The Field

The focus of the Architectural Technology program is preparation for direct employment in architecture and related fields, or for transfer to bachelor's degree programs in Architecture. The value of well-trained architectural technicians is widely recognized by professionals in the industry. The architectural technician's job is a challenging one with broad prospects and possibilities.

The Instructional Program

The Architectural Technology program at SUNY Delhi offers the Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree. The vast majority of core courses feature hands-on performance in the laboratory or studio supported by classroom theory. All of the core courses are taught by architects, engineers, and construction professionals with extensive work experience.

The Architectural Technology program places equal emphasis on the preparation of detailed residential and commercial construction drawings; on the creative process of rendering and designing buildings and "technology"; and on the understanding of building methods, materials, structure, and mechanical systems. The drawing instruction, in turn, is equally divided between conventional design and drafting media, and computer-generated design and drafting.

The Architectural Technology program is distinguished by its range of fully equipped construction laboratories and fully equipped drafting and computer studios for hands-on instruction.

Career Options

The market for architectural technology skills is nationwide and goes beyond the conventional architectural firm. Attractive employment opportunities can be found with construction companies, engineering firms, government agencies, large corporations, and building products manufacturers, among others. Program faculty maintain broad contacts within the industry regionally and advise and assist graduates in securing employment.

Transfer Options

The Architectural Technology A.A.S. degree gives students the opportunity to enter the workforce or transfer. Over the years, a large percentage of graduates have continued their education in bachelor's degree programs in architecture, engineering and related fields. One option, for those who qualify, is to continue study in SUNY Delhi's Architectural Design and Building, Bachelor of Technology program. (For information on this program, see the "Architectural Design and Building" entry in the Bachelor Degree section of this catalog.) For those who seek transfer to another institution, the technology emphasized at Delhi complements the theory and design emphasized at architectural schools to provide a well-rounded professional education. Graduates of the A.A.S. program have successfully transferred to many nationally known universities, such as Cornell, RPI, Syracuse, Clemson, Tennessee, Kent State, Ohio State, Arizona, Roger Williams, and New York Institute of Technology.

Curriculum

SUNY Curriculum Code:  0538

First Semester

Second Semester

Third Semester

Fourth Semester

Degree Requirement: 69½ credit hours

Notes

1 Students with demonstrated computer graphics ability may substitute a technical elective with faculty permission.

2 Math and English by placement. MATH 128 College Algebra and MATH 138 Trigonometry are the minimum math level required for graduation. Students with higher-level mathematics backgrounds will be placed in the Calculus sequence according to their career objective. A minimum of 10 credit hours of math and science is required for graduation.

Admissions Requirements

High school Mathematics A or equivalent is required; Mathematics B or equivalent, physics, and computer-aided design (CAD) are recommended.

Electives

Technical Electives

 Program Objectives

A graduate of the Architectural Technology A.A.S. program should be able to:

1. Discuss the academic and career opportunities available in the field of architectural technology and have a working knowledge of how to utilize these opportunities.
2. Apply fundamental principles of drafting to residential drawings, including basic lettering and linework techniques, wall sections, basic working drawings, and residential details.
3. Understand and apply the fundamental techniques, skills, and computer usage necessary in the construction industry including word processing, spreadsheets, and CAD.
4. Develop working drawings for a complete commercial building project including plans, sections, elevations, and details.
5. Apply three-dimensional computer-modeling techniques to buildings and other architectural features using AutoCad.
6. Utilize fundamental theories and principles of visual/spatial dynamics necessary to develop meaningful architectural design through the design, construction, and graphic documentation of three-dimensional models.
7. Demonstrate design conceptualization strategies, the process of design, and the development and resolution of specific construction details in both residential and commercial building systems.
8. Exhibit knowledge of the physical properties, design considerations, and practical applications of engineered structural components and common finish materials as they relate to the entire building system.
9. Demonstrate an understanding of the strength of materials through the analysis of basic forces, conditions for equilibrium, stress-strain relationships, riveted and bolted connections, steel and timber beam design, and simple column design.
10. Analyze building structural systems components of timber, steel, masonry, and concrete in terms of the forces applied to them, such as wind loads and seismic conditions.
11. Discuss and apply the principles and practices of wood construction, including building layout; floor, wall and roof framing; and member loading.
12. Demonstrate knowledge of the methods and materials of commercial buildings and structures, as well as construction project planning, construction site record keeping, and safety.
13. Understand the fundamentals of mechanical and electrical equipment requirements for buildings.
14. Understand and apply the principles of physics to the field of architectural technology.