School of Architecture: Courses of Instruction
2008-2009 Academic Year
158
situated within an urban environment. The studio will include analysis and design
at the scale of the neighborhood or the city, as well as thorough and detailed
design of a large building with a complex program. Emphasis is placed on a
comprehensive process including the thorough analysis of site issues and
architectural precedents, detailed design development of the project, and the
coordination and integration of structural, environmental and material systems in
the design-work. Students will also develop skills in programming, building
information modeling and management, digital fabrication methods and the
production of complex digital models and working drawings through fully
integrated coursework which will act as a support for the design process.
410, 420 Advanced Elective Design Studios (6 6), [R]
Staff. Once having completed the core comprehensive design curriculum in the
first three years, in the fourth year students are encouraged to engage the city,
both locally and globally, by taking one design studio at the Tulane City Center,
and a second studio either as part of a semester abroad travel program or as an
advanced elective studio. TCC studios, such as URBANbuild, will range in focus
from urban design and landscape issues to housing and design-build. These
studios, which provide a larger context for architecture, will introduce students to
real projects that engage the fabric of the city while emphasizing the importance
of professional service and social responsibility. In travel abroad programs (refer
to section on International Study) students will have the opportunity to study
architecture within foreign environmental contexts, to explore cities and
individual buildings as complex cultural artifacts. Advanced elective studios,
taught by both fulltime and visiting faculty, offer a range of topics and projects
which explore a variety of architectural issues and areas of research. Students
choose elective studios that suit their interests, needs and goals, in order to focus
their studies while gaining experience within a broader cultural and disciplinary
field. This concentration develops areas of expertise beneficial to future
professional growth.
510, 520 Master of Architecture Thesis (6, 6), [R] Staff.
The final degree project is the culmination of the architectural design curriculum
and the capstone project for architecture students. Students undertake one of three
streams for their final research and design project: Thesis Studio, Research Studio
or an Advanced Integrated Studio. Students who elect to do an independent
Thesis Studio must fulfill specific academic requirements (see section on policy),
have prepared a thesis proposal by the beginning of the fall semester, and have
approval for this proposal by the thesis directors. Independent Research Theses
may also be undertaken by those students who have a demonstrated record of
academic excellence (with a cumulative and design grade point average of 3.6-
4.0), and have prepared a research proposal approved in advance both by a faculty
sponsor and the thesis directors. Each of the curricular streams for the Master of
Architecture Thesis will consist of DSGN 510: Thesis Research + Analysis and
DSGN 520: Thesis Design Studio.