University Catalog 2016-2017

University of Colorado Boulder
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Architectural Engineering

    Architectural engineering has many elements in common with civil, mechanical and electrical engineering, but is specifically directed toward the building industry. It focuses on building systems, which include design of systems such as heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems; illumination and electrical systems; structural building systems; and construction methods applied to buildings. The program is administered by the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering. Students also take courses in architectural history and architectural design from the Program in Environmental Design.

    Program Educational Objectives

    The educational objective of the architectural engineering program is to develop graduates who acquire the broad knowledge and skills necessary to successfully begin and sustain a career, and to become leaders who advance the state-of-the art, in one of four core disciplines of the building industry: 

    • construction engineering and management
    • electrical and lighting systems
    • heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems
    • structural systems

    Educational Outcomes

    The outcomes that students are expected to have attained upon graduation with the bachelor of science degree in architectural engineering are:

    • the ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering 
    • the ability to design and conduct experiments 
    • the ability to analyze and interpret data 
    • the ability to design a system or component to meet desired needs 
    • the ability to function on multidisciplinary teams 
    • the ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems 
    • an understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities 
    • the ability to communicate effectively through writing and/or drawing 
    • the ability to communicate effectively through oral presentations 
    • an understanding of the impact of engineering on society 
    • an understanding of the necessity to engage in life-long learning 
    • a knowledge of contemporary issues in civil, environmental and architectural engineering 
    • the ability to use modern engineering techniques, skills and tools 

    Areas of Knowledge

    The areas of knowledge that define these objectives include both technical and non-technical areas.

    Technical areas are:

    • elementary—the fundamentals for architectural engineering, including basic science and mathematics, building design and construction processes; overview of building systems; elementary principles and processes of architecture; and laboratory measurement and data analysis;
    • intermediate—introduction to building systems and their components, with corresponding analysis of electrical, HVAC and lighting systems as well as structural elements and components;
    • proficiency—design, integration and advanced analysis of electrical, HVAC, lighting and structural systems; as well as the codes and recommended practices that govern these building systems; and
    • specialization—advanced design, coupled with industry experience via internships, for building lighting and electrical system design, building HVAC systems design, building structural system design and construction engineering and management.

    Non-technical areas include:

    • professional life, including methods of time and resource management, and professional ethics;
    • processes and requirements of written and oral communication; and
    • broad areas in the humanities and social sciences, including architectural history and language.

    Course code for this program is AREN.

    Bachelor's Degree Program(s)

    Bachelor’s Degree in Architectural Engineering

    There is a broad core of requirements for all students. Students are also expected to choose, in consultation with faculty advisors, elective courses to add depth in one or more specialty areas. Such specialty areas include structural analysis and design, construction engineering, building energy and mechanical systems, and illumination engineering. A list of recommended electives is available to help students select a coherent academic program that enhances one of these areas.

    Curriculum for BS 

    Required Courses and Semester Credit Hours

    Freshman Year
    Fall Semester

    • APPM 1350 Calculus 1 for Engineers—4
    • AREN 1027 Engineering Drawing—3
    • AREN 1316 Introduction to Architectural Engineering—2
    • CHEM 1221 Engineering Chemistry Lab—1
    • CHEN 1211 General Chemistry for Engineers—4

    Spring Semester

    • APPM 1360 Calculus 2 for Engineers—4
    • CVEN 2012 Introduction to Geomatics—3
    • First-Year Projects course—3
    • PHYS 1110 General Physics 1—4
    • Humanities or social science elective—3

    Sophomore Year
    Fall Semester

    • AREN 2050 Building Materials and Systems—3
    • AREN 2110 Thermodynamics—3
    • APPM 2350 Calculus 3 for Engineers—4
    • CVEN 2121 Analytical Mechanics 1—3
    • PHYS 1120 General Physics 2—4

    Spring Semester

    • APPM 2360 Introduction to Differential Equations with Linear Algebra—4
    • AREN 2120 Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer—3
    • CVEN 3161 Mechanics of Material 1—3
    • CVEN 3246 Introduction to Construction—3
    • CHEN 1310 Introduction to Engineering Computing—3

    Junior Year
    Fall Semester

    • AREN 3010 Mechanical Systems for Buildings—3
    • AREN 3540 Illumination 1—3
    • CVEN 3525 Structural Analysis—3
    • ECEN 3030 Electrical Circuits—3
    • Free elective—3

