Program Overview
The Bachelor of Architecture is a five-year program that offers students a comprehensive education in architecture. It combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills and covers various subject areas such as architectural design, computation, history and theory, building technology, sustainability, and urban planning. The program aims to prepare students to create architecture that innovatively addresses contemporary challenges, including the climate crisis, the quest for social innovation in a globalized world, and the impact of new technologies in human lives. Dubai's unique cultural and environmental diversity supports the program to prepare architects for successful careers in various geographical contexts.
Benefits
The program equips students with the skills to address the rapidly evolving challenges of the built environment. The five-year program blends theory with hands-on practice, focusing on areas like sustainable design, technological innovation, and urban planning. Students are trained to create solutions for pressing global issues such as the climate crisis, social innovation, and the integration of cutting-edge technologies. Situated in Dubai, a city known for its cultural diversity and architectural ambition, the program offers unique opportunities for innovation. Graduates emerge with a global perspective, ready to contribute to shaping future cities, fostering sustainability, and leading in the transformation of the built environment across varied contexts.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of this program will have a wealth of industries to choose from and often go on to become:
- Architect
- Heritage Conservator
- Landscape Designer
- Urban Designer
- Construction & Project Manager
- Real Estate Consultant
- Educator
- Entrepreneur
Graduates can also pursue advanced studies, such as a Master’s or PhD in Architecture or related fields, to specialize further and enhance career prospects, including academic and high-level research roles.
The program has been awarded the accreditation by Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, UAE on September 01, 2011.
Dr. Constantin-Victor Spiridonidis
Professor
Email: spiridonidis@cud.ac.ae
Phone: +971 47096822
Office: HUB Ground Floor - Office 10
Program Structure
| Requirements | Compulsory Credit Hours |
Elective Credit Hours |
Total Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Requirements (GE Courses) | 27 | 6 | 33 |
| Program Core Requirements | 41 | - | 41 |
| Program Major Requirements | 87 | 9 | 96 |
| Total | 155 | 15 | 170 |
| Course Code | Course Title | Prerequisite | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory Courses (27 Credits) | ||||
| LNG | 171-1 | English I | None | 3 |
| LNG | 172-1 | English II | LNG 171-1 | 3 |
| LNG | 173-1 | Professional Communication Skills | LNG 172-1 | 3 |
| GED | 190 | Emirati Studies | None | 3 |
| GED | 255 | Critical Thinking and Problem Solving | LNG 172-1 | 3 |
| MTH | 112 | Calculus I | Pass Math Placement Test or MTH 012 | 3 |
| SCI | 220 | Engineering Mechanics | None | 3 |
| ENT | 141 | Fundamentals of Innovation and Entrepreneurship 1 | None | 2 |
| ENT | 142 | Fundamentals of Innovation and Entrepreneurship 2 | ENT 141 | 1 |
| ENT | 241 | Entrepreneurship 1 | ENT 142 | 2 |
| ENT | 242 | Entrepreneurship 2 | ENT 241 | 1 |
| Elective Courses (06 Credits): Students are required to Select TWO Courses from the following Pool | ||||
| GED | 110 | Modern Art Appreciation | None | 3 |
| GED | 111 | Music Appreciation and Communication | None | 3 |
| GED | 112 | Using Positive Psychology at Work | LNG 172 | 3 |
| GED | 191 | Islamic Studies | None | 3 |
| GED | 196 | Communication Skills in Arabic 1 | None | 3 |
