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Bachelor of Science in History of Architecture

Architecture

 The history of architecture major leads to a bachelor of science degree, conferred by AAP. The major is intended for transfer students from other programs at Cornell and from colleges and universities outside Cornell. Students in the Department of Architecture and the College of Arts and Sciences may take the major as part of a dual-degree program. The course of study in this major, available to students from a variety of academic backgrounds, offers the opportunity for a vigorous exploration of architecture and its history.

 

Admission requirements

The admission requirements are two years of undergraduate study, ARCH 1801, and ARCH 1802 or the equivalent. Students transferring from a B.Arch. program must be in good standing in their design sequence.

 

Procedure
All students who wish to enter the program, either from Cornell or other institutions, must apply by November 1 for spring admission or by March 1 for fall admission. Applications for both internal and external transfer students are available from the Admissions Office, College of Architecture, Art, and Planning, Cornell University, 235 Sibley Dome, Ithaca, NY 14853-6702. Completed applications must be submitted to the Admissions Office.

 

Curriculum

A student entering the program is assigned an adviser from the history of architecture faculty in the Department of Architecture. Adviser and student together prepare an appropriate two-year course of study according to the following guidelines:
  • 24 credits of 3000-level courses in architectural history: ARCH 3800 through ARCH 3819
  • 12 credits in 6000-level architectural history  seminars: ARCH 6800 through ARCH 6819; or 8 credits in a 6000-level seminar plus ARCH 4901, offered for honors candidates only
  • One 3000-, 4000-, or 6000-level course in architectural theory
  • 24 credits in electives selected in consultation with the student’s adviser
  • Qualification in one foreign language*

Students who have not completed ARCH 1801 and 1802 or equivalent at the time of matriculation are required to complete this requirement during their first year in the program in addition to one semester of design. Internal transfer students (from another program at Cornell) must complete a minimum of two semesters in residence and 30 academic credits at Cornell after entering the program. External transfer students (from another institution) must complete a minimum of four semesters in residence and 60 academic credits at Cornell. A minimum of 120 academic credits are required for the bachelor of science degree.


* Qualification in one foreign language can be demonstrated by completing three courses in one foreign language in high school, or by demonstrating advanced standing through the Cornell Advanced Standing Examination (CASE), or by successfully completing a non-introductory foreign language course of 3 or more credits at the 2000 level or above, or by successfully completing any other non-introductory course at the 2000 level or above conducted in a foreign language, or by successfully completing 11 credits of study in a single foreign language.


Students whose speaking, reading, and writing competence in a language other than English is at the same level we would expect our entering freshmen to have in English (as shown by completing high school in that language or by special examination during their first year at Cornell) are exempt from the college’s language requirement.

 

History of Architecture Honors Program

Students pursuing the history of architecture major graduate with honors if, during their two years of study in the program, they have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better in all courses, have no grade lower than A- in all history of architecture courses taken at the 3000 level, and have completed an honors thesis (ARCH 4901) deemed to be of distinguished quality by the history of architecture faculty.