<p>Is anyone/ anyone's son or daughter studying architecture in college? How much of math and science does the area of study really require? Can students go for arch even if they haven't taken too many math or science courses in high school? Do students need to take the SAT Math I/II in order to get into the architecture program (for the top 20 schools)?</p>
<p>I am not much into math and science (not terrible though; I just don't find the subjects very interesting) but I am very creative . I just wanna know if architecture is, at all, for me. I seem to be keenly interested in it.</p>
<p>Also, how long does it take to graduate with an architecture major (especially if we wanna go for a double major)?</p>
<p>For grad school architecture you will usually need math through two semesters of calculus and a year of lab physics. I would imagine that B. Arch programs that end with a professional degree would require an equivalent amount of math and science. In addition for the degree itself you will have to take some math heavy courses - generally statics (the physics of things that don’t move), and engineering courses that cover the basics for wood, steel and concrete. In real life you will probably hire engineers for anything complicated.</p>
<p>Creativity is good, but I’m not sure it’s the most important attribute for an architecture. Being able to listen to your client and translate what he/she wants into a structure that works as well as one that looks good is critical. It also helps to be a good salesman, whether you are out getting clients or selling your proposal to the local boards of architectural review or zoning.</p>
<p>An undergrad professional degree (B. Arch) is usually five years, and M. Arch. generally takes 2 or 3 depending on what your undergrad major or experience was. Double majors are very very difficult to pull off. I have never worked so hard as I did in grad school -many all nighters.</p>
<p>You will have to look at specific schools and their requirements.
WUSTL, for example, has 2 tracks for Arch majors - one is BA in Arch through the school of Arts&Sci, and the other is BS in Arch through the school of Art and Architecture. The second option is much more math/engineering heavy, but (depending on the grad school you choose) can make your grad school a year shorter.</p>
<p>Neither a B.A. or a B.Sc. is a professional degree. If there are still states that allow the apprentice route to becoming licensed you would have to do that, or else get an M. Arch as a second degree.</p>
<p>Registration requirements are complicated and different for every state. Generally you will need some combination of education, apprenticeship and passing a licensing exam.</p>
<p>both pretty much require calc and not much more. </p>
<p>If you want to go on to grad work in econ you will almost certainly need math beyond that, so in that sense econ requires more.</p>
<p>OTOH if you go in other directions, you can use econ in areas of law and policy where you really don’t need even the calc much, good algebra and a little stats should be enough. In Arch though, my impression is geometray, trig, and calc will continue to be useful, though higher math isnt really needed at all.</p>
<p>My DD will be starting in the B Arch program at RPI. They require a semester of college calc, a semester of math beyond that, I think, and a semester of college physics. </p>
<p>DD did not take the math SAT subject test, but she had taken the AP test in BC calc and did well. </p>
<p>I am not sure if other B arch programs value math as much as RPI, which is known for being a STEM focused school.</p>
<p>I get the impression that these courses help to weed out the purely artsy types. Since my DD is pretty good at math and physics, and the profession is competitive, I can’t say that troubles me. </p>
<p>Yes, in the professional world firms will hire engineers. I can’t imagine though, that having the architects be able to at least speak the language of the engineers isnt helpful.</p>
<p>A B Arch is a five year program. After that you work in the field as an “intern” and then take an exam and get licensed.</p>
<p>with a BA or BS in Arch, you will still need an M Arch to pursue the licensure track. The M Arch will usually take 2 years. If you take BA or BS in something unrelated, an M Arch will usually take 3 years, IIUC. ( B Arch can go for an M Arch, but unless they want to teach or specialize dont have to)</p>
<p>There are also three types of programs that result in a BArch or MArch - one is arts based (RISD, Pratt, Savanah), one is technical (RPI and CMU) and the others are design based that offers a little of both (Syracuse, VT, Penn State). The art-based programs rely heavily on your portfolio for admissions, the tech-based programs are looking for stellar math and science and the design-based programs are looking for the kid that can do both…although many design-based programs don’t require portfolios, they will weed out the kids in the first year that do not have an apptitude for studio art.</p>
<p>its a sequence that begins with 2d, moves to 3d art, and then to more specifically architectural problems, IIRC. </p>
<p>My understanding is that RPI still does a fair amount of hand drawing, perhaps more than is justified as the profession goes more completely computer based, but they may be increasing the CAD portion of their studio work. I am a little fuzzy on this, at this point DD has gone beyond her parents in knowledge and opinions.</p>
<p>We looked at one BA in Arch, Lehigh. They also had a studio sequence, but not as intense “The lehigh fourth year projects look like the RPI second year projects” quoth my DD. OTOH I think they are reorganizing their studio sequence. They also had a mix of hand drawing and modeling with CAD, I think. </p>
<p>Some Arch studies majors do not have studio art, IIUC, but are really arch history. You really should explore the individual programs, they vary alot.</p>
<p>My DD is not da Vinci, and her portfolio was mainly photographs, but she did show SOME drawings.</p>
<p>from what I have read elsewhere, they aren’t looking for beautiful drawings, but at least the ability to translate between 3d and 2d, which is kind of important. Others say the portfolio is just to show creativity - I don’t think they (RPI) actually require drawings. They did say they will teach the drawing skills that anyone is going to need. </p>
<p>But I cannot speak at ALL to B Arch programs at other schools. Really, you should A. Talk to those schools you are considering and B. Post on the Arch major forum</p>
<p>Also, how long does it take to graduate with an architecture major (especially if we wanna go for a double major)? </p>
<p>At lehigh they said a double major of Arch and Civil E (not your thing I guess) would take 5 years. (civil is very helpful, as an Arch major who is not a B Arch is not all that employable from what I can gather). I guess Arch and liberal arts there could be done in 4 years.</p>
<p>Double majoring while taking a B Arch sounds almost impossible. Going for 6 years isnt really a good option, as the 5 year track is pretty rigidly sequenced. OTOH I think they said a minor could be very doable.</p>
<p>While you probably don’t have to be good at hand-drawing these days. I can’t imagine not being able to quickly draw things by hands. When you meet with a client and are tossing out alternative ideas it’s nice to be able to draw them quickly on paper. But I’m old-fashioned and have never found CAD much fun to work with.</p>
<p>Every time I read one of these threads I just want to say…save yourself. Don’t do it.</p>
<p>I really believe that architecture is one of those careers where, if you don’t have a passion for it (and I mean all of it: design, construction, drawing, clients, historic buildings, attention to detail, building technology, materials), it’s not the career for you. As in…“if you have to ask, you can’t afford it”.</p>
<p>I live with one of those kinds of architects. And also since I’m not all that passionate about architecture, I’ve spent years applying my degree to other, related fields.</p>
<p>But you will find much more information and support on the Architecture Major forum linked above.</p>