SPSU Architecture Curriculum

Bachelor of Architecture (BArch)

Southern Polytechnic's School of Architecture is a 2 + 3 program, two years of Design Foundation, and three years of Professional Program. Architecture Program at SPSU continually strives to institute a dynamic and integrated approach for design learning. Design education that embraces change to stay current in technology and its ever-evolving shifts, implications and effects on the architectural practice and theory. Students are prepared to be a critical thinker and a problem solver to meet the real-world challenges for improving our physical and built environment while being competitive to meet the needs of our professional and global markets.

After successfully completion of all course requirements of the Design Foundation Program and upon acceptance of Design Portfolio composed with all four semesters of design work, Architecture Faculty recommends students to enter Third Year in the Professional Program.

Third Year focuses on small to medium scale projects integrating design and technology, with special attention to organization, spatial sequencing, and patterns of use. Fourth Year begins concentrating on large scale urban projects with special attention to contemporary architectural theory and practice.

Fifth year is devoted to Diploma Project. It is an independent design study to demonstrate the ability and understanding of successfully completing a comprehensive design project of student’s choice pursued under the guidance of a three-member design committee. Diploma Design Projects concurrently combines agents of theorem and practicum to resolve complex urban and architectural design issues to achieve a comprehensive design solution to a physical setting under study.

Complete Flow Chart of Curriculum

Evening Path

Initiated in the summer of 2002, the Architecture Evening Path offers evening design studios to qualified students who wish to earn the Bachelor of Architecture degree. Candidates for the evening program must be graduates with a Bachelor of Architectural Engineering Technology Degree or a 4-year Bachelor of Arts or Science Degree (where the main concentration of course work is in architecture)

Admission to the Evening Path will be based on proof of the appropriate degree, evaluation of transcripts with course descriptions, academic portfolio (professional or office work is not acceptable) and three letters of recommendation from students’ previous academic institution.

Course Descriptions

For Information regarding available classes offered in Design Foundation, Architecture Program, and other programs on campus, please follow the links below. Also included below, is a link to accepted electives outside of the Architecture Program.

Design Foundation Classes

Architecture Classes

General Catalog

Study Abroad

The Architecture Program at SPSU continually strives to foster a broad spectrum of design exposure. Local, National and International Design Collaborations are in place to activate intellectual forums for our SPSU architecture faculty and students for exchanging design ideas, research and applications with faculty and students in Asia, Europe and other parts of the world.

Students are strongly encouraged to be part of the global community. Architecture Program at SPSU makes every effort to provide students’ opportunities to participate in national and international exchange programs for broadening their design exposure and understanding of other cultural approaches that help shape their uniquely built environment:

Exchange Programs

Anhalt University of Applied Science, Dessau, Germany

The Dessau Summer School of Architecture exists as a part of an exchange program offered between Anhalt University of Applied Science and its partners abroad. Every summer, SPSU sends architecture students to Dessau, home to the world famous Bauhaus, to participate in this opportunity abroad. The program emphasizes the exceptional role that Dessau and the surrounding regions play in modern architecture. Students explore Modernism by participating in supervised design and drawing studios where they discover their own interpretations of Modernism through individual and collaborative projects. Students travel to Germany for 6-8 weeks for courses in architecture and German culture. Studying abroad is a unique and often once in a lifetime opportunity for students to widen their cultural perspective before entering into a professional practice. If you are interested in a study abroad program, contact the front office for information regarding the next available trip.

School of Science and Engineering, North China University of Technology

International Architectural and Urban Design Workshops

Dealing with the Ugliness: Aveiro, Portugal
Stone and Waterfront: Urban Renewal of Bellagio, Italy
International Workshop Bochum: Backside of the City, Bochum, Germany

Spring Architecture Calendar

8-Jan		First day of class
15-Jan		Holiday
14-Feb		Withdrawal day

4-10 March		Spring Break

18-Apr		First Year Final Review
20-Apr		Second Year Final Review
23-Apr		Third Year Final Review
25-Apr		Senior Final Review

26-Apr		Last day of class
27 April - 2 May		Finals

27-Apr		Thesis Final Review Day 1
28-Apr		Thesis Final Review Day 2
29-Apr		Thesis Final Review Day 3

5-May		Graduation