BSc in Architecture in Cambridge United States | Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Department of Architecture provides two undergraduate degree programs. These programs deliver comprehensive foundational education for students with defined career aspirations as well as those seeking versatile preparation for various professional paths. Course 4 culminates in a Bachelor of Science in Architecture, while Course 4-B awards a Bachelor of Science in Art and Design. Course 4 immerses students in architectural studies through five key disciplines: artistic practice, cultural and technological studies, architectural and urban design, building science, computational design, plus historical and theoretical analysis of architecture and design.

The Bachelor of Science in Architecture (BSA) curriculum starts with two sequential foundation courses - 4.021 Design Studio: Principles of Design and 4.022 Design Studio: Fundamentals of Design Techniques and Technologies - primarily for second-year students. Core requirements further encompass introductory coursework across all five disciplinary areas.

The BSA program features two to three progressive architectural design studios. This educational approach encourages exploration and dialogue while cultivating awareness of constructed spaces. These competencies connect to broader societal values and civic responsibilities. In design studios, students acquire technical proficiency and analytical capabilities while mastering the integration and innovation of architectural components: materials, structures, construction methods, lighting, acoustics, cultural memory, and spatial context. An optional thesis project is available during the final year of study.