Educational Qualifications

I wanted to take architecture as a career and wanted to pursue it in The States or The United Kingdom. But, i can't decide whether I should take Physics with Maths in the next two final years of my school or take a combination of Geography+Maths+ Psychology+Economics and then do Architecture! 

Will it be necessary for me to do Physics with maths for the next two years or can I take the above mentioned combination which will help me achieve a better percentage? Taking Physics and maths may pull me down and not help me score very high, whereas the Humanities combo may help me attain an excellent final result after which I can get an admission to any college of my preference. But, if i take Humanities next year, will I still be eligible to do architecture in the USA or the UK? 

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Congrats on your decision to pursue architecture.  As I am in the United States, I will address your questions from that perspective; please note that are some differences between U.S. and U.K.

From a preparation standpoint, the physics/mathematics sequence would be better for you.  I recognize that that sequence may be more challenging, but it will provide better preparation for you.  Ultimately, the decision is up to you.

To be sure, you may wish to contact architecture programs (http://www.archschools.org).  Most architecture programs in the U.S. will require four years of mathematics courses and three-four science courses from high school. 

Best.

 

Dr. Architecture 

Community College Courses

What classes should a student take from a community college to prepare them for a BA in Architecture?

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First, a student should be in consultation with their target architecture program to determine what courses to take as it may differ from institution to institution.  In most cases, you will want to determine what general education courses are required at the target architecture program -- i.e., calculus, physics, English composition, humanities, social sciences, etc. 

Also determine if the community college has any architecture courses that are transferrable to the target architecture program; while the community college may encourage students to take architecture courses, the target architecture program may not do so or even accept the courses as transfer credit.

If the student's schedule allows, a course in freehand drawing or art may be helpful but again, consult with the target architecture program for guidance and advice.

Dr. Architecture

Structural Engineering to Architecture

I'm a freshmen at the University of California: San Diego. My major is Structural engineering but I would like to be an architect. What kind of courses would I have to take in order to pursue a degree in architecture.
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Your desire is to become an architect, but do you plan to continue in your studies in structural engineering as an undergraduate or do you plan to transfer to an architecture program?

If you continue in engineering, you should be set to eventually pursue a graduate program in architecture - Master of Architecture with regards to mathematics and physics, but consider taking art or freehand drawing courses.

To consider transferring, contact either of the two programs in San Diego, CA to learn more about an architecture curriculum --

Woodbury University

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School of Architecture
http://www.woodbury.edu

NewSchool of Architecture and Design

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http://www.newschoolarch.edu

Dr. Architecture

Course in Preparation for MArch

I suppose I'm a fairly unfamiliar case of someone in his mid 20s who thinks he now wants to become an architect. I could go on at length on why this makes sense to me now, at this point in my life, but I'll keep it short.

I have little to no experience in architecture or design. I have a BA in Religion from a small liberal arts college in PA. I took a freshmen year "architecture and nature" course (earmarked for a general curriculum credit) and an intro to drawing class my senior year. In July next year, I will receive my MA in Global & International Studies from UC Santa Barbara, which is code for international non-profit management.

My goal is to work next year as a teacher somewhere and save up my money. If I were to go back to school for a MArch (3 years approx., correct?), then it wouldn't be before Fall 2011, and even then it might only be part-time.

So here's my question...

While I have the chance to take electives at a big university before getting the degree next July, what sort of courses should I take that would help me out later down the road in architecture school? Are there specific courses that I could take now that might free me up from taking them as a first-year architecture student? In college, I have taken math up to Calc II, and no physics.
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It is doubtful that you would be able to take courses now that would be accepted as coursework typically taken during the first year of a Master of Architecture. To be sure, you should contact the programs to which you plan to apply.

However, aside from the mathematics and physics, many programs require prerequisites in freehand drawing and/or architectural history. Again, check with the programs for exact requirements. The best courses are those that will generate materials for your the portfolio that you will need to submit as part of your application. To that end, courses in drawing, sculpture, photography, art, etc. Any course that will connect your brain, eye and hand.

For ideas on portfolios, visit -- www.portfoliodesign.com --

Dr. Architecture