skip navigation 1-800-4-ALFRED (425-3733)

Architectural Technology (AAS)

Print PDF

AAS Degree - Code #0538

Kevin Hofmann, Program Coordinator
Email Address:hofmankn@alfredstate.edu

The AAS architectural technology program is structured to provide students with knowledge and skills for entry-level positions in the architectural office and related disciplines. The program consists of a core graphics sequence with additional courses in appropriate technical areas. Digital tools are integrated throughout the four-semester program.

All architecture degree programs share course work across the first two years, while the BS and BArch have some shared course work in the third and fourth years. This alignment demands that the AAS and BS in architectural technology are required to meet the same NAAB "Student Criteria” and “Program Criteria” that apply to the BArch program. The BArch program is the first and only fully accredited undergraduate professional architecture degree program in the SUNY system.

Advantages

  • Students gain an understanding of how design solutions affect and are impacted by construction systems, mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, structures, building methods, and materials.

  • Broad exposure gives students the ability to be conversant with and/or seek employment with all related professions within the architectural field.

  • The degree may be accepted for credit toward professional licensure in New York State.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

  • PSLO.1. = NAAB PC.1. Career Paths — The program helps students understand the path to becoming a licensed architect in the United States and the range of career opportunities available to them that utilize the discipline’s skills and knowledge.
  • PSLO.2. = NAAB PC.2 Design — The program promotes the role of design in shaping the built environment, and conveys the methods by which design integrates multiple factors, in different settings and scales of development.
  • PSLO.3. = NAAB PC.3 Ecological Knowledge and Responsibility — The program provides a holistic understanding of the dynamic between built and natural environments, enabling future architects to responsibly mitigate climate change by leveraging ecological, advanced building performance, adaptation, and resilience principles in their work and advocacy activities.
  • PSLO.4. = NAAB PC.4 History and Theory — The program prepares students to understand the histories and theories of architecture and urbanism, framed by broad social, cultural, economic, and political forces.
  • PSLO.5. = NAAB PC.5 Innovation — The program expands students' understanding of the field and encourages exploration, risk-taking, and inventiveness.
  • PSLO.6. = NAAB PC.6 Leadership and Collaboration — The program helps students understand approaches to leadership in multidisciplinary teams, diverse stakeholder constituents, and dynamic physical and social contexts, and learn how to apply effective collaboration skills to solve complex problems.
  • PSLO.7. = NAAB PC.7 Learning and Teaching Culture — The program fosters a positive and respectful environment that encourages optimism, respect, sharing, engagement, and innovation among the members of its faculty, student body, administration, staff, and the profession.
  • PSLO.8. = NAAB PC.8 Social Equity and Inclusive Environments — The program deepens students' understanding of diverse cultural and social contexts and helps students translate that into built environments that support and include people who have different backgrounds, resources, and abilities.
  • PSLO.9. = NAAB SC.1 Health, Safety, and Welfare in the Built Environment — How the program promotes students’ understanding of the role of the built environment in human health, safety, and welfare at multiple scales.
  • PSLO.10. = NAAB SC.2 Professional Practice — How the program fosters an understanding of professional ethics, the regulatory standards, and the fundamental business processes relevant to architectural practice in the United States.
  • PSLO.11. = NAAB SC.3 Regulatory Context — How the program enables students to understand the fundamental principles of life safety, land use, and related regulations that apply to buildings and sites within the US, and the evaluative criteria architects use to assess those regulations as part of a project.
  • PSLO.12. = NAAB SC.4 Technical Knowledge — How the program prepares students to understand the established and emerging systems, technologies, and assemblies of building construction, and the criteria architects use to assess those technologies against the design and performance objectives of projects.
  • PSLO.13. = NAAB SC.5 Design Synthesis — Ability to make design decisions within an-architectural project while demonstrating broad synthesis and consideration of user requirements, regulatory requirements, site conditions, ecological concerns, and accessible design.
  • PSLO.14. = NAAB SC.6 Building Integration — Ability to make design decisions within an architectural project while demonstrating broad integration and consideration of building envelope systems and assemblies, structural systems, environmental control systems and life safety systems.

