Architectural Technology

BS Degree - Code #1452

The Bachelor of Science in architectural technology at Alfred State is a pre-professional program that focuses on history, design theory, and building systems, along with the graphic and oral communication skills required to present design ideas to others. A variety of graphic tools and techniques are explored in the studios including freehand drawing, physical models, 2D and 3D building information modeling, and animation applications. Software such as Adobe Revit, 3ds Max, and Photoshop are used throughout the program. Students are exposed to a wide range of software programs, graphic communication techniques, and problem-solving skills.

The program will place graduates in the architectural profession as advanced technicians or intern architects.

A laptop computer is required for students entering the architectural technology program. See laptop specifications at www.alfredstate.edu/academics/programs/laptop-required-curriculums.

PROGRAM STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

In addition to the PSLO's for the architectural engineering technology AAS program, the architectural technology BS program PSLO's include:

• Defend and justify, through verbal and graphic presentations, the methodology used in formulating architectural design solutions.
• Analyze the principles of sustainability in making architectural decisions that conserve natural and built resources, including culturally important buildings and sites, and in the creation of healthful buildings and communities.
• Formulate a comprehensive program for an architectural project, including assessment and analysis of client and user needs, appropriate precedents, space and equipment requirements, site conditions, relevant laws and standards to evaluate their implication for the project in terms of site selection and design assessment criteria.
• Produce a comprehensive architectural project based on a building program and site that includes development of programmed spaces and demonstrate an understanding of structural, environmental and building envelope systems, life-safety provisions, wall sections, building assemblies, and the principles of sustainability.
• Recognize the varied talent found in interdisciplinary design project teams in professional practice and work in collaboration with other students as members of a design team.
• Compose a document that requires the gathering, assessment, recording and application of relevant information and incorporate concepts and precedents into projects related to both architectural and general studies.
• Evaluate issues and raise clear and precise questions, use abstract ideas to interpret information, consider diverse points of view, reach well-reasoned conclusions, and test them against relevant criteria and standards orally and in writing.
• Evaluate the comparative effectiveness of a structural, environmental, life safety, envelope, and service systems, materials and assemblies and conceptually integrate the components into a building design.
• Compare and demonstrate an understanding of the Western, non-Western, national and regional architectural canons and traditions in architecture, as well as the climatic, technological, socioeconomic, and other cultural factors that have shaped and sustained them.

TRANSFER OPPORTUNITIES

Graduates wishing to continue their education may choose to apply to a Master of Architecture or related program. Length of program is contingent upon program and institutional requirements.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

• Architect (after successfully meeting state requirements)
• Model Builders
• Drafters/Detailers
• Inspectors
• 3D Modelers/Animators
• Illustrators
• Specifications Writers
• Sales Representatives
• Estimators

EMPLOYMENT STATISTICS

Employment and transfer rate of 100 percent – 64 percent are employed; 36 percent transferred to continue their education.

RELATED PROGRAMS

Construction Management Engineering Technology

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS/RECOMMENDATIONS

Recommended: Pre-calculus, Physics

TRANSFER STUDENTS

All transfer students applying for entrance into the BS program must submit a portfolio.

Portfolio must include six (6) to eight (8) examples of the student’s best work. Examples should be copies (not originals) of design work including any work in the two- or three-dimensional visual arts done in academic settings, practice, or as personal work. All work must include the name of applicant, date of work, and an indication of whether the work was an academic, professional, or personal project. If the item is part of a group effort, the specific role of the applicant should be included.

All portfolio material must be bound. Portfolio overall size must not be more than 10” x 12” (25 cm x 30 cm) and 1” (2.5 cm) thick. The applicant’s name must be clearly visible on the binding. The use of slides is discouraged.

The portfolio should be submitted by mail in a padded envelope to:

Admissions Office

Alfred State

10 Upper College Drive

Alfred, NY 14802

The department will keep portfolio materials unless a prepaid, self-addressed return envelope is mailed with the applicant’s portfolio. Portfolios held by the department will be discarded if not retrieved by the applicant in one semester.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Successfully complete all courses in the prescribed eight-semester program and earn a minimum cumulative index of 2.0, which is equivalent to a “C” average.

As part of the graduation requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree in architectural technology, students must complete a portfolio according to the following guidelines:

• The portfolio must contain a minimum of six (6) examples of creative academic work. These examples should demonstrate achievements as a designer. A minimum of two (2) examples must be from studio class projects in the last two years of the program. A maximum of two (2) examples may be of non-graphic work (example: written work).
• Each example will be accompanied by a short description of the project and solution, and include the name of the class the project was produced for. If the item is part of a group effort, the specific role of the student should be included.
• Completed portfolios must be submitted digitally in Portable Document Format (PDF) on a CD or as directed by the department chair.
• Portfolios will be evaluated to determine whether they should be graded as “High Pass,” “Pass,” or “Fail.” This assessment will appear on the student’s permanent Alfred State transcript.
• The completed portfolio must be submitted to the Department of Architecture and Design Office by April 1. This is an absolute deadline; no portfolios will be accepted after the April 1 deadline. Evaluation will be done on a yearly basis by faculty reviewers. All decisions are final.

Evaluation Criteria

• Work in student portfolios should demonstrate:
• Understanding of the philosophy of building design and problem solving skills, through original and thorough design thinking;
• Ability to legibly communicate design ideas in graphic and written form;
• A working knowledge of a variety of construction systems and materials and how they affect building design;
• Competence in the use of graphic tools and techniques including freehand drawing, computer-aided drafting, physical models, and computer imaging.

SEMESTER ABROAD OPTION

Alfred State has an agreement with Sorrento Lingue International Language Institute (Sant'Anna Institute) in Sorrento, Italy, to offer an optional semester abroad to its students. Learn more at www.alfredstate.edu/study-abroad/semester-in-italy#Architecture-Studies.