Master of Science in Architecture

The first part of this course aims at introducing the main concepts related to research with reference to the discipline of architecture. This includes data collection methods that are common in architecture such as questionnaire survey, interviews, observation, focus groups, contextual inquiry, and parametric analysis. It also examines issues such as research methods, triangulation of methods, problem statement, research objectives, variables and scales, and citing of references. The second part of the course examines qualitative and quantitative data analysis and introduces the main concepts and methods of computerized statistical data analysis.

Pre-requisite: Graduate Standing

This course investigates the basic principles, theories and practices of sustainable architecture and design with emphasis on contemporary approaches. The course introduces the three core dimensions of sustainable development (i.e. social, economic and environmental) as they apply to the built environment. The impacts of buildings on the various dimensions of sustainability are examined in details. The various dimensions of sustainable buildings and relevant principles and theories are also discussed with focus on sustainable contemporary design principles. This includes the impact of buildings on site, energy and emissions, material and resources, indoor environmental quality, health and well-being, among others.

Pre-requisite: Graduate Standing

This course examines integrative processes as they relate to contemporary operations in the design and building industry practices. The integrative process requires collaboration among design professionals and key stakeholders (i.e. owner, architect, engineers, consultants, contractor, etc) from the planning and conception phase of an architectural project to its completion to optimize the design and final product results, increase value to the owner, and maximize efficiency. The course examines and analyzes methods, approaches, patterns of information flows, and benefits of integrative processes in contemporary architectural design and the delivery of buildings, as well as its impact on architectural design business models, structures and practices. The role of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and other computing resources in facilitating and enabling integrative processes and sharing building information across disciplines in contemporary design and construction practices is also examined.

Pre-requisite: Graduate Standing

Students are expected to identify a research topic, conduct literature review, and present at least one seminar on a timely research topic, preferably related to his master thesis research or master design project. The course focuses on scientific research aspects addressed earlier at ARC 500 including topics such as problem statement, hypotheses, research design, validity of research findings, data reliability, data collection techniques, basic elements of the research proposal. This is a pre-thesis course. Major parts of the Master thesis proposal or master design project are expected to be developed at this course. Course graded on a Pass or Fail basis.

Co-requisite: ARC610

Pre-requisite: Completion of ARC 500 and ARC 501.

Each student is required to prepare an original Master Thesis that researches an area of his particular interest under the supervision of a graduate faculty member in ARC department. The thesis work should be an original research on an approved topic that contributes new knowledge to the field of architecture. Upon completion of the thesis work, the student is required to make a formal defense of his research thesis.

Co-requisite: ARC 599
Pre-requisite: Completion of all core courses and at least two elective courses.

This course introduces the concept of comprised energy analysis for design and efficiency, and it's important in the design process both in the conceptual and detailed stages. It highlights the concept of thermal zones, modelling parameters and engines, assessing heating and cooling load analysis, occupancy protocols, outputs analysis, and modelling-based design decisions to improve thermal comfort in buildings. The course includes lab sessions to practice the above-mentioned concepts using different computerized modeling techniques. Technology of passive solar design strategies and renewable energy use are also examined.

Pre-requisite: ARC501, Graduate Standing

This course examines the social aspects of sustainable architecture and development. The course investigates the impact of architecture and urban development on various social aspects such as livability, quality of life, human health, social equity, social support, human adaptation, place-making, social responsibility, and social resilience. The course examines various frameworks used to assess, evaluate and improve the social performance of architecture and built environment. The various principles and strategies to improve social resilience, as well as the techniques used to document and analysis it will also be examined. The impact of urban conservation, adaptive reuse, gentrification and building retrofitting practices on housing accessibility, equity and social resilience will also be examined.

Pre-requisite: Graduate Standing

This course focuses on sustainability development attributes at the level of neighborhoods and urban areas. This course investigates/examines various innovative approaches and strategies to develop sustainable urban areas and foster smart growth strategies. This includes sensitive site design, conserve ecology and biodiversity, green land conservation, land use, pollution of surface and ground water bodies, access to quality transit, mixed use development, walkability, compact development, access to public spaces and recreation facilities, urban heat island among others. Assessment/rating systems for sustainable neighborhood and urban sustainability are introduced and some indicators of those systems are examined. Livability, smart city, affordable housing, urban revitalization, and new urbanism are also introduced.

