Course Descriptions

Anticipated Course Offerings 2011-2012

Each academic year, the courses offered vary slightly, both in variety and by the term in which they are offered. View and download the Anticipated Course Offerings for 2011-2012, or pick up a copy in the Department of Architecture offices.

Course Descriptions

The list below is not a complete index of all courses offered by the Department of Architecture Please see the 2011-2012 Portland State University Bulletin for a list and description of current courses. In addition, you may elect to use the PSU Course Planning Guide to help plan your coursework.

Courses marked with an asterisk (*) are not offered every year.

Arch 100 Introduction to Architecture (4)
A course designed to introduce concepts, theories, and practices of the discipline of architecture. Includes the study of perceptual, environmental and historical concepts through lectures and individual projects in observing and making architectural space. Open to non-majors.

Arch 101 Introduction to Environmental Design (4)
Concepts and theories of the field of environmental and sustainable design. Includes a study of perceptual, technical, and philosophical concepts of natural and built resources through lectures, design projects, and individual projects. Open to non-majors.

Arch 120 Visual Communications 1 (4)
An introduction to freehand drawing focused on the delineation of interior and exterior space, starting with drawing from observation to speculative drawings, including the study of light conditions. Open to non-majors.

Arch 121 Visual Communications 2 (4)
Development of skills in graphic visualization, representation and communication as used in architecture and related design fields. Concepts and conventions, from freehand to digital media and production, used as a means to imagine, develop and represent design ideas. Prerequisite: Arch 120.

Arch 199 Special Studies
Credit to be arranged. 

Arch 201, 202 Architectural Project Management 1, 2 (6, 6) *
Set of two courses to develop project management techniques for profitable construction administration. Coursework includes utilization of estimating, critical path, and presentation software relevant to current practices. Courses must be taken in sequence.

Arch 225 Digital Graphics (4)
A beginning computer graphics course that has at its core the idea to probe, to experiment, and to investigate the computer's 3-D modeling capability as a tool for rigorous design investigations. Prerequisite: Arch 121.

Arch 230, 231, 232 Architecture and Cultural History I, II, III (4, 4, 4)
A series of courses tracing the history of Western culture through its architecture from the early Paleolithic Age to the 20th century. Must be taken in sequence.

Arch 280, 281 Design Fundamentals Studio 1, 2 (6, 6)
Foundational design studio sequence initiating awareness in the creative language of architecture through practical assignments in drawing, modeling, and artful making.  Prerequisite: Arch 100, 101, 121.

Arch 330, 331 20th Century Architectural History & Theory 1, 2 (4, 4) *
Introduction to the history and theories of Modernism from the late 19th Century to the present. Explores diverse contemporary issues with a focus on the relationship between theory and the art of making buildings. Prerequisite: 6 credits of lower-division art history.

Arch 340 The Profession of Architecture (4) *
Introduction to the profession and practices of architecture. Topics include education, licensure, ethics, and architecture's specialized knowledge.

Arch 341 Developing as a Professional (4) *
An interdisciplinary course designed for students to gain an understanding of professional development as a sequence of processes.

Arch 343 Architectural Project Management III (6) *
Concluding course to develop project management techniques for profitable construction administration. Coursework includes utilization of software relevant to current practices and final project. Prerequisites: Arch 201, 202.

Arch 344 Construction Codes and Compliance (4) *
Examination of codes and regulations that govern construction with an emphasis on practical application. Industry standards include: Uniform Building Code, Americans with Disabilities Act, and Oregon amendments.

Arch 345 Advanced Construction Projects (4) *
Practical experience in architectural project management, estimating, site inspection, scheduling, and other construction field applications; usually with a contractor, material supplier, or construction trades service provider.

Arch 350, 351 Architectural Structures 1, 2 (4, 4) 8
A two-course sequence introducing structural characteristics involved in the design and construction of buildings: statics/strengths of materials and structural design problems. Prerequisites: Math 111 and 112.

Arch 360, 361, 362  Building Tectonics 1, 2, 3 (4, 4, 4)
A three-course sequence introducing technologies involved in the design and construction of buildings: materials and methods, mechanical systems, and environmental building systems. Must be taken in sequence. Prerequisite: Arch 281.

