Environmental Design: Degrees & Policies
Degrees Offered
Undergraduate: BA, Minor
Graduate: MUP
Combined Graduate: MArch+ MUP, MUP+ JD
Graduate: MUP
Combined Graduate: MArch+ MUP, MUP+ JD
Degree Options
Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Design. The bachelor of arts in environmental design is a preprofessional, 48-credit-hour curriculum offered by the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, divided into four parts: an introductory sequence, core workshops, department electives (including internship opportunities), and senior-year capstone research courses. Courses from other UB departments, selected with the aid of a faculty advisor, supplement major courses. The environmental design major is typically completed within six semesters.
Minor in Environmental Design. The minor in environmental design provides students from diverse backgrounds a broad foundation in the principles of urban planning and design as well as the form and function of the built environment. This minor requires a minimum of six courses, totaling a minimum of 18 credits, from the Department of Urban and Regional Planning. In addition, the minor in environmental design may enhance and provide additional knowledge for students intending to pursue an accredited professional master of urban planning (M.U.P.) graduate degree upon completion of their baccalaureate studies. The program comprises two required lower-division courses and a minimum of four upper-division courses selected in consultation with a faculty advisor or mentor. The environmental design minor is typically completed within four to six semesters.
Minor in Environmental Design. The minor in environmental design provides students from diverse backgrounds a broad foundation in the principles of urban planning and design as well as the form and function of the built environment. This minor requires a minimum of six courses, totaling a minimum of 18 credits, from the Department of Urban and Regional Planning. In addition, the minor in environmental design may enhance and provide additional knowledge for students intending to pursue an accredited professional master of urban planning (M.U.P.) graduate degree upon completion of their baccalaureate studies. The program comprises two required lower-division courses and a minimum of four upper-division courses selected in consultation with a faculty advisor or mentor. The environmental design minor is typically completed within four to six semesters.
Advisement
All students in the UB School of Architecture and Planning are assigned faculty advisors and mentors upon admission to the School. In addition, UB's School of Architecture and Planning Advisement is available for assistance. Students are encouraged to consult regularly with their advisors and mentors in matters pertaining to academic options, course selection, postbaccalaureate studies, and career opportunities. Students meet with advisors and mentors as often as they choose to explore educational opportunities available within the School of Architecture and Planning and the University at Buffalo, and to plan a course of study that is consistent with their abilities, achievements, interests, and expectations.The ultimate goal of advisement is to empower students to use the tools and resources available to become active and responsible learners. Visit http://wings.buffalo.edu/ap for additional information on undergraduate advisement.
Acceptance Information
Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Design. Students are reviewed for admission consideration to the preprofessional bachelor of arts in environmental design by the Department of Urban and Regional Planning upon completing a minimum of 24 credit hours, attaining an overall minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.33, completing both PD 120 and PD 212 with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, and successful completion of the Library Skills general education requirement, with competitive admission on a space available basis. As admission is competitive; preferred applicants should have an overall minimum UB GPA of 2.5.
Declared Pre-Environmental Design are granted provisional admission as School of Architecture and Planning general studies majors.
Students generally apply to the program in during their sophomore year. Transfer students from other colleges should complete the required introductory courses prior to applying to the major, or may apply to transfer these introductory courses if they have completed equivalent courses. Contact School of Architecture and Planning Advisement for assistance.
Minor in Environmental Design. Students are admitted to the minor in environmental design by the Department of Urban and Regional Planning upon earning an overall minimum GPA of 2.0 and completing either PD 120 or PD 212 with a minimum grade of B- (GPA of 2.67 on a 4.0 scale) or higher.
Admission Procedures. Both current UB students and transfer students must complete an environmental design departmental application, available from the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, School of Architecture and Planning Advisement, or online at http://wings.buffalo.edu/ap/. Dates for admission application submission are June 1 for fall admission and November 1 for spring admission. Applications received after June 1 for Fall admission consideration and November 1 for Spring admission consideration will be reviewed on a space-only available basis as guided by the School of Architecture and Planning's admission statement. Contact the Department of Urban and Regional Planning or UB's School of Architecture and Planning Advisement for assistance.
