Master of Arts in Sustainable Architecture

Total Credits
30

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Program Description

There is an increasing demand for addressing the built environment we live in and related natural environmental issues at various levels of complexity. These issues often manifest themselves in our daily lives in cities, on streets and at home. Solutions to such issues are addressed at the urban and building scales to respond to contextual, social, economic, cultural and environmental specificities and needs.

Graduates of the Master of Architecture in Sustainable Architecture will demonstrate:

1.Knowledge of the impact of the built environment on the natural environment, with a special focus in the MENA region;
2.Knowledge of the key concepts and principles of sustainability;
3.Knowledge of the elements of indoor and outdoor comfort;
4.Ability to investigate contextual socio-cultural, and environmental constraints;
5.Ability to perform simulations to predict buildings’ behavior with respect to different environmental parameters;
6.Ability to propose sustainable energy efficient design solutions in response to socio-cultural, and environmental constraints.

Structure

Following the Bachelor in Architecture program, the department offers the Masters in Architecture program in Urban Design and the Masters in Architecture program in Sustainable Architecture.

The two programs share core courses, which establish a common platform for the graduate students, and a necessary understanding of key aspects, and each has a concentration area. The urban design concentration area addresses contemporary urban issues related to environment, the public realm, urban transportation along with the development and regeneration of critical urban areas. The sustainable architecture concentration area introduces students to simulation training pertaining to architects, case study application along with passive energy design.

Within each concentration area, students can select among several courses, which could help them focus towards their master’s thesis. The paths of both concentration areas end with the master’s thesis research. The thesis would allow participants to apply the knowledgebase acquired throughout the program.

Admission Requirements

Candidate must submit a letter of intent (in which the candidate’s background, reasons for selecting this program, future utilization of this degree and other expectations are clearly stated) and schedule an interview with the Department Graduate Committee (DGC).

Candidates could be granted course substitution on a case-by-case basis. A full-time student must take a minimum of nine (9) credits per semester.

The program targets fresh graduates, and professionals with undergraduate degrees in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Civil Engineering. Graduates and professionals from other degrees will be accepted on a case-by-case basis.

Graduation Requirements

Students seeking the degree of Master's in Architecture must meet the University’s graduation requirements and complete the 30 credits with a minimum cumulative average of at least 3.0/4.0.

Courses

Core Courses (15cr.)

Concentration in Sustainable Architecture (9cr.)

Students following the Master in Architecture in Sustainable Architecture must take two courses (6 credits) from this concentration and one course (3 credits) from the other concentration:

Thesis (6cr.)

6 MAP 690 Thesis

Suggested Program

Fall Semester (15cr.)

MAP	610	Research Methodology	3 cr.
MAR	620	Discourses on Architectural Thought	3 cr.
ARP	5--	Major Elective	3 cr.
MAR		Concentration Area 1	3 cr.
MAR		Concentration Area 2	3 cr.
MAP	624	Research Proposal	0 cr.

Spring Semester (15cr.)

MAD	636	Special Topics	3 cr.
MAR	690	Thesis	6 cr.
ARP	5--	Major Elective	3 cr.
MAR		Concentration Area 1/2	3 cr.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Core Courses

15 Cr

Concentration in Sustainable Architecture

9 Cr

Thesis

6 Cr

Minimum Cumulative GPA

3.0

4.0

Total 30 Credits

Other degrees in Department of Architecture

Bachelor of Architecture