Fall 2014 Online Courses and Master of Architecture (MArch) Degree Program

Fall 2014 online courses are open to all, in one of the most satisfying and fulfilling professions: green architecture.
Study with famed faculty members of the world’s largest and longest-established professional school of green building, the San Francisco Institute of Architecture (SFIA). See the SFIA Instructors, Student Testimonials, and Student/Alumni Affiliation links on our home page, for a comprehensive overview of SFIA.

The Fall 2014 Semester offers self-directed flexible schedules, to meet individual student needs. All study is self paced, without deadlines.

Start any time, but sign up now for very low tuition: $165 per 3-unit course. This low tuition is good through September 4, 2014; $350 per course after that date.

We’ll mentor you through the courses on a fast track—an enjoyable, enriching, comprehensive learning experience. You can finish the degree program in as few as three to four months of part-time study, or take as long as you need.

See below for the complete list of Fall 2014 Semester courses. You can enroll in the full Master of Architecture degree program, take any individual MArch course, or any combination of courses you choose, or the full Master of Architecture degree program.

The 12-course Master of Architecture degree is $1,750 through September 4, 2014; $4,800 after that date. (Interest-free payment plans are available.)

 

ABOUT HIGHER EDUCATION IN ARCHITECTURE

Architecture is much more than most people realize. It’s problem solving on a high level, using a broad knowledge of history, communication skills, systematic planning methods, construction and financial know-how, and a combination of deep analysis and visionary imagination.

Our SFIA architecture programs cover all the major disciplines required for high-quality architectural design practice.

SFIA also follows the 100+ year-old Boston Architectural College tradition of open enrollment: If you can do the course work, no one has the right to say you shouldn’t be allowed to do so.

SFIA also respects the tradition of many top universities, allowing for full equivalency credit for work experience that incorporates the subject matter of any course. You may apply for an evaluation with a $400 application fee, a summary of your prior education and work experience, and a note of which of our courses would be redundant for you.

See our distance learning program, course list, and enrollment form for the MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE (MArch) degree shown below.

FALL 2014 ONLINE COURSES AND MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE (MArch) DEGREE PROGRAM

Creative Resources

A 301
Visionary Creativity
3 units


Learn visionary creativity and its sources, from those who do it without compromise.
Textbook: Evolutionary Architecture: Nature as a Basis for Design, by Eugene Tsui. Note: This book is out of print but available through used book dealers. Alternate textbook: Man Between Earth and Sky: A Symbolic Awareness of Architecture Through a Process of Creativity, by Louis Roberts.

A 302
History of Nature-Based Architecture
3 units


Nature-based, organic architecture has always been part of architectural history and culture. This course reviews the fundamentals of designing with nature and the architects who are the leaders in the field.
Textbook: New Organic Architecture: The Breaking Wave, by David Pearson

Media

A 303
Advanced Architectural Media & Composition
3 units


Computers are used to input and display building designs that are first drawn by hand. Hand drawing and rendering skills are as highly prized as ever, and this course demonstrates the best professional graphic techniques.
Textbook: Marker Magic: The Rendering Problem Solver for Designers, by Richard M. McGarry

A 304
Modeling and Model Building
3 units


Although much architectural presentation drawing is now done on computer, many architects and clients prefer to see realistic, small-scale physical models, to better visualize how final building projects will actually look. This course shows the latest and best techniques of model building.
Textbook: Architectural Models: Construction Techniques, by Wolfgang Knoll and Martin Hechinger

A 305
Construction Documents: Coordinated Drawings & Specifications
3 units

Old systems of creating construction documents are highly disorganized and inefficient. This course shows the latest and best techniques for planning, organizing, and creating working drawings and specifications.
Textbook: Working Drawing Format Handbook, by Fred Stitt
Building Design and Site Planning

A 306
Urban Ecology, Bioremediation, and Plantscaping
3 units


Cities are like very big buildings with very big problems to solve. This course reviews the ecological approach to urban design.
Textbook: Sustainable Urban Design: An Environmental Approach, by Randall Thomas

A 307
Building Design and Planning, Advanced Level Part One
3 units


Poorly trained designers try to design buildings before they fully understand the needs of the people they’re designing for — and they sometimes present solutions before understanding the problems. This course reviews the essential points of design problem seeking, analysis, and solution. Includes a building design assignment as provided by SFIA.
Textbook: Problem Seeking: An Architectural Programming Primer, by William Pena and Steven Parshall

A 308
Building Design and Planning, Advanced Level Part Two
3 units


To design a building means to meet the need of building users, owner, and administrator. This course shows how to identify and document all such needs as the prelude to successful building design. Includes a building design assignment as provided by SFIA.
Textbook: Architectural Programming: Creative Techniques for Design Professionals, by Robert R. Kumlin


