Bachelor of Architecture Study Program
The Department of Architecture and Building Science, College of Architecture and Planning at King Saud University, has adopted the principles of continuous comprehensive review and development of architectural education in the university. This allows for the essential task of identifying the positive and negative aspects of contemporary education and the academic and professional variables in response to the needs of the profession and the society.
The Department monitors and studies such variables in order to be able continuously upgrade the aims and standards of its study programs. The present study program is the result of such a comprehensive review and development. The development includes the following features:
1. The role of the study Plan in the Bachelor of Architecture Program:
The Bachelor of Architecture Program comprises two basic components: the "basic curriculum" and the "hidden curriculum". Both curricula aim at reinforcing and developing the following aspects of the students' ability: knowledge, skill and a positive and effective personality. Both curricula are indispensable for such an aim.
The study Plan essentially represents the basic curriculum and at the same time contributes towards the fulfillment of the hidden curriculum which is achieved through such channels as field trips, research and extra-mural activities, both academic and social.
2. The bases and structure of the study plan and the categorization of courses:
A. Knowledge and training component:
The study plan is designed to comprise the following basic knowledge and training aspects:
Basic Skills and Design.
Science and Technology.
History, Theory and Humanities.
Languages and Islamic Culture.
The design and Skills component is considered to be the backbone of the study plan accounting for 34% of the credit hours and 46% of the contact hours.
The study plan dedicates the first four semester levels to common courses shared by all departments in the college. Presently the college comprises only two departments, the Department of Architecture and Building Science and the Department of Urban Planning. This is followed by Architecture specialization courses for the six remaining semester levels, which include specialized block option courses concentrated in the last four semesters.
Field training in Professional Practice is an important requirement of the Bachelor Program. The study Plan prescribes a training period of not less than 60 days in a reputed establishment, set directly after the sixth semester level.
B. Common semester levels:
The rationale for adopting four common semester levels (previously two only) shared by all departments in the college is as follows:
Optimum utilization of human, material and spatial resources in the college.
Reinforcing shared knowledge and mutual participation in the profession among graduates of various specializations, achieved through maximizing the common period of study and contact with faculty members.
Allowing freshly enrolled students ample time to comprehend the various specializations in the college before choosing a department.
Optimum adaptability to the job market which currently makes no great distinction between graduates of various departments in terms of career qualifications.
C. Field and practical training:
The rationale for placing the field training in-between the sixth and seventh semester levels is as follows:
It is important that the student attain a basic level of knowledge of the specialization prior to undertaking field training in order to appreciate and benefit from the training.
The student should comprehend the various aspects of professional practice, such as knowledge, skills and behavioral requirements, in good time before graduation in order to be able to promote such abilities during the few semesters following the field training.
D. Course identification coding system:
The coding system adopted for identification of courses in the study plan is based on a systematic (alphanumeric) method for identification of the following aspects of the course: The level in the study plan the course is offered, the type of course in terms of specific course discipline groups and the specialization to which basic content of the course pertains.
Such methodology is adhered to by the various departments in labeling the courses they offer, including common courses, and for setting the course identification code, as follows:
Alphabetic code: Denotes the specialization (academic department) to which the basic course content belongs.
The first and second numerals: denotes the year level in which the course is offered.
The third numeral: denotes the serial number of the course within the discipline group it belongs to.
The following detailed example illustrates this methodology and some exceptions to the rule:
- The numerals (1XX) (X is variable): denote courses set in the study plan in the First Year (first or second levels).
- The numerals (2XX): denote courses set in the study plan in the Second Year (third and fourth levels).
- The numerals (3XX): denote courses set in the study plan in the Third Year(fifth and sixth levels).
Exception: Because the university course identification coding system does not include the numerals (5XX), as a rule, the college has resorted to the following system to denote courses set in the Fourth and Fifth years:
- The numerals (45X): denote courses set in the study plan in the Fourth Year(seventh level only).
- The numerals (46X): denote courses set in the study plan in the Fourth Year(eighth level only).
-The numerals (47X): denote courses set in the study plan in the Fifth Year (ninth level only).
- The numerals (48X): denote courses set in the study plan in the Fifth Year(tenth level only).
- The numerals (490): denotes