Department of Architecture

Bachelor of Architecture (Hons)
BArch (Hons)

Programme Structure
 
Department Main Page Career Development
General Programme Information People
Programme Aims and Objectives Information for Students
Programme Structure Scholarly Activities
Course Description Alumni

Graduation Requirement

College-wide Requirement
20
Faculty Requirement
6
Departmental Requirement (Design)
77
Departmental Requirement (Non-design)
56
Stream Elective
8 (Major)
4 (Minor)
12
Free Elective
4
Total Credit for Graduation
175
 
General Education
The following courses are provided for enhancing students' language proficiency, interpersonal communication skills, the sense of social commitment and professional ethics. The following list are the college-wide required (CR), Department Elective courses (DE) and Faculty Elective courses (FE).
 
Course Code Course Title
Type
Credits
Level
ENG 101A/B Freshman English I/ II
CR
6
I
CHI 101A/B Freshman Chinese I/II
CR
6
I
JOU 103 International Relations
CR
2
I
HIS 404 Contemporary History of China
CR
2
I
CHI 103 Introduction to Social and Political Studies
CR
3
I
NB 101 Music
CR
1
I
NB 102 Physical Education
CR
0
I
JCM 110 Introduction to Psychology
CE
3
I
JCM 223 Introduction to Sociology
CE
3
I
JCM 228 Creative Thinking
CE
3
I
CHI 138 Putonghua
CE
2
I
CHI 130 Hong Kong History I
CE
3
I
CHI 140 Hong Kong History II
CE
3
I
JCM 102 News Photography
CE
3
I
JCM 209 News Reporting and Writing
CE
3
II
JCM 212 Magazine Writing and Practice
CE
3
II
 
Architectural Design

From Architecture Design courses, students learn independent process of design through the demonstration of specific thematic research. The Department treats Design as Research by braiding architectural practice with inter-disciplinary collaborations among various departments of the College. The design research culture in the Department will be characterized and enriched by diversified knowledge bases. With respect to the research topics of each domain, individual teaching staff are encouraged to incorporate their areas of interests into the design programme accordingly. Students are required to complete at least 77 credits from this subject group. The elective courses in this subject group provide students the opportunity to enhance their design knowledge and skills.

 
Course Code Course Title
Type
Credits
Level
ARE 101 A/B Architectural Design and Theory I
DR
10
I
ARE 102 A/B Basic Architectural Design
DR
4
I*
ARE 141 A/B Architectural Design and Theory II
DR
14
I*
ARE 241 A/B
 Architectural Design and Theory III
DR
14
II*
ARE 301 Interior Design
DR
3
III*
ARE 341 A/B Architectural Design and Theory IV
DR
16
III*
ARE 511 A/B Architectural Design and Theory V
DR
16
IV*
 
Building Technology and Sustainability

Courses in this subject group provide students with concepts and theories of building structures and in-depth knowledge on traditional and contemporary construction methods, advance technologies, applications of building materials and building services. Besides, the Computer Aided Architectural Design (CAAD) courses allow our students to explore various computer tools in assisting design processes and presenting their projects in an effective way.
With the increasing awareness of sustainable architectural design and its effects on the society and the environment, issues on sustainability and environment are emphasized in this group. Students will be able to acquire knowledge in areas such as environmental conscious design and climate-responsive architecture.

After taking the courses in this subject group, the students are expected to be technically competent as professionals, which are highly demanded in architectural practices. Students are able to adopt appropriate methodologies to carry out independent research and collaboration. The idea of such programme structure is regarded as a vehicle to cultivate the capability and mentality in seamless integration of research and design that is in great demand in the architectural academia as well as practice.
 