Admissions Statement. The School of Architecture and Planning has an admission policy that actively encourages applicants from protected groups and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Admission is competitive, and; applicants are reviewed according to the admission criteria. Acceptance of students in the preprofessional, professional, and postprofessional programs is determined on the basis of the applicants' qualifications and experience. However, since the school's size is limited, the programs may exercise discretionary powers of selection. Courses and programs offered by the School of Architecture and Planning may include an instructional technology fee. Contact School of Architecture and Planning Advisement or visit http://wings.buffalo.edu/ap/ for additional information on undergraduate admission and advisement.
Declared Pre-Environmental Design are granted provisional admission as School of Architecture and Planning general studies majors.
Students generally apply to the program in during their sophomore year. Transfer students from other colleges should complete the required introductory courses prior to applying to the major, or may apply to transfer these introductory courses if they have completed equivalent courses. Contact School of Architecture and Planning Advisement for assistance.
Minor in Environmental Design. Students are admitted to the minor in environmental design by the Department of Urban and Regional Planning upon earning an overall minimum GPA of 2.0 and completing either PD 120 or PD 212 with a minimum grade of B- (GPA of 2.67 on a 4.0 scale) or higher.
Admission Procedures. Both current UB students and transfer students must complete an environmental design departmental application, available from the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, School of Architecture and Planning Advisement, or online at http://wings.buffalo.edu/ap/. Dates for admission application submission are June 1 for fall admission and November 1 for spring admission. Applications received after June 1 for Fall admission consideration and November 1 for Spring admission consideration will be reviewed on a space-only available basis as guided by the School of Architecture and Planning's admission statement. Contact the Department of Urban and Regional Planning or UB's School of Architecture and Planning Advisement for assistance.
Admissions Statement. The School of Architecture and Planning has an admission policy that actively encourages applicants from protected groups and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Admission is competitive, and; applicants are reviewed according to the admission criteria. Acceptance of students in the preprofessional, professional, and postprofessional programs is determined on the basis of the applicants' qualifications and experience. However, since the school's size is limited, the programs may exercise discretionary powers of selection. Courses and programs offered by the School of Architecture and Planning may include an instructional technology fee. Contact School of Architecture and Planning Advisement or visit http://wings.buffalo.edu/ap/ for additional information on undergraduate admission and advisement.
Academic Requirements
Students are reviewed on their progress in the preprofessional environmental design program by the Department of Urban and Regional Planning on an annual basis. The academic review evaluates the student's eligibility to continue onto the next level in the undergraduate program. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in environmental design program courses and a minimum cumulative UB GPA of 2.0 is required for satisfactory academic standing within the Department of Urban and Regional Planning. In addition to all minimum GPA levels, all undergraduate students are expected to make satisfactory academic progress in environmental design workshops. All students must earn no less than a C- in an environmental design workshop, and any student who receives a grade lower than C- must repeat the environmental design workshop before registering for the next workshop. Grades of lower than C- in any environmental design workshop will not count toward the preprofessional bachelor of arts in environmental design degree requirements.
Statement on Continuous Workshop Enrollment. Students admitted to the preprofessional bachelor of arts in environmental design must complete the appropriate environmental design workshop (PD 350, PD 360, PD 450, PD 494, PD 498) each semester to maintain continuous enrollment in the academic program, unless a student is approved for a studio leave of absence by the Department of Urban and Regional Planning and by School of Architecture and Planning Advisement. Design workshop leaves of absence are often approved for students with medical, legal, military, or other extenuating circumstances as reviewed by School of Architecture and Planning Advisement. Design workshop courses are open to admitted environmental design majors only.
A student who resigns design workshop with an "R" (resign) grade without prior approval for a design workshop leave of absence will be disqualified from the preprofessional bachelor of arts in environmental design. Disqualification shall mean that the student is prohibited from taking additional design workshops offered by the Department of Urban and Regional Planning. Disqualification will not occur if a student is on an approved studio leave of absence for medical, legal, military, or other extenuating circumstances.
