Undergraduate Program

Degree Programs

Bachelor of Arts in Architecture (B.A.A.)

The B.A.A. is a pre-professional degree that prepares students for admittance to a two-year graduate program in architecture. The overall intent of the B.A.A. degree program is to provide a firm grounding in the essential ideas, principles, theories and technologies that underlie the built environment. The design studio sequence, the core of the program, is where all the elements of the design process come together in exercises that build increasing skill and sophistication in the student designer.


Admission Requirements

Undergraduate

Admission to the undergraduate pre-professional portion of the program in architecture is competitive and limited.

There are two paths to undergraduate admission. The standard path requires that upon completion of a minimum set of required college-level credit acceptable to the School, students apply for transfer and acceptance into the School of Architecture and Planning. Applications to the B.A.A. degree program are accepted from University of New Mexico students, as well as students from any other accredited universities approved by the Office of Admissions.

The second path is the “Early Admissions” program available to New Mexico residents who are deemed high achieving entering freshman. Eligibility is limited to students who graduate in the top 10% of their high school classes, score in the top 10% of the ACT or SAT, or receive UNM’s National Scholars Scholarship. For further information contact the Undergraduate Advisor in the School of Architecture and Planning.

In addition to UNM core curriculum courses taken in the first year, UNM student applicants will have successfully completed Architectural Graphics, Design Fundamentals. and, Introduction to Architecture. In order to be considered for application, UNM students must earn a B or better in ARCH 111.

Application Requirements:

1. Letter of intent. Explain why you are interested in architecture and discuss related experience, background or course work as well as particular educational and professional goals. The letter should not exceed two pages; include two copies: one in portfolio.
2. Portfolio of Drawing and Design Work. Submit work from drawing and art studio courses and personal art work in an 81/2” x 11” bound portfolio. Do not send slides, CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes, or other digital materials, as they will not be accepted. Portfolio guidelines are available from the Academic Advisor in the School of Architecture and Planning.
3. Application Sheet. This form is available from the Academic Advisor.
4. Transcripts. University of New Mexico students should provide unofficial transcripts obtained from Records and Registration Office in Mesa Vista Hall North One-Stop. Transfer students can provide an unofficial transcript from all colleges previously attended and must send official transcripts to the Office of Admissions, P.O. Box 4895, Albuquerque, NM 87196-4895.
5. Required Entry Courses. The following courses, or their equivalents, must be successfully completed prior to application and must be taken for a grade:

ARCH 109 Design Fundamentals 3
ARCH 111 Introduction to Architectural Graphics 3
ARCH 121 Introduction to Architecture 3
MATH 123 Trigonometry 3
  
-or-   
  
passing grade on Trigonometry Compass Exam and 3 hr elective   
MATH 180 Elements of Calculus I 3/4
  
-or-   
MATH 162L Calculus I   
ENGL 101 Composition I: Exposition 3
ENGL 102 Composition II: Analysis and Argument 3
PHYC 102, 102L Introduction to Physics/Lab 4
  
-or-   
PHYC 151, 151L General Physics/Lab   
  
Total 25/26
  
Other UNM core curriculum courses 6
  
Total credits required 32

6. Application Deadline. All of the above information and forms must be received by May 15th by 4 p.m. (should this date fall on a weekend, submit on the next Monday). Any material missing may disqualify your application for consideration. Late applications may be accepted on a space available basis. Address all inquiries and submit all materials, by mail or by person, to: Undergraduate Admissions, c/o Academic Advisor, School of Architecture and Planning, MSC04 2530, 2401 Central Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001.

Note: Students at UNM branch campuses must apply to the UNM Albuquerque campus at the same time.


Undergraduate Degree: Graduation Requirements

Bachelor of Arts in Architecture (B.A.A.)

Students may be admitted to the undergraduate degree in their sophomore year after completing at least 26 credit hours of selected courses. In addition to UNM core course work in the first year, applicants will have taken two studio courses–one in graphics, one in design, and a lecture course, Introduction to Architecture.

Portfolio Reviews:
Students may be required to submit portfolios for review by a faculty committee at the end of the 200- or 300- level sequence and/or immediately prior to graduation.

Minimum Grade Point Average
A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50 is required for graduation.

Advising: Advising for undergraduate students is available from the Undergraduate Advisor. Individual faculty members are also available for counseling on matters relating to professional education, architectural internship, and the architectural registration examination process.

Design Studio Academic Standard: Students must earn a minimum grade of C+ in a studio in order to continue in the design studio sequence. (A grade of C or lower requires permission of the Director to re-enroll or enroll in a subsequent studio.)

Required Courses and Electives–Typical Sequence

First Year  All first year classes must be taken for a letter grade.  
 
