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 West Valley College 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: Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Historic Preservation Architecture, Interior Design, Construction Management, Facilities Management, Specification Writing, Structural Engineering, and Architectural Graphics.
Major Core Requirements (31 units)
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH043 | Styles in Architecture | 2 units |
| ARCH045 | Architectural Building Codes | 3 units |
| ARCH048 | Digital Tools for Architecture | 2 units |
| ARCH050 | Construction Materials & Methods | 3 units |
| ARCH051 | Architectural Graphics: Drawing & Sketching | 3 units |
| ARCH052 | Architectural Graphics: Color Rendering | 3 units |
| ARCH053 | Introduction to Architectural and Environmental Design | 3 units |
| ARCH056 | Basic Architectural Design | 3 units |
| ARCH061 | Architectural Design I | 3 units |
| ARCH062 | Architectural Design II | 3 units |
| ARCH063 | Architectural Design III | 3 units |
Major Electives (7-9 units)
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH046 | History of Architecture | 3 units |
| ARCH047 | History of Modern Architecture | 3 units |
| ARCH049 | Introduction to Rhino | 3 units |
| ARCH057 | Architectural Model Making | 1 unit |
| ARCH058 | Introduction to Revit Architecture | 3 units |
| ARCH060 | Green Building & Sustainable Design | 3 units |
| ARCH064 | Architectural Practice | 3 units |
| ARCH066 | Advanced Revit Architecture | 3 units |
Total Major Units: 38-40 units
To be awarded an Associate Degree, a student must:
- Achieve a grade of “C” or better in the major requirements.
- Completion of WVC, CSU-Breadth, or IGETC General Education patterns. Students whose goal is to obtain a bachelor’s degree should complete the CSU-Breadth or IGETC General Education pattern.
- Total degree units: 69-79