours; 4 Credits
This research-based design studio is intended to equip seniors with research, analytical and transformative design tools required to guide students through the complexities of planning, organizing, and drafting a terminal design proposal. The terminal design proposal will address a significant problem and offer an appropriate solution that can contribute to the body of knowledge of architecture and the built environment disciplines.
Prerequisite: ARCH 101, 102, 103, 104, 106, 201, 203, 204, 205, 205, 206, 301, 302, 305 or approval from the Program Coordinator.

ARCH 402      Design Studio V (Terminal Design Project)
9 Hours, 4 Credits
This terminal project course focuses on planning and design as a connected process involving repeated analysis, evaluation, redesign and refinement. Each student selects an appropriate project (5000 square feet or less) that addresses the basic requirements outlined by the instructor. The final submission must demonstrate an understanding of the built environment as a setting for human interactions. This includes the consideration of structures as form/space generators; environmental systems analysis and integration in architecture; sustainable design; formal design composition and design order; and design as an expression of ideas and theories. The final design must be integrated with programmatic contexts, i.e., physical, urban and cultural; interior/exterior spatial relationships; and code compliance involving issues of health and safety. Prerequisite: ARCH 101, 102, 103, 104, 106, 201, 203, 204, 205, 205, 206, 301, 302, 305, 401 or approval from the Program Coordinator.

ARCH 406      History of the Built Environment III
3 Hours; 3 Credits
Building on the historical foundation of ARCH 205 and 206, this course explores the history and theory of the built environment of the 20th century and after in greater depth.

ARCH 411      Building Structural Systems
3 Hours; 3 Credits
The purposes of this course are (1) develop the student’s skills and techniques in the design of basic elements of various wood and steel structural systems; (2) to expand their understanding of the principles and characteristics of various structural materials; and (3) to enhance his/her ability to resolve structural problems of cost, durability, space, legal restrictions, time and aesthetics. Prerequisite: ARCH 311

ARCH 415      Historic Preservation
3 Hours, 3 Credits
This course introduces the student to the field of historic preservation, examining the history and theory of preservation in architecture and the built environment. Course work includes historical aspects, the issue of sustainability, state and local guidelines, preservation standards, career opportunities, and professional practices. This course may require field trip(s).
Prerequisite: None.

ARCH 418      Environmental Controls
3 Hours; 3 Credits
This course covers basic principles of plumbing, HVAC systems, electric, illumination, and acoustics in environmental design and construction. It expands the student’s understanding of the nature and characteristics of various environmental systems as well as to develop their ability to make choices between systems that best resolve the problems associated with cost, social accommodation, operating efficiency, durability, scheduling, safety, and aesthetics. Prerequisite: None

ARCH 422      Production Techniques for Landscape Architects
6 Hours; 3 Credits
The course introduces the principles, techniques, and activities necessary to develop a set of construction documents as related to the Landscape Architecture profession, including schedules and specifications. Prerequisite: None

ARCH 426      Plant Materials
3 Hours; 3 Credits
This course is an introduction to plant materials in terms of their botanical identification, design characteristics and ecological requirements. Trees, shrubs, vines, and ground covers commonly used in urban planting design are emphasized. Prerequisite: Biological Science Course

ARCH 430      Senior Internship I
9 Hours; 3 Credits
This course provides the opportunity for the student to obtain valuable supervised work experience at a professional firm, government agency, non-profit group or organization that is involved with planning, design or management practices that are related to the academic objectives within the BSAED curriculum. Prerequisite: Permission of the BSAED Program Coordinator.

ARCH 431      Public Facilities Planning
3 Hours; 3 Credits
This course investigates the factors contributing to alternative locations for activities and public facilities as determined by transportation networks, land use patterns, public utilities, performance standards, government codes and regulations, etc. The economics, spatial context, and patterns of location of public facilities will be considered. Prerequisite: None

ARCH 432      Introduction to Real Estate Planning I
3 Hours; 3 Credits
This course explores the theory, principles and practices of the various facets of the real estate industry, that impact on land use policy and thought, and the shaping of communities. Students learn the products and programs in use today to finance community development, as well as they explore innovative construction technologies that influence decision-making in real estate development and land use planning. Prerequisite: ARCH 207, 302 or Permission of the BSAED Program Coordinator.

ARCH 433      Senior Internship II
9 Hours; 3 Credits
This course provides the opportunity for the student to obtain valuable supervised work experience at a professional firm, government agency, non-profit group or organization that is involved with planning, design or management practices that are related to the academic objectives within the BSAED curriculum. Prerequisite: Permission of the BSAED Program Coordinator.

ARCH 435      Introduction to Real Estate Planning II
4 Hours; 3 Credits
This course expands upon the theories, principles and practices of the real estate industry presented in Course 1 and incorporates a project management approach to address a land-use planning situation. Students will work in teams to propose strategies, and design components that comprise a community development project plan. Students will structure the specifics of the project being designed and identify and propose the task to be undertaken for project implementation. Prerequisite: ARCH 207, 302 or Permission of the Professor.

ARCH 441      Production Techniques
6 Hours; 3 Credits
This course introduces the steps and activities necessary to develop a set of construction documents, including schedules and specifications as related to detailed plans for structures and site development. Prerequisite: ARCH 104

ARCH 442      Construction Cost Estimating
3 Hours; 3 Credits
This course introduces the role of cost estimating in the various phases of the construction process. It explores the cost data and review procedures, quantity take-off rules and procedures, and construction cost estimating. Prerequisite: ARCH 341