B.Arch - Bachelor of Architecture
The Bachelor of Architecture degree is offered in a five-year curriculum, which focuses on the design laboratory. The studio sequence consists of four segments: a three-year basic core, three-semester topic studios, and a two-semester long culminating senior project. Lecture classes in Architecture Theory and History, Human Behavior, Professional Practice, Programming, Sustainability, Building Technology, Structures, Codes and Digital Media are closely coordinated with the studio sequence, and students are expected to demonstrate their knowledge of these areas in their design projects.
Course work within the Department of Architecture is open only to those students who have been admitted to the Department and are designated Architecture majors.
Admission to the undergraduate program is possible either as a first-time freshman or as a transfer student from a recognized college.
Undergraduate admissions are processed and managed by the University (not by the Department of Architecture).
The undergraduate program in the Department of Architecture is considered to be "impacted," that is, many more students apply than can be accommodated each year and a supplementary admissions process is required by the University and the Department; all candidates must meet regular University admission standards as well as additional standards required by the Department of Architecture.
For specific information, and application instructions, please refer to the Office of Admissions & Enrollment Planning.
For further information about University requirements for "impacted" majors, please refer to the Undergraduate Admissions for freshmen and for transfer student requirements: Office of Admissions - Impacted Majors.
Freshman Applicants
Freshman applicants must meet the minimum California State University eligibility requirements to be considered for admission. If you meet the minimum CSU requirements, Cal Poly Pomona will consider your application using supplemental criteria that may vary depending on the academic major you have chosen.
The California State Univeristy (CSU) has elimated the use of SAT/ACT test scores when making undergraduate decisions. Applicants may still submit these scores, however, they will NOT be used for admission purposes. If admitted, these scores maybe used for first year course placement.
For additional information visit Cal Poly Pomona's Freshman Requirements and Deadlines page.
Transfer Applicants
Admission of transfer students from community colleges is based on college grade point averages. As of fall 2004 admissions, the University is only accepting upper division transfers.
Upper division transfers must complete 60 semester (90 quarter) units of transferable coursework, including 30 semester (45 quarter) units of courses equivalent to general education requirements, with a grade of "C" or better by the end of the spring semester to be considered for the next fall semester.
For additional information on Transfer Admissions, please refer to:
https://www.cpp.edu/admissions/transfer/app-checklist.shtml.
Transfer applicants to the B.Arch. program are first vetted by the university and admitted based upon a minimum 3.2 GPA (per available space). Upper division transfers must have completed 60 semester units of transferable credit, 30 units of which meet GE requirements with a “C” or better. Transfer students offered admissions who seek 2nd or 3rd year placement MUST submit a portfolio of their design work, including a copy of their transcripts, directly to the Department for review and cohort level placement.
Transfer applicants are placed in 2nd or 3rd year after a review of their transcripts by the Department Transfer Admissions Committee (DTAC) who verify that the applicant’s Architecture coursework is equivalent to CPPARC 1st year for placement in 2nd year or, for students seeking 3rd year placement, that coursework equivalent to both CPPARC 1st and 2nd year curriculum was successfully completed.
ALL transfer applicants seeking advanced placement MUST submit a portfolio of their work to the Department. The portfolio is reviewed by the DTAC to verify a student is prepared for success at the level where they are placed. Any transfer applicant who does not submit a portfolio is automatically placed in 1st year.
The portfolio plays a key role in determining advanced standing. In addition to succesful completion of the following prerequisites or their equivalents.