Arch 367 Fundamentals of Environmental Design (4)
Concepts of climate and its relationship to personal comfort. Approaches and concepts range from urban design to individual buildings in order to minimize use of mechanical systems. Prerequisite: Junior year standing.

Arch 380, 381, 382 Architectural Design Studio 1, 2, 3 (6, 6, 6)
Studio investigations of fundamental design concepts, issues, and processes. Projects and exercises focus on the concepts of making three-dimensional forms—organization, proportion, scale, human activities, and site/building design relationships. Courses must be taken in sequence. Prerequisites: Arch 100, 120, 121, 230, 231, 232, 280, 281, and passing Portfolio Review.

Arch 384 Architectural Design Focus Studio I (3) *
Studio investigations of architectural designs based on supporting human activities, structure and theory. Includes individual criticism, lectures and seminars. Prerequisite: Arch 380.

Arch 385 Architectural Design Focus Studio II (3) *
Studio investigations of architectural designs based on supporting human activities, structure and theory. Includes individual criticism, lectures and seminars. Prerequisite: Arch 380.

Arch 410 Selected Topics
Intermittent offerings focusing on architecture and design issues as determined by faculty and students. Credit to be arranged.

Arch 420/520 Advanced Architectural Graphics and Media(4)
Studio assignments engaging a full range of exploratory drawings and models to explore spatial representation.

Arch 421/521 Urban Design Methods (4)
Introduction to analytical and synthetic research methodologies inherent in the design of natural, architectural and urban contexts essential to contemporary urban design practice.

Arch 425/525, 426/526 Architectural Computer Graphics 1, 2 (4, 4)
Introduction to computer-assisted design. Courses focus on software as used in the architectural field. Arch 425 introduces methods for constructing 2-D drawings; Arch 426 introduces methods for visualizing 3-D architectural spaces and forms. Prerequisite: Arch 180 and 181, or consent of instructor.

Arch 430/530 Architectural Theory (4)
Seminar course investigating architectural theory and critical thought by examination of key texts and contemporary architectural works.

Arch 431/531 Studies in Contemporary Urban Design (4)
Seminar course investigating the relationships between the making of individual works of architecture and the making of cities.

Arch 432/532 History & Theory of Urban Design (3)
Introduction to the development of historical and contemporary urban design with parallel developments in architecture and urban planning.

Arch 460/560 Advanced Architectural Technology (4)
A lecture and seminar course providing exploration of current advanced building technology and form generative reponses to current sustainability issues.

Arch 466 Specifications Interpretation (4)
Use of specifications and interpreting plans organized around the Construction Specifications Institute format for construction documents.

Arch 467/567 Advnaced Architectural Structures (4)
A workshop and seminar based course addressing the design and construction of lalrge-scale structural systems.

Arch 480, 481 Architectural Design Studio 4, 5 (6, 6)
Advanced level investigations of architectural design based on supporting human activities, structure, and theory. Includes individual criticism, lectures, and seminar discussions. Courses must be taken in sequence. Prerequisites: Arch 382.

Arch 531 Pro-Thesis Seminar (4)
A research and seminar based course to identify, define and articulate specific cultural issues and concerns that will become the inspiration for individual design thesis proposals.

Arch 561 Detail Design (4)
A companion course to the Design Thesis, developing the technological implications of the thesis proposition.

Arch 580, 581, 582 Architectural Design Studio 7, 8, 9 (6, 6, 6)
Advanced investigations of architectural design issues in concluding series of studios. Includes individual criticism, lectures and seminars. Courses must be taken in sequence. Prerequisites: Arch 481.

Arch 583 Architectural Design Studio 10 (6)
Studio projects and critical discussions addressing themes and issues pertinent to the imaginative design of architectural intervention in urban environments. Includes individual criticism, lectures and seminars. Courses must be taken in sequence.

Arch 584 Design Development Studio (6)
A studio course offering intensive creative study in laying the foundation for, and developing, an architectural design strategy and approach in preparation for the student generated thesis proposition. Prerequisites: Arch 511.

Arch 585 Design Thesis (6)
A studio course offering focused culmination of architectural design studies by means of a student generated thesis proposition incorporating research, development, and creative transformation for a specific urban situation. Prerequisites: Arch 511, 584.