Graduate Catalog | 2024-2025
Architecture, M.S., and Information Technology, M.S., Dual Degree
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Design has become increasingly important to computer scientists, and at the same time computation has become important to designers. The Master of Science in Architecture and Master of Science in Information Technology dual degree program is a unique curriculum that systematically combines the strength and insights of these disciplines. Students enroll simultaneously in these two M.S. degree programs.
As computing has matured as a discipline, it has expanded its focus to include the physical and virtual settings in which users interact with the machine. Specialties like human computer interaction, ubiquitous computing, gaming, and visualization require an understanding not only of the logic of the machine, but also the logic of the user. Based on these concerns, the design thinking ability that is an integral part of design training is of interest as an alternative paradigm that may change the way that students think and operate.
Within architecture and its allied fields, there is a unique opportunity to develop students who will have the knowledge to lead the integration of the computer into architectural 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 intermingling.
The curriculum integrates M.S. in Architecture students with M.S. in Information Technology students, working collaboratively on tasks that challenge both fields. A two-semester sequence of studio lab courses focuses on issues and problems that are researched by design teams.
Note: The Master of Science in Architecture, because of its research focus, is not a NAAB accredited program that can lead to licensure as a registered architect. The School of Architecture does offer a NAAB accredited Master of Architecture, which is a separate degree program.
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Admission Requirements
Students must apply to each program separately and be admitted to both programs by the published census date of the third semester (including Summer). No admission requirements established by the Graduate School or by either individual program may be waived. See Architecture, M.S. and Information Technology, M.S. sections of this catalog for individual program admission requirements.
Dual Degree Requirements
Dual degree students must satisfy all individual degree requirements (Architecture, M.S. (Design Computation concentration) and Information Technology, M.S. (Human Centered Design concentration) with the added benefit of sharing a limited number of credits between the two programs. See the Shared Courses section below for permissible course sharing.
Students enrolled in the Dual Degree M.S. Arch. (Design Computation) / M.S. Information Technology (Human-Centered Design) program are required to complete the capstones for each program, including the M.S.I.T Capstone (IT Project) and the Architectural Thesis (ARCH 7900 ).
Upon successful completion of all requirements, students receive both the Master of Architecture degree and the M.S. in Information Technology degree.
Shared Courses
Architecture, M.S. Arch.
The Architecture, M.S. (Design Computation concentration) program allows 9 credits to be shared from Information Technology, M.S. as follows:
Information Technology, M.S.
The Information Technology, M.S. program (Human-Centered Design concentration) allows 9 credits to be shared from Architecture, M.S. (Design Computation concentration) as follows:
Dual Degree Total = 42 Credit Hours
Capstone Requirements
Students enrolled in the Dual Degree M.S. Architecture-Design Computation/ M.S. Information Technology-Human Centered Design are required to complete the capstones for both programs, including the IT Project (M.S.I.T Capstone) and ARCH 7900 - Thesis ).
Grade Requirements
Students in the M. S. in Architecture (Design Computation concentration) and M.S. in Information Technology (Human-Centered Design) dual degree programm are expected to earn a grade of A or B in all courses included in the curriculum and must maintain a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale). As per UNC Charlotte Graduate School Master’s Degree Requirements, students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 or above in courses on the degree plan of study. No more than six hours evaluated as C may be counted toward the minimum hours required for the master’s degree. An accumulation of three C letter grades will result in the suspension of a student’s enrollment in the program.
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