Architecture MS: Sustainable Design Sample Program Plans

MS-SD Program Overview

The MS-SD program requires a total of 34 credits, typically completed over three semesters. Coursework includes four foundation courses (12 credits), 6 credits of electives in architecture, 6 credits of electives outside of architecture, and 10 credits for the Plan A Thesis or Plan B Project(s). At least 24 of the credits are completed before registering for either the Plan A Thesis or a Plan B Project(s). Students enrolled in the MS-SD program may select either the Plan A Thesis or Plan B Project(s) to demonstrate familiarity with the tools of research or scholarship in their major field, the ability to work independently, and the ability to present the results of their investigation effectively.

Plan A

This plan requires a thesis worth 10 credits, for which students must enroll in ARCH 8777 to complete.

Plan B

This plan requires a project, for which students register for 10 credits of additional coursework and develop one or two projects/papers requiring up to 120 hours of additional work. The Plan B coursework may be a combination of directed studies, courses in architecture, or courses in related fields, determined with approval by the M.S. Director. Students are examined upon completion of all coursework for the Master's degree.

Dual Degree

Students who enter the M.S. in Architecture-Sustainable Design Track may enroll in the program for only the M.S. degree or combine it with the M.Arch degree. A maximum of 24 credits may be overlapped in the M.S. and M.Arch. Credits required to satisfy the final project or thesis for either degree may not be double-counted. It is strongly recommended that students in this situation select Plan B for the M.S. since the M.Arch requires a Master’s Final Project (Plan C, 10 credits).

Candidates may consider completing the M.Arch Master's Final Project after they have completed the Plan B project(s), which may provide the research base for the Master's Final Project. For students already enrolled in the M.Arch program, it is recommended that M.S. program applications to the Graduate School and the School of Architecture be submitted—at the latest—by the second year of the graduate program (GD 2) in order to develop a course plan and establish examining committee members.

Program Planning Worksheet

Foundation Courses (required)

  • ARCH 8561: Sustainable Design Theory and Practice (3 cr)
  • ARCH 8563: Energy and Indoor Environmental Quality in Sustainable Design (3 cr)    
  • ARCH 8565: Material Performance in Sustainable Building (3 cr)    
  • ARCH 8567: Site and Water in Sustainable Design (3 cr)

Electives (required)

The elective courses allocated to the program allow you to take advantage of offerings in the College of Design and in other Colleges at the University of Minnesota. Elective courses fulfill the remaining credits in each plan beyond the required foundation courses. At least two electives (6 cr) must be from outside Architecture. Suggested electives are located at the bottom of this page.

MS-SD Curriculum Sequence

MS-SD Recommended Curriculum Sequence

This curriculum sequence applies to students in the MS-MD program who are not pursuing a dual degree. Please use the program planning worksheet for planning purposes.

YEAR 1

Fall
  • ARCH 8561: Sustainable Design Theory and Practice (3 cr)
  • ARCH 8567: Site and Water in Sustainable Design (3 cr)
  • Elective course (in Architecture) (3 cr)
  • Elective course (outside Architecture) (3 cr)
Spring
  • ARCH 8563: Energy and Indoor Environmental Quality in Sustainable Design (3 cr)
  • ARCH 8565: Material Performance in Sustainable Building (3 cr)
  • Elective course (in Architecture) (3 cr)
  • Elective course (outside Architecture) (3 cr)

YEAR 2

Summer/Fall
  • Plan A thesis OR Plan B project(s) + coursework (10 cr)

MS-SD + M.Arch Curriculum Sequence

M.Arch + MS-SD Recommended Curriculum Sequence

This 100-credit curriculum sequence applies to students who are pursuing a dual degree.

