<p>Well recently I've stumbled across the "Architecture Engineering" major, and it's really been intriguing me lately. The only problem is, I only applied, and was accepted, to one school with the major: UC - Boulder. Now originally I had planned to major in Architecture at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, but like I said this Architectural Engineering seems really interesting to me. I looked back on this forum a few pages and did find an old thread debating this, but just curious; </p>
<p>Would it be worth it to attend UC-Boulder @ almost 40k a year to at least get a feel for architectural engineering? If I decide it's not for me, Boulder also offers an architecture major so I'd have that to fall back on. But, at 40k a year... It ain't cheap. </p>
<p>Or, I can follow my original plan and go to UMinn for about 17k a year. However, at UMinn I can't even try Arch Engin. and by looking at the course outline, it may be just the thing for me.</p>
<p>Interesting dilemma.
Are you accepted into a BS in arch program or a 5yr BArch at UofM? Sorry, I’m not familiar with either school.
A 5yr BArch program is a “all in” deal. You really have to commit from year one with little options for other classes, and I imagine arch engineering may be the same. Is it?
If you go to Boulder and love it, will you really be able to pay for it?
If you go to Boulder and decide to return to UofM, will you be able to enter the arch major? If so how many classes will transfer in (I bet you’ll have to start over as a first year, so call them and ask).</p>
<p>OK, some quick thoughts…</p>
<p>Sounds like the money difference is enough that you don’t want to go to Boulder, yet you really want arch/eng. Have you looked for other schools that are more affordable and do have an arch/eng major?</p>
<p>Check UofM arch, how much engineering and physics can you take there and still be on track for you arch major.</p>
<p>Check with UofM arch and see if they know of students who in the past have transfered out into an arch/eng program and where.</p>
<p>Go to UofM and take classes that are transferable to an arch/eng program elsewhere and transfer after a year or two?</p>
<p>Take a gap year, find some work if you can in your major and re-apply for admissions (as a first year so you qualify for FA) at schools with ArchEng. At least take a hard look this week at schools that this option may work for you with your stats, $$$, major, location etc.</p>
<p>If FA is not an issue go for the ArchEng, and transfer back to UofM if it doesn’t work out in Boulder, but you may not be able to come back into a BArch program without starting over as a first year student…</p>
<p>Not sure any of that will be useful to you…</p>
<p>Thank you for the response. This is probably going to get lengthy, so sorry if I ramble on.</p>
<ul>
<li><p>At UMN, I am currently accepted into the pre-arch program. Everyone who is accepted to the college of design as an architecture major has to complete this year first. After completing the first year of “pre-arch” you must apply to either the BA or BDA program to continue. Whichever path you choose, the sophomore year will be the same for both the BA and the BDA. After year 2, you have the option to apply to the BS program. So pretty much, no matter which route I choose, the first two years will be the same, and the last two will be different depending on if I get a BS, BA, or BDA. None of which are a BArch (obviously). Does that all make sense?</p></li>
<li><p>A degree for a BS in Arch Engineering at Boulder is only a 4 year program. However, their architecture program kind of confuses me. “You will begin the program as a Bachelor of Environmental Design (BEnvd) student, whether you are an entering freshman, transfer, or international student.” So you pretty much start off as a BEnvd student, but after 2 years you have to choose an “emphasis”, architecture being one of them. But because of the above quote, “You will being the program … wheather you are an entering transfer” leads me to believe that it’d be hard to transfer in / out of this program. Although… I really am uncertain about how all of these things work it sounds like it’d be a real chore.</p></li>
<li><p>The whole money situation would be tough. I’m financing my entire schooling alone, but I am assuming I will get a lot of financial aid from Boulder. I got quite a bit at all my other schools, and got more than enough (22000) offered to me at the U of Minn, so I’m hoping for a lot at Boulder… I’d be in super-debt after school, but it might be worth it…</p></li>
<li><p>I’ve looked up all of the schools that have Arch Engin., and another option would have been UND (U of North Dakota). Because of reciprocity, it would be cheap… But it’s in North Dakota. And I just don’t want to go there…haha.</p></li>
<li><p>The U’s Arch program requires 2 math and 2 physics classes. I’ll have to call them up and ask if they know of anyone transferring out of their program and into Arch Engineering. </p></li>
<li><p>Transferring after a year or two could definitely be an option, but I’d really, really like to stay at the same place all 4 years… And I really don’t want a gap year.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>It’s just a tough decision! Again, thanks for your input.</p>
<p>From the money side, which is really important, sounds like unless Boulder kicks in with a ton of FA you should consider UMN, taking the ‘most transferable’ classes and do well enough that you can transfer into a program more to your liking (which could change in a year or so!). I know four years at the same place seems nice, but think how much you’ve changed in the past few years, and I’d bet you’re still changing.</p>
<p>Yeah, I agree with you… unfortunately. I live very close to the UofM, and I really… I mean really, wanted to leave state. The close location is really the only drawback for me. Well, that and no Architectural Engineering.</p>
<p>Also, not sure how relevant this is, but here is the first year pre-arch course outline at the UofM:</p>
<p>Fall Semester: Arch 1701 (The Designed Environment), Freshmen Writing, Math 1142 or 1271 (Short Calc or Calc), 2 Liberal Arts Reqs.</p>
<p>Spring Semester: Arch 1281 (Design Fundamentals I), Physics, 2 Liberal Arts Reqs</p>
<p>I think you need to decide what you want to do. If you want to be a structural engineer, or a construction project manager, then an Architectural Engineering degree would be valuable. However if you want to be an architect, then go get an architecture degree, the engineering portion is not going to add a lot to your value.</p>
<p>i would suggest doing further research into both fields. the engineer is given the design of the architect and tests it for feasibility. the architect is more concerned on what the building looks like and design qualities whereas the engineer is more concerned with the math and physics, making sure that the building stands up, etc. so i would say you need to decide which is more appealing and go from there.</p>
<p>I’ve spent countless hours researching and talking about this with close relatives / friends, but I still can’t decide. At this point I feel like I can do all the research I want, but still won’t really know whats for me until I actually try everything. However, as of right now, I AM leaning more to the architecture side of things. But like I said… I’d like to give the engineering portion a shot. </p>
<p>Although I do understand the basics, I don’t really know if there actually is any benefit to an ArchEngin. degree as opposed to a civil/structural degree. The UofM has a Civil/Structural program that I could potentially take up… But like I said, I am leaning more to the architecture side of things, which is why I think I like the title of Architectural Engineering. Maybe it’s only because it has the word ‘architect’ in it… hah.</p>
<p>Do either of you know of any links to sites that might be useful for me to read up on?</p>
<p>From what i have seen, architectural engineering is basically structural engineering or civil engineering with a different name. It is still engineering and you would not design buildings/structures with an architectural engineering degree because the NAAB does not certify the architectural engineering and therefore you cannot get your AIA licensee.</p>