    Spring Semester

    • AREN Proficiency I—3
    • AREN Proficiency II—3
    • AREN Concentration I—3
    • College-approved writing course—3
    • Technical elective—3

    Senior Year
    Fall Semester

    • ENVD 3114 History and Theory of ENVD at the Small Scale: Buildings—3
    • ARCH 4010 Architectural Appreciation and Design—5
    • AREN Concentration II—3
    • Humanities or social science elective—3
    • Technical elective—3

    Spring Semester

    • ENVD 3134 History and Theory of ENVD at the Medium Scale: Precincts—3
    • AREN 4317 Architectural Engineering Design—5
    • Humanities or social science elective—3
    • Technical electives—6

    Minimum hours for degree—128 

    Courses Available for Specialization

    Students select two proficiency-level courses from different subdisciplines and two concentration-level courses from one subdiscipline. Upon consultation with their advisors, students are expected to select technical elective courses applicable to their areas of interest and specialization. The areas of specialization are construction engineering and management, mechanical systems, lighting and electrical systems and structural systems. 

    In addition to the courses listed below, other courses not listed may be proposed by a student and approved by the advisor if they are found to be applicable

    • AREN 4010 HVAC System Modeling and Control
    • AREN 4110 HVAC Design
    • AREN 4130 Optical Design
    • AREN 4315 Design of Masonry Structures
    • AREN 4506 Project Management 1
    • AREN 4530 Advanced Lighting Design
    • AREN 4540 Exterior Lighting Systems
    • AREN 4550 Illumination 2
    • AREN 4560 Luminous Radiative Transfer
    • AREN 4570 Electrical Systems
    • AREN 4580 Daylighting
    • AREN 4606 Project Management 2
    • AREN 4890 Sustainable Building Design
    • AREN 4990 Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis for Built and Natural Environments
    • AREN 5020 Building Energy Audits
    • AREN 5050 Advanced Solar Design
    • AREN 5080 Computational Simulation of Building Energy Systems
    • CVEN 3256 Construction Equipment and Methods
    • CVEN 4161 Advanced Mechanics of Materials 1
    • CVEN 4525 Analysis of Framed Structures
    • CVEN 4545 Steel Design
    • CVEN 4555 Reinforced Concrete Design
    • CVEN 4565 Timber Design
    • AREN 5020 Building Energy Audits
    • CVEN 5050 Advanced Solar Design

    Concurrent Bachelor's/Master's Program

    Concurrent BS/MS in Architectural Engineering

    A concurrent BS/MS degree program in architectural engineering is available.  Students may apply to the program when they have completed 75-110 credit hours toward the undergraduate BS degree. Once accepted into the program, students are allowed to count 6 credit hours taken at the graduate level for both the BS and MS degrees (if certain grade and GPA requirements are met); this allows a student to obtain both degrees in a five-year curriculum.

    Graduate Degree Program(s)

    Graduate Study in Architectural Engineering

    Graduate studies in architectural engineering are offered through the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering. Information on the requirements for graduate study in architectural engineering is available from the departmental website at ceae.colorado.edu. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE), consisting of the aptitude tests and advanced test in engineering, is used to evaluate master of science and doctor of philosophy candidates. Candidates who submit GRE scores may be more likely to be considered for financial assistance.

    The department offers master of science and doctor of philosophy degrees in architectural engineering with study emphasis in building systems engineering (sustainable building design and operation, illumination engineering, energy efficient and renewable energy technologies) and construction engineering and management.

    Master of Science Degree

    Requirements for this master’s degree can be fulfilled in three ways. Under Plan I, the candidate completes 30 credit hours of course work including thesis (maximum of 6 credit hours). Under Plan IIa, 30 credit hours of course work are required, including 3 credit hours of Master’s Report credit. Under Plan IIb, 30 credit hours of course work are required with a final exam; however, not all disciplines offer the course work master's option. 

    Doctor of Philosophy Degree

    This degree requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate-level work (5000 level or above). Up to 21 credit hours of previous graduate-level work may be transferred with advisor and Graduate School approval. The doctoral dissertation requires 30 credit hours. The applicant for this degree must demonstrate the capability for both rigorous academic accomplishments and independent research.