Course Requirements and Electives for Architecture Students
Architecture students are often struck with the inflexibility of their quarter or semester schedule, due to the 10- 30 course hours per week of studio laboratory courses. In some schools, it is nearly impossible to consider elective credits beyond what is required. While every school varies in their degree requirements, a student should take time to consider their course completing plan, and maintain regular elective courses to help them succeed in their degree.
Colleges come in a variety of different flavors, from liberal arts colleges, to vocational schools, to professional or technical universities. The purpose of a post-secondary education is to prepare a student for a higher wage profession that requires additional knowledge. All work is connected through various means, and most jobs include some aspect of cross-disciplinary training. Architects often don't consider cross-disciplinary training of much benefit, much like the other built environment degrees. But there is great value in knowing somethings about something else, as they can greatly influence the way in which we work.
Literature courses can be a great inspiration for creativity in architecture, as can biology or information technology. The opportunity for exploring new ways of expressing architectural design will be expanded with a broader knowledge of other disciplines.
The value of understanding more technical aspects of operating a firm or manufacturing material could have monumental impact on how you as a student approaches your architecture education.
Despite a tight schedule, students can find relief and inspiration through elective courses that may not fulfill graduation requirements, but increase their drive to complete a project, inspire creativity, and broaden their knowledge of the economy in which they are a part of, to be more relevant and productive as an architecture student.
