The Cooper Union
School of Architecture
 
 
 
 

The Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture offers a five-year program leading to the Bachelor of Architecture degree. The requirements are as follows:

Courses      
Credits
First Year      
Sem 1
  
Sem 2
Arch 111   Architectonics  
4
  
4
FA 100R   Introduction to Techniques  
1
  
1
Arch 114   Freehand Drawing  
3
  
3
Arch 115   History of Architecture I  
3
  
3
Arch 118   Computer Applications and Descriptive Geometry  
2
  
2
HSS 1–2   Literary Forms and Expressions  
3
  
3
Total Credits First Year  
16
  
16
 
Second Year    
 
  
 
Arch 121   Design II  
5
  
5
Arch 122   Structures I  
2
  
2
Arch 125   History of Architecture II  
3
  
3
Ma 163–4   Calculus and Analytic Geometry
3
  
3
Ph 165–6   Concepts of Physics  
2
  
2
Total Credits Second Year  
15
  
15
 
Third Year      
 
  
 
Arch 131   Design III  
5
  
5
Arch 132   Structures II  
2
  
2
Arch 134   Environmental Technology I
2
  
2
Arch 135   Building Technology  
2
  
2
HSS 3–4   The Making of Modern Society
3
  
3
    Electives*  
4
  
4
Total Credits Third Year  
18
  
18
 
Fourth Year    
 
  
 
Arch 141   Design IV  
5
  
5
Arch 142   Structures III  
2
  
2
Arch 143   Construction Management  
1
  
1
Arch 144   Environmental Technology II
2
  
2
    Electives*  
6
  
6
Total Credits Fourth Year  
16
  
16
 
Fifth Year      
 
  
 
Arch 151   Thesis  
6
  
6
Arch 152   Structures IV  
2
  
 
Arch 153   Town Planning  
2
  
2
Arch 154   Professional Practice  
1
  
1
Arch 205   Advanced Concepts  
2
  
2
    Electives*  
2
  
4
Total Credits Fifth Year  
15
  
15
Total Credit Requirement for B.Arch Degree      
160
 

*The general studies requirement for Bachelor of Architecture candidates can be fulfilled by elective courses in areas such as humanities and social sciences, visual arts, mathematics and sciences, and languages. Approval for these elective courses must be granted by the appropriate academic faculty. A minimum of 6 general studies credits must be taken in the humanities and social sciences.

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

Bachelor of Architecture Year
Credit Summary 1 2 3 4 5
Professional 20 14 22 20 20
History of Architecture 6 6     4
Mathematics and Physics   10      
Humanities and Social Sciences 6   6    
Electives     8 12 6
Total Credits/Year 32 30 36 32 30
Minimum Credit Requirement for Bachelor of Architecture Degree         160