College of Built Environments

University of Washington

interdisciplinary : ph.d in built environment

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College of Built Environments at the University of Washington.

Sample Programs of Study

These are examples of how students, with differing backgrounds, might typically move through the Program toward completion of their degree. The differences among the three specializations are significant enough that no attempt has been made to make the same assumptions in each case about student background or needs. Because each student's work will be unique, and developed by the advisory committee and student, the following are meant to be examples only, to give an idea of the sorts of work that might be undertaken.

1. Hypothetical course sequence in History, Theory and Representation
2. Possible course sequence in Sustainable Systems and Prototypes
3. Possible course sequence in Computational Design and Research

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1) Hypothetical course sequence in History, Theory and Representation

Proposed area of specialization: Modern Architecture in Latin America
(assumes appropriate language ability on admission)

Year 1:

Autumn
B E 551 Contemporary Built Environment - 3 credits
Research Methods - 3 credits
B E 550 Colloquium - 1 credit
ARCH 457 - Twentieth Century Architecture - 3 credits

Winter
B E 552 Theories of Knowledge - 3 credits
B E 550 Colloquium - 1 credit
ARCH 488 - American Architecture - 3 credits
LARCH 500 - History of Modern Landscape Architecture - 3 credits

Spring
B E 553 Ethics in Practice, Research, Teching- 3 credits
B E 550 Colloquium - 1 credit
ARCH 444 - Ibero-American Seminar: Ibero-American Modernity - 3 credits
HSTAA 383 - Modern Latin America - 5 credits

Year 2:

Autumn
Research Methods - 3 credits
B E 550 Colloquium - 1 credit
ARCH 560 - Graduate Seminar on Architecture Theory - 3 credits
URBDP 598 - American Urban History - 3 credits

Winter
B E 550 Colloquium - 1 credit
ART H 504 - Methods of Art History: Faculty Research - 2 credits
C LIT 530 - Cultural Criticism and Ideology Critique I - 5 credits
ARCH 600 - Independent Study or Research - 2 credits

Spring
Colloquium - 1 credit
ARCH 558 - Seminar on Twentieth-Century Architecture - 3 credits
ARCH 600 - Independent Study or Research - 3 credits
ARCH 600 - Independent Study or Research - 3 credits
General Exams in Major and minor areas

Year 3 & 4:

Dissertation:
Topic approval
Research and writing
Final Defense

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2. Possible course sequence in Sustainable Systems and Prototypes

Hypothetical area of specialization: Environmental Hazards: Construction and Engineering Challenges, with for example a dissertation on "Silica Dust Control Strategies in the Construction Field" (assumes Masters in Engineering and previous mastery of most research methods allowing 9 credits from prior graduate studies counted toward Ph.D.)

Year 1:

Autumn
B E 551 Contemporary Built Environment - 3 credits
CM Research Methods (CM 598 Special Topics) - 3 credits
B E 550 Colloquium - 1 credit
CEE 560 Risk Assessment for Environmental Health Hazards - 3 credits

Winter
B E 552 Theories of Knowledge - 3 credits
Research Methods II - 3 credits
Be 550 Colloquium - 1 credit
CM 525 Cost Analysis and Management - 3 credits

Spring
B E 553 Ethics in Practice, Research, and Teaching - 3 credits
B E 550 Colloquium - 1 credit
CM 500 Design and Construction Law - 3 credits
ENV H 570 Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology - 3 credits

General Examination

Year 2:

Autumn
B E 550 Colloquium - 1 credit
CM Independent Study - 3 credits
Dissertation - 6 credits

Winter
B E 550 Colloquium - 1 credit
CM Independent Study - 3 credits
Dissertation - 6 credits

Spring
B E 550 Colloquium - 1 credit
CM Independent Study - 1 credit
Dissertation - 6 credits

Year 3

Autumn
EDC&I 505 Seminar in Curriculum and Instruction - 3 credits
Dissertation - 7 credits

Winter
C&I 511U (3) Current Issues in Tech. Ed - 3 credits
Dissertation - 7 credits

Spring
Dissertation - 10 credits

Final Defense

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3) Possible course sequence in Computational Design and Research

Hypothetical area of specialization: Human Interfaces with Embedded Computing
(assumes 9 credits from prior graduate studies counted toward Ph.D.)

Year 1:

Autumn
B E 551 Contemporary Built Environment - 3 credits
Arch 587 Theory of Design Computing - 3 credits
B E 550 Colloquium - 1 credit
TC 455 User Interface Design - 3 credits

Winter
B E 552 Theories of Knowledge - 3 credits
EDPSY 501 Human Learning and Educational Practice - 3 credits
B E 550 Colloquium - 1 credit
CSE 510 Advanced Topics in Human-Computer Interfaces - 3 credits

Spring
B E 553 Ethics in Practice, Research, and Teaching - 3 credits
B E 550 Colloquium - 1 credit
TC 517 Usability Testing - 4 credits
CSE 500Computers and Society - 2 credits

Year 2:

Autumn
B E 550 Colloquium - 1 credit
URBDP 591 Advanced Research Design - 3 credits
EDPSY 501 Human Learning and Educational Practice - 3 credits
Arch 588 Research Practice - 3 credits

Winter
B E 550 Colloquium - 1 credit
B E 600 Independent Study - 3 credits
B E 597 Directed Readings - 6 credits
General Examination

Spring
B E 550 Colloquium - 1 credit
B E 600 Independent Study - 3 credits
Dissertation - 6 credits

Year 3

Autumn
Dissertation - 10 credits

Winter
Dissertation - 10 credits

Spring
Dissertation - 4 credits

Final Defense