A student who has been disqualified may apply for re-entry through the bachelor of arts in environmental design admission application, available online at http://wings.buffalo.edu/ap/envdsnadmit.html. The student ought to supply evidence of experience and academic coursework during the break in studio enrollment that will better prepare the student for additional design workshop studies. Contact School of Architecture and Planning Advisement for additional admission and advisement information.
School of Architecture and Planning Advisement also reviews undergraduate student requests for exceptions to registration: late registration, administrative registration, adding or withdrawing from courses after the University at Buffalo's prescribed deadlines available online at http://src.buffalo.edu/calendars/ , and exceeding the University at Buffalo's 19-credit hour limit.
Statement on Continuous Workshop Enrollment. Students admitted to the preprofessional bachelor of arts in environmental design must complete the appropriate environmental design workshop (PD 350, PD 360, PD 450, PD 494, PD 498) each semester to maintain continuous enrollment in the academic program, unless a student is approved for a studio leave of absence by the Department of Urban and Regional Planning and by School of Architecture and Planning Advisement. Design workshop leaves of absence are often approved for students with medical, legal, military, or other extenuating circumstances as reviewed by School of Architecture and Planning Advisement. Design workshop courses are open to admitted environmental design majors only.
A student who resigns design workshop with an "R" (resign) grade without prior approval for a design workshop leave of absence will be disqualified from the preprofessional bachelor of arts in environmental design. Disqualification shall mean that the student is prohibited from taking additional design workshops offered by the Department of Urban and Regional Planning. Disqualification will not occur if a student is on an approved studio leave of absence for medical, legal, military, or other extenuating circumstances.
A student who has been disqualified may apply for re-entry through the bachelor of arts in environmental design admission application, available online at http://wings.buffalo.edu/ap/envdsnadmit.html. The student ought to supply evidence of experience and academic coursework during the break in studio enrollment that will better prepare the student for additional design workshop studies. Contact School of Architecture and Planning Advisement for additional admission and advisement information.
School of Architecture and Planning Advisement also reviews undergraduate student requests for exceptions to registration: late registration, administrative registration, adding or withdrawing from courses after the University at Buffalo's prescribed deadlines available online at http://src.buffalo.edu/calendars/ , and exceeding the University at Buffalo's 19-credit hour limit.
Transfer Policy
Courses completed at other colleges and universities are not automatically accepted by the Department of Urban and Regional Planning as fulfilling undergraduate requirements. While select courses taken elsewhere may be accepted, determination is made by an evaluation of the student's transcripts, course content, contact hours, and grades earned. A minimum course grade of B- (GPA of 2.67 on a 4.0 scale) is required for articulation to courses offered by the School of Architecture and Planning. Actual placement in the undergraduate preprofessional environmental design program is made after this evaluation is completed. No more than 12 credits of transfer coursework may be applied toward environmental design major requirements, and no more than 6 credits of transfer coursework may be applied toward environmental design minor requirements. Student transcript evaluations are conducted by School of Architecture and Planning Advisement. Visit http://wings.buffalo.edu/ap/transferpolicy.html for additional information on transfer policies and procedures.
Environmental Design - B.A.
Acceptance Criteria
Minimum GPA of 2.33 overall.
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in PD 120 and PD 212.
Minimum completion of 24 credit hours.
Successful completion of the Library Skills general education requirement.
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in PD 120 and PD 212.
Minimum completion of 24 credit hours.
Successful completion of the Library Skills general education requirement.
Advising Notes
A minimum prerequisite GPA of 2.5 and a minimum overall GPA of 2.33 are required for admission consideration, with competitive admission on a space available basis.
Declared pre-environmental design are granted provisional admission as School of Architecture and Planning general studies majors. Contact School of Architecture and Planning Advisement for additional advisement information.
Dates for departmental admission application submission are June 1 for fall admission and November 1 for spring admission. Applications received after June 1 for Fall admission consideration and November 1 for Spring admission consideration will be reviewed on a space-only available basis as guided by the School of Architecture and Planning's admission statement. Contact the Department of Urban and Regional Planning or UB School of Architecture and Planning Advisement for assistance.
Transfer students from other colleges should complete the required introductory courses prior to applying to the major or may apply to transfer these introductory courses if they have completed equivalent coursework. No more than 12 credits of transfer coursework may be applied toward major requirements.
