Program Summary

ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGY - Associate in Science

2022 - 2023, 2023 - 2024, 2024 - 2025

Architecture is the art and science of designing buildings or, more accurately and broadly, the built environment, which can range from a house addition to a plan for a city. Behind that simple definition, however, lies an enormously diverse profession with many career paths and a variety of roles to play. Additionally, there are many paraprofessional jobs within firms or in related fields, offering many other options to those not pursuing a professional university degree.

The architecture program at Cuesta College prepares individuals for challenging careers in the architectural profession and its related design and technical fields. The program offers its students a strong foundation for transferring to upper-division studies in baccalaureate professional degree programs or entering directly into the workforce.

Cuesta’s architecture program is an affiliate member of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA).

Career Opportunities
Architect (with further education and state licensure), Architectural Intern, Architectural Drafter/CAD Technician, Technical and production support within architecture or engineering firms, Kitchen and Bath Designers, Homebuilders and Commercial Contractors, Building product or component manufacturers, Government Agencies (plan checker and project inspector)
Required Courses (30 credits)
Units: 30.0
ARCH 221
DESIGN AND VISUAL COMMUNICATION I
4.0
ARCH 222
DESIGN AND VISUAL COMMUNICATION II
4.0
ARCH 232
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN & PRESENTATION COMPUTER GRAPHICS
3.0
ARCH 242
INTRODUCTION TO ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE
3.0
ARCH 244
ARCHITECTURAL ENVIRONMENT CONTROL SYSTEMS
3.0
ARCH 251
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN FUNDAMENTALS I
5.0
ARCH 252
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN FUNDAMENTALS II
5.0
CTCH 250
MATERIALS OF CONSTRUCTION
3.0
Plus 9 units from the following:
Units: 9.0
ARCH 205
ARCHITECTURAL MODEL MAKING
2.0
ARCH 217
HISTORY OF WORLD ARCHITECTURE I
3.0
ARCH 218
HISTORY OF WORLD ARCHITECTURE II
3.0
CTCH 180A
BUILDING CODE I, ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PROVISIONS
3.0
ENGR 226
ENGINEERING DRAWING
4.0
ENGR 250
ENGINEERING STATICS
3.0
ENGR 252A
STRENGTH OF MATERIALS I
2.0
MATH 265A
CALCULUS I
5.0
PHYS 205A
GENERAL PHYSICS
4.0
PHYS 205B
GENERAL PHYSICS
4.0
 
3.0
ART 220
FUNDAMENTALS OF 2-D DESIGN
3.0
OR
ART 221
DRAWING I
3.0
OR
ART 270
FUNDAMENTALS OF 3-D DESIGN
3.0
Total: 39.0
Program Outcomes
Apply fundamental principles of architectural design theory and practice
Studio projects demonstrate a proficient use of hierarchy, balance, form and proportion to define space.
Advance/articulate completed course work towards university transfer into 4- or 5-year Architecture programs or related majors
Cuesta assesses this outcome in two ways: (1) transfer data from receiving institutions, whenever available; and (2) self-reporting from architecture program alumni though personal contact or social media, specifically LinkedIn.
Apply the principles of design communication as they apply to architectural project delivery.
This outcome is assessed through performance. Students are required to present completed design projects using analog and digital graphic media and physical scale models.