The two-year M.S. program is designed for students holding non-architecture degrees. In consultation with an advisor, each student works out an individual study plan to satisfy the course, area, and unit requirements outlined below. At a minimum, 48 units are required for the degree.

Courses in Architecture

Two Research Methods Courses: 7 units. Two research methods courses are required, a general course and a second course specific to the student's specialty area. During the first semester of residence in the program students enroll in the general methods course, ARCH 281, Methods of Inquiry in Architecture Research (4 units) and the following semester enroll in one of the methods courses listed below (3 units each):

• Social Factors
  ARCH 211 Social and Cultural Factors in Design: Research Methods
• Design Theories and Methods
  ARCH 231 Research Methods for Design
• Building Science
  ARCH 241 Research Methods in Building Science
• Structures and Construction
  ARCH 251 Research Methods in Structure
• History
  ARCH 271 Methods of Historical Research and Criticism in Architecture
• Design in Developing Countries
  ARCH 219A Urbanization and Urbanism in Developing Countries
  Note: Students in this area are required to do one additional methods course, either 211, 231, 271, or the DCRP doctoral research methods.
   

Design Studios: 7 units. An introductory design studio, ARCH 200A Fundamentals of Architecture Design (7 units), is required of all students.

Courses in the Area of Specialty: 9 units minimum. A minimum of nine units of Architecture course work must be completed in the specialty area.

Architecture Breadth Requirements: 6 units minimum. Six units of course work in areas of the architecture curriculum outside of the student's area of specialty satisfy the breadth requirement.

Thesis: 5 units. The final project, a thesis, is completed concurrently with a five unit independent study course (ARCH 299) undertaken with the thesis chair.

Courses Outside Architecture

Elective Courses: 9 units. A maximum of nine units of course work related to or supportive of the specialty area may be undertaken in departments outside of architecture.