YEAR 1

Fall
  • ARCH 5411: Principles of Design Theory (3 cr)
  • ARCH 5515: Technology I: Building Materials and Construction Systems (3 cr)
  • ARCH 8251: Graduate Architectural Design I (9 cr)
Spring
  • ARCH 5516: Technology II: Luminous and Thermal Design (6 cr)
  • Project Module (4 cr)
  • Elective course (3 cr)
  • Elective course (3 cr)
  • ARCH 5110: Architecture as Catalyst (1 cr)

YEAR 2

Fall
  • ARCH 5621: Professional Practice in Architecture (3 cr)
  • ARCH 5517 Technology III: Structural Systems (3 cr)
  • ARCH 8253: Graduate Architectural Design II (9 cr)
Spring
  • ARCH 8254: Technical Applications in Design (4 cr)
  • Project Module (4 cr)
  • ARCH 8563: Energy and Indoor Environmental Quality in Sustainable Design (M.S. overlap) (3 cr)
  • Elective course (outside architecture, M.S. overlap) (3 cr)
  • ARCH 5110: Architecture as Catalyst (1 cr)

YEAR 3

Fall
  • ARCH 8561: Sustainable Design Theory and Practice (M.S. overlap) (3 cr)
  • ARCH 8567: Site and Water in Sustainable Design (M.S. overlap) (3 cr)
  • Elective course (outside architecture, M.S. overlap) (3 cr)
  • ARCH 8255: Graduate Architectural Design III (M.S. overlap) (6 cr)
Spring
  • ARCH 8299: Master’s Final Project (10 cr)
  • ARCH 8565: Material Performance in Sustainable Building (3 cr)

YEAR 4

Summer/Fall
  • Plan A Thesis OR Plan B Project(s) + coursework (10 cr)

Suggested Electives

Expand all

Electives in Architecture

  • ARCH 5521: Material Investigations: Concrete
  • ARCH 5523: Material Investigations: Stone and Water
  • ARCH 5527: Material Investigations: Wood
  • ARCH 5426: Architecture and Nature: 1500-1750
  • ARCH 5541: Material Strategies
  • ARCH 5550: Topics in Technology (multiple courses; contact program director for approval)
  • ARCH 5993: Directed Study (contingent on advisor and program director approval)
  • ARCH 8560: Advanced Topics in Technology (multiple courses; contact program director for approval)

Note: Students may also take additional courses beyond the two that are required to fullfil their electives inside Architecture.

Electives outside Architecture

  • BBE 5414: Advanced Residential Building Science
  • BBE 5415: Advanced Residential Building Science Lab (take with BBE 5414 above)
  • CE 5180: Design for Sustainable Development
  • DES 5168: Evidence-Based Design
  • EEB 5053: Ecology: Theory and Concepts
  • ESPM 5242: Methods for Natural Resource and Environmental Policy
  • ESPM 5245: Sustainable Land Use Planning and Policy
  • ESPM 5251: Natural Resources in Sustainable International Development
  • ESPM 5256: Natural Resource Law and the Management of Public Lands & Waters
  • ESPM 5261: Economics and Natural Resources Management
  • ESPM 5603: Environmental Life Cycle Analysis
  • ESPM 5604: Environmental Management Systems and Strategy
  • ESPM 5605: Recycling: Extending Raw Materials Supplies
  • GEOG 5605W: Geographical Perspectives on Planning
  • HSCI 5244: History of Ecology and Environmentalism
  • LA 5413: Introduction to Landscape Architectural History
  • LA 5514: Making the Mississippi
  • PA 5211: Land Use Planning
  • PA 5253: Designing Planning and Participation Processes
  • PA 5271: Geographic Information Systems: Applications in Planning and Policy Analysis
  • PA 5511: Community Economic Development
  • PA 5721: Energy and Environmental Policy
  • PA 5722: Environmental and Resource Economics Policy
  • PA 8203: Neighborhood Revitalization Strategies and Theories
  • PSY 5960: Environmental Decision Making: Place and Space from Lawns to Climate
  • PUBH 6103: Exposure to Environmental Hazards
  • RRM 5101: Park & Protected Area Tourism
  • RRM 5101: Nature & Heritage Based Tourism