Bachelor of Architecture Degree Program
5 Years (10 Semesters)
170 Credit Hours
Fall, Spring and Summer Semesters

Program overview

The Bachelor of Architecture is a 5-year terminal degree program, that will enable you to fulfil local professional registration while matching the licensing requirements of international associations of architecture. The program provides students with a thorough understanding of the functional areas of architecture, including the design tools, methodologies and philosophies associated with decision-making and effective presentation processes.

The objective of this program is to blend the fundamentals of design and technology with business and entrepreneurship through behavioural, technological, sustainable, and aesthetic exploration. Students learn the theoretical aspects of space and built environment and apply them practically through internships in their final year. The curriculum supports the professional and multidisciplinary philosophy with students being encouraged to take advantage of the wide variety of courses offered at CUD to foster and develop their interests and talents.

Program benefits

The Bachelor of Architecture program will equip you with:

  • Creative and analytical skills
  • An understanding of the economic, social, constructional, and legal environments in which the practice of Architecture operates
  • Knowledge of professional architectural and ethical values
  • A good understanding and proven ability in the fundamentals of architectural design
  • An enhanced ability in graphic and oral communications
  • Knowledge of building systems, codes and appropriate technology and materials, and an appreciation of and sensitivity toward ecology and the environment
  • Software skills aligned with the requirements of design

     

Graduate careers

As a graduate of the Bachelor of Architecture program you will have the qualification and skills to pursue opportunities in a variety of areas including:

  • Architecture
  • Space Planner
  • Fit-out Consultancies
  • Building Code Inspector
  • CAAD Manager
  • Urban Designer
  • Urban Planner
  • Landscape Architecture
  • Interior Design Consultancies
  • Sustainability Consultancies
  • Real Estate Consultancies
  • Construction and Project Management
  • Government Offices (Ministries and Municipalities)
  • Facility Management
  • Master’s degrees in Architecture, Urban Design, Landscape and Interior Design
  • Teaching positions in related disciplines

Program Structure

The structure of the program Bachelor of Architecture is shown in Table 1 given below.

Table 1: The structure of the program

Requirements Compulsory
Credit Hours
Elective
Credit Hours
Total
Credit Hours
University Requirement (URC) 30 3 33
School: Design Foundation (CR) 47 0 47
Major Core (CR) 81 9 90
Total 158 12 170

University Requirements

Students are required to complete 33 credits of university requirements; 30 of these credits are compulsory and 3 credits are to be chosen from a list of electives. These courses are shown in Table 2.

University Compulsory Requirements

Table 2: University requirement compulsory courses

Course Code Course Title Pre/Co Requisite Credit Hours
Languages, Mathematics, Science, IT and Islamic Culture
LNG 171 English I None 3
LNG 172 English II LNG 171 3
LNG 173 Professional Communication Skills LNG 172 3
GED 196 Communications Skills in Arabic 1 None 3
MTH 112 Calculus I Pass Math Placement test or MTH-012 3
SCI 101 Physics I None 3
GED 198E Islamic Culture None 3
GED 199E UAE Society None 3
ENT 141 Fund. Of Innovation and Entrepreneurship 1 None 2
ENT 142 Fund Of Innovation and Entrepreneurship 2 ENT 141 1
ENT 241 Innovation and Entrepreneurship 1 ENT 142 2
ENT 242 Innovation and Entrepreneurship 2 ENT 241 1
Total 30

University Elective Requirements

Table 3: University requirement elective courses

Course Code Course Title Pre/Co Requisite Credit Hours
1) Humanities: Students should select one course from the following pool: (3 credits)
GED 110E Modern Art Appreciation None 3
GED 111 Music Appreciation and Communication None 3
GED 112 Using Positive Psychology at Work LNG 172 3
GED 205E Psychology in Every Day Life LNG 172 3
GED 252E Critical Thinking LNG 172 3
GED 272E Fundamentals of Public Speaking LNG-172 3
GED 298E Special Topics in Western Culture LNG-172, GED-198E 3
GED 324E Ethical Reasoning for Today’s World LNG 172 3

Core Requirements

All students enrolled in the Bachelor program of Architecture must complete 47 credits (14 courses) of Design Foundation courses which are shown in Table 4.

Table 4: Design Foundation Requirements

Course Code Course Title Pre/Co Requisite Credit Hours
DES 121 Design Theory Co-DES 161 & 171 3
DES 122 Human Factors Co-DES 162 & 172 3
DES 161 Introduction to Design (Studio) Co-DES 121 & 171 4
DES 162 Fundamentals of Design (Studio) DES-161, DES-121 & DES-171
Co-DES 122 & 172
4
DES 171 Drafting & Modelling Co-DES 121 & 161 3
DES 172 Freehand Drawing & Rendering Co-DES 122 & 161 3
DES 221 History of Architecture and Interior Design 1 LNG-171 & DES-121 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-162, DES-122 & DES-172 6
DES 271 Computer Aided Design DES-171 3
DES 341 Environmental Systems & Design Integration ARC-262 /IND-262 and ARC-232 /IND-232 3
DES 351 Internship * 90 Cr.H. for ID & CGPA ≥ 2
**120 Cr.H. for ARCH. & CGPA ≥ 2
3
DES 371 Working Drawings and Detailing ARC-361/IND-361 and ARC-242/IND-242 3
Total 47

Major Requirements

Major Compulsory Requirements

Students enrolled in the Bachelor program of Architecture are required to complete successfully the 20 compulsory courses (81 credit hours) shown in Table 5.

Table 5: Major Compulsory Requirements

Course Code Course Title Pre/Co Requisite Credit Hours
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 ARC-262 & LNG-173 3
ARC 342 Advanced Environmental Systems & Design Integration DES-341 & ARC-242 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-262 & DES-222 6
ARC 362 Design Studio - Housing ARC-361, 343, 272 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-431 6
ARC 462 Integrated Design (Studio) ARC-461, 342, 344 & 272 6
ARC 521 Research & Design Explorations ARC-441 & ARC-321 3
ARC 541 Construction Economics ARC-451 3
ARC 561 Design Studio - Institutional ARC-462 & 342 6
ARC 562 Senior Project – Design (Studio) ARC-521, ARC-432, ARC-541, ARC-344 & DES-351 6
Total 81

Major Elective Requirements

Students need to complete successfully three courses (9 credit hours) from the list of elective courses shown in Table 6.

Table 6: Major Elective Requirements

Course Code Course Title Pre/Co Requisite Credit Hours
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