Intensive Design Concentration (DSI)

In addition to the 13 cu of requirements for the Design Concentration, a student admitted into the Intensive Design Concentration of the Major in Architecture will take six additional course units in their fourth year including a design studio (ARCH 4010), an architecture theory course (ARCH 4120), and three course units of graduate-level coursework in building technology as listed below for a total of 19 cu.

• ARCH 4310 (0.5 cu) & 4320 (1.0 cu): Construction I & II
• ARCH 4330: Building Systems Integration (.05 cu)
• ARCH 4350 (0.5 cu) & 4360 (0.5 cu): Structures I & II

Students must typically enroll in ARCH 1010 or ARCH 1020 in the first year to complete the requirements for the Intensive Design Concentration in four years (eight semesters). The number of total course units required for graduation with the Major in Architecture with an Intensive Design Concentration can be found here in the University Catalog. Those interested in the Intensive Design Concentration are advised to meet with their College Contact to develop a strategy for fulfilling the degree requirements.

Intensive Design Concentration students are eligible to apply for admission with one year of Advanced Standing into the second year of the three-year Master of Architecture Professional Degree Program, Department of Architecture, Weitzman School of Design. Learn more

Students may apply for the Intensive Design Concentration in their second or third year.

To be admitted to the Major in Architecture in the Intensive Design Concentration in their second year, a student must be in excellent overall academic standing; have earned a final grade of B or better in ARCH 1010 or ARCH 1020; be on track to complete the Design Concentration requirements by the end of their third year; and have a minimum 3.5 grade point average in architecture coursework.

To continue in the Intensive Design Concentration in their third year, a student must remain in excellent overall academic standing; have completed the Design Concentration requirements by the end of their third year; maintain a minimum 3.5 grade point average in architecture coursework; and have completed the prerequisites in math and physics required for admission to the Master of Architecture Professional Degree Program, Department of Architecture, Weitzman School of Design, University of Pennsylvania. Learn more