ARCH 111 Introduction to Architectural Graphics Fa 3
ARCH 121* Introduction to Architecture Fa 3
ARCH 109 Design Fundamentals Sp 3
MATH 123 Trigonometry  
3
 
-or-  
 
 
Passing Trigonometry Compass Exam and 3 cr. elective  
 
MATH 180* Elements of Calculus I
3
 
-or-  
 
MATH 162 Calculus I  
 
ENGL 101* Composition I: Exposition  
3
ENGL 102* Composition II: Analysis and Argument  
3
PHYC 102*/102L* Introduction to Physics/Physics Lab*  
4
 
-or-  
 
PHYC 151/151L General Physics/Lab  
 
 
Required Entry Courses  
25-26
 
Other UNM Core Curriculum Credits  
6
 
Minimum Total Credits  
31-32
Second Year  
 
 
ARCH 201 Architectural Design I Fa 4
ARCH 211 Architectural Communications I Fa 2
ARCH 241 Sustainability I Fa 3
ARCH 202 Architectural Design II Sp 4
ARCH 211 Architectural Communications I Sp 2
ARCH 221 Architecture and Context Sp 3
 
Required Architecture credits:  
18
 
UNM Core Curriculum courses:  
12
 
Total Credits  
30
Third Year  
 
 
ARCH 301 Design Studio  III Fa 4
ARCH 311 Design Studio IV Fa 2
ARCH 321 World Architecture Fa 3
ARCH 331 Construction I Fa 3
ARCH 302 Architectural Design IV Sp 4
ARCH 322 World Architecture II Sp 3
ARCH 311 Architectural Communications II Sp 2
ARCH 332 Structures I Sp 3
ARCH 342 Human Factors and Programming Sp 3
 
Elective  
3
 
Required Architecture Credits:  
30
 
UNM Core Curriculum courses:  
3
 
Total credits  
33
Fourth Year  
 
 
ARCH 401 Design Studio V Fa 6
ARCH 431 Structures II Fa 3
ARCH 441 Sustainability II Fa 3
ARCH 451 Research and Design Fa 3
ARCH 402 Design Studio VI Sp 6
ARCH 432 Building Systems Sp 3
ARCH 442 Politics, Culture and Architecture Sp 3
ARCH 452 Practice and Theory Sp 3
 
Elective  
3
  
Total Credits  
33
 
GRAND TOTAL  
127-128*

*The University of New Mexico requires 128 credits for graduation.

University of New Mexico Core Curriculum Requirements
These are in addition to specific entry and other requirements. Several areas are more restrictive than University of New Mexico Core.

Must earn a “C” or better in University of New Mexico Core Curriculum requirements. Must earn a "B" or better in ARCH 111.

Writing and Speaking: 3
One course from either ENGL 219, 220; CJ 130; PHIL 156  
Physical and Natural Science: 3-4
(More restrictive than University of New Mexico Core Curriculum.)  
One course from ANTH 121, 150, 160; ASTR 101; BIOL 110, 123; CHEM 111, 121 and 23L, 122 and 124L, 131L, 132L; EPS 101; GEOG 101 and GEOG 105L  
Social and Behavioral Sciences: 6
(More restrictive than University of New Mexico Core Curriculum.)  
Either ECON 105 or 106  
-and-  
Either PSY 105 or SOC 101  
Humanities: 6
Two courses from AMST 186; CLST 107, 204, 205; COMP 222, 224; ENGL 150, 292, 293; HIST 101, 102, 161, 162; MLNG 101; PHIL 101, 201, 202; RELG 107, 263, 264, Honors Legacy Seminar at 100-200 level
 
Foreign Languages: 3
One lower-division non-English course  
Total 21

NOTES:
Electives

At least 3 credits of electives must be School of Architecture and Planning courses OTHER than architecture, i.e. from Community and Regional Planning or Landscape Architecture.

Service Learning
Students must complete 3 credits in a service learning course, approved by the faculty, in which students work directly with a not-for-profit, community group, or public agency on architectural research, design, and/or application of design skills. This may be fulfilled by ARCH 402: Community studio section, or other course, including independent study, APPROVED BY THE DIRECTOR OR ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PRIOR TO ENROLLING.

Credit Hour Summary for Bachelor of Arts in Architecture  
Entry courses (1st year) 31-32
Additional University of New Mexico Core Courses 15
Additional required Architecture courses 81
Total B.A. Architecture 127-128*
  
(A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50 is required for graduation.)

  
*
The University of New Mexico requires 128 credits for graduation.


Courses

ARCH 109 . Design Fundamentals. (3)



ARCH 111 . Introduction to Architectural Graphics . (3)



ARCH 121. Introduction to Architecture. (3)



ARCH 201. Architectural Design I . (4)



ARCH 202. Architectural Design II . (4)



ARCH 211. Architectural Communications I . (2 to a maximum of 4 Δ)



ARCH 221. Architecture and Context. (3)



ARCH 241. Sustainability I. (3)



ARCH 301. Design Studio III. (4)



ARCH 302. Design Studio IV. (4)



ARCH 311. Architectural Communication II . (2 to a maximum of 4 Δ)



ARCH 321 / 523. World Architecture I: History of the Built Environment From Prehistory to 1400 CE. (3)



ARCH 322 / 524. World Architecture II: History of the Built Environment From 1400 CE to the Present. (3)



ARCH *329 . Pre-Columbian Architecture. (3)



ARCH 331. Construction I. (3)



