MArch: 2-Yr. Research Studio Track Curriculum

This track is for students who have successfully completed UB’s BS Arch program, an equivalent degree in a studio-based program from a regionally accredited four-year US college or university or an equivalent credential from a qualifying international institution. Qualifying programs must include a minimum of 7 studios, plus at least 44 equivalent credits in architectural history, technology and media.

List of regionally accredited four-year US college or university
Qualifying international universities must have NAAB international certification. Please refer to the NAAB web site to see if your international institution qualifies.

Students are encouraged to apply for fall or spring start.

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The curriculum of any vital and dynamic program will change from time to time. The description, which follows, should be considered illustrative.

All enrolled graduate students should have in their possession an original copy of the curriculum they must satisfy based upon their date of matriculation. Matrixes are sent to all students when they accept into the program. If you need a copy of your matrix, please contact the Graduate Program Coordinator, Stacey Komendat.

The curriculum varies depending upon the students’ entry into the program. Students may enter the MArch program in the fall semester or spring semester.
Students may apply to waive a required course based on prior coursework.
Faculty serve at advisors for graduate students in addition to the Graduate Advisor, Stacey Komendat and Associate Chair, Joyce Hwang.

2-Year Master of Architecture (MArch) Research Studio Track Curriculum- FALL 2024

Curriculum Effective Fall 2024

Semester 1: Fall

ARC 605/7	Research Studio	6
ARC xxx	Intellectual Domain Seminar*	3
ARC xxx	Technical Methods Seminar*	3
ARC 555	Structures 3	3
Total Semester Credits	15

Semester 2: Spring

ARC 606/8	Research Studio	6
ARC xxx	Intellectual Domain Seminar*	3
ARC xxx	Technical Methods Seminar*	3
ARC 575	Environmental Systems 3	3
Total Semester Credits	15

Semester 3: Fall

ARC 607/5 or ARC 567 + ARC 616	Research Studio or Directed Research + Research Methods	6
ARC xxx	Elective	3
ARC xxx	Elective	3
ARC xxx	Elective	3
Total Semester Credits	15

Semester 4: Spring

ARC 608/6	Research Studio or Thesis (if completed Directed Research)	6
ARC 697 or ARC XXX	Portfolio (required if not doing Thesis) or Elective	3
ARC xxx	Elective	3
ARC 582	Professional Practice	3
Total Semester Credits	15

Total Required Credits	60

Please see the Registration and Enrollment Page as it answers many questions about our programs and registration policies.

Notes:

*Intellectual Domain Seminar- See below for course numbers. It is recommended that students register for the intellectual domain seminar that is affiliated with their studio research group, when possible. Descriptions of the seminars can be found under Course Descriptions on the Information for Current Students site. This page will be continuously updated as further course descriptions are submitted by instructors before the start of the semester.

*Technical Methods Seminar- See below for course numbers. It is recommmended that studetns register for the technical methods seminar that is affiliated with their studio research group, when possible. Descriptions of the seminars can be found under Course Descriptions on the Information for Current Students site. This page will be continuously updated as further course descriptions are submitted by instructors before the start of the semester.

Directed Research and Research Methods must be taken the semester before Thesis. Must have minimum 3.5 GPA to register for Directed Research. More information can be found on the Directed Research and Thesis Information page.

Students must complete either the Portfolio course (ARC 697) or Thesis (ARC 699) as their culminating experience. Note: Previous UB undergraduate students who have already taken the Portfolio course during thier undergraduate studies may waive the course and substitute it for a 3 credit elective. However, students must still submit their final graduate portfolio for approval to the department before graduation.

Note: A maximum of one independent study course is allowed each semester, with a maximum career total of two.

ARC 555 (Structures 3) if often broken up into a 2 credit seminar and a 1 credit lab. Please be sure to register for both the seminar and corresponding lab at the same time to avoid a co-requisite error. The lecture and lab combined should total 3 credits.

Technical Methods Seminars:

Fall Semester

ARC 543 Technical Method- Material Culture

ARC 545 Technical Method- Ecological Practices

ARC 547 Technical Method- Urban Design

ARC 617 Technical Method- Situated Technology

ARC 620 Technical Method- Inclusive Design

Spring Semester

ARC 544 Technical Method- Material Culture

ARC 546 Technical Method- Ecological Practices

ARC 551 Technical Method- Urban Design

ARC 619 Technical Method- Situated Technology

ARC 621 Technical Method- Inclusive Design

Intellectual Domain Seminars:

Fall Semester

ARC 623 Intellectual Domain- Inclusive Design

ARC 625 Intellectual Domain- Situated Technology

ARC 627 Intellectual Domain- Ecological Practices

ARC 629 Intellectual Domain- Urban Design

ARC 632 Intellectual Domain- Material Culture

Spring Semester

ARC 624 Intellectual Domain- Inclusive Design

ARC 626 Intellectual Domain- Situated Technology

ARC 628 Intellectual Domain- Ecological Practices

ARC 630 Intellectual Domain- Urban Design

ARC 633 Intellectual Domain- Material Culture

Explore our Graduate Research Groups

Ecological Practices
10/8/24
The built and natural environment are a complex web of interconnected parts, constantly exchanging energy and resources. This group critically engages environmental systems and examine the role that architecture and urbanism play in harnessing and stewarding them.
Inclusive Design
10/8/24
Develop environments, products and systems for a wider range of people, especially those in underserved populations. One of the most important design movements of our era, inclusive design is based on the values of non-discrimination, social justice, equal opportunity, and personal empowerment.
Material Culture
10/8/24
Projecting forward from Buffalo’s legacy in material innovation, this group explores constructive sensibilities and investigate how our culture is deeply embedded in material artifacts. Pursue design, production, and potential materials through full-scale fabrication, assembly, and installation.
Situated Technologies
10/8/24
There is no digital architecture anymore—just architecture. Consider architecture in the expanded field of technologies and mediated environments. Complex assemblages of code, people, space, material, infrastructure, practices, and processes—each are technologies unto themselves as is their gathering in architecture.
Urban Design
10/8/24
Urban design works at the confluence of the scale of buildings and the scale of cities. Straddle the fields of architecture and planning to critically examine parameters of contemporary urban form, including political, economic, environmental, social, and cultural forces.