Construction and Engineering

A 309
Alternative Materials and Construction
3 units


The pallette of standard building materials is now being vastly enriched with the addition of materials used for green building. This course shows how to use the many new choices.
Textbook: Alternative Construction: Contemporary Natural Building Methods, by Lynne Elizabeth

A 310
Alternative Structural Systems
3 units


There will be radical changes in building construction and engineering in the years to come. Here’s how to understand the thinking behind these changes.
Textbook: Buckminster Fuller’s Universe: His Life and Work, by Lloyd Steven Sieden

A 311
Environmental and Ecological Design: Regional Planning
3 units 


Oddly enough, ecological issues didn’t used to be a part of regional planning education. They are now, however, and this course reviews the best systems for landscape and ecological regional analysis.
Textbook: Ecological Planning: A Comparative and Historical Synthesis, by Forster Ndubisi

Management and Finance

A 312
Real Estate Development and Finance
3 units


“Form follows finance.” Architecture is largely shaped by the requirements of real estate development. This course explains how development works, what’s most on clients’ minds, and why.
Textbook: Architect as Developer, by John Portman * Note: This book is out of print but available through used book dealers or Amazon.com or: Green Development: Integrating Ecology and Real Estate, by Rocky Mountain Institute

A 320
Student-Initiated Independent Study and Thesis Project 
Required, 6 units


A design or research project created by the student, to study any specialized area of architecture of personal interest. Can be a building design, a documented construction project, or an extensive report on any new development(s) in any aspect of architectural design or practice.

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ENROLLMENT FORM INSTRUCTIONS
This is not an interactive enrollment form. Simply copy the text, add the required information, and send by email to Director@sfia.net. Or mail to the SFIA Information Office address below. Or call our Information Office to enroll 1-800-634-7779).
—————————————————————————————————

ENROLLMENT FORM

SFIA FALL 2014 ONLINE COURSES AND MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE (MArch) DEGREE PROGRAM

Date of enrollment and/or equivalency application:

__ Please enroll me in the course(s) listed below: $165 per 3-unit course through September 4, 2014; $350 per course after that date.

__ Please enroll me in the Master of Architecture (MArch) degree program: $1,750 through September 4, 2014; $4,800 after that date. I understand you will email the study instructions upon receipt and confirmation of my enrollment and that I am responsible for obtaining my new or used textbooks from any source of my choosing.

__ And/or I am paying a $400 application fee for a review of the enclosed summary of my prior education and work experience, to determine which courses I may bypass. (If we can’t grant equivalency credit, the application fee will be refunded.)

(See www.sfia.net for financial aid and interest-free payment plan options.)

Name:

Address:

City:

State:

Zip:

Daytime phone:

Cell phone:

Fax number:

Email address:

__ New student
__ Current/previous student
__ I’m not a degree candidate at this time.

ARCHITECTURE COURSES

Creative Resources

__ A 301 
Visionary Creativity
 3 units

__ A 302 
History of Nature-Based Architecture 
3 units

Media

__ A 303 
Advanced Architectural Media & Composition
3 units

__ A 304 
Modeling and Model Building 
3 units

__ A 305 
Construction Documents: Coordinated Drawings & Specifications 
3 units

Building Design and Site Planning

__ A 306 
Urban Ecology, Bioremediation, and Plantscaping 
3 units

__ A 307 
Building Design and Planning, Advanced Level, Part One 
3 units

__ A 308 
Building Design and Planning, Advanced Level, Part Two
 3 units

Construction and Engineering

__ A 309 
Alternative Materials and Construction
 3 units

__ A 310 
Alternative Structural Systems
 3 units

__ A 311 
Environmental and Ecological Design: Regional Planning
 3 units

__ A 312 
Real Estate Development and Finance 
3 units

__ A 320 
Student-Initiated Independent Study and Thesis Project 
Required, 6 units

TUITION PAYMENT

$ __________ TOTAL

___ I am paying by credit or debit card:

Card number:

Expiration date:

Cardholder’s full name:

Credit card statement will show SFIA/GUIDELINES. (Inform your bookkeeper.)

__ I am paying by check or money order in U.S. funds (payable to SFIA).

__ I am wiring funds (international bank transfer); please email wiring instructions.

Refund policy:

After enrollment and receipt of study materials, you’ll have fourteen days in which to decide to withdraw with no penalty. After fourteen days, a $50 per course withdrawal fee will be charged, along with $50 for each month you’ve been enrolled in the program.

Or if you’re enrolled in the full M.Arch degree program, after enrollment and receipt of study materials, you’ll have fourteen days in which to decide to withdraw with no penalty. After fourteen days a $200 withdrawal fee will be charged, along with $100 per month for each month you’ve been enrolled in the program.

SFIA Information Office
207 North Service Rd. East, Box 180
Ruston, LA 71270
1-800-634-7779
Email: Director@sfia.net