| GED | 205 | Psychology in Everyday Life | LNG 172 | 3 |
| GED | 272 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | LNG 172 | 3 |
| GED | 324 | Ethical Reasoning for Today’s World | LNG 172 | 3 |
| Course Code | Course Title | Prerequisite | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DES | 101 | Studio 1 - Introduction to Design | Co-DES 110 & DES 113 | 4 |
| DES | 102 | Studio 2 - Design and The Human | DES 101, DES 110, DES 113 Co-DES 120 & DES 123 |
4 |
| DES | 110 | Design Theory | Co-DES 101 & DES 113 | 3 |
| DES | 113 | Drafting & Modeling | Co-DES 101 & DES 110 | 3 |
| DES | 120 | Human Factors | Co-DES 102 & DES 123 | 3 |
| DES | 123 | Freehand Drawing & Rendering | Co-DES 102 & DES 120 | 3 |
| DES | 213 | History of Architecture and Interior Design 1 | LNG 171-1, DES 110 | 3 |
| DES | 214 | Computer-Aided Design | DES 113 | 3 |
| DES | 223 | History of Architecture and Interior Design 2 | DES 213 | 3 |
| DES | 400 | Internship | 120 Cr. Hrs. & CGPA ≥ 2 | 3 |
| DES | 361 | Working Drawings and Detailing | ARC 244/IND 211, ARC 301/IND 301 | 3 |
| DES | 381 | Artificial Intelligence for Design Applications | DES 214 | 3 |
| DES | 382 | Data Analytics in the Built Environment | MTH 112 or MTH 196, DES 214 | 3 |
| Course Code | Course Title | Prerequisite | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory Courses (87 Credits) | ||||
| ARC | 201 | Studio 3 - Architectural Design & Materiality | DES 102, DES 120, DES 123 | 6 |
| ARC | 202 | Studio 4 - Design and Context | ARC 201 | 6 |
| ARC | 232 | Site Planning & Landscape | None | 3 |
| ARC | 243 | Construction and Design Integration 1 | DES 102 | 3 |
| ARC | 244 | Construction and Design Integration 2 | ARC 243 | 3 |
| ARC | 301 | Studio 5 - Design and The Environment | DES 223, ARC 202 | 6 |
| ARC | 302 | Studio 6 - Home and The City | ARC 301, ARC 311, ARC 312 | 6 |
| ARC | 311 | Building Information Modelling | DES 214 | 3 |
| ARC | 312 | Structures for Architecture | MTH 112, SCI 220, ARC 244 | 3 |
| ARC | 322 | Research & Design Applications | LNG 173-1, ARC 202 | 3 |
| ARC | 341 | Environmental Systems & Design Integration | ARC 202, ARC 232 | 3 |
| ARC | 401 | Studio 7 - Urban Design | ARC 302, ARC 322 & Co-ARC 434 | 6 |
| ARC | 402 | Studio 8 - Integrated Design 1 | ARC 311, ARC 401 | 6 |
| ARC | 434 | Planning and Urban Design | ARC 302 | 3 |
| ARC | 435 | Vernacular Architecture and Conservation | DES 223 | 3 |
| ARC | 440 | Building Code for Architecture | DES 361, ARC 302 | 3 |
| ARC | 450 | Professional Practice & Project Management for Architecture | ARC 302 | 3 |
| ARC | 501 | Studio 9 - Integrated Design 2 | ARC 402 | 6 |
| ARC | 502 | Studio 10 - Senior Project | DES 400, ARC 435, ARC 510, ARC 511 | 6 |
| ARC | 510 | Research and Design Explorations | ARC 322, ARC 440 | 3 |
| ARC | 511 | Construction Economics | ARC 322, ARC 440 | 3 |
| Elective Courses (09 Credits): Students are required to Select Three Courses from the following courses | ||||
| IND | 341 | Furniture Design and Detailing | DES 120, DES 223 | 3 |
| ARC | 410 | Urban Studies Seminar | ARC 434 | 3 |
| ARC | 420 | Revitalizing Public Spaces via Small-scale Installations | ARC 302 or IND 302 | 3 |
| DES | 410 | Architecture of The Islamic World | DES 223 | 3 |
| DES | 420 | Landscape Architecture | ARC 232 or IND 220 | 3 |
| DES | 430 | Graphic Design & Portfolio for Architects & Interior Designers | DES 214 | 3 |
| DES | 440 | Visualization | DES 214 | 3 |
| DES | 450 | Complex Design Studio | ARC 302 or IND 302 | 3 |
| DES | 460 | Digitization and Robotics in Building Construction | ARC 302 or IND 302 | 3 |
| DES | 470 | Professional Practice Seminar | ARC 302 or IND 302 | 3 |