Research Studio: Current students will be invited to a brief presentation to learn about the various research studios being offered each fall and spring semester. Students will then complete a survey indicating their first four choices in studio. The department will conduct a studio lottery and register students for studio based on their preference and availability in the courses. Preference will be given to students who are taking research studio for the first time (incoming students and those coming from core design studio). Students are allowed to take a studio from a different research group than the previous semester. Students must obtain a C or higher in studio or the studio must be re-taken. Those students taking 7 credits of Directed Research or Thesis will not register for studio the same semester.

Technical Methods and Intellectual Domain Seminars: Technical Methods seminars explore strategies for conducting research in different focus areas of architecture, from visualization techniques, skill-building in the use of tools, and developing specific methods for technically-driven inquiry. Intellectual Domain seminars explore the theoretical and historical knowledge-bases of various focus areas of architecture, with an emphasis on pursuing intellectual inquiry. Students are encouraged to register for the TM and ID seminar that aligns with their studio (this is often called the triad). However, this is not a requirement for graduation and if a specific seminar is full, the student must choose a different seminar or (if possible) push the seminar to a later semester. If a student has completed the number of ID and TM seminars required in their program and wish to take additional seminars, the additional seminars can be used toward elective credit.

Directed Research: Students who wish to pursue a thesis as their culminating experience must be registered for directed research (ARC 567) the semester before thesis. Students who wish to do Directed Research/Thesis must have a GPA of 3.5 of higher. Interested students should first define a general area of interest and then send a paragraph description of their preliminary intentions to 3-5 prospective thesis advisors to begin the discussion. Once the student has found at least one faculty member who has agreed to serve at their advisor, the student should submit the “Proposed Directed Research” form with proper signatures to Stacey Komendat who will send to the Chair for final consideration. Directed Research may be 3-7 credits depending on the student’s degree program and will include a mid-term and final review.

Thesis: Students will be registered for Thesis by the department once they receive notification from the thesis advisor that the student has successfully completed directed research. Thesis will count towards the students culminating experience (a requirement for graduation) and will include a mid-term and final review. After completing their thesis, students will be required to submit the M form (with all committee signatures) indicating that their final work is approved to the department and submit their thesis electronically to the Graduate School before the deadline.  

Portfolio: Students who are not doing a thesis must complete a portfolio as their culminating experience (a requirement for graduation). The student should register for the Portfolio class (ARC 697) in the fall or spring semester. The course does not need to be taken the last semester of studies. The portfolio itself will entail a minimum of three projects during the master’s program. In addition to completion of the course, the portfolio itself must be signed off as completed by the portfolio course instructor, or another portfolio faculty member, before graduation.

Independent Study: Independent study (ARC 599) is defined as individualized student work under the guidance of a faculty member. These courses are intended to pursue topics that are not currently offered through regular coursework at UB. Independent study may be the focal point in the design of an individual program or it may merely add desired depth or breadth to a student’s formal degree program. To enroll in independent study, students must identify a member of the faculty willing to sponsor their work and work with them to complete the Independent Study Form. Independent Study will count toward elective credit. Students may take a maximum of 6 credits of independent study.

Electives: Students can use any graduate level course (500 level or higher) toward elective credit. If taking a non-ARC course, it is at the discretion of the department offering the course if ARC students are allowed to register. Previous UB undergraduate students cannot re-take a cross-listed course they have previously completed in their undergraduate studies and use toward their graduate degree (example: Structures 2).