For 2nd Year placement, students must show equivalent skills and design to those learned at CPP ARC and also have completed the following courses:
- ARC 1010 - Introduction to Design Theories and Methods (2) (E)
- ARC 1020 - Visual Literacy and Civilization: An Architect's View (2) (C2)
- ARC 1022A - Visual Literacy and Civilization: An Architect's View Activity (1) (C2)
- COMM 2204 - Advocacy and Argument (3) (A1)
- ENG 2105 - Written Reasoning (3) (A3)
- MAT 1060 - Trigonometry (3) (B4)
- PHY 1210 - Physics of Motion, Fluids, and Heat (3) (B1)
- PHY 1210L - Physics of Motion, Fluids, and Heat Laboratory (1) (B3)
- ARC 1502A - Foundation Digital Design Activity (3)
- 2 semesters of Architectural Design Studios (6 semester units total)
To be placed in 3rd Year, the student must have extensive architectural design (equivalent to the first two years at CPP ARC) and have completed the following prerequisites or their equivalents:
- ARC 1010 - Introduction to Design Theories and Methods (2) (E)
- ARC 1020 - Visual Literacy and Civilization: An Architect's View (2) (C2)
- ARC 1022A - Visual Literacy and Civilization: An Architect's View Activity (1) (C2)
- COMM 2204 - Advocacy and Argument (3) (A1)
- ENG 2105 - Written Reasoning (3) (A3)
- MAT 1060 - Trigonometry (3) (B4)
- PHY 1210 - Physics of Motion, Fluids, and Heat (3) (B1)
- PHY 1210L - Physics of Motion, Fluids, and Heat Laboratory (1) (B3)
- ARC 1501A - Foundation Digital Design Activity (3)
- ARC 2011 - Introduction to Sustainable Architectural Design (2)
- ARC 2011A - Introduction to Sustainable Architectural Design (1)
- ARC 2500A - Intermediate Digital Design Activity (3)
- ARC 3210/ARC 3212 -Structures 1 (3)
- ARC 3310/ARC 3312 - Environmental Controls Systems 1 (3)
- ARC 3410/ARC 3412 - Building Construction 1 (3)
- ARC 3610/ARC 3612 - Architectural History, Ancient to Medieval (C1) (3)
- 4 semesters of Architectural Design Studios (12 semester units total)
View the CPP/ARC Rubric used to assess transfer student portfolios for placement.
International Applicants
Known for its outstanding academic programs, Cal Poly Pomona offers excellent education for international students who wish to pursue a degree in the United States.
Current and future International Students in Cal Poly academic programs must contact the International Center for information regarding visas, guidelines for maintaining academic progress, and procedures for internships and post graduation work.
For additional information on Incoming International Students and requirements, please refer to:
Apply as an International Student
Change of Majors
As of Fall 2004 admissions, the University is only accepting upper division requests to Change of Major applicants. Students who are currently enrolled at Cal Poly Pomona must apply by submitting a Change of Major Petition to the College of Environmental Design Office of Student Affairs (Building 7, Room 106A).
The petitions must be received between November 1 and November 30 of each year. Change of Major applicants requesting a change of major must have a minimum GPA of 3.2 to submit a request and are subject to competition for placement with transfer students, with GPAs typically about 3.6.
Selecting a 2nd Choice Major in the College of ENV
The Department of Architecture recommends Freshmen and Transfer applicants consider selecting one of the other degrees/majors of the College of Enviromental Design (ENV) as a second choice on their Cal Poly Pomona Applications.
Architecture recommends Landscape Architecture as a strong second choice for applicants interested in Architecture. The Department of Landscape Architecture is nationally ranked and a very well-respected program. The department offers a 4-year Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture (BSLA) with the opportunity of advanced placement for transfer applicants with previous design education. Landscape Architecture is a design-focused discipline that explores the formal and systematic relationships of ecology and culture through a range of design scales and urban design issues. A degree in Landscape Architecture also provides a very strong foundation for graduate studies in Architecture. Students can complete a Master of Architecture in 3 or less years following a 4-year undergraduate degree in Landscape Architecture. Learn more about the Landscape Architecture program at Cal Poly Pomona here: Landscape Architecture
Contact
For information regarding admissions to the B.Arch degree program, please contact:
Administrative Coordinator
Sam Winfield
dswinfield@cpp.edu
(909) 869-4114
The BArch, or Bachelor of Architecture, requires 150 semester units for the degree.
The 150 semester units include:
- 48 semester units of General Education (of these, 12 units are within the Department of Architecture/College of Environmental Design)
- 102 semester units within the Department of Architecture (of these, 16 units are professional electives, which allows students to focus on Sustainability, Historic Preservation, Health Care Design, History/Theory, or Digital Media, if they choose to do so.)
Undergraduate B.Arch Flow Chart
B.Arch Curriculum sheets can be found here.
Core Courses for Major
Required of all students. A 2.0 cumulative GPA is required in core courses, including sub-plan courses for the major, in order to receive a degree in the major.
