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 |