Fifteen courses are required for the general major in History of Art & Visual Culture. Students who are interested in the study of architecture and urban planning have the option of focusing their program of study by selecting elective coursework that is primarily related to architecture. In addition to the courses offered through the History of Art & Visual Culture Department, many other departments and programs at UCSC offer educational opportunities for undergraduate students who are interested in architectural study.
There are a variety of courses available on-campus that relate to architecture. Students may take History of Art and Visual Culture 80a Introduction to Architecture and other history of art and visual culture courses focusing on architec tural history or issues of landscape.
Freehand drawing and other studio art courses, especially sculpture and other courses emphasizing “three-dimensional” material and ways of seeing will help in developing the necessary artistic skills required for professional work in architecture.
Take one year of college-level physics, the Physics 6 or 7 series at UCSC, for example, and math beyond calculus (only math needed for urban planning–statistical work).
Develop competency in photography, CAD, and/or other 3-D computer programs. Enrolling in practical courses such as architectural or mechanical drafting, architecture studio, model building, CAD, and computer graphics, at UCSC, Cabrillo or another two-year college will enhance ones portfolio.
Consider studying as an exchange student for one semester/quarter at UC Berkeley, University of New Mexico, or other UC campus with relevant coursework to take advan tage of the architecture and planning curriculum. (UCSC has a special exchange program with UNM.)
Keep a sketchbook and draw and write in it regularly.
Undertake individual study with faculty working in architecture.
Plan on doing an internship with an architect or a contractor, summer is usually the best time to do professional internships. Most internship program requires a willingness and ability to work for free, since architectural offices typically pay little to someone without experience. However, students may be able to arrange in advance to receive credit for individual study for an internship.
Volunteer or seek work (internship) at city and county agencies, community design organizations, or other non-profit groups—housing providers, for example. Habitat for Humanity would be an excellent choice.
Some of the courses in architecture offered through
History of Art & Visual Culture
10D Introduction Visual Cultures of Asia
10E Introduction to Visual Culture:
Africa, Oceania, and the Americas
10G Introduction to Visual Culture: Europe
80A Introduction to Architecture
80G Religion and Visual Culture in China
80K Constructing Home
80M Indigenous American Visual Culture
80N Indian Art and Ideology
105E Ritual and Image in Asian Art
105P Visual Cultures of the Pacific Islands
110B Pre-Hispanic Andes
114 Buddhist Visual Worlds
115 Italian Renaissance
124 Contemporary Architecture, 1968-Present
136 German Art, 1905-1945
138 Modern Architecture, 1880-1968
139 Art & Architecture of Islam
150A Advanced Studies in Pre-Hispanic Visual Culture: The Maya
151 The Native Colonial Latin America
163A The Mediterranean/Christianity-Islam
174C Constructing Memory in Post-War Architecture
179 The Megastructure
181 Environments, Installations, and Sites
185C African Architecture
186B Baroque Art and Architecture
189V Venetian Renaissance
190A Theories in Architecture
B.A. in Liberal Arts or other field of interest followed by a Master of Architecture
A variety of UCSC majors may provide useful preparation for pursuing a master of architecture degree. For example, Art, History of Art and Visual Culture, Environmental Studies, or other liberal arts majors. Often graduate schools of architecture seek candidates with diverse backgrounds. Many universities (UCLA, etc.) offer only graduate degrees in architecture, which are typically granted after two years of study to holders of a B.A. in architecture, and after three years to holders of a B.A. in another discipline. A few schools, in cluding UC Berkeley and UCLA, also offer Ph.D. programs in architecture, a degree for teaching and research rather than practice.
Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Degree in Architecture
• Although UCSC does not have a program in architecture or urban planning many other excellent schools offer a four-year academic or pre-professional degree in architecture or planning, a B.A. or B.S., or B.E.D. depending on the school and its program (UC Berkeley, etc.)
• Students interested in architecture or urban planning may also consider attending a two- or four-year school to complete general education requirements, than transfer to a school that offers a B.A. or B.S. degree in architecture. Be sure to consult with the transfer school so you complete its requirements.
Bachelor of Architecture Degree
Students may also choose to attend a school that offers a five-year professional degree in architecture (Cal Poly, CCAC, etc.). Holders of a professional degree (B. Arch. or M. Arch.) become eligible to take the pro fessional licensing exam more quickly than other candidates.
Check out “Architectural Programs” on the National Architectural Accrediting Board web page: http://www.naab.org/
“Education” or “Career Stages” on the American Institute of Architects web page: http://www.aia.org/
“Students” on the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) web page: https://www.acsa-arch