This department is in the division of Science.

Architecture and Environmental Design

Architecture and Environmental Design offers courses, certificates and a degree - leading to careers in drafting Architecture, City and Regional Planning, Urban Design, Landscape Architecture and other related fields.

Overview

The Architecture curriculum is designed to provide students with the following understanding and skills:

  1. Verbal and graphic methods of communication;
  2. An understanding of the social and environmental problems in the United States and other countries;
  3. Creative solutions to existing and future problems in the United States and other countries; and
  4. How to implement new ideas in a reasonable amount of time.

The areas of study include how to develop a better quality of life through efficient housing, new building material development, new construction methods, new work methods, solar and wind power, efficient use of resources, and a reduction of waste in materials and time.

A learning-by-doing approach is stressed in preparation for the job market or for transfer to a university to further study in architecture, architectural engineering, city planning, or landscape architecture. Students planning to transfer to a four-year institution and major in one of these fields should consult with a counselor regarding the transfer process and lower division requirements.

Degrees/Certificates

Architecture and Environmental Design A.A. Degree Major

To graduate with a specialization in Architectural Design Studies, a student must complete the following courses in addition to the general breadth requirements for an Associate’s Degree. For transfer students, these courses will provide students with the tools needed to construct a portfolio that will be required to transfer into Architecture Programs at 4-year institutions. Along with a successful portfolio, these courses should also constitute the first two years of an Architecture Program. In addition, these courses should help students interested in transferring to 4-year institutions as Environmental Design, Landscape Architecture, Interior Design and Urban Planning majors.

REQUIRED COURSES: Units
ARCH 112 Environmental Design 4
ARCH 113 Environmental Design Communication 4
ARCH 145 History of Architecture: Early Design through Gothic 3
ARCH 146 History of Architecture: Renaissance through Modern 3
ARCH 212 Architectural Design and Theory II 4
ARCH 213 Architectural Design II 4
ARCH 220 Architectural Computer Aided Drafting I 4
ARCH 250 Materials and Construction 4
ARCH 070 Portfolio Design 1
PHYSIC 150A General Physics for the Life Sciences I 5
  or
PHYSIC 200 Physics I 6
ART 132A Beginning Life Drawing 3
 
Students are encouraged to take these courses as part of their General Education program:  
 
RECOMMENDED COURSES: Units
CS 110 Fundamentals of Computer Science 3
ART 120 Two-Dimensional Design 3
ART 145 Fundamentals of Graphic Design 3
MATH 093 Plane Geometry 4
MATH 103 Plane Trigonometry 4
 
Total Units 39 - 40
PROGRAM LEVEL OUTCOMES:
  1. Express a general breadth of knowledge using both verbal, written and a variety of graphic techniques
  2. Apply design principles to the analysis or development of two and three dimensional design
  3. Present two and three dimensional design project solutions explaining their problem solving procedure utilizing a variety of verbal and graphic techniques
  4. Relate the impact of various influences to the development of architectural characteristics and styles

Computer-Aided Drafting Technician Certificate

This certificate is designed to prepare students for entrylevel work in the fields of architecture, urban planning, interior design, electronics design and manufacturing design. Computer Aided Drafting, CAD, is the primary tool used to produce and present work completed in these fields. Students completing this certificate will most likely work for a licensed architect, structural engineer, mechanical engineer or for local, state or federal governmental agencies or urban planning commissions.

REQUIRED COURSES: Units
ARCH 120 Introduction to Computer Aided Drafting 4
ARCH 146 History of Architecture: Renaissance through Modern 3
ARCH 220 Architectural Computer Aided Drafting I 4
ARCH 221 Architectural Computer Aided Drafting II 4
ARCH 250 Materials and Construction 4
MATH 093 Plane Geometry 4
ENGL 015 Preparation for College Writing 4
ART 132A Beginning Life Drawing 3
 
Students are encouraged, but not required, to enroll in the following:  
 
RECOMMENDED COURSES: Units
CS 110 Fundamentals of Computer Science 3
INSPEC 010B Fundamentals of Construction Inspection I: Soils 3
INSPEC 011B Fundamentals of Construction Inspection II: Concrete and Asphalt 3
INSPEC 012 Fundamentals of Construction Inspection: Wood, Steel, Masonry 3
 
Total Units 30
PROGRAM LEVEL OUTCOMES:
  1. Create, manipulate, and organize CAD drawings using AEC industry standards 
  2. Plan and generate CAD drawing files using common and advanced CAD tools 
  3. Produce a CAD drawing to represent existing field conditions using the principles of inventory and measurement techniques 
  4. Perform basic arithmetic calculations, reading and writing appropriate to work in an industry office setting 
  5. Understand the composition and interrelationship of construction drawings

Career Opportunities

Faculty

Faculty Chair: Amy Avelar

Contact

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