Spotlight on the Schools - University of Colorado Boulder

   Curriculum Overview | Recent News | Distinguished Alumni | Addtional Information

  
Department of Civil, Environmental & Architectural Engineering

Department Head: Keith R. Molenaar, PhD Professor and Department Chair

Date AE Program was Founded: The Architectural Engineering (AREN) program at the University of Colorado Boulder was established in 1925, awarded its first degree in 1929, and has been continuously accredited since 1936.

Number of Students: 205 Undergraduates

Number of Faculty: 16 (plus ~2.5 Practitioner Instructors)

Number of Graduates per Year: 40 - 45

E-mail address: ceae@colorado.edu  

Website: http://ceae.colorado.edu/  

Curriculum Overview

The overall philosophy of the architectural engineering curriculum is to provide all students with a broad foundation in engineering, architecture, and architectural engineering, then to provide each student with the opportunity for in-depth study in a specific discipline within architectural engineering. As such, the program provides both breadth and depth; breadth in that each AREN student must take courses in different specialty areas as well as general architecture, fundamental engineering and architectural engineering courses; depth in that each student must select an area for specialization and complete a core curriculum of courses for that area. The four areas from which students select one "track" are mapped to the four core disciplines: Mechanical Systems, Structural Systems, Construction Management and Electrical/Lighting Systems. Each track is defined by five technical electives, two to three of which are specific to the discipline; with the remainder to be selected In consultation with the academic advisor (at least one must have an associated laboratory). All students pursuing the architectural engineering degree must take a common, 5-credit senior capstone design course that provides a culminating design experience.

The curriculum requires all AREN students to complete 113 core credits, 9 of which are electives in humanities and social sciences (H&SS) (9 other credits in H&SS are required for a total of 18). This leaves 15 credits of technical electives for pursuing an area of specialization. Once a student has completed 80 credits, typically after the 5th semester, he or she must declare a specialty area. Upon this declaration, the student's academic advisor may be changed to assist with curriculum issues and professional development opportunities (internships).

The areas of knowledge required include both technical and non-technical areas. Technical areas Include an elementary understanding of the fundamentals of architectural engineering, proficiency in the engineering sciences of buildings and their systems, proficiency In architectural engineering design and its integration across disciplines, and specialization in one of the four core areas of AREN practice. Non-technical areas include professional management and ethics, processes for communication, and broad exposure to the humanities and social sciences, especially architectural history. These areas of knowledge must be complemented by skills In design, communication, and professional practice necessary to develop and sustain a career in the building Industry. Design skills include problem definition, design workflow and processes, application of codes and standards, and design experience. Communication skills include oral and written communication In the form of presentations, drawings, and report. Professional skills include resource allocation, planning, and teamwork.

The AREN curriculum is designed to enable students to achieve the overall program objective that the students "acquire the broad knowledge and skills necessary to successfully begin and sustain a career, and to become leaders who advance the state-of-the art, in one of four core disciplines of the building industry."

While the educational objectives of the AREN program do not specifically address the development of graduates who pursue further graduate studies, it is recognized that advancing the state-of-the-art in the disciplines of the building industry may require additional education. To that end, the AREN program education objectives Include graduate school in engineering and disciplines relevant to the building industry.

Herbst Program of Humanities for Engineers: All undergraduate degree programs require students to obtain a minimum of 18 hours of humanities and social science electives in addition to math, science and engineering courses. The Herbst Program's discussion-based courses are mainly conducted in small sections, to encourage active participation by all members and provide individual support and iterative feedback on writing and presentation assignments. All Herbst Program courses count toward the College's humanities and social science requirements. Through freshman- and junior-level seminars averaging only 12 students and an interdisciplinary curriculum based on literature, philosophy, and the arts, the Herbst Program of Humanities strives to produce well-rounded, socially conscious engineers who write well, speak well, and make carefully considered decisions based on an understanding of their personal ethical codes of conduct. Students emerge from Herbst classes with a clearer knowledge of themselves and their place in the world; many report a sustained interest in reading widely and deeply.

Focus areas: Electrical and Lighting Systems, Structural Systems, Mechanical Systems, and Construction Engineering and Management. (All students choose one of these option areas but must demonstrate a breadth of understanding in the other three areas.)

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Recent News/Events/Awards

• Prof John Zhai leads multidisciplinary team, awarded $1.97M by the National Science Foundation to develop new "living wall" concept to slash energy use. http://www.colorado.edu/news/r/593723d89181056e551d9249c4788696.html  
• Res Assoc Prof Keith Porter received a grant from the Global Earthquake Model to model the seismic vulnerability of buildings around the world, developing standards for estimating earthquake vulnerability in different countries and different classes of buildings.
• Vice Chancellor for Research Stein Sture (CEAE) was named an ASCE Distinguished Member In October 2010.
• Prof Gregor Henze developed a software tool to optimize energy control systems and electric grid integration in large commercial buildings, licensed to Clean Urban Energy. http://www.cobizmag.com/articles/research-rock-star-efficiency-star/
• Prof Matthew Hallowell received the ASCE 2011 ExCEED New Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award, as well as the ASCE 2010 Outstanding Reviewer Award for the Journal of Construction Engineering and Management.

Highlights of recent student group activities

• Architectural Engineering students developed sustainable lighting kits for the people of Afghanistan who experience frequent blackouts or have not access to electricity. The Light in a Box project was developed with a grant from Osram Sylvania.
• The Architectural Engineering Institute (AEI) student chapter participated in a Habitat for Humanity Work Day in October, 2010.

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Distinguished Alumni

The University of Colorado Distinguished Engineering Alumni Awards honor outstanding graduates who have distinguished themselves through outstanding personal qualities, knowledge and significant contributions to their fields. Awards are made to distinguished alumni in the following categories: Education, Research and Invention, Government Service, Industry and Commerce and Private Practice.

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Additional Information

The College of Engineering and Applied Science introduced a new program In Fall 2010 enabling undergraduate students to earn an Engineering Leadership Certificate at graduation by demonstrating leadership through academics as well as practical experience as a leader In team-based projects.  

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