| Architectural Studios | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Name |
| ARC 1011A | Foundation Design 1 Activity (4) |
| ARC 1011 | Foundation Design 1 (1) |
| ARC 1021A | Foundation Design 2 Activity (4) |
| ARC 1021 | Foundation Design 2 (1) |
| ARC 2011A | Second Year Design 1 Activity (4) |
| ARC 2011 | Second Year Design 1 (1) |
| ARC 2021A | Second Year Design 2 Activity (4) |
| ARC 2021 | Second Year Design 2 (1) |
| ARC 3011A | Third Year Design 1 Activity (4) |
| ARC 3011 | Third Year Design 1 (1) |
| ARC 3021A | Third Year Design 2 Activity (4) |
| ARC 3021 | Third Year Design 2 (1) |
| ARC 4011A | Topics in Architectural Design 1 Activity (4) |
| ARC 4011 | Topics in Architectural Design 1 (1) |
| ARC 4021A | Topics in Architectural Design 2 Activity (4) |
| ARC 4021 | Topics in Architectural Design 2 (1) |
| ARC 4031A | Topics in Architectural Design 3 Activity (4) |
| ARC 4031 | Topics in Architectural Design 3 (1) |
| ARC 4611A | Senior Project Design Activity (5) |
|
Architecture Lectures/Activities/Discussions
|
|
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Name |
| ARC 1501A | Foundation Digital Design Activity (3) |
| ARC 2020 | Architectural Design Programming (3) |
| ARC 2501A | Intermediate Digital Design Activity (3) |
| ARC 2502A | Intermediate Digital Design Activity 2 (3) |
| ARC 3010A | Architectural Codes (3) |
| ARC 3020A | Housing and Urban Design (3) |
| ARC 3210 | Structures 1 (2) |
| ARC 3212 | Structures 1 Discussion (1) |
| ARC 3220 | Structures 2 (2) |
| ARC 3222 | Structures 2 Discussion (2) |
| ARC 3310 | Environmental Controls Systems 1 (2) |
| ARC 3312 | Environmental Controls Systems 1 Discussion (1) |
| ARC 3320 | Environmental Controls 2 (2) |
| ARC 3322 | Environmental Controls 2 Discussion (1) |
| ARC 3410 | Building Construction 1 (2) |
| ARC 3412 | Building Construction 1 Discussion (1) |
| ARC 3420 | Building Construction 2 (2) |
| ARC 3422 | Building Construction 2 Discussion (1) |
| ARC 3620 | Architecture from Renaissance through Modern Era (2) |
| ARC 3622 | Architecture from Renaissance through Modern Era Discussion (2) |
| ARC 4400 | Design Development (1) |
| ARC 4402A | Design Development Activity (2) |
| ARC 4501A | Advanced Digital Design Activity 1 (3) |
| ARC 4502A | Advanced Digital Design Activity 2 (3) |
| ARC 4503A | Advanced Digital Design Activity 3 (3) |
| ARC 4610 | Senior Project Research and Programming (3) |
| ARC 4620 | Senior Project Material and Structural Integration (1) |
Professional Electives
Select 16 units from below or from approved supplemental department list:
| Electives | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Name |
| ARC 4110 | Study Abroad Seminar 1 (3) |
| ARC 4120 | Study Abroad Seminar 2 (3) |
| ARC 4130 | China Study Abroad Seminar 1 (3) |
| ARC 4140 | China Study Abroad Seminar 2 (3) |
| ARC 4150 | Topics in Urban Form of the Americas (3) |
| ARC 4160 | Drawing as Theory (2) |
| ARC 4162A | Drawing as Theory Activity (1) |
| ARC 4170 | Advanced Urban Design (3) |
| ARC 4190 | Urbanism and Film (3) |
| ARC 4250 | Advanced Structural Theory (3) |
| ARC 4260 | Advanced Structural Design (3) |
| ARC 4310 | Sustainable Technology (3) |
| ARC 4320 | High Performance Design (3) |
| ARC 4340 | Tools for Sustainability (3) |
| ARC 4350 | Advanced Architectural Lighting (3) |
| ARC 4360 | Advanced Sustainable Design (3) |
| ARC 4370 | Carbon Neutral Architectural Design (3) |
| ARC 4440 | Advanced Architectural Materials Research (3) |
| ARC 4510A | Advanced Digital Modeling Activity (3) |
| ARC 4520A | Advanced Digital Design Media Activity (3) |
| ARC 4530A | Digitally Enhanced Construction and Fabrication Activity (3) |
| ARC 4540A | Interactive Media for Architects Activity (3) |
| ARC 4610 | Senior Project Research and Programming (3) |
| ARC 4620 | Senior Project Material and Structural Integration (3) |
| ARC 4640 | American Architecture |
| ARC 4642 | American Architecture Discussion |
| ARC 4650 | Contemporary Architecture (3) |
| ARC 4660 | Architecture as Philosophy (3) |
| ARC 4670 | California Architecture (3) |
| ARC 4680 | Latin American Architecture (3) |
| ARC 4690 | Topics in Southern California Architecture (3) |
| ARC 4700 | Advanced Preservation Design (3) |
| ARC 4710 | Architectural Practice |
| ARC 4712 | Architectural Practice Discussion |
| ARC 4730 | The Architect and Development Process |
| ARC 4732 | The Architect and Development Process Discussion |
| ARC 4740 | Managing a Design Firm (3) |
| ARC 4750 | Teaching Practicum (1-3) |
| ARC 4770A | Archives Practicum Activity (3) |
| ARC 4780 | Indigenous Architecture (3) |
| ARC 4790 | Topics in Preservation (3) |
| ARC 4800 | Architecture and Historic Preservation (3) |
| ARC 4810 | Behavioral Factors in Architecture (3) |
| ARC 4820 | Architectural Programming (3) |
| ARC 4840S | Community Practicum Service Learning (3) |
| ARC 4850 | Design Issues in Housing (3) |
| ARC 4860 | Institutional Environments (3) |
| ARC 4870 | Healthcare Architecture, Planning and Design (3) |
| ARC 4880 | Healthcare Facility Design and Sustainability (3) |
| ARC 4890 | Special Topics for Upper Division Students (1-3) |
| ARC 4890A | Special Topics for Upper Division Students Activity (1-3) |
| ARC 4890L | Special Topics for Upper Division Students Laboratory (1-3) |
Required Support Courses
The following major support courses should be used to satisfy the indicated GE requirements.
