THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING

Architectural Engineering (ARCE) at The University of Kansas is a five-year course of study that leads to a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering (BS ARCE). KU has offered the BS ARCE degree since 1913 and a Master of Science in Architectural Engineering (MS ARCE) since 1955. The ARCE program is in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering (CEAE). KU's BS ARCE program has been continuously accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) since 1936. At KU, the BS ARCE program is jointly administered by the School of Engineering and the School of Architecture & Urban Design. Undergraduate students enrolled in the BS ARCE program are enrolled in both the School of Engineering and the School of Architecture & Urban Design and have full access to the resources of both schools including scholarships, courses, computer and instructional laboratories, shops, student organizations and activities, and libraries.

ARCE students take courses from both the engineering and architecture faculty. The BS ARCE degree requires 164 semester credit hours for graduation. ARCE students take four semesters of architectural design studios from the architecture faculty along with the architecture students. Additionally, ARCE students take the three architectural history courses and two building technology courses from the architecture faculty. Engineering science and design courses are taught by the engineering faculty and ARCE students take the same required structural analysis and design courses that the civil engineering students take. In addition, ARCE students take courses in environmental systems that include heating ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, power systems, and illumination systems. ARCE students also have required courses in construction management and engineering economics.

In the third year, ARCE students are encouraged to declare an emphasis in structural systems, environmental systems, or construction management. This helps the student's advisor recommend architectural design, engineering science, and engineering design electives as well as mentor the student about study abroad opportunities, internship opportunities, graduate education, and career opportunities. ARCE students at KU have a wide range of elective courses to choose from in a variety of areas beyond structural systems, environmental systems, and construction management. Courses are also available in the areas of acoustics, fire protection, energy management, among others. All ARCE students are required to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam as a graduation requirement and the first step toward registration as a professional engineer (PE).

ARCE students have two capstone design courses. In the fall of their fifth year all ARCE students take the team taught Architectural Engineering Design I where they do the complete structural and environmental system design for a building including calculations, material and equipment specification, and construction drawings. This is followed in the spring with the required Architectural Engineering Design II. Individual sections of this course are offered in structural system design, environmental system design, construction management, and acoustics by faculty members that specialize in each of these areas. In this course, students tackle advanced design problems, perform research, and participate in national design competitions.

ARCE students that have an interest in architecture as well as engineering can get both the professional BS ARCE degree and Bachelor of Architecture (B ARCH) degrees at KU in six years. The B ARCH degree is accredited by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). This dual degree option is possible because of the architectural design, history, and building technology courses that ARCE students are required to take from the architecture faculty as well as the close relationship between engineering and architecture at KU. ARCE students that would prefer to have a professional Masters of Architecture (M ARCH) instead of the B ARCH can apply to be admitted to the M ARCH program which usually takes ARCE students two additional years to complete including a summer of study in Italy.

Admissions to the KU ARCE program are competitive and through the School of Architecture & Urban Design. Kansas residents must have a minimum 28 ACT math score and be in the top 25 percent of their high school graduating class to be considered for admission. Out of state applicants also must have a minimum 28 ACT math score and be in the top 15 percent of their graduating class. There are about 180 undergraduate ARCE students at KU and around 50 percent of the ARCE students are from out of state and about 40 percent of the ARCE students are female. Kansas has a reciprocal agreement with Missouri that allows Missouri residents in ARCE or architecture to attend KU at in-state tuition rates.

For additional information about KU's undergraduate or graduate ARCE programs please visit our KU ARCE's website at http://ceae.engr.ku.edu/arce/.

You can also contact Dr. Tom Glavinich at (785) 864-3435 or tglavinich@ku.edu about the program and curriculum.

For information about applying to the program, scholarships, or reciprocity, please contact Ms. Gera Elliot at (785) 864-3167 or gera@ku.edu