The Bachelor of Science in architectural technology at Alfred State is a pre-professional program that focuses on history, design theory, and building systems, along with the graphic and oral communication skills required to present design ideas to others. A variety of graphic tools and techniques are explored in the studios including freehand drawing, physical models, 2D and 3D building information modeling, and animation applications. Software such as Adobe Revit, 3ds Max, and Photoshop are used throughout the program. Students are exposed to a wide range of software programs, graphic communication techniques, and problem-solving skills.
The program will place graduates in the architectural profession as advanced technicians or intern architects.
A laptop computer is required for students entering the architectural technology program. See laptop specifications.
In addition to the PSLO's for the architectural engineering technology AAS program, the architectural technology BS program PSLO's include:
- Defend and justify, through verbal and graphic presentations, the methodology used in formulating architectural design solutions.
- Analyze the principles of sustainability in making architectural decisions that conserve natural and built resources, including culturally important buildings and sites, and in the creation of healthful buildings and communities.
- Formulate a comprehensive program for an architectural project, including assessment and analysis of client and user needs, appropriate precedents, space and equipment requirements, site conditions, relevant laws and standards to evaluate their implication for the project in terms of site selection and design assessment criteria.
- Produce a comprehensive architectural project based on a building program and site that includes development of programmed spaces and demonstrate an understanding of structural, environmental and building envelope systems, life-safety provisions, wall sections, building assemblies, and the principles of sustainability.
- Recognize the varied talent found in interdisciplinary design project teams in professional practice and work in collaboration with other students as members of a design team.
- Compose a document that requires the gathering, assessment, recording and application of relevant information and incorporate concepts and precedents into projects related to both architectural and general studies.
- Evaluate issues and raise clear and precise questions, use abstract ideas to interpret information, consider diverse points of view, reach well-reasoned conclusions, and test them against relevant criteria and standards orally and in writing.
- Evaluate the comparative effectiveness of a structural, environmental, life safety, envelope, and service systems, materials and assemblies and conceptually integrate the components into a building design.
- Compare and demonstrate an understanding of the Western, non-Western, national and regional architectural canons and traditions in architecture, as well as the climatic, technological, socioeconomic, and other cultural factors that have shaped and sustained them.
Required: Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2/ Trigonometry, SAT and/or ACT scores with a recommended combined SAT score of 1,000 (critical reading and math) or a composite ACT score of 21.
Recommended: Pre-calculus, Physics
Transfer Students
All transfer students applying for entrance into the BS program must submit a portfolio.
Portfolio must include six (6) to eight (8) examples of the student’s best work. Examples should be copies (not originals) of design work including any work in the two- or three-dimensional visual arts done in academic settings, practice, or as personal work. All work must include the name of applicant, date of work, and an indication of whether the work was an academic, professional, or personal project. If the item is part of a group effort, the specific role of the applicant should be included.
All portfolio material must be bound. Portfolio overall size must not be more than 10” x 12” (25 cm x 30 cm) and 1” (2.5 cm) thick. The applicant’s name must be clearly visible on the binding. The use of slides is discouraged.
The portfolio should be submitted by mail in a padded envelope to:
Admissions Office
Alfred State
10 Upper College Drive
Alfred, NY 14802
The department will keep portfolio materials unless a prepaid, self-addressed return envelope is mailed with the applicant’s portfolio. Portfolios held by the department will be discarded if not retrieved by the applicant in one semester.
Alfred State is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, 3624 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, (215) 662-5606
The Department of Computer Imaging and Architectural Engineering Technology offers all students in the department use of extensive laboratory facilities that enhance each student's learning experience as it relates to his/her chosen program.
Architecture Studios
Junior and senior baccalaureate-level students have access 24 hours per day to three studios. These rooms in the Engineering Technology building contain 15 advanced computer visualization workstations. Peripheral devices such as scanners, digital cameras, and large format color plotters are readily available. All entering students in both architecture and interior design programs are required to purchase a laptop computer. The laptop will enable students to have access to architectural software via the wireless network on campus such as Autocad, 3D Studio Viz, and Adobe Photoshop.
Computer Art and Design Computing Laboratories, 2D and 3D Processes Laboratories
Two highly sophisticated computer labs provide industry standard capability in 2D graphics, Web design, interactive multimedia, 2D animation, and TV/film quality 3D animation; two art and design labs provide production space for associated traditional creative studies in drawing, color theory, 3D form theory, and aesthetics.
Articulation agreements for this program are in place with:
- SUNY College of Technology at Delhi
- Erie Community College
- Finger Lakes Community College
- Onondaga County Community College
- Orange County Community College
- SUNY College of Technology at Morrisville
Successfully complete all courses in the prescribed eight-semester program and earn a minimum cumulative index of 2.0, which is equivalent to a "C" average.
As part of the graduation requirements for Bachelor of Science in architectural technology, students must complete a portfolio according to the following guidelines:
- The portfolio must contain a minimum of six (6) examples of creative academic work. These examples should demonstrate achievements as a designer. A minimum of two (2) examples must be from studio class projects in the last two years of the program. A maximum of two (2) examples may be of non-graphic work (example - written work).
- Each example will be accompanied by a short description of the project and solution, and include the name of the class the project was produced for. If the item is part of a group effort, the specific role of the student should be included.
- Completed portfolios must be submitted digitally in Patable Document Format (PDF) on a CD or as directed by the department chair.
