M.S.Arch Curriculum

The School of Architecture’s mission is founded in the faculty commitment to community life and well-being, and in its focus on the city and its suburbs as places of human culture and socio-economic opportunities. The School affirms the essential need to design environmentally responsible buildings and public spaces that promote social integration and economic sustainability, as well as support life comfortably without reliance upon extravagant use of land and energy that adversely affect our ecosystems.

The Master of Science in Architecture program values and sustains a creative, open and supportive environment, emphasizing advanced and personalized instruction through small classes and studio courses. The School’s resources, including a state-of-the-art computer laboratory, a reference library, and a model shop complete with laser equipment, are enhanced by the interdisciplinary opportunities offered by the other schools and colleges of the University of Miami. The School of Architecture Rome Center offers additional opportunities to study first-hand the roots of Western civilization and architecture.

The new program offers a critical and professional environment to investigate design strategies and design challenges in relation to the most pressing issues of the 21st century, such sustainable architecture and urbanism; climate change in tropical and subtropical areas; identity in a globalized world; health care; infrastructure and informal settlements. Every semester, the distinguished School of Architecture faculty and a roster of visiting professors from the US, Europe and Latin America will guide the students in their aspirations and endeavors.

Master of Science in Architecture: Two Options

The new Master of Science in Architecture Urban Design is a 3-semester (1.5 years) Post-Professional Program for students holding a Professional degree in architecture. Two options are available and require the completion of 36 credits and include a Master’s Thesis. The Option A – Master of Science in Architectural Design will concentrate on design by requiring two advanced graduate studios, core seminars, three electives, and a Master’s Thesis in Design. The Option B- Master of Science in Architectural Studies will offer a more theoretically oriented program, with one advanced graduate studio, a written Master’s Thesis thesis, and five electives. The advanced graduate studios will be taught by the school’s faculty and by visiting critics selected on a North-South axis (from North America to South America).

Areas of Interest and Concentration

Applicants to the Master of Science in Architecture must include a one-page (5000 words) presentation of their targeted area of interest and potential direction of their thesis. At the end of the first semester and through consultation with the faculty students are required to present a thesis proposal around which they will shape their individual study program and choice of electives for the other two semesters.

Both options (I: Design / II: Architectural Studies) of the Master of Science offer an adaptable structure of core and elective studios and courses that allow students to pursue independent trajectories of inquiry within the credentials of the faculty. Those include but are not limited to:

• Architecture + Health Design
• Architecture + Critical Regionalism (with an emphasis on Sub-Tropical Conditions)
• Architecture + Historic Preservation
• Architecture + Urbanism (with an emphasis on Informal Cities)
• Architecture + Medias/Film (with an emphasis on Stage Design and Film Studies)

Applicants with a specific area of interest outside those fields are equally invited to apply.

Option A: Architectural Design*

Option B: Architecture Studies*

NOTE: Curriculum subject to change before January 1, 2012. For international students, the School reserves the right to require that one elective be taken in English language, conversation or writing.

• The sequence of credits and distribution of electives presented in the curriculum above is recommended. Students can discuss changes with the graduate advisor and program director.