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Degree Requirements

Complete curriculum requirements for all BAC degree programs are listed below. For returning students, refer to the degree requirements for the year in which you entered your program. If you have any questions about your course schedule, contact your academic advisor or the dean or director of your program.

Foundation

Today's design professions draw upon a shared fluency in creative thinking and problem-solving. Architecture, interior architecture, landscape architecture, and the emerging design professions require skills in reading, writing, visual representation, critical thinking, and research that are shared across these fields.

Segment I, Foundation, works to develop students' design and technical skills; understanding of spatial relationships, human scale, and materiality; critical reading, writing, and research capabilities; and awareness of the design industry and professional practice, all of which are required to succeed in Segments II and III.

Foundation can be completed in two semesters by a student who is taking a full-time academic course load. Beginning with CityLab, the student in first-semester Foundation learns to integrate design and thinking skills in the areas of collaboration and community, critical reading and research, design representation, application of design methods and creative problem solving.

Foundation Materials: Tools and Supplies

Materials on this list are necessary for students taking a Foundation-level studio (FND1003, FND1004, FND3032, and ARC1001 or ARC3306).

Students can also expect to use them in other Foundation courses, including FND1005, FND1006, and FND1010 (undergrad) and FND3006, FND3032 and FND3010 (grad).

In addition to tools purchased at the beginning of class, you will need to purchase materials like chipboard, paper, etc throughout the semester. Be advised that tools/supplies over the course of the semester are likely to be $300 or more. 

Click here to view Drafting, Sketching, and Model Building setup. 

Reach out to let us know of your progress: Manuela.Mariani@the-bac.edu, Lee.Peters@the-bac.edu. 

Foundation Portfolio Review

The Foundation Portfolio Review is part of the process of continuous reflection and improvement expected of students at the BAC. Completion of Foundation and advancement to Segment II requires completion of the required courses in Foundation and achieving a successful review of Foundation Portfolio.

Undergraduate students must complete the following eight (8) courses prior to their Foundation Portfolio Review.

  • FND1006 CityLab
  • FND1003 Foundation Studio
  • FND1005 Design Representation
  • FND1001 Critical Reading and Research 1
  • FND2011 Sustainable Material Assemblies
  • FND1010 Making and Modeling
  • FND2007 Community Practice
  • FND1004 Foundation Studio 2

Each graduate program has different required courses that must be completed prior to submitting a Foundation Portfolio. Please review the table below. An ‘X' indicates a course that must be completed along with the discipline specific courses listed prior to Foundation Portfolio Review.

Graduate Onsite Programs

M.Arch

MIA

MLA

FND3006 CityLab

X

X

X

FND3032 Transdisciplinary Studio

X

X

X

FND3033 Visual Thinking

X

X

X

FND2011 Sustainable Material Assemblies

X

X

X

FND3010 Making and Modeling

X

X

X

FND2007 Community Practice

X

First disciplinary history/theory/criticism course

HTC3050

HTC3051

HTC3033

First disciplinary studio course

ARC3306

INT3005

LAN2001

First two disciplinary technology courses

DME2015/DME2016

Upon completion of the required courses in Foundation, students submit a portfolio for review.

The Segment I Portfolio Review is a standardized evaluation of a student's readiness for advancement through the BAC Curriculum and shares results and feedback with the student. Onsite students must submit a portfolio at the end of the Segment I curriculum. The student submits a compilation of work that clearly documents achievements within the Foundation curriculum. The requirements for the portfolio can be found on Moodle or by contacting the Faculty. Students whose portfolios receive a ‘1' or ‘2' score are required to arrange a meeting with their program dean to find out the next steps before proceeding to Segment II.

The Foundation Portfolio is individually created by students as a vehicle to reflect on their work. Portfolio criteria is fulfilled by the student's studio, design media, practice, and technology courses with work amended and refined to synthesize learning gained in these courses. Guidelines for the portfolio submission will be covered in these courses. Students are expected to write about projects or assignments and to write a Reflective Introduction essay, using writing skills learned in foundation courses. 

Foundation Portfolios should be submitted for review at the end of the semester in which the student completes the required Foundation Courses (above). Portfolio Reviews are held in December and May. The submittal date will follow the end of the semester and will be published in the Academic Calendar. Students should register for PRV0001 Portfolio Review when registering for the semester in which they anticipate completing Foundation.

Portfolios are reviewed by the BAC's faculty and education directors (students are not present for the review). Results are available usually within two weeks of the submission date. Students who pass Foundation Portfolio will advance to Segment II. If a student's portfolio is deemed incomplete (earning a 1 or 2 score), the student will meet with the appropriate school dean to determine the requirements and schedule of the portfolio resubmission. With permission from the dean, the student may take certain classes from Segment II during the semester that the student is preparing to resubmit (Segment II Studio courses are not permitted). The student should schedule a meeting with an academic advisor to discuss what courses to take next.

Need More Assistance?

Email Director of Foundation Studios Lee Peters at lee.peters@the-bac.edu