Advising
First Year | Second Year | Third Year | Fourth Year | Fifth Year
Mission
The mission of the College of Architecture and Design Student Services Center is to provide academic advising, planning, and assistance to compliment the education of future design professionals. The Center manages student data, admissions, recruitment and retention. In addition, the Center provides students with study abroad opportunities, career planning, mentoring programs, tutoring, and enrollment as they begin their journey to becoming space, technology and place makers.
Advising
The college maintains a Student Services Center open to all Architecture and Interior Design majors. Students may drop-in or may schedule an appointment by calling 865.974.3232. The Director of Student Specialist oversees all academic advising, and along with the Student Services Assistant, aids students with common questions regarding financial aid, course registration, course records, scheduling, grades, transfer policies, petitions, and other academic policies. Three graduate students assist in the Center.
Prior to advanced registration, all students who have earned fewer than 30 hours at the university or who are on Academic Review are required to have a meeting with an advisor. All other students are required to consult an advisor for a substantive conference during a designated term each year. Students whose ID numbers end in an even digit are required to meet with an advisor during the fall semester. Students whose ID numbers end in an odd digit are required to meet with an advisor during the spring semester. This means students will be advised once a year instead of each semester. This policy does not place a limit on advising for students. Students are encouraged to make an advising appointment at any point during the semester or academic year when needed. The advising conference should include a review of the student’s overall progress toward a degree as well as a discussion of issues which are important to the individual student. At the end of this conference, the student will receive clearance for enrollment on Circle Park Online (CPO).
The student, not the advisor, bears the ultimate responsibility for selecting courses, meeting course prerequisites, and adhering to policies and procedures.
FIRST YEAR
FOREIGN LANGUAGE
It is highly recommended that any student with two or more years of high school language take the foreign language placement exam in the online pre-orientation priot to arriving on campus for 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 which is provided in the online pre-orientation. Those students who have AP credit for Math 125 or Math 141 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.
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.
Sign up for your university email account immediately. This is the main avenue of communication on vital information from the college.
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.
SECOND YEAR
Students are required to use a laptop computer in Arch 221 and Arch 421. You may wish to add an insurance rider to cover this equipment.
Students should begin careful planning of elective choices, particularly if interested in developing a minor or subject concentration in another field.
Following second year, many students opt to take one or both of the required third year structures courses, Arch 331 and Arch 332, over the summer. Outside of the demands of the regular semester, students are able to concentrate on these courses and are able to take elective courses during the third year. Students must complete Physics 161 and Arch 232 to enroll in structures courses.
A student must complete all second year course work and maintain an overall GPA of 2.3 or higher and a design GPA of 2.3 or higher in order to proceed to third year design.
THIRD YEAR
This is the time to look ahead and make both academic and financial plans for participating in one of the college's many off-campus study opportunities. The College will host information sessions for students to help aid in their selection of an off-campus program.
Students wishing to enter the Graduate Program in Civil Engineering may find civil engineering courses that substitute for the architecture structures sequence. These courses are prerequisites for the CE graduate degree and cost less to take as an undergraduate. Students interested in this program must submit a Petition for Substitution to the college's Academic Standards Committee.
Any professional employment after the third year of the B. Arch. program can be included in the official Intern Development Program (IDP) Record, which must be completed before one is eligible to take the licensing exam. Each spring semester the IDP Education Coordinator will make a presentation on this program.
FOURTH YEAR
The last three semesters of the program are designed to offer all students a wide range of choice in design studios, electives, and opportunities for off-campus study. The design studio options for these three semesters include Arch 472 and any two of the following (availability varies):
• Interdisciplinary Interior Design and Architecture Studio
• Interdisciplinary Finance and Architecture Studio
• Urban Design Studio
• Advanced Architecture Studio
• Special Topic Studios such as Historic Preservation
• Semester at the Polytechnic University in Krakow
• Denmark International Study (D.I.S. in Copenhagen)
• International Studio at the Bauhaus University
• Comprehensive Design Project
• Studio in Sustainability
• Summer Institute in Finland
• Other studio options
The curriculum is designed so that the only required course during the fourth year spring semester is the design studio. This may be taken in any of the semester off-campus programs sponsored by the College or at any accredited architecture program. Most other courses taken off-campus can be used to fulfill general and/ or professional elective requirements.
A DARS report should be reviewed by students to ensure all degree requirements will be completed. It is strongly recommended that all fourth year students consult with the Student Services Center in order to review graduation requirements.
Prior to enrollment in Arch 480, in the fall semester of fifth year, studnets are asked to propose a program analysis topic. Those students opting for a Self-Directed Design Project must have this topic approved on the basis of scope, scale and appropriateness of subject.
Students must apply for graduation with the University Registrar's Office after the spring semester and before the end of the summer semester prior to entering fifth year. You must complete this form in order to recieve your diploma and have your degree conferred on your academic transcript.
FIFTH YEAR
In preparation for graduation, visit the University Registrar website and click on "Graduation" to view the process. Also, review a DARS report and clear up any academic questions related to degree requirements.
As part of TAAST in the spring semester, the College, in conjunction with Career Services, schedules job interviews for students with architecture firms. The College also maintains a job notebook listing firms who have contacted the school regarding employment opportunities. These opportunities include part-time employment, summer employment, and full-time employment. The job notebook is for all interested students and alumni. A resume and portfolio should be prepared well in advance; students desiring help in writing resumes should contact Career Services and review the examples in the College office. Career Services also offers an online resume posting service.
Information on graduate schools is available in the College office.
The senior class photo is taken during TAAST week.
Be sure to leave a forwarding address with the College office.
The School of Architecture class ring featuring the school logo is available through the UT bookstore. All rings are shipped 5-6 weeks after they are ordered.
Contact: Amy Burns
Advisor, Student Services
email: aburns14@utk.ed
Contact Us
College of Architecture + Design
Art + Architecture Building
1715 Volunteer Boulevard,
Room 224
Knoxville, TN 37996
Undergraduate:
phone: (865) 974-5265
fax: (865) 974-0656
email: archinfo@utk.edu
Graduate:
phone: (865) 974-5253
fax: (865) 974-0656
email: gradarchinfo@utk.edu
landscape architecture email:
larchinfo@utk.edu