Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Interior Architecture program includes the basic foundation of the Bachelor of Science in Interior Design program, but also features an additional year of specialization that allows students more comprehensive exposure to the interior design profession. This program also prepares students for potential specialization and graduate studies in areas such as industrial design, historic preservation, furniture design, and other graduate fields of study.

A total number of 139 credits are required for the Bachelor of Arts in Interior Architecture program, excluding the freshman year. This program may be completed in four academic years after the freshman year, including summer term modules.

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Interior Design may apply to this program and typically complete its requirements in one additional year of study.

Mission

The mission of the Interior Architecture program is to give students a comprehensive education based on a humanistic approach to the discipline. This program prepares students to assume their roles as interior architects upon graduation and/or to pursue graduate studies in interior architecture and other related fields.

Program Objectives

The purpose of the Bachelor of Arts in Interior Architecture is to:

1. Offer students who successfully complete the program the degree of Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture.
2. Provide a platform for graduate specializations in furniture design, product design, interior design, industrial design, fashion design, and other fields in design.
3. Develop a broad base of theoretical knowledge and the necessary practical skills.
4. Assert the role of the interior architect as a synthesizer of the different factors which affect the built environment.
5. To expose students to the current issues in theory and practice and to the latest technology in the field.

Program Outcomes

Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts in Interior Architecture will acquire the following skills:

1. The ability to practice interior architecture in various contexts and cultures
2. The capacity for critical thinking, and the ability for problem solving.
3. The ability to identify design issues, to conduct research, and to provide solutions.
4. The ability to design, and execute, projects relating to interior architecture, renovation, restoration and other related projects.
5. A flexibility to deal with a large scope of interior design problems, and to understand different materials and technologies, as well as space planning, furniture design, and other interior design specific tasks.
6. The capacity to deal innovatively with projects of different type and scale..
7. The capacity to elaborate projects with innovative structural systems, detailing, and material.
8. The ability to engage in critical thinking and problem solving.
9. The capacity to operate in a multi-disciplinary environment.
10. The capacity to serve the community in organizations of both public and private sectors.

Admission Requirements

To enter the major, students must meet the general university requirements and the interior architecture program specific requirements.

Graduation Requirements

A total of 139 credits are required to graduate, based on:

Program Requirements

A Final Year Project is required for all students in addition to successful completion of the course of study.

Foundation Requirements (25 credits)

• See Foundation courses

Major Core Requirements (70 credits):

• DES240 / Sketching (2 cr.)
• DES241 / Technical Graphics (2 cr.)
• DES331 / Design Studio III (6 cr.)
• DES332 / Design Studio IV (6 cr.)
• DES341 / Technical Graphics II (3 cr.)
• DES342 / Technical Graphics III (3 cr.)
• DES351 / Computer Graphics I (2 cr.)
• DES352 / Computer Graphics II (2 cr.)
• DES361 / Theory I (2 cr.)
• DES371 / History of Architecture I (3 cr.)
• DES372 / History of Architecture II (2 cr.)
• DES401 / Interior Design Workshop I (1 cr.)
• DES402 / Interior Design Workshop II (1 cr.)
• DES421 / Design Technology I (2 cr.)
• DES422 / Design Technology II (2 cr.)
• DES431 / Design Studio V (5 cr.)
• DES432 / Design Studio VI (5 cr.)
• DES481 / Construction Documents (4 cr.)
• DES523 / Environmental Systems I (3 cr.)
• DES524 / Environmental Systems II (3 cr.)
• DES531 / Design Studio VII (5 cr.)
• DES532 / Design Studio VIII (5 cr.)
• DES583 / Internship (1 cr.)

History and Theory Elective

Choose one of the following (2–3 credits):

• ARC363 / Theory II (2 cr.)
• ARC471 / Contemporary Architecture (2 cr.)
• DES375 / Introduction to Islamic Art (3 cr.)
• DES376 / Introduction to Islamic Architecture (3 cr.)

