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.
Accreditation Status
The program has been awarded the accreditation by Ministry of Education UAE on September 1st, 2011
Program Coordinator (Chair)
Dr. Constantin Victor Spiridonidis
Professor
Email: spiridonidis@cud.ac.ae
Phone: +971 47096822
Office: HUB Ground Floor - Office 10
Program Structure
| Program Requirements | Compulsory Credit Hours |
Elective Credit Hours |
Total Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Requirements (GE Courses) | 30 | 03 | 33 |
| Program Core Requirements (Core Courses) | 47 | 0 | 47 |
| Program Major Requirements | 81 | 09 | 90 |
| Total | 158 | 12 | 170 |
University Requirements [General Education Courses - 33 Credits]
| Course Code | Course Title | Prerequisite | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory Courses (30 Credits) | ||||
| LNG | 171-1 | English I | None | 3 |
| LNG | 172-1 | English II | LNG 171-1 | 3 |
| LNG | 173 | Professional Communication Skills | LNG 172-1 | 3 |
| GED | 196E | Communication Skills in Arabic 1 | None | 3 |
| GED | 198E | Islamic Culture | None | 3 |
| GED | 199E | UAE Society | None | 3 |
| MTH | 112 | Calculus I | Pass Math Placement Test or MTH 012 | 3 |
| SCI | 101 | Physics I | None | 3 |
| ENT | 141E | Fundamentals of Innovation and Entrepreneurship 1 | None | 2 |
| ENT | 142E | 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 (Humanities - 03 Credits): Students are required to Select One Course from the following Pool | ||||
| GED | 110E | Modern Art Appreciation | None | 3 |
| GED | 111E | Music Appreciation and Communication | None | 3 |
| GED | 112 | Using Positive Psychology at Work | LNG 172 | 3 |
| GED | 205E | Psychology in Everyday Life | LNG 172 | 3 |
| GED | 252E | Critical Thinking | LNG 172 | 3 |
| GED | 272E | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | LNG 172 | 3 |
| GED | 324E | Ethical Reasoning for Today’s World | LNG 172 | 3 |
Program Core Requirements [Core Courses - 47 Credits]
| Course Code | Course Title | Pre/Co Requisite | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DES | 121 | Design Theory | Co-DES 161 & DES 171 | 3 |
| DES | 122 | Human Factors | Co-DES 162 & DES 172 | 3 |
| DES | 161 | Introduction to Design (Studio) | Co-DES 121 & DES 171 | 4 |
| DES | 162 | Fundamentals of Design (Studio) | DES 121, DES 161, DES 171 Co-DES 122 & DES 172 | 4 |
| DES | 171 | Drafting & Modeling | Co-DES 121 & DES 161 | 3 |
| DES | 172 | Freehand Drawing & Rendering | Co-DES 122 & DES 162 | 3 |
| DES | 221 | History of Architecture and Interior Design 1 | DES 121, LNG 171 | 3 |
| DES | 222 | History of Architecture and Interior Design 2 | DES 221 | 3 |
| DES | 241 | Construction and Design Integration | DES 162 | 3 |
| DES | 261 | Design Principles (Studio) | DES 122, DES 162, DES 172 | 6 |
| DES | 271 | Computer Aided Design | DES 171 | 3 |
| DES | 341 | Environmental Systems & Design Integration | ARC 232/IND 232, ARC 262/IND 262 | 3 |
| DES | 351 | Internship* | 120 Cr. Hrs. & CGPA ≥ 2 | 3 |
| DES | 371 | Working Drawings and Detailing | ARC 242/IND 242, ARC 361/IND 361 | 3 |
Program Major Requirements [90 Credits]
| Course Code | Course Title | Pre/Co Requisite | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory Courses (81 Credits) | ||||
| ARC | 232 | Site Planning & Landscape | None | 3 |
| ARC | 242 | Advanced Construction and Design Integration | DES 241 | 3 |
| ARC | 262 | Design Methods (Studio) | DES 261 | 6 |
| ARC | 272 | Building Information Modelling | DES 271 | 3 |
| ARC | 321 | Research & Design Applications | LNG 173, ARC 262 | 3 |
| ARC | 342 | Advanced Environmental Systems & Design Integration | ARC 242, DES 341 | 3 |
| ARC | 343 | Structures 1 | MTH 112, SCI 101, ARC 242 | 3 |
| ARC | 344 | Structures 2 | ARC 343 | 3 |
| ARC | 361 | Environmental Design (Studio) | ARC 222, DES 262 | 6 |
| ARC | 362 | Design Studio (Housing) | ARC 272, ARC 343, ARC 361 | 6 |
| ARC | 431 | Planning & Urban Design | ARC 362 | 3 |
| ARC | 432 | Vernacular Architecture and Conservation | DES 222 | 3 |
| ARC | 441 | Building Code | ARC 362, DES 371 | 3 |
| ARC | 451 | Professional Practice & Project Management | ARC 362 | 3 |
| ARC | 461 | Urban Study (Studio) | ARC 321, ARC 362 & Co-ARC 431 | 6 |
| ARC | 462 | Integrated Design (Studio) | ARC 272, ARC 342, ARC 344, ARC 461 | 6 |
| ARC | 521 | Research and Design Explorations | ARC 441, ARC 321 | 3 |
| ARC | 541 | Construction Economics | ARC 451 | 3 |
| ARC | 561 | Design Studio (Institutional) | ARC 462, ARC 342 | 6 |
| ARC | 562 | Senior Project - Design (Studio) | DES 351, ARC 344, ARC 432, ARC 521, ARC 541 | 6 |
| Elective Courses (09 Credits): Students are required to Select Three Courses from the following courses | ||||
| ARC | 345 | GIS Applications in Architecture | ARC 342 or IND 342 | 3 |
| ARC | 433 | Urban Studies Seminar | ARC 431 | 3 |
| DES | 322 | Architecture of The Islamic World | DES 222 | 3 |
| DES | 324 | On Site Investigation | DES 222 | 3 |
| DES | 331 | Landscape Architecture | ARC 232 or IND 232 | 3 |
| DES | 372 | Graphic Design & Portfolio for Architects & Interior Designers | DES 271 | 3 |
| DES | 373 | Visualization | DES 271 | 3 |
| DES | 442 | Special Topics: Materials & Methods | ARC 342 or IND 342 | 3 |
| DES | 452 | Professional Practice Seminar | ARC 362 or IND 362 | 3 |
| DES | 463 | Complex Design Studio | ARC 362 or IND 362 | 3 |