Workshop courses (PD 350, PD 360,PD 450, PD 494, PD 498) are majors-only courses and require admission to the environmental design bachelor of arts. Concurrent enrollment in the following combination of program courses is not permitted: PD 350/PD 450, PD 360/PD 494, and PD 360/PD 498.
A minimum cumulative urban planning and design (PD-prefixed) GPA of 2.5, completion of PD 350 Environmental Design Workshop 1 plus PD 360 Environmental Design Workshop 2, and senior standing is required for enrollment in PD 494 Visions of the City and PD 498 Research Projects in Environmental Design.
No more than 3 credits of PD 496 Environmental Design Internship and 3 credits of PD 499 Independent Study may be applied toward major requirements. Only one 200 level urban planning and design (PD-prefixed) course may be applied towards fulfillment of major electives.
A minimum of 36 PD-prefixed credit hours must be completed at the University at Buffalo to satisfy the Department of Urban and Regional Planning's bachelor of arts in environmental design academic residency requirement, a minimum cumulative urban planning and design (PD-prefixed) GPA of 2.5, and a minimum cumulative UB GPA of 2.0 is required for successful completion of the major. Grades of lower than C- in any environmental design workshop will not count toward the preprofessional bachelor of arts in environmental design degree requirements. The preprofessional bachelor of arts in environmental design is completed in six semesters.
Declared pre-environmental design and admitted environmental design students should go to UB School of Architecture and Planning Advisement, Hayes Hall, for academic assistance.
Declared pre-environmental design are granted provisional admission as School of Architecture and Planning general studies majors. Contact School of Architecture and Planning Advisement for additional advisement information.
Dates for departmental admission application submission are June 1 for fall admission and November 1 for spring admission. Applications received after June 1 for Fall admission consideration and November 1 for Spring admission consideration will be reviewed on a space-only available basis as guided by the School of Architecture and Planning's admission statement. Contact the Department of Urban and Regional Planning or UB School of Architecture and Planning Advisement for assistance.
Transfer students from other colleges should complete the required introductory courses prior to applying to the major or may apply to transfer these introductory courses if they have completed equivalent coursework. No more than 12 credits of transfer coursework may be applied toward major requirements.
Workshop courses (PD 350, PD 360,PD 450, PD 494, PD 498) are majors-only courses and require admission to the environmental design bachelor of arts. Concurrent enrollment in the following combination of program courses is not permitted: PD 350/PD 450, PD 360/PD 494, and PD 360/PD 498.
A minimum cumulative urban planning and design (PD-prefixed) GPA of 2.5, completion of PD 350 Environmental Design Workshop 1 plus PD 360 Environmental Design Workshop 2, and senior standing is required for enrollment in PD 494 Visions of the City and PD 498 Research Projects in Environmental Design.
No more than 3 credits of PD 496 Environmental Design Internship and 3 credits of PD 499 Independent Study may be applied toward major requirements. Only one 200 level urban planning and design (PD-prefixed) course may be applied towards fulfillment of major electives.
A minimum of 36 PD-prefixed credit hours must be completed at the University at Buffalo to satisfy the Department of Urban and Regional Planning's bachelor of arts in environmental design academic residency requirement, a minimum cumulative urban planning and design (PD-prefixed) GPA of 2.5, and a minimum cumulative UB GPA of 2.0 is required for successful completion of the major. Grades of lower than C- in any environmental design workshop will not count toward the preprofessional bachelor of arts in environmental design degree requirements. The preprofessional bachelor of arts in environmental design is completed in six semesters.
Declared pre-environmental design and admitted environmental design students should go to UB School of Architecture and Planning Advisement, Hayes Hall, for academic assistance.
Prerequisite Courses
Required Courses
PD 350 Environmental Design Workshop I: Information Analysis
PD 360 Environmental Design Workshop II: Graphic Communications
PD 450 Environmental Design Workshop III: Projects and Processes
PD 494 Visions of the City
PD 498 Research Projects in Environmental Design
Minimum 18 credit hours and minimum 6 courses of department electives at the 270-level or higher
Summary
Total required credit hours for the major: 48
See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements for general education and remaining university requirements.