Direct Entry Into Baccalaureate Degree Programs

Alfred State architectural technology AAS graduates may enter directly into either the architectural technology BS or the architecture BArch programs (portfolio review may be required). AAS students who elect to apply for internal transfer to BS or BArch programs need to have completed either MATH 2043 (College Trigonometry) or MATH 1054 (Precalculus).  Architectural technology AAS graduates may also enter directly into the construction supervision BTech, the interdisciplinary studies BTech, or the technology management BBA degree program.

Continuing Education Opportunities

Graduates may enter the workforce or may continue in Alfred State's architectural technology BS or BArch programs. Graduates may also transfer to professional or pre-professional degree programs at other institutions. Transfer is contingent on program and institution.

Career Opportunities

  • Architectural technician
  • Architectural drafter
  • Product detailer
  • Space planner
  • Estimator
  • Manufacturer's sales representative

Employment Statistics

Employment and continuing education rate of 100 percent – 33 percent are employed; 67 percent continued their education.

Related Programs

Construction Engineering Technology
Interior Design

Entrance Requirements/recommendations

Required: Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2

Recommended: Physics

Required Course Prerequisites

If students do not place into MATH 1033 College Algebra, MATH 1084 Calculus I, MATH 1323 Quantitative Reasoning, 1034 College Algebra of Functions, 1054 Precalculus, or 2124 Statistical Methods & Analysis, then MATH 1014 Algebra Concepts is a required prerequisite for completion of the major.

If students do not place into PHYS 1024 General Physics I or PHYS 1044 College Physics I, then PHYS 1014 Introductory Physics is a required prerequisite for completion of this major.

Office of Accessibility Services

Students who believe they need a reasonable accommodation to properly participate in this program may contact Melanie Ryan in the Office of Accessibility Services. This office may be contacted by email at oas@alfredstate.edu  or by phone at 607-587-4506. Please keep in mind that some accommodations may take time to implement, so students seeking accommodations are encouraged to contact OAS as early as possible.

Typical Program

In the first and second years, a typical day consists of two one-hour lectures and a two-hour studio. Students can expect to spend additional time working on projects and course work out of studio.

General Notes:

Students must complete at least one course from each of five SUNY General Education knowledge areas.

Entry level of student into math and composition/literature sequences is a function of student’s high school preparation and mathematics and English placement examinations.

Math through Technical Calculus I must be completed. Students who start at a higher level in math must meet all SUNY general education and campus liberal arts and sciences course credit requirements for graduation.

A minimum grade of “C” is required in the following courses to continue from one studio course to the next and to meet graduation requirements: ARCH 1184, ARCH 2394, DSGN 2204, and DSGN 2304.

If entry-level math requirement is met, take LAS elective to complete degree requirements of 3 credits, otherwise take free elective.

Graduation Requirements

A student must successfully complete all courses in the prescribed program and earn a minimum cumulative index of 2.0.

Required Equipment

All students in both the architecture and interior design programs are required to purchase a computer in addition to other equipment. Typically the costs of these purchases can be covered using financial aid. Please consult a financial aid counselor for further details. A tier 3 laptop computer is required, and a tier 4 laptop computer is recommended, for students entering this degree program.  Laptop specifications are available at www.alfredstate.edu/required-laptops.

Architectural Technology - AAS Degree


TYPICAL FOUR-SEMESTER PROGRAM

First

ARCH 1184 Design Fundamentals 1 4
GLST 2113 Global & Diverse Perspectives 3
FNAT 1303 Architectural History I 3
MATH 1034 College Algebra of Functions 4
XXXX xxx3 Open Elective 3
      17

Second

ARCH 2394 Design Fundamentals 2 4
ARCH 2014 Computer Visualization 4
COMP 1503 Writing Studies 3
MATH 2043 College Trigonometry 3
PHYS 1024 General Physics I 4
      18

Third

ARCH 3104 Design Studio 1 4
ARCH 3014 Construction Technology 1 4
ARCH 3003 Environmental Controls 1 3
MATH 1063 Technical Calculus I 3
XXXX xxx3 Gen Ed Elective/LAS 3
      17

Fourth

ARCH 4304 Design Studio 2 4
ARCH 4014 Construction Technology 2 4
CIVL 4103 Structures I 3
ARCH 4013 Municipal Codes & Regulations 3
SPCH 1083 Public Speaking 3
    OR  
SPCH xxx3 Effective Speaking Equivalent 3
      17

 

Be advised that a prior felony conviction may impede a student's ability to participate in an internship and/or pursue licensure.