Sep 28, 2024  
Graduate Catalog | 2024-2025 
    
Graduate Catalog | 2024-2025

Architecture, M.S.


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The Master of Science (M.S.) in Architecture is a non-professional 30 credit hour degree focusing on emerging research critical to the architectural profession, which requires expertise that exceeds or complements current criteria for accredited professional degrees. Concentrations include:

Design Computation
Design has become increasingly important to computer scientists and at the same time computation has become important to designers.  This program is a unique curriculum that systematically combines the strength and insights of each discipline. The curriculum integrates IT and Architecture students and faculty working collaboratively on tasks that challenge both fields.  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. 

Sustainable Building Technology Concentration
This concentration focuses on sustainable materials, processes, and practices in the built environment. Students and faculty explore structural principles, statics and strength of materials, structural systems, building technology, intelligent structures, innovative structural assemblies, and integrated design. This concentration culminates in a directed independent thesis.

Critical Heritage Studies
The preservation and interpretation of the built environment is interconnected with both social and environmental sustainability and integrated within discourses and practices surrounding other tangible and intangible heritages happening in museums, archeological sites, and elsewhere. This concentration seeks local solutions while engaging in global conversations; emphasizes hands-on engagement with communities and organizations; challenges authorized heritage discourses; diversifies approaches and practices of engaging with the past; and promotes the stories and sites that foreground the heritage of underrepresented communities. This concentration culminates with an internship and a practice focused colloquium.

Admission Requirements


Application to the M.S. in Architecture follows existing Graduate School and School of Architecture admissions processes.  The UNC Charlotte application process is completely online.

Eligibility

The minimum admission requirements for the M.S. in Architecture at UNC Charlotte are:

  • An earned bachelor’s degree from a college or university accredited by an accepted accrediting body
  • An overall undergraduate GPA of at least a 3.0 (based on a 4.0 scale)
  • A minimum TOEFL score of 220 (computer-based), 557 (paper-based), or 83 (Internet-based) or a minimum IELTS band score of 6.5 required from any applicant whose native language is not English

Documents Required for Admission

To apply for graduate studies in the School of Architecture, all applicants must submit the following application materials to the UNC Charlotte Office of Graduate Admissions:

  • Graduate School Application for Admission (online)
  • Application Fee (payable online)
  • Unofficial transcripts from all previous college-level institution(s) attended (submitted online)
  • Official TOEFL scores
  • Official GRE or GMAT scores (sent directly online from testing services)
  • Three recommendations (submitted online by recommenders)
  • A resume (submitted online)
  • A statement of purpose indicating research interest and potential faculty advisor (submitted online)
  • Digital Portfolio illustrative of research interests (20-page PDF document that may include samples of writing, research, reports, and/or design-based projects) or in the case of the Critical Heritage concentration, students may submit an academic writing sample (20-page minimum PDF)

Automatic Recommendation for Admissions for M.S.

The School of Architecture Graduate Admissions Committee will automatically endorse applications from UNC Charlotte four-year Bachelor of Arts in Architecture degree holders with a GPA of 3.5 or above for courses in the major for acceptance to the M.S. in Architecture program. UNC Charlotte B.A. in Architecture students with a GPA of 3.5 do not need to submit the full School of Architecture application; however, they still must apply to and be accepted by the UNC Charlotte Graduate School.

Degree Requirements - Design Computation Concentration


The curriculum for students in the Design Computation concentration consists of the following components:

  • one course focused on their area - computational research methods
  • a general Responsible Conduct of Research course
  • a project-based research lab
  • a series of elective courses of their choice
  • a thesis prep course
  • a capstone thesis

Elective Courses (12 credit hours)


As directed by their Program Director and based on course availability, students in the Design Computation concentration should take a total of 12 credit hours of electives from the list below.

Capstone (6 credit hours)


Degree Requirements - Sustainable Building Technology Concentration


The curriculum for students in the Sustainable Building Technology concentration consists of the following components:

  • one course focused on their area - an architectural elective on sustainability
  • a general Responsible Conduct of Research course
  • a project-based research lab
  • a series of elective courses of their choice
  • a thesis prep course
  • a capstone thesis

Core Courses (12 credit hours)


Elective Courses (12 credit hours)


As directed by their Program Director and based on course availability, students in the Sustainable Building Technology concentration should take a total of 12 credits of architectural elective courses. These 12 credits can be any combination of ARCH 5050 , ARCH 6050 , ARCH 6306 , and ARCH 6890  courses.

Capstone (6 credit hours)


Degree Requirements - Critical Heritage Studies Concentration


The curriculum for students in the Critical Heritage Studies concentration consists of the following curricular components:

  • two courses focused on their area - critical approaches to heritage and historic preservation
  • a project-based research lab
  • a series of elective courses of their choice from a range of related disciplines
  • a minimum 3-credit internship
  • a capstone colloquium

Core Courses (13 credit hours)


Elective Courses (15 credit hours)


As directed by their Program Director and based on course availability, students should take a total of 15 credit hours of electives from the list below.

Capstone (2 credit hours)


Degree Total = 30 Credit Hours


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