The Department of Architecture's undergraduate major in environmental design (B.S. or B.A.) is intended for students interested in alternative careers in design, construction, and related fields. The environmental design major, running parallel with and often overlapping the preprofessional major in architecture but with greater flexibility, provides students with a strong design-based education that will prepare them for a broad range of career options.

Students wanting to pursue licensure in the field of architecture are advised to consider the preprofessional undergraduate major in architecture followed by the professional master of architecture graduate degree (M.Arch.). Learn more about our Bachelor of Arts/Science in Architecture.

The B.S/B.A. in environmental design program is not open to undergraduate students majoring in architecture.

First-Year Program
All undergraduate students in the College of Architecture and Planning share a common first year of study. Students planning to major in architecture, landscape architecture, or urban planning are introduced to all three disciplines and share design and design communications studios. The first year also provides the opportunity to take courses that meet Ball State's University Core Curriculum requirements. In the second year, students begin to concentrate on their chosen major. Learn more about your freshman year at CAP.

Degree Curriculum
The core of the undergraduate environmental design curriculum is a sequence of courses in architectural design, design communications, architectural history, structures, environmental systems, and building technology. Related electives in architecture and a variety of other disciplines are available. View a course-by-course sample curriculum for this major.

Students may pursue this degree as either a bachelor of science or a bachelor of arts. The B.A. degree requires two years (or the equivalent) of study in a foreign language.

Studio Courses
Studio courses challenge environmental design students to develop skills and a knowledge base for solving problems in creative and environmentally sound ways. Studio problems may focus on housing, educational, recreational, retail, or multiuse facilities; urban design and high-rise complexes; or design of new communities. Real problems in real communities, competitions, and interdisciplinary teams working on sustainability issues are common. Design/build studios often occur with opportunities for actual construction experience, converting design-by-consensus to reality. Learn more about CAP's design studios.

Special Activities
Noted professionals in the field share their expertise with students as guest lecturers, visiting scholars, and studio critics on campus and through interactive teleconferences and gallery exhibits. See upcoming events on our calendar of events.

Environmental design students also take trips to significant sites, attend conferences, and participate in field study programs across the country and abroad, developing a multicultural perspective. Find out more about our field study opportunities.

Related Programs
Students can enhance their studies with the many electives and undergraduate minors available within CAP and in other disciplines across campus. Ball State's Honors College program also offers exciting educational challenges for exceptional undergraduate students.

Required Laptop
Students in the undergraduate environmental design major must purchase a laptop computer that meets designated performance specifications. View architecture computer specifications.

For More Information
Jon P. Coddington, Chair
Department of Architecture
(765) 285-1900
jpcoddington@bsu.edu

For complete information on program requirements, please consult the Ball State University Undergraduate Catalog.