- Portfolios will be evaluated to determine whether they should be graded as "High Pass,""Pass," or "Fail." This assessment will appear on the student's permanent Alfred State transcript.
- The completed portfolio must be submitted to the Department of Architecture and Design Office by April 1. This is an absolute deadline. Evaluation will be done on a yearly basis by faculty reviewers. All decisions are final.
Evaluation Criteria
Work in student portfolios should demonstrate:
- Understanding of the philosophy of building design and problem solving skills, through original and thorough design thinking;
- Ability to legibly communicate design ideas in graphic and written form;
- A working knowledge of a variety of construction systems and materials and how they affect building design;
- Competence in the use of graphic tools and techniques including freehand drawing, computer-aided drafting, physical models, and computer imaging.
- Architect (after successfully meeting state requirements)
![Programs that can lead to green careers]()
Model Builders- Drafters/Detailers
- Inspectors
- 3D Modelers/Animators
- Illustrators
- Specifications Writers
- Sales Representatives
- Estimators
Model BuildersGraduates wishing to continue their education may choose to apply to a Master of Architecture or related program. Length of program is contingent upon program and institutional requirements.
A typical day consists of two, one-hour lectures and a two-hour studio in the freshman and sophomore years. At the junior and senior levels four-hour studios are required.
| First Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| COMP | 1503 | Freshman Composition | 3 |
| MATH | 1033 | College Algebra | 3 |
| ARCH | 1184 | Design Fundamentals I | 4 |
| FNAT | 1303 | Architectural History I | 3 |
| ARCH | 2201 | Arch Computer Graphics Apps | 1 |
| SOCI | 1163 | General Sociology | 3 |
| 17 | |||
| Second Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| LITR | 2603 | Introduction to Literature | 3 |
| PHYS | 1024 | General Physics I | 4 |
| MATH | 2043 | College Trigonometry | 3 |
| ARCH | 2394 | Design Fundamentals II | 4 |
| ARCH | 4403 | Computer Visualization | 3 |
| 17 | |||
| Third Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ARCH | 1023 | Construction Technology I | 3 |
| MATH | 1063 | Technical Calculus I | 3 |
| PHYS | 2023 | General Physics II | 3 |
| ARCH | 3104 | Design Studio I | 4 |
| ARCH | 2123 | Environmental Controls I | 3 |
| 16 | |||
| Fourth Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| SPCH | 1083 | Effective Speaking | 3 |
| PSYC | 1013 | General Psychology | 3 |
| ARCH | 3304 | Construction Technology II | 4 |
| CIVL | 4104 | Structural Technology | 4 |
| ARCH | 4304 | Design Studio II | 4 |
| 17 | |||
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 of math must meet all SUNY general education and campus liberal arts and sciences course credit requirements for graduation.
Minimum combined GPA of 3.0 is required in Alfred State studio courses (ARCH 1184, ARCH 2394, ARCH 3104, and ARCH 4304) or comparable courses at another institution to guarantee admission into ARCH 5306 - Design Studio 3. A portfolio review is required of all continuing or transfer students not meeting this requirement.
| Fifth Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| SOCI | 5213 | Sci, Tech, & Society | 3 |
| xxx3 | Gen Ed Elective/Other World Civ | 3 | |
| ARCH | 5306 | Design Studio III* | 6 |
| FNAT | 5303 | Architectural History II | 3 |
| 15 | |||
| Sixth Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| xxx3 | Gen Education/LAS Elective | 3 | |
| xxx3 | Gen Education/LAS Elective | 3 | |
| ARCH | 6306 | Design Studio IV* | 6 |
| CIVL | 5213 | Foundations and Concrete Cons. | 3 |
| 15 | |||
| Seventh Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| COMP | 5703 | Technical Writing II | 3 |
| MATH | 7113 | Economic Analysis | 3 |
| ARCH | 7306 | Design Studio V | 6 |
| ARCH | 5503 | Sustainable Buildign Design | 3 |
| ARCH | 7001 | Studio Thesis Research | 1 |
| 16 | |||
| Eighth Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ARCH | 8003 | Professional Practice II | 3 |
| xxx3 | Gen Education/LAS Elective (Upper Level) | 3 | |
| ARCH | 8306 | Design Studio VI | 6 |
| xxx3 | Gen Ed Elective/American History | 3 | |
| 15 | |||
General Notes:
Students must complete at least one course from 7 of the 10 SUNY General Education Silos.
Minimum of “C” is required for CIAT 1184, CIAT 2394, CIAT 3104, CIAT 4304, CIAT 5306, CIAT 6306, CIAT 7306 and CIAT 8306.
Also required: One unit of physical education.
Semester Abroad Option
Alfred State has an agreement with Sorrento Lingue International Language Institute (Sant'Anna Institute) in Sorrento, Italy, to offer an optional semester abroad to its students. Learn more about our study abroad program.
| Survey Details | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Receiving Degrees | 38 | 30 | 39 |
| Responding to Survey | 21 (55%) | 22 (73%) | 31 (79%) |
| Employed | 12 (57%) | 14 (64%) | 20 (65%) |
| Employed in Field | 9 (75%) | 13 (93%) | 14 (70%) |
| Transferred | 9 (43%) | 8 (36%) | 10 (32%) |
| Unemployed & Seeking Employment | -- | -- | 1 (3%) |
| Unemployed & Not Seeking Employment | -- | -- | -- |
$20,000 - $29,999(1)
$30,000 - $39,999 (1)
$40,000 - $49,999 (2)
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