Pre-requisite: Graduate Standing

This course examines a set of two or more well-known green building assessment systems that are currently in use worldwide. It analyzes and examines the frameworks and approaches utilized in those assessment/rating systems, and to what extent are appropriate to the Saudi Arabia e environment and context. The in-depth comparative analysis includes identifying the various sustainability categories, sub-categories, indicators and variables or parameters addressed in each assessment/rating system, as well as how the weighting mechanism is conducted. It also critically examines the level to which each system covers the three core dimensions of sustainability, and the possibilities for improvements to fit the Saudi context.

Pre-requisite: ARC501, Graduate Standing

This course investigates the various design theories and methodologies used in solving complex architectural design problems. Through lectures, case studies, research and short design assignments, students acquire experience in design thinking techniques, strategies, and processes. The first part of the course investigates major normative and positive design theories and approaches including design as a rational problem solving, design as reflection in action, as well as other design methodologies and models from empirical studies and design methodology fields. The second part examines the basic principles and techniques of design thinking as applied in the different phases of the architectural design process. The course will investigate a wide variety of creative design thinking techniques, approaches and methods used to develop innovative solutions to real-world design problems in architecture and relative creative fields. This includes design thinking methods such as brainstorming & idea generation, lateral thinking, abstract thinking, user focused thinking that utilized to facilitate the discovery, re-interpretation, ideation, experimentation and generating of alternative design solutions.

Pre-requisite: Graduate Standing

This course investigates parametric design packages as tools for architectural design. It introduces advanced techniques, and methods in architectural parametric design, including generating and evaluating design alternatives, analyzing design performance, and exploring, refining and developing architectural form. During the course students create, analyze and evaluate complex generative/computational designs that takes into consideration aspects of form, material, performance, structure and fabrication. The course introduces the theoretical as well as the practical aspects of computational parametric design through lectures, hands-on sessions, and practical assignments or projects. The course also critically examines the impact of parametric design tools on the architectural design process and the resultant architectural products.

Pre-requisite: Graduate Standing

This course investigates the relationship between human behavior and design of the natural and built environments. It examines a wide range of psychological, social, cultural concepts, theories and principles which impact the design of architecture and the built environment. The course investigates relevant advanced topics such as the impact of behavioral sciences on architectural theory; the reciprocal relationships between people, the built environment and environmental behavior; perception, cognition and human behavior; privacy and territoriality; comprehensive theory of human behavior for design; behavior setting as design and analysis tool; theories and concept of person- environment interactions; re-examining functionalism in the light of affordability theories; formal and symbolic aesthetics, universal and place-specific design; design for social groups and social interaction, among others. Applying this these behavior-based knowledge and theories to the design of specific building types is emphasized through case studies, exercises, projects or research papers.

Pre-requisite: Graduate Standing

This course covers selected special topics in Sustainable Architecture that are not covered in the core and elective courses. The contents of this course will be in one of the areas within the broad areas of Sustainable Architecture. The course aims to provide students with recent developments in the field or advanced specialized knowledge in the Sustainable Architecture not covered in core and required elective courses. The specific contents of the special topics of course will be given in detail one semester before the offering.

Pre-requisite: Graduate Standing

This course covers selected special topics in Architectural Design that are not covered in the core and elective courses. The contents of this course will be in one of the areas within the broad areas of architectural design. The course aims to provide students with recent developments in the field or advanced specialized knowledge in the architecture design areas not covered in core and required elective courses. The specific contents of the special topics of course will be given in detail one semester before the offering.

Pre-requisite: Graduate Standing

This course is a research course that is based on independent research rather than taught coursework. It can be taken by students pursuing the thesis option of the M.Sc. in Architecture. It is offered on a student-to-faculty basis. To register for this course, the student should have a clear Research Plan of the intended research work planned to be conducted in the course approved by the Graduate Committee of the Department and reported to the Deanship of Graduate Studies. At the end of the course, the student should submit a report of his work in the course and present it publicly to the Department Graduate Committee.

Pre-requisite: Graduate Standing, Department and Instructor Approval