USC Schedule of Classes

Immersive, project-based architecture thinking, drawing, building, and making course, which includes aspects of professional development and college readiness. (Not available for major or minor credit.)

Introduction to principles and processes; sequence of exercises emphasizing development of basic skills, ideas, and techniques used in the design of simplified architectural projects.

Introduction to the ways architecture is created and understood, for minors and non-majors. Hands-on discussion and laboratory session with some drawing and model building. Not available for credit to architecture majors.

Continuing development of principles and processes: sequence of projects selected to broaden awareness of design issues at various scales in the urban context. Prerequisite: 102abL.

The process and communication of building design: physical building shell, systems for structure, enclosure, and space ordering.

Introduction for the non-programmer to the uses of the computer inarchitecture, including the application of existing programs and their implications for design. Lecture and laboratory. Overview and use of software types.

Basic considerations and design implications of the problem of determination of the materials and the construction details and processes for buildings.

Investigation and design of structure systems : their resistance toseismic and wind forces and integration with architectural design for synergy of form and structure.

A world-wide perspective of architectural history as a product of social, cultural, religious, and political dimensions, a: 4500 BCE to 1500 CE.

The architect's sketchbook as a portable laboratory for perceivingand documenting space introduces the study of the builtenvironment. On-site sessions develop drawing, observation, and visualization skills.

Special integrative year including design issues relating to housing.

Introduction to design principles and processes; sequence of exercises emphasizing development of basic skills, ideas, and techniques used in the creation of simplified urban space design projects.

The design of a building as a complex of interacting systems; relations of subsystems; influences of production and marketing on design.

Ideas, problems, and computations related to the design of buildings in response to the luminous and sonic environment.

(Study abroad programs only) Study of the relationships between places and culture through readings, lectures, discussion and weekly field trips.

Selected areas of specialization; three projects chosen with advisement from a variety of studio offerings that concentrate on different areas of vital concern.

Investigation of modern architecture in Southern California within its cultural and historic contexts.

Design of building systems as an experimental process. Prereq: ARCH 305abL.

Offered for particular geographic areas of study. Required prerequisite for all full semester undergraduate global programs. Also intended for general interest in focused study on particular geographic area.

Architectural design considered as a technological problem; influence of technology on design; buildings as integrated sets of subsystems.

Application of design concepts, planning protocols and spatial analysis skills to a complex planning or design problem sponsored by a local public, private or not-for-profit client in a studio setting.

Perspectives in Architecture and Urbanism is an advanced course that allows students to delve deeply into one aspect of world history, theory and/or contemporary issues to develop more focused and critical understanding of that discourse.

Investigation of natural force effects and their relationships to architecture; laboratory work includes drawing, photography, model building and tests on models.

Perceiving and documenting the built environment through the perspective and frame of the digital camera. Mastering the basic principles of the digital image though an understanding of frame, light, exposure, color correction, and printing output.

See how light alters the visual impact of architectural forms; master high-resolution images both with film and digital; become a professional image developer/processor utilizing photographic software.

Color theory, constructed drawings, constructed shadows, descriptive geometry, constructed perspective drawing, and layered wash techniques lead to experimentation with methods representing materiality and construction in design projects.

Field studies using direct observation, site recordings/documentation, analysis and evaluation supplemented by discussions and readings in architecture. Departmental approval. Recommended preparation: core curriculum

Field studies using direct observation, site recordings/documentation, analysis and evaluation supplemented by discussions and readings in urbanism. Departmental approval. Recommended preparation: core curriculum

Field studies using direct observation, site recordings/documentation, analysis and evaluation supplemented by discussions and readings in tectonics. Departmental approval. Recommended preparation: core curriculum

Critical observation of the architecture of public buildings and places and the importance of design in promoting a better contemporary public life.

Global histories and anthropologies of architectures and infrastructures are studied through questions of equitability, enfranchisement and political agency. Discussions are supplemented by visual material.

Design, financial, legal and management challenges of mixed use real estate development; field project.

Collaborative research project and research paper in an area of concentration.

Modeled after Renaissance Salons, this "flipped classroom" course relies on lectures by luminaries and discussions as a means to interrogate the role of the architect.

An investigation into 20th century furniture design and its relationships to architecture, art and design.

The final architectural project under the guidance of a faculty adviser to demonstrate architectural knowledge, skills, and professional interests and goals.

A general introduction to architectural principles, intended to develop design and critical thinking skills and proficiency to communicate those ideas effectively. Open to graduate architecture majors only.

Fundamental theories and meanings of computation as a technique in architectural design.

Confronts the conventional concepts behind modern building science and material applications, re-applying the processes of fabrication and methods of construction to investigate materiality. Prerequisites: ARCH 211 or ARCH 511.

A historical survey of global architecture, analyzed as a product of social, cultural, religious and political forces.a: 4500 BCE to 1500 CE; b: 1500 CE to present.

Critical studies in building science ranging from sustainability, lighting, acoustics, materials and methods, structures, energy issues, digital media, and fabrication. Students focus on minimum of two topics.

Methodologies and exercises on contextual design and environmentally sound technologies (EST's) applications for the sustainability of urban infrastructures, operative landscapes, and building integration in the urban system.

Exploration of the role design plays in enhancing independence and well-being for older people by examining cross-cultural models of housing and community design.

a. Introduction to behavior and analysis of building structures. Structural loading, materials, and element types will be explored to understand the basic building blocks of buildings. b. Investigation and design of building structural systems for gravity, wind and seismic loading. Comprehensive design exploration of framing type, materials, detailing, layout, form and integration. Recommended preparation: One-semester college-level course in physics or calculus.

Comparative studies of professional practice between U.S. firms and firms in other countries. Open to international upper-division undergraduate and graduate architecture students only. Graded CR/NC.

