Associate of Science Degree in Architecture
The Architecture Program at West Valley College is primarily transfer oriented. It prepares students to enter 4- and 5-year architecture programs at the university level. The degree exceeds 60 units as it is preparing students for the five year professional degree in Architecture.
The Architecture courses at West Valley cover the following areas of study: building design, graphics, history, practical/technical communication, codes, construction, and structural design. An increasing number of WVC courses leverage computer technology as an educational tool.
Students, upon completion of this degree, are prepared to transfer to a 4 or 5 years program in Architecture or Architectural Engineering. Career options after completion of a baccalaureate degree include:
- Architect
- Landscape Architect
- Historic Preservation Architecture
- Interior Design
- Construction Management
- Specification Writing
- Structural Engineering
- Architectural Graphics
After completing an A.S. in Architecture, a student will be able to:
- Communicate effectively and professionally in the architectural environment through proper use of verbal, written and graphic techniques.
- Apply mathematical skills to solve technical problems associated with architectural drawings.
- Develop architectural drawings including construction drawings, and presentation drawings.
- Use computer graphics applications associated with architectural projects.
- Select construction materials based upon their properties and methods of installation.
- Apply principals of structural design.
- Apply building codes, zoning codes, and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).
- Demonstrate creativity and problem-solving abilities in designing residential and commercial buildings.
- Use standard dimensions for space planning and human occupancy using Architectural Graphic Standards.
Required Core Courses: 31 units
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 43 | Styles in Architecture | 2 units |
| ARCH 45 | Architectural Building Codes | 3 units |
| ARCH 48 | Digital Tools for Architecture | 2 units |
| ARCH 50 | Construction Materials and Methods | 3 units |
| ARCH 51 | Architectural Graphics: Drawing and Sketching | 3 units |
| ARCH 52 | Architectural Graphics: Color Rendering | 3 units |
| ARCH 53 | Introduction to Architectural and Environmental Design | 3 units |
| ARCH 56 | Basic Architectural Design | 3 units |
| ARCH 61 | Architectural Design I | 3 units |
| ARCH 62 | Architectural Design II | 3 units |
| ARCH 63 | Architectural Design III | 3 units |
Elective Courses: 7 units
Students must take a minimum of 7 units from the following list:
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 46 | History of Architecture | 3 units |
| ARCH 47 | History of Modern Architecture | 3 units |
| ARCH 49 | Introduction to Rhino | 3 units |
| ARCH 57 | Architectural Model Making | 1 unit |
| ARCH 58 | Introduction to Revit Architecture | 3 units |
| ARCH 59 | 3D Studio Max: 3D Rendering | 3 units |
| ARCH 60 | Green Building and Sustainable Design | 3 units |
| ARCH 64 | Architectural Practice | 3 units |
| ARCH 66 | Advanced Revit Architecture | 3 units |
| Total Major Units | 38 units |
To be awarded an A.S. Degree, a student must complete:
- All the major requirements.
- A grade of “C” or better must be earned for all required courses.
- All the required electives.
- Additional units to meet the college graduation requirements.
- This degree may require additional lower division requirements at CSU and UC campuses.
- Students MUST complete CSU GE or IGETC pattern.
- Students MUST complete Proficiency Requirements for AA degree:
- Reading for graduation
- Information Competency
- Cultural Diversity
Certificate of Science in Architecture
After completing a certificate in Architecture, a student will be able to:
- Communicate effectively and professionally in the architectural environment through proper use of verbal, written and graphic techniques.
- Apply mathematical skills to solve technical problems associated with architectural drawings.
- Develop architectural drawings including construction drawings, and presentation drawings.
- Use computer graphics applications associated with architectural projects.
- Select construction materials based upon their properties and methods of installation.
- Apply principals of structural design.
- Apply building codes, zoning codes, and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).
- Demonstrate creativity and problem-solving abilities in designing residential and commercial buildings.
- Use standard dimensions for space planning and human occupancy using Architectural Graphic Standards.
- Identify professional, ethical and societal responsibilities including respect for diversity.
Required Core Courses: 40 units
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 45 | Architectural Building Codes | 3 units |
| ARCH 46 | History of Architecture | 3 units |
| ARCH 47 | History of Modern Architecture | 3 units |
| ARCH 50 | Construction Materials and Methods | 3 units |
| ARCH 51 | Architectural Graphics: Drawing and Sketching | 3 units |
| ARCH 52 | Architectural Graphics: Color Rendering | 3 units |
| ARCH 53 | Intro to Architectural and Environmental Design | 3 units |
| ARCH 56 | Basic Architectural Design | 3 units |
| ARCH 57 | Architectural Model Making | 1 unit |
| ARCH 58 | Intro to Revit Architecture | 3 units |
| ARCH 59 | 3D Studio Max: 3D Rendering | 3 units |
| ARCH 61 | Architectural Design I | 3 units |
| ARCH 62 | Architectural Design II | 3 units |
| ARCH 66 | Advanced Revit Architecture | 3 units |
| Total Units | 40 units |
To be awarded a certificate, a student must:
- Complete all the major requirements.