| Course Number | Course Name |
|---|---|
| ARC 1020 | Visual Literacy and Civilization: An Architect's View (2) (C2) and |
| ARC 1022A | Visual Literacy and Civilization: An Architect's View Activity (1) (C2) |
| Course Number | Course Name |
|---|---|
| ARC 3610 | World Architecture before the Renaissance (2) (C1) and |
| ARC 3612 | World Architecture before the Renaissance (1) (C1) |
| OR | |
| AH 2301 | World Art: Prehistory through Medieval Europe (3) (C1) |
| Course Number | Course Name |
|---|---|
| ARC 4630 | Interpreting Architecture (3) (C3) |
| Course Number | Course Name |
|---|---|
| COMM 2204 | Advocacy and Argument (3) (A1) |
| ENG 2105 | Written Reasoning (3) (A3) |
| ARC 1010 | Introduction to Design Theories and Methods (2) (E) |
| MAT 1060 | Trigonometry (3) (B4) |
| PHY 1210 | Physics of Motion, Fluids, and Heat (3) (B1) |
| PHY 1210L | Physics of Motion, Fluids, and Heat Laboratory (1) (B3) |
General Education Requirements (48 Units)
Students should consult the Academic Programs website for current information regarding this requirement. Unless specific courses are required, please refer to the list of approved courses under General Education Requirements, Areas A through E.
Area A. English Language Communication and Critical Thinking (9 units)
At least 3 units from each sub-area
1. Oral Communication
2. Written Communication
3. Critical Thinking
Area B. Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning (12 units)
At least 3 units from B1, B2, B4, and B5 including 1 unit of lab from B1 or B2 to fulfill B3
1. Physical Sciences
2. Life Sciences
3. Laboratory Activity
4. Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning
5. Science and Technology Synthesis
Area C. Arts and Humanities (12 units)
At least 3 units from each sub-area and 3 additional units from sub-areas 1 and/or 2
1. Visual and Performing Arts
2. Literature, Modern Languages, Philosophy and Civilization
3. Arts and Humanities Synthesis
Area D. Social Sciences (9 units)
At least 3 units from each sub-area
1. U.S. History and American Ideals
2. U.S. Constitution and California Government
3. Social Sciences Synthesis (upper division)
Area E. Lifelong Learning and Self-Development (3 units)
Area F. Ethnic Studies (3 units)
Interdisciplinary General Education (21 Units)
An alternate pattern for partial fulfillment of GE Areas A, C, and D available for students is the Interdisciplinary General Education (IGE) program. Students should see an advisor for specific GE coursework required by their major. Please refer to the University Catalog General Education Program section for additional information.
How IGE fulfills General Education Requirements:
Year Completion of IGE Courses Satisfies GE Requirements
First IGE 1100, IGE 1200 A2 and C2
Second/Third IGE 2100, IGE 2200 C1 and C2
IGE 2300, IGE 2400 D1 and D3
American Institutions (6 Units)
Courses that satisfy this requirement may also satisfy GE Area D1 and D2.
American Cultural Perpectives Requirement (3 Units)
Refer to the University Catalog General Education Program section for a list of courses that satisfy this requirement. Course may also satisfy major, minor, GE, or unrestricted elective requirements.
Graduation Writing Test
All persons who receive undergraduate degrees from Cal Poly Pomona must pass the Graduation Writing Test (GWT). The test must be taken by the semester following completion of 60 units for undergraduates.
Professional Practice Requirement: 500 hours
Prior to graduation, all students are required to fulfill 500 hours of work. This work must be verified by National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). See Student Policies under internship memo. Professor Marc Schulitz is the Internship Coordinator for the program.