Program Requirements
The M.Sc. in Architecture (Thesis) is a research-intensive program of study, focusing on critical skills in research, analysis, experimentation, design research, and interpretation that are applicable in the profession, allied disciplines, and society. The program accommodates several areas of study, capitalizing on faculty expertise. It offers flexibility between a written or design-oriented thesis, and promotes close interaction between students and faculty in sponsored and unsponsored research. Original research on architectural, engineering, landscape, and urban issues of interest with implications for the built environment are conducted to develop the student's research skills and competencies for doctoral studies or a leadership role in professional practice.
Required Courses
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ARCH 627 Research Methods (3 credits)
Overview
Architecture : Survey of research methods relevant to architecture. Introduction to research ethics; differentiating between primary and secondary methods; contrasting macro- and micro-social approaches; setting research questions; undertaking literature scans; reviewing empirical findings by others; designing instruments and tools for primary research; conducting field research; presenting findings.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
(2-1-6)
Restriction: Open only to students enrolled in the M.Arch. (Professional), M.Arch. (Post-professional) and Ph.D. in Architecture programs.
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ARCH 630J1 Research Symposium (1 credit)
Overview
Architecture : Preparation and delivery of work in progress toward the thesis to peers and faculty.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Restriction: Open only to students in the Architecture Master's program.
(1-0-2)
Students must register for the same section of ARCH 630J1, ARCH 630J2, and ARCH 630J3 in consecutive terms.
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ARCH 630J2 Research Symposium (1 credit)
Overview
Architecture : Preparation and delivery of work in progress toward the thesis to peers and faculty.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Restriction: Open only to students in the Architecture Master's program.
(1-0-2)
Students must register for the same section of ARCH 630J1, ARCH 630J2, and ARCH 630J3 in consecutive terms.
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ARCH 630J3 Research Symposium (1 credit)
Overview
Architecture : Preparation and delivery of work in progress toward the thesis to peers and faculty.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Restriction: Open only to students in the Architecture Master's program.
(1-0-2)
Students must register for the same section of ARCH 630J1, ARCH 630J2, and ARCH 630J3 in consecutive terms.
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ARCH 694 Thesis Preparation (3 credits)
Overview
Architecture : Definition of thesis proposition, including general preoccupations and methodology; exploration of theoretical antecedents, epistemological foundations, and practical techniques pertinent to contemporary theory and practice.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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ARCH 695 Detailed Research Proposal (6 credits)
Overview
Architecture : Development and presentation of formal proposal for the Master's thesis. Research methods and methodology; research design; major debates in contemporary architectural scholarship.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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ARCH 696 Thesis Submission (18 credits)
Overview
Architecture : Independent research work under the direction of the thesis supervisor.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Complementary Courses (12 credits)
12 credits selected from the following:
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ARCH 515 Sustainable Design (3 credits)
Overview
Architecture : This course will address sustainable design theory and applications in the built environment with students from a variety of fields (architecture, urban planning, engineering, sociology, environmental studies, economics, international studies). Architecture will provide the focus for environmental, socio-cultural and economic issues.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
(3-0-6)
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ARCH 517 Sustainable Residential Development (3 credits)
Overview
Architecture : Design strategies of sustainable residential environments at the community and the unit levels. Historic references, siting principles, high density, healthy developments, green homes, urban renewal, circulation and parking, open spaces and implementation approaches.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Friedman, Abraham (Fall)
(3-0-6)
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ARCH 604 Urban Design Seminar (3 credits)
Overview
Architecture : Advanced concepts and methods used in urban design, focusing on epistemological debates, practical techniques, and philosophical concerns that shape contemporary theory and practice in the field.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
(1-2-6)
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken URBP 604.
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ARCH 626 Critical Design Strategies (3 credits)
Overview
Architecture : Study of specific contemporary design practices to inform the development of a detailed proposal for the final independent research project.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
(2-0-7)
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ARCH 635 Selected Topics in Housing 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Architecture : Special topics related to housing.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
(3-0-6)
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ARCH 641 Energy and Environments 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Architecture : Examination of technical relationships among building materials, architectural proportions, thermoregulation strategies, and human capacity to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Fortin, Remy (Winter)
(2-1-6)
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ARCH 642 Energy and Environments 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Architecture : Theories and methods for the energetic and environmental basis of architecture.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Rondinel, Daniel (Winter)
(3-0-6).
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ARCH 651 Architectural History and Theory Seminar 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Architecture : Seminar on the thematic study of modern architecture and its theoretical underpinnings as a response to technological, cultural,environmental, and philosophical challenges. Historiographic and design approaches to architectural problems encountered from the pre-industrial age to contemporary post-industrial expansion.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Bressani, Martin (Fall)
(3-0-6)
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ARCH 652 Architectural History and Theory Seminar 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Architecture : Seminar on the thematic study of modern architecture and its theoretical underpinnings as a response to technological, cultural, environmental, and philosophical challenges. Historiographic and design approaches to architectural problems encountered from the pre-industrial age to contemporary post-industrial expansion.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
(3-0-6)
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ARCH 653 Architectural History and Theory Seminar 3 (3 credits)
Overview
Architecture : Seminar on the thematic study of modern architecture and its theoretical underpinnings as a response to technological, cultural, environmental, and philosophical challenges. Historiographic and design approaches to architectural problems encountered from the pre-industrial age to contemporary post-industrial expansion.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
(3-0-6)
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ARCH 654 Architectural History and Theory Seminar 4 (3 credits)
Overview
Architecture : Seminar on the thematic study of modern architecture and its theoretical underpinnings as a response to technological, cultural, environmental, and philosophical challenges. Historiographic and design approaches to architectural problems encountered from the pre-industrial age to contemporary post-industrial expansion.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
(3-0-6)
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ARCH 670 Advanced Landscape
Theory (3 credits)
Overview
Architecture : Landscape as both process and medium linking human history and environmental change. Abiotic and biotic processes. Conceptualizations of nature, ecology, and landscape. Climate change and other anthropogenic impacts. Design as discipline-transcending work at multiple scales.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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ARCH 675 Architecture in Global
Perspective (3 credits)
Overview
Architecture : Global history of architecture and urbanism, examining contemporary cities with an architectural lens. Case studies are presented to develop capacities for critical analysis of the built environment. Key ideas and ongoing debates on urbanism and architectural design.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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ARCH 684 Contemporary Theory 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Architecture : Seminar exploring critical readings in architectural design and research.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
(3-0-6)
Restriction: Only open to students enrolled in a Master's program offered by the School.
Note: A variety of topics will be chosen for the seminar each year.
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ARCH 685 Contemporary Theory 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Architecture : Seminar exploring critical readings in architectural design and research.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
(3-0-6)
Restriction: Only open to students enrolled in a Master's program offered by the School.
Note: A variety of topics will be chosen for the seminar each year.
Other courses at the 500-level or higher, inside or outside the School, if relevant to the program of study, can be approved by the student's supervisor and Graduate Program Director.