Design methodology, typology programming, site analysis, budget formulation and pro-forma procedures. Office management, emphasizing professional service and professional ethics as well as project management focusing on the architect's responsibilities during construction.

Design methodology, typology programming, site analysis, budget formulation and pro-forma procedures. Office management, emphasizing professional service and professional ethics as well as project management focusing on the architect's responsibilities during construction. Prerequisites: ARCH-500a or ARCH-605b.

Historical overview of the major domestic and international housing developments and innovations since the early 20th century case study format examining a wide range of issues that determine the form of urban housing in various cultures. Major emphasis on the detail analysis of social, technical, and design factors affecting recent housing developments. Recommended preparation: two years of undergraduate architectural studies.

Introduction to the principles and ethics, scope and activities, and types of organization for landscape architecture practice.

Techniques, strategies, materials, and standards to topographic design and construction in landscape architecture. In-class labs practice basic grading, drainage design, and stormwater management.

Develop tools and knowledge to expand the performative boundaries of landscape architecture beyond common typologies. Topics range from ecological infrastructure to design with weather patterns. A systematic approach to case studies, landscape technologies, and field trips seeds the knowledge base and representational methods necessary to design and build these complex landscape performances.

Principles and concepts of plant ecology and regional plant identification; introduction to California native plant species and communities with field trips and case studies.

Projects in urban settings with emphasis on landscape continuities as well as development of integrative schematic proposals and detailed open space design.

Projects for the public realm with emphasis on urbanity and connectivity, place and meaning.

Explores contemporary landscape architecture theories, propositions and projects in the context of cities. The exploration methodology includes the study of epochal projects and theoretical texts.

Builds on knowledge related to the impacts of anthropocentrism on our current environmental/landscape condition - stresses on biodiversity, urban heat island, sea-level rise, etc, and strategies at mitigating these conditions - urban forestry, building soils, etc.

Developing and communicating landscape architecture design intent using visualization tools for three-dimensional studies.

Conservation practice within an economic, political, and cultural context looking at the regulatory environment, public advocacy and policy, real estate development, heritage tourism, environmental sustainability, cultural diversity, and interpretation. Recommended preparation: ARCH-549.

Concepts and techniques for building conservation including identification of treatments, recordation and research, material properties and behavior, building forensics, and project implementation. Recommended preparation: ARCH-549.

In-depth analysis of international heritage conservation practice with a focus on a single country, continent, or world region outside the United States. Topics will vary from year to year; may be repeated for credit when subject matter is different.

Examines urbanism through case studies in theory and design to understand the impacts of globalization, technology, and sustainability on the contemporary city.

Investigates, compares, and critiques modern and contemporary theories of the designed and built environment by focusing on key figures, movements, and texts.

Comparative analysis and appreciation of landscape architecture as a manifestation of nature, society, and design. Topics and world regions vary from year to year; may be repeated for credit when subject matter is different.

Theory, design methodology and practice of how seismicity affects architecture and structural system selection required for robust earthquake performance and seismic sustainability.

An in depth and critical look into the reasons and uses for parametric design and its relationship to contemporary form, fabrication, and construction of the built environment.

The fundamental scientific principles governing light and sound in the built environment will be examined in the context of human physiological, psychological and biological needs.

Course outlines the building design and its performance diagnostic processes required to assure indoor environmental quality and the building occupants environmental health, productivity, and physiological comfort.

Integration of architecture, engineering and construction practices through the development of a construction project.

A practical introduction to digital fabrication. Covered topics include 3D surface milling, thermoforming, materials, casting and shop technology as applied to repeatable surfaces in architecture.

Research leading to the master's degree. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.

Selected topics in various speciality areas of architecture.

b. Comprehensive project emphasizing the interaction between general principles and local sites, building technologies and total building design. Open only to Architecture majors.

Introduction to a range of new technologies and techniques examining their technical and theoretical implications including advanced computational design techniques and geospatial design tools.

Critically investigates the urban condition of Los Angeles through lectures, readings, and field visits. Aims to heighten awareness of the entwinement of environment, culture, architecture and the contemporary city.

Introduction to a range of new technologies and techniques examining technical and theoretical implications including a range of digital fabrication technologies, robotics and film-making techniques.

Design criteria development, material and construction process methods, occupancy based load profiles, performance/material life-cycle-mandates, durability for advanced building systems including integrity in sustainable urban systems.

A detailed examination of current issues in the thermal, acoustical and radiant environment; recent developments in criteria, systems, controls, design tools and simulations; an understanding of the relationships between environmental factors, economics, and architectural goals.

Learn and practice the process by which a landscape design is assembled through materials systems and design documentation.

Focuses on the development of novel facade solutions that respond to shortcomings of contemporary facades applications in both new and existing buildings.

Introduction to, and exploration of, topics leading to the development of a thesis prospectus and directed research towards the completion of the master's thesis in heritage conservation.

Introduction to, and exploration of, topics leading to the development of a thesis prospectus and directed research towards the completion of the master's thesis in heritage conservation.

Introduction to, and exploration of, topics leading to the development of a thesis prospectus and directed research towards the completion of the master's thesis in heritage conservation. Credit on acceptance of thesis. Registration restricted to Master of Heritage Conservation and Historic Preservation students who have satisfactorily completed 12 hours of graduate course work and have permission of the Program Director. Graded IP/CR/NC.

Research and thesis for the Master of Building Science degree.

Technical documentation, graphic representation, and verbal presentation for writing and presenting journal articles and conference presentations in building science.

Directed research option for the MLArch degree.

Directed Design Research option for graduate level architecture degree. Credit on acceptance of research project. Open only to Architecture majors. Graded IP/CR/NC.