4 Areas of Study
Architectural engineers have a grasp of architecture design and are able to integrate various engineering systems in the building envelop to support such design. They use their specialized engineering skills to build structures that are durable, economical, and healthy. They are the “master builders” and thus are indispensable members of the design team: Architectural engineers analyze the site, building orientation, and exposure; design the heating, cooling, lighting, and power distribution systems; ensure fire protection; and design the structural elements of the building. The rigorously follow recognized design codes and standards utilized in practice.
Get on the Fast Track
Complete your undergraduate and master’s studies in just five years with Lawrence Technological University’s Master of Science in Architectural Engineering, an intensive, integrated program that encompasses both undergraduate and graduate studies. With this degree – offered at only a handful of universities in the nation – you’ll be uniquely positioned as a “whole building professional” in the growing field of sustainable design and energy-efficient systems engineering for the built environment. You’ll learn to apply the skills of many engineering disciplines – structural, construction, mechanical, and electrical – to work collaboratively in the building design process.
Lawrence Tech is doing an outstanding job at preparing its graduates for careers in the design of building operating systems. Their commitment to an accredited 5-year Master of Science in Architectural Engineering gives their graduates significant advantages over graduates of other 4-year programs where curriculum content has been cut significantly. LTU graduates are now positioned among the most elite Architectural Engineering programs in the country. Highly sought after, well prepared, and most having impressive experience long before graduation, LTU Architectural Engineering graduates should expect no less than a 100% hiring rate!
B.A. STEIN, Senior Recruiter HENDERSON ENGINEERS
A Degree Gone Green
The role architectural engineers play in the building process allows them to make a significant environmental difference by reducing the “footprint” of buildings and promoting carbon neutrality and net-zero energy building. Lawrence Tech, committed to sustainable design with its LEED silver-certified A. Alfred Taubman Student Services Center, created the Master of Science in Architectural Engineering to specifically prepare students to be leaders in the rapidly expanding field of sustainable building design.
The engineering courses you’ll take are specifically designed to meet the ABET requirements for depth in the areas of architectural engineering and breadth in general engineering. Like all Lawrence Tech degrees, the Master of Science in Architectural Engineering incorporates the University’s signature “theory and practice” approach to learning. You’ll gain valuable hands-on experience working in project teams and enjoy leadership opportunities through professional organizations.
The program consists of a comprehensive capstone design project where the engineering skills learned at the undergraduate level are utilized to complete all engineering design aspects of a building in team environment. The program also consists of a technical research project in the graduate year that will drive an individual to go in-depth and become experts in a specific design application.
Educational Objectives
In consultation with the Architectural Engineering Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) consisting of Alumni, employers, and current faculty, following are the program educational objectives (PEO's) for the Architectural Engineering program, as approved during the December 12, 2013 IAB meeting (4-0-0):
- Acquire and articulate through written, visual and oral communication skills, the integration of building design and aesthetics with the knowledge to design mechanical, electrical and structural systems for the built environment.
- Employ problem solving skills and awareness of emerging green technologies to create a culture for the collaborative design process, building systems integration and constructability, with leadership in energy efficiency, to support the worldwide need for skilled building designers and detailers.
- Lead design and construction teams in the process and development of conceptual designs, design drawings, construction drawings and specifications and construction contract administration for building sustainability in a global market.
Student Outcomes
The Architectural Engineering program has documented the following student outcomes that prepare graduates to attain the program educational objectives. The outcomes are based off of the Civil Engineering Body of Knowledge 3 and have been restructured for the Master of Science in Architectural Engineering Program
Foundational Outcomes
- Mathematics: Select appropriate concepts and principles of mathematics to solve architectural engineering problems.
- Natural Sciences: Apply concepts and principles of chemistry, calculus-based physics, and at least one other area of the natural sciences, to solve architectural engineering problems.
- Social Sciences: Apply concepts and principles of social sciences relevant to architectural engineering.