- Earn a grade of “C” or better for all required courses.
Associate of Science Degree in Landscape Architecture
The Landscape Architecture Program at West Valley College is primarily a blend of art and science. Landscape Architecture focuses on natural systems and cultural processes in the planning, design, and management of sustainable landscapes for this and future generations. Students of Landscape Architecture are capable of solving complex environmental problems and are able to communicate effective solutions.
The Program in Landscape Architecture at West Valley College emphasizes a process-oriented approach to problem solving while encouraging sensitivity toward community values and ecological principles. Students will develop creative ability and technical skills through a range of exercises and projects relating to recreation and open space planning, plant selection, park design, landscape reclamation and preservation, resource management, and urban planning and design, as well as learning applications for residential, commercial, and institutional landscape environments.
The program is recognized by the California State Board of Landscape Architects. Students are prepared for rewarding professional careers or transfers to advanced university programs. Graduates are employed in a wide range of important environmental and design-related roles.
Upon completion of this AS Degree, students may qualify for the following career paths as well as pursue a professional license:
- Landscape Architects
- Resource Managers
- Designers
- Landscape Contractors
- Draftspersons
- Landscape Industry Representatives
- Planners
After completing an A.S. degree in Landscape Architecture, a student will be able to:
- Communicate effectively and professionally in the architectural environment through proper use of verbal, written and graphic techniques.
- Apply mathematical skills to solve technical problems associated with architectural drawings.
- Develop landscape architectural drawings and presentation drawings.
- Use computer graphics applications associated with landscape architectural projects.
- Select landscape construction materials based upon their properties and methods of installation.
- Apply building codes, zoning codes, and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).
- Demonstrate creativity and problem-solving abilities in landscape design for residential, commercial, and public sites
- Use standard dimensions for space planning and human occupancy using Landscape Architectural Graphic Standards.
- Identify different types of landscape plants during the four seasons.
- Demonstrate creative abilities in landscape plant composition.
- Identify professional, ethical and societal responsibilities including respect for diversity.
Required Core Courses: 37 units
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 50 | Construction Materials and Methods | 3 units |
| ARCH 51 | Architectural Graphics: Drawing and Sketching | 3 units |
| ARCH 53 | Intro to Architectural and Environmental Design | 3 units |
| ARCH 56 | Basic Architectural Design | 3 units |
| ARCH 57 | Architectural Model Making | 1 unit |
| ARCH 58 | Intro to Revit Architecture | 3 units |
| ARCH 61 | Architectural Design I | 3 units |
| ARCH 62 | Architectural Design II | 3 units |
| ARCH 72 | History of Landscape Architecture | 3 units |
| ARCH 76 | Landscape Construction Technology | 3 units |
| ARCH 81 | Landscape Plants: Summer and Autumn | 3 units |
| ARCH 82 | Landscape Plants: Winter and Spring | 3 units |
| ARCH 84 | Sustainability in Landscape Architecture | 3 units |
Elective Courses: 13 units
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 40 | Fundamentals of Historic Preservation | 2 units |
| ARCH 43 | Styles in Architecture | 2 units |
| ARCH 45 | Architectural Building Codes | 3 units |
| ARCH 46 | History of Architecture | 3 units |
| ARCH 47 | History of Modern Architecture | 3 units |
| ARCH 52 | Architectural Graphics: Color Rendering | 3 units |
| Total Certificate Units | 50 units |
To be awarded an A.S. Degree, a student must:
- Complete all the major requirements.
- Complete required electives.
- Earn a grade of “C” or better for all required courses.
- Complete additional units to meet the college graduation requirements.
Note: The student should choose those general education requirements, which may apply both toward graduation requirements of the college and toward the bachelor’s degree requirements at the four-year institution to which he/she plans to transfer.
Certificate of Achievement in Landscape Architecture
After completing a certificate in Landscape Architecture, a student will be able to:
- Communicate effectively and professionally in the architectural environment through proper use of verbal, written and graphic techniques.
- Apply mathematical skills to solve technical problems associated with architectural drawings.
- Develop landscape architectural drawings and presentation drawings.
- Use computer graphics applications associated with landscape architectural projects.
- Select landscape construction materials based upon their properties and methods of installation.
- Apply building codes, zoning codes, and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).
- Demonstrate creativity and problem-solving abilities in landscape design for residential, commercial, and public sites
- Use standard dimensions for space planning and human occupancy using Landscape Architectural Graphic Standards.
- Identify professional, ethical and societal responsibilities including respect for diversity.
Required Core Courses: 19 units
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 51 | Architectural Graphics: Drawing and Sketching | 3 units |
| ARCH 57 | Architectural Model Making | 1 unit |
| ARCH 58 | Intro to Revit Architecture | 3 units |
| ARCH 61 | Architectural Design I | 3 units |
| ARCH 62 | Architectural Design II | 3 units |
| ARCH 72 | History of Landscape Architecture | 3 units |
| ARCH 76 | Landscape Construction Technology | 3 units |
| ARCH 81 | Landscape Plants: Summer and Autumn | 3 units |
| Total Certificate Units | 19 units |