Professional Electives

Choose any of the following (6 credits):

• ARC363 / Theory II (2 cr.)
• ARC381 / Architectural Photography (2 cr.)
• ARC451 / Digital Modeling (3 cr.)
• ARC452 / Computer Animation (3 cr.)
• ARC454 / Dynamic 3D Modeling (3 cr.)
• ARC471 / Contemporary Architecture (2 cr.)
• ARC482 / Regional Architecture I (2 cr.)
• ARC483 / Regional Architecture II (3 cr.)
• ARC551 / Computer Graphics Studio (4 cr.)
• DES373 / History of Landscape Design (2 cr.)
• DES375 / Introduction to Islamic Art (3 cr.)
• DES376 / Introduction to Islamic Architecture (3 cr.)
• DES403 / Furniture Design Workshop (2 cr.)
• DES404 / Landscape Design Workshop (2 cr.)
• DES484 / Furniture Design (2 cr.)
• DES585 / Professional Practice (2 cr.)
• DES591 / International Studio (3 cr.)
• DES592 / International Workshop (2 cr.)
• GRA301 / Intermediate Computer Graphics (3 cr.)
• GRA302 / Advanced Computer Graphics (3 cr.)
• GRA484 / Web Design (3 cr.)
• GRA487 / 3D Animation Techniques (3 cr.)

Art Electives

Choose any two of the following (6 credits):

• ART211 / Ceramics I (3 cr.)
• ART212 / Ceramics II (3 cr.)
• ART222 / Drawing II (3 cr.)
• ART334 / Graphics (3 cr.)
• ART341 / Painting I (3 cr.)
• ART342 / Painting II (3 cr.)
• ART351 / Sculpture I (3 cr.)
• ART352 / Sculpture II (3 cr.)
• COM222 / Introduction to Radio/TV/Film (3 cr.)
• COM244 / Introduction to Technical Stagecraft (3 cr.)
• COM247 / Theater in Performance (3 cr.)
• GRA345 / Silkscreen and Binding (3 cr.)
• MUS201 / Fundamentals of Music (3 cr.)
• PHO212 / Photography II (3 cr.)
• PHO222 / Digital Photography I (3 cr.)

Sample Study Plan

Year One

Fall

• See Foundation courses

Spring

• See Foundation courses

Summer (7 credits)

• DES240 / Sketching (2 cr.)
• DES241 / Technical Graphics (2 cr.)
• LAC (3 cr.)

Year Two

Fall (16 credits)

• DES331 / Design Studio III (6 cr.)
• DES341 / Technical Graphics II (3 cr.)
• DES351 / Computer Graphics I (2 cr.)
• DES361 / Theory I (2 cr.)
• DES371 / History of Architecture I (3 cr.)

Spring (16 credits)

• DES332 / Design Studio IV (6 cr.)
• DES342 / Technical Graphics III (3 cr.)
• DES352 / Computer Graphics II (2 cr.)
• DES372 / History of Architecture II (2 cr.)
• Art Elective (3 cr.)

Summer (9 credits)

• Professional Elective ( 3 cr.)
• LAC ( 3 cr.)
• LAC ( 3 cr.)

Year Three

Fall (13 credits)

• DES401 / Interior Design Workshop I (1 cr.)
• DES421 / Design Technology I (2 cr.)
• DES431 / Design Studio V (5 cr.)
• DES523 / Environmental Systems I (3 cr.)
• History & Theory Elective ( 2 cr.)

Spring (14 credits)

• DES402 / Interior Design Workshop II (1 cr.)
• DES422 / Design Technology II (2 cr.)
• DES432 / Design Studio VI (5 cr.)
• DES524 / Environmental Systems II (3 cr.)
• LAC (3 cr.)

Summer (5 credits)

• DES481 / Construction Documents (4 cr.)
• DES583 / Internship (1 cr.)

Year Four

Fall (14 credits)

• DES531 / Design Studio VII (5 cr.)
• Professional Elective (3 cr.)
• LAC (3 cr.)
• LAC (3 cr.)

Spring (14 credits)

• DES532 / Design Studio VIII (5 cr.)
• Art Elective (3 cr.)
• LAC (3 cr.)
• LAC (3 cr.)

Extracurricular Activities

The program encourages students to get involved in a large variety of extracurricular activities.