MArch: 2-Yr. Synthesis and Integrated Studio Track Curriculum

This track is for students who have successfully completed a studio-based, four or five year undergraduate program in architecture from a regionally accredited four-year US college or university or an equivalent credential from a qualifying international institution which includes at least 5 studios, plus at least 44 equivalent credits in architectural history, technology and media.

Students applying into the 2-Yr. Synthesis and Intergrated Studio Track are only eligible to apply for fall term 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.

Students may apply to waive a required course based on prior coursework. Incoming students in the M.Arch (synthesis and integrated studio track will be sent instructions on how to request a course waiver through their portal. Please see the course waiver page for additional information.

2-Year Master of Architecture (MArch) Synthesis and Integrated Studio Track Curriculum- FALL 2024

Curriculum Effective Fall 2024

Semester 1: Fall

ARC 603	Design Studio 3	6
ARC 553	Structures 2	3
ARC 511	Architectural Media 1	3
ARC 573	Environmental Systems 2	3
Total Semester Credits		15

Semester 2: Spring

ARC 604	Design Studio 4	6
ARC 582	Professional Practice	3
ARC 575	Environmental Systems 3	3
ARC 512	Architectural Media 2	3
Total Semester Credits		15

Semester 3: Fall

ARC 605/7 or ARC 567 + ARC 616	Research Studio or Directed Research + Research Methods	6
ARC 562	Architectural Theory	3
ARC 611	Architectural Media 3	3
ARC 555	Structures 3	3
Total Semester Credits		15

Semester 4: Spring

ARC 606/8	Research Studio or Thesis	6
ARC XXX	Intellectual Domain or Technical Methods Seminar	3
ARC 697 or ARC XXX	Portfolio (required if not doing Thesis) or Elective	3
ARC XXX	Elective	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:

Students who have an admissions letter indicating that they need to take ARC 534 (Architectural History 2) should plan to take this course in substitute for their final elective in the program (semester 4).

Course Waivers:
It is recommended that incoming students in this track request course waivers through their portal before beginning the program. Student who receive a waiver for Structures 2 may be able to take Structures 3 in the fall semester. Students who receive a waiver for Environmental Systems 2 or Architectural Communications 1 will replace the courses with an elective, and intellectual domain course or a technical methods course in the fall semester. All students are encouraged to submit a waiver for ARC 542 (Construction Technology). Receiving waivers for courses does not decrease the total number of credits required in the program. More information on waivers is available on the waivers page.

Students who plan to do Thesis must be registered for Directed Research the semester before Thesis. A minimum GPA of 3.5 is required for those who wish to be registered for Directed Research or Thesis. More information can be found on the Directed Research and Thesis information page.

Students are required to take either Thesis or Portfolio to fulfill their culminating experience for graduation.

Students may register for a maximum of one independent study course each semester, with a maximum career total of two. Independent study courses will count toward elective credits.

Technical Methods and Intellectual domain course numbers are listed below. Descriptions of these courses can be found on the Information for Current Students page.

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

In addition to completing required core courses, students take seminars and studios in the Graduate Research Groups. Through this unique program, students gain both core competencies in architectural design and specialized knowledge and skills that align with their interests and career ambitions.

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.