ARCH 332 / 532. Structures I. (3)



ARCH 342 / 542. Human Factors and Programming. (3)



ARCH 385. Environmental Controls I. (3)



ARCH 401. Design Studio V. (6)



ARCH 402 / 502. Design Studio VI. (6)



ARCH 409 / 509. Vertical Architecture Studio. (6 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



ARCH 422 / 522 . Modern and Contemporary Architecture. (3)



ARCH 425 / 525 . Contemporary Architecture. (3)



ARCH 428 / 528 . Memory and Architecture. (3)



ARCH 429 / 529 . Frank Lloyd Wright and American Architecture. (3)



ARCH 430 / 530. Foundations of Physical Planning. (3)



ARCH 431 / 533. Structures II. (3)



ARCH 432 / 534 . Building Systems. (3)



ARCH 441 / 541. Sustainability II. (3)



ARCH 442 / 544. Politics, Culture, and Architecture. (3)



ARCH 449 . Synthesis of Sustainability Perspectives and Innovations. (3)



ARCH 451. Research and Design . (3)



ARCH 452 / 552. Practice and Theory. (3)



ARCH 461 / 661 . Problems. (1-6 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



ARCH 462 / 662 . Seminar. (1-3, no limit Δ)



ARCH 463 / 563. Architecture and Design for Children. (3)



ARCH 464 / 564 . Lighting. (3)



ARCH 465 / 565 . Acoustics. (2)



ARCH 466 / 566 . Construction Documents. (3)



ARCH 471 / 571 . Real Estate Development. (3)



ARCH 475. Reflective Travel. (1-2 to a maximum of 3 Δ)



ARCH 481 / 581 . Southwest Architecture and Cultural Landscapes. (3)



ARCH 493 / 593. Civic Places. (3)



ARCH 502 / 402. Design Studio VI. (6)



ARCH 503 . Graduate Architectural Design I. (6)



ARCH 504. Graduate Architectural Design II . (6)



ARCH 505 . Graduate Architectural Design III . (5)



ARCH 508 . Design and Planning Assistance Center. (3-6 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



ARCH 509 / 409 . Vertical Architecture Studio. (6 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



ARCH 515 . Graduate Architectural Communications I . (2)



ARCH 516 . Graduate Architectural Communications II . (2)



ARCH 517. Graduate Architectural Communications III. (2)



ARCH 521 . Architectural Analysis. (3)



ARCH 522 / 422 . Modern and Contemporary Architecture. (3)



ARCH 523 / 321 . World Architecture I: History of the Built Environment From Prehistory to 1400 CE. (3)



ARCH 524 / 322. World Architecture II: History of the Built Environment From 1400 CE to the Present. (3)



ARCH 525 / 425. Contemporary Architecture. (3)



ARCH 526. Contemporary Architecture and Urban Design. (3)



ARCH 528 / 428 . Memory and Architecture. (3)



ARCH 529 / 429 . Frank Lloyd Wright and American Architecture. (3)



ARCH 530 / 430. Foundations of Physical Planning. (3)



ARCH 531. Graduate Construction I. (3)



ARCH 532 / 332 . Structures I. (3)



ARCH 533 / 431. Structures II. (3)



ARCH 534 / 432 . Building Systems. (3)



ARCH 541 / 441 . Sustainability II. (3)



ARCH 542 / 342 . Human Factors and Programming . (3)



ARCH 544 / 442. Politics, Culture, and Architecture. (3)



ARCH 551 . Research Methodology. (3)



ARCH 552 / 452. Practice and Theory. (3)



ARCH 563 / 463 . Architecture and Design for Children. (3)



ARCH 564 / 464. Lighting. (3)



ARCH 565 / 465 . Acoustics. (2)



ARCH 566 / 466 . Construction Documents. (3)



ARCH 571 / 471 . Real Estate Development. (3)



ARCH 573. Architectural Programming. (3)



ARCH 579. Introduction to Preservation and Regionalism. (3)



ARCH 581 / 481 . Southwest Architecture and Cultural Landscapes. (3)



ARCH 590. Historic Research Methods. (3)



ARCH 592. Public Works. (3)



ARCH 593 / 493. Civic Places. (3)



ARCH 596. Project/Thesis Preparation. (3-6, no limit Δ)



ARCH 597. Master’s Project. (6)



ARCH 599. Master’s Thesis. (6, no limit Δ)



ARCH 601. Masters Architectural Design I . (6)



ARCH 602. Masters Architectural Design II . (6)



ARCH 603 . Masters Architectural Design III. (6)



ARCH 604. Masters Architectural Design IV . (6)



ARCH 605. Masters Architectural Design V. (6 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



ARCH 631 . Systems Integration I . (3)



ARCH 632 . Systems Integration II . (3)



ARCH 651 . Professional Practice II . (3)



ARCH 661 / 461 . Problems. (1-6 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



ARCH 662 / 462 . Seminar. (1-3, no limit Δ)



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Office of the Registrar

MSC 11 6325
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131

Phone: (505) 277-8900
Fax: (505) 277-6809