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The University of Tennessee
College of Architecture and Design


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Advising

FIRST YEAR

FOREIGN LANGUAGE

During orientation, or shortly upon arrival on campus, is highly recommended that any student with two or more years of high school language take the foreign language placement exam during orientation. Many students will receive university credit, based on the exam. Students should take the placement exam, even if they do not intend to take further languages.

MATH

All students must take the math placement test. Those students who have AP credit for Math 125 fulfill the college and University math requirement and need not take any additional math courses. AP level high school math is good preparation for the technical and structures courses in the school. Many students (including students with high test scores in math courses), have difficulty with the cumulative learning nature of a math course (perhaps due to the basic distractions of first year.) These students might consider taking their math course over the summer, when there will be fewer distractions. Only those courses with a grade of "C" or higher will be eligible for transfer. Transfer grades do not figure into the UT GPA.

PHYSICS

Those students who have had a good, year-long high school physics course should consider taking a proficiency test offered by the Physics Department. Interested students should contact the Physics Department to make arrangements for the test, which includes a fee. An exam is given for Physics 161, the course required for architecture and interior design students. It is recommended that students prepare and review for the test. Ideally, this should be scheduled in early January of the student's first year of study. Students who pass this test with a grade of "C" or better will receive "Proficiency" in Physics, for the course. This means they fulfill the college physics requirement and need not take a physics class. Students receiving this Proficiency will also have satisfied the General Education requirement of a natural science without a lab for both the architecture and interior design programs.

COMPUTER

Students do not need a laptop computer for any of the required first year architectural courses. Computers are located in dorms, libraries, the college’s computer lab and other locations throughout campus for student use. First year students will need to use a computer for word processing, email and BlackBoard. A student must complete all first year course work and have a GPA 2.3 or higher in order to proceed to second year design. A laptop computer is required for course work in the second year and beyond. Students may elect to purchase a computer before that time, but the college recommends waiting until second year due to advances in technology and changes in price. In the spring semester of first year, students are given a computer booklet regarding laptop recommendations.

EMAIL

Sign up for your university email account immediately. This is the main avenue of communication on vital information from the college.

MAIL

Students also have a mailbox on the second floor near the College of Architecture + Design Administrative offices.

FRESHMAN DESIGN PACKAGE

These drawing materials require a substantial investment. (approx. $400). If you take care of these materials, you will have many years use out of them. In addition to the following materials, you will need to purchase paper, cardboard and model supplies as needed. Some of the larger pieces can be purchased used from other students- check the bulletin boards.

  • wooden drawing board (32" x 42") with parallel bar and board cover. (purchase in Knoxville)
  • lock for board (cable lock - red , bicycle type) - do not get chain lock
  • combination lock or padlock
  • 30/60º triangle (12" minimum)
  • 45º triangle (10 " minimum)
  • architectural scale (triangular 12" length)
  • engineering scale (triangular 12" length)
  • lead holder with drafting leads (2H, H, HB)
  • lead pointer
  • erasers : vinyl (white), pink pearl (pink), kneaded eraser (gray)
  • wooden drawing pencils (6B, 4B, 2B, HB, F, carpenter's) 121 set will work
  • various black felt tip pens - Sharpie, Pilot fine point, Pentel sign pen
  • pencil sharpener (small battery operated electric is best)
  • box colored pencils - prismacolor -(buy the largest you can afford)
  • small pocket knife (suggested)
  • erasing shield
  • drafting brush
  • drafting tape (dots or roll)
  • conte crayon - brown, black
  • retractable utility knife (with blades)
  • paper cutting scissors
  • spring clips (2 medium)
  • carrying case for equipment - (tackle box works quite well)
  • drawing tube
  • 18" roll of yellow trash (tracing paper)
  • glue (white sobo and rubber cement)
  • 18" - 24" metal ruler with cork back
  • x-acto knife handle - number 1, 5" length, aluminum
  • small "X-acto" aluminum miter box with saw
  • #11 knife blades (minimum pack of 5)
  • plastic or metal stick pins (box) - gray metal is best
  • set of drawing pens (rapidograph or mars statler - min. of 4 point sizes)
  • portfolio to store drawings (20" x 26" or larger)
  • clip on lamp and extension cord (optional)
  • certified eye protection for shop
  • sheet of gray board (chip board) 1/8" thick min.
  • box of Band-Aids
  • cutting surface, 18" x 24" recommended

Note: This is a generic example of a supply list needed for the first semester design lab. Your instructor may have additional items for your specific class. You may purchase these items in advance or on the first day of class.

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Contact Us

Undergraduate Program
in Architecture
Art + Architecture Building
1715 Volunteer Boulevard,
Room 224
Knoxville, TN 37996
Phone: (865) 974-5265
Fax: (865) 974-0656
Email: archinfo@utk.edu