PD 360 Environmental Design Workshop II: Graphic Communications
PD 450 Environmental Design Workshop III: Projects and Processes
PD 494 Visions of the City
PD 498 Research Projects in Environmental Design
Minimum 18 credit hours and minimum 6 courses of department electives at the 270-level or higher
Summary
Total required credit hours for the major: 48
See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements for general education and remaining university requirements.
Recommended Sequence of Program Requirements
FIRST OR SECOND YEAR
Fall PD 120
Spring PD 212
THIRD YEAR
Fall PD 350, PD electives
Spring PD 360, PD electives
FOURTH YEAR
Fall PD 450, PD electives
Spring PD 494, PD 498, PD electives
Fall PD 120
Spring PD 212
THIRD YEAR
Fall PD 350, PD electives
Spring PD 360, PD electives
FOURTH YEAR
Fall PD 450, PD electives
Spring PD 494, PD 498, PD electives
Electives and Course Groupings
The following is a sample, but not all-inclusive, list of possible electives offered by the Department of Urban and Regional Planning:
PD 230 Urban Development Law and Policy
PD 279 Buffalo Niagara by Design
PD 301 Perspectives on Land Use and Development
PD 302 Technology and Public Policy
PD 303 Methods of Communication
PD 305 Environmental Education and Communication
PD 306 Communities and Educational Development
PD 308 Problem Solving in Urban Environments
PD 312 Design of Cities
PD 313 Local Government Policy and Politics
PD 328 Historic Preservation
PD 355 Urban and Environmental Information
PD 356 Computing for Environmental Analysis
PD 362 Property Management
PD 379 The City Through Film
PD 402 Real Estate Development
PD 406 Community Development
PD 407 School Planning and Development
PD 409 Technology and Urban Social Change
PD 422 Economic Development Planning
PD 425 CAD Technology in Environmental Design
PD 442 Central City Revitalization
PD 443 Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
PD 463 Cities and Globalization
PD 467 Legal Issues in Planning and Development
PD 469 GIS Applications
PD 472 Designing Livable Communities
PD 496 Environmental Design Internship
PD 499 Independent Study
PD 230 Urban Development Law and Policy
PD 279 Buffalo Niagara by Design
PD 301 Perspectives on Land Use and Development
PD 302 Technology and Public Policy
PD 303 Methods of Communication
PD 305 Environmental Education and Communication
PD 306 Communities and Educational Development
PD 308 Problem Solving in Urban Environments
PD 312 Design of Cities
PD 313 Local Government Policy and Politics
PD 328 Historic Preservation
PD 355 Urban and Environmental Information
PD 356 Computing for Environmental Analysis
PD 362 Property Management
PD 379 The City Through Film
PD 402 Real Estate Development
PD 406 Community Development
PD 407 School Planning and Development
PD 409 Technology and Urban Social Change
PD 422 Economic Development Planning
PD 425 CAD Technology in Environmental Design
PD 442 Central City Revitalization
PD 443 Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
PD 463 Cities and Globalization
PD 467 Legal Issues in Planning and Development
PD 469 GIS Applications
PD 472 Designing Livable Communities
PD 496 Environmental Design Internship
PD 499 Independent Study
Environmental Design - Minor
Acceptance Criteria
Advising Notes
Minimum cumulative urban planning and design (PD-prefixed) GPA of 2.5 is required for successful completion of the environmental design minor.
No more than 6 credits of transfer coursework may be applied toward minor requirements.
No more than 3 credits of PD 496 Environmental Design Internship and 3 credits of PD 499 Independent Study may be applied toward environmental design minor requirements.
For undergraduate information, or for an admission application to the minor in environmental design, contact School of Architecture and Planning Advisement.
No more than 6 credits of transfer coursework may be applied toward minor requirements.
No more than 3 credits of PD 496 Environmental Design Internship and 3 credits of PD 499 Independent Study may be applied toward environmental design minor requirements.
For undergraduate information, or for an admission application to the minor in environmental design, contact School of Architecture and Planning Advisement.
Prerequisite Courses
Required Courses
Updated: May 7, 2009 10:09:04 AM