- Humanities: Apply aspects of the humanities to the solution of architectural engineering problems.
Engineering Fundamentals Outcomes
- Materials Science: Apply concepts and principles of materials science to solve architectural engineering problems.
- Engineering Mechanics: Select appropriate concepts and principles of solid and/or fluid mechanics to solve architectural engineering problems.
- Experiment Methods and Data Analysis: Select appropriate experiments and analyze the results in the solution of architectural engineering problems.
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Develop a set of appropriate solutions to a complex problem, question, or issue relevant to architectural engineering.
Technical Outcomes
- Project Management: Analyze components of a project management plan for a complex architectural engineering project.
- Engineering Economics: Apply concepts and principles of engineering economics in the practice of architectural engineering.
- Risk and Uncertainty: Apply concepts and principles of probability and statistics to determine risk relevant to architectural engineering.
- Breadth in Architectural Engineering Areas: Integrate solutions to complex problems that involve multiple specialty areas appropriate to the practice of architectural engineering.
- Design: Develop an appropriate design alternative for a complex architectural engineering project that considers realistic requirements and constraints.
- Depth in an Architectural Engineering Area: Assess advanced concepts and principles in the solutions of complex problems to develop a mastery in a specialty area of architectural engineering.
- Sustainability: Apply concepts and principles of sustainability to the solution of complex architectural engineering problems.
Professional Outcomes
- Communication: Integrate different forms of effective and persuasive communication to technical and nontechnical audiences.
- Teamwork and Leadership: Apply concepts and principles of teamwork and leadership, including diversity and inclusion, in the solutions of architectural engineering problems.
- Lifelong Learning: Integrate new knowledge, skills, and attitudes acquired through self-directed learning into the practice of architectural engineering.
- Professional Attitudes: Explain professional attitudes relevant to the practice of architectural engineering, including creativity, curiosity, flexibility, and dependability.
- Professional Responsibilities: Apply professional responsibilities relevant to the practice of architectural engineering, including safety, legal issues, licensure, credentialing, and innovation.
- Ethical Responsibilities: Apply appropriate reasoning to an ethical dilemma.
A majority of LTU engineering students participate in internships (or co-op’s, depending on their program) starting as early as the sophomore year. Architectural Engineering students pursue work and school in parallel, whereas LTU co-op students may choose to alternate semesters working and attending classes on a full-time basis.
Many architectural engineering firms offer structured summer internship experiences, complete with training, team-building, and social events to discover and explore the city where the company might be located. As an alternative to co-op, internships are known for the flexibility they can provide.
All engineering internships are paid, provide real job experiences, including part-time employment, and can be done during fall, spring, and/or summer. Students who choose internships during the school year usually work part-time and take classes simultaneously. Internships and co-ops can be great confidence builders and strong facilitators of the school-to-work transition. They help students literally "test drive" working in their field and provide insights about potential employers, their projects, and work environment.
Visit LTU's Office of Career Services
- Architectural engineer
- Building inspector/engineer/manager
- Construction engineer/manager
- Design engineer/consultant
- Design firm manager/owner
- Electrical and lighting systems engineer
- Green building designer/energy engineer
- Mechanical heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) engineer
- Professor/researcher
- Project Manager
- Sales/applications engineer
- Structural Engineer
For more information visit the Career Services page.
Lawrence Tech’s Office of
Admissions at 800.CALL.LTU or admissions@ltu.edu.
For specific questions about the Master of Science in Architectural Engineering program or contact Lawrence Tech’s College of Engineering at 248.204.2500 or engrdean@ltu.edu.
Curriculum
Masters of Science in Architectural Engineering Flowchart 2021 PDF
164 credit-hour program consists of:
FE Exam
Candidates for degrees in civil, electrical, mechanical, and architectural engineering are strongly encouraged to complete the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Examination administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES).
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The architectural engineering program is accredited by
the Engineering Accreditation Commission
of ABET, http://www.abet.org
Learn more about ABET accredited programs in the College of Engineering