MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE II
Post-Professional Degree

The Master of Architecture (M.Arch. II) is a full scholarship design research, post-professional degree open to applicants with a first professional degree in Architecture (Bachelor of Architecture or Master of Architecture I) from a program accredited by the NAAB or equivalent accrediting agency in another country. The program will serve professionals who wish to continue in practice with higher research and design skills in those areas in which the program offers specialization. It will additionally prepare those who wish to develop parallel careers in teaching and/or continue to engage in research toward an appropriate Ph.D. degree at another institution.

The program seeks to address modern and contemporary issues in the practice and theory of architecture and urbanism incorporating considerations from history as well as the present condition of globalization and the continual emergence of new scientific developments and technologies. The program will offer concentrations in one or a combination of three areas: Theory, History and Criticism of Architecture, Urban Studies, and Technologies.

The Design studio will be a major component of the program; students from all three concentrations will work together on a common program under the direction of a studio critic during the first two semesters. Seminars will address issues particular to the concentrations as well as other topics making use of the interdisciplinary resources offered by The Cooper Union.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

Theory, History and Criticism of Architecture  This area concentrates on questions concerning the history, theory and criticism of modernism and contemporary architecture, the philosophy and aesthetics of architecture, the mediatization of architecture, and broader cultural and historical issues through the critical readings of texts as well as research through studio and written work.

Urban Studies  This area concentrates on issues central to the design, planning and development of cities and regions. The focus is on the question of urban form, including the study of the morphological, social and cultural effects of globalization, the survival of local urban cultures, redevelopment of central cities, suburbs and exurbs, and issues specific to New York and comparative cities.

Technologies  This area concentrates on technological issues of architecture including the impact of new information technologies on representation and production, modeling and mapping techniques, hardware and software development, new materials and manufacturing processes, developments in new structural systems and building assemblies and the new technologies of fabrication as they influence new design strategies. It will also address the ethical, economic, and technological dimensions and design potentialities of sustainability.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS AND CURRICULUM

The program is structured to be completed in two full-time consecutive semesters with a final thesis semester during the summer session. Final Thesis presentations will take place during the first week of the fall semester following the student's year of study. Graduate students are expected to complete all 30 credits of the M.Arch. II degree requirements in continuous full-time resident study at The Cooper Union. This degree is not accredited by the NAAB.

Notes:

1. In April of the spring semester prior to advancing to ARCH 413 Thesis, each student will be required to present an elaboration of his/her thesis topic and program for review and acceptance by the faculty.

2. Seminars out of concentration: It is recommended that students register for courses originating in the graduate program (ARCH 482, ARCH 483 and ARCH 485) to satisfy their out-of concentration seminar requirements. As an alternative to satisfying requirements for their out-of-concentration coursework, the lecture component of elective courses originating in the undergraduate program at the advanced level (such as ARCH 190 Structures Elective, ARCH 225 Advanced Topics in History, Theory and Criticism, etc.) as well as ARCH 205 Advanced Concepts, will be open to students in the graduate program for credit with tutorial meetings and with graduate-level requirements for written or project based work.

3. The undergraduate curriculum course numbering system is structured such that a first digit of "2" or greater OR a second digit of "4" or greater indicates an upper level course, which students in the undergraduate program would normally take in their 4th or 5th year of study.

4. Graduate Courses in the Albert Nerken School of Engineering as well as select upper level undergraduate elective courses could be made available to M.Arch. II students with prior permission from the student's academic advisor and the individual course instructor. Undergraduate courses may be used to satisfy requirements for out-of-concentration coursework only.

The complete Cooper Union catalog with course descriptions, academic standards and other information is available online and maintained by the Registrar's office.