Course Code Course Title
Type
Credits
Level
MAT 103 A/B Calculus I
FR
3
I
MAT 108 A/B
 Physics I
FR
3
I
ARE 110 A/B Computer Aided Architectural Design I
DR
4
I
ARE 111 Introduction to Environmental Science
DR
2
I
ARE 210 Computer Aided Architectural Design II
DR
2
II
ARE 215 A/B Building Technology and Sustainability I
DR
4
II
ARE 211 Building Structures I
DR
3
II*
ARE 311 Building Structures II
DR
3
III*
ARE 313 A/B Building Services
DR
4
III*
CIE 103 A/B Surveying I/II
F-EC
4
I
CIE 207 Engineering Materials
F-EC
2
II
CIE 208 Environmental Engineering
F-EC
3
II
CIE 433 Environmental Pollution Control
F-EC
3
III
CIE 438 Fire Engineering
F-EC
3
III
ARE 310 Special Topics in Computer Aided Architectural Design
D-EC
2
III
ARE 315 Building Maintenance and Renovation
D-EC
2
III
ARE 532 A/B Holistic Approach in Sustainability
S-EC
4
IV*
ARE 533 A/B Traditional Sustainable Built Environment
S-EC
4
IV*
ARE 534 A/B Active & Passive Systems in Sustainable Design
S-EC
4
IV*
ARE 535 A/B
 Building Environmental Assessment
S-EC
4
IV*
 
Architectural History and Theory

This stream aims at facilitating the students to understand the underlying complicated relationships amongst architecture, urbanism, culture and society. Such relationships are explored in three contextual levels, namely, world-wide, China and Hong Kong, reflecting the historical evolution from traditional to complicated contemporary ideals and values.

 
Course Code Course Title
Type
Credits
Level
ARE 120 A/B History of Western Architecture
DR
4
I
ARE 220 A/B Modern Architecture
DR
4
II*
ARE 221 A/B History of Chinese Architecture
DR
4
II*
ARE 224 Urbanism
DR
2
III*
ARE 223 Landscape Architecture
DR
2
II
ARE 121 History of Western Art
D-EC
2
I
ARE 222 Architectural Studies
D-EC
2
II
ARE 320 Vernacular Architecture
D-EC
2
II
ARE 321 Architectural Appreciation
D-EC
2
III
ARE 401 Studies on Architectural History and Theory
DR
2
III*
ARE 521 A/B Urban Theories in Contemporary Societies
S-EC
4
IV*
ARE 522 A/B Cultural Theory and Criticism in Architecture
S-EC
4
IV*
ARE 524 A/B Chinese Society, Culture and Urbanism
S-EC
4
IV*
ARE 526 A/B Film, Architecture and Urbanism
S-EC
4
IV*
 
Professional Practice

The courses in the Professional Practice subject group provide students with the knowledge in various aspects of architectural practice, such as building ordinances, project management, contract administration, cost estimation, etc. The importance of professional conduct and ethics is also emphasized to prepare our students with high regard for social responsibility and professionalism. The relevant courses are specifically designed with reference to the guidelines of local professional bodies such as the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and the Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA).

In order to increase our students' career opportunities in China, knowledge on building practices in China is also included in the curriculum. The Internship is required to allow students to gain experience in the real practice, which includes the understanding of office organization, project administration process, documentations, the roles and responsibilities of architects and the other associated disciplines as well.
 
Course Code Course Title
Type
Credits
Level
ARE 231 A/B Building Practice I
DR
4
II*
ARE 331 A/B Building Practice II
DR
4
III*
ARE 541 A/B Building Practice III
DR
4
IV*
CIE 209 Engineering Ethics
F-EC
2
I
CIE 432 Construction Methods and Cost Estimating
F-EC
3
III
CIE 313 A/B Quality Management I/II
F-EC
4
II
ARE 230 Building Practice in China
D-EC
2
II
ARE 332 Project Management
D-EC
3
III
 
 
Elective Courses
These courses provide students with choices in composing their study programme. Students can take departmental and other elective courses according to their preferences, allowing a greater degree of flexibility to suit individual interest and ability. Technical elective courses focus on various specific fields, while other elective courses offer cross-disciplinary choices.
 

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