COURSE CURRICULUM

The M.S. in Architectural Sciences with a concentration in Built Ecologies at Rensselaer requires 30 credit hours and combines interdisciplinary coursework with research-focused studio experiences to prepare students for designing sustainable, technology-driven built environments. The curriculum begins with foundational courses such as ARCH 6310, Environmental History and Theory, which provides historical and theoretical context for understanding built environments, and ARCH 6320 and 6330, Built Ecologies 1 and 2, which introduce principles of ecological design and systems thinking applied to architecture. ARCH 6340, Material Systems and Productions, equips students with knowledge of materials and their sustainable applications, while ARCH 6350, Design Research Studio, and ARCH 6360, Interdisciplinary Research Studio, provide hands-on opportunities to apply ecological and technological design principles in collaborative, cross-disciplinary settings. Research skills are developed through ARCH 6810, Research Design Seminar, and ARCH 6900, Graduate Thesis Seminar, guiding students in methodological rigor and critical inquiry. The program culminates in a capstone research experience, either through ARCH 6980, the Master’s Project, or ARCH 6990, the Master’s Thesis, allowing students to demonstrate mastery of ecological design, emergent technologies, and technical analysis. This integrated curriculum ensures graduates are equipped to address complex environmental, social, and technological challenges in contemporary architecture while fostering innovative, sustainable design solutions.