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| ARC550 Advanced Computer Applications in Architecture Course Syllabus |
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| Credit Hours: |
3 credit hours |
| Instructor |
Professor Bruce M. Coleman
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| TA |
Allen Williams |
| Prerequisites |
- ARC256 Introduction to Computing in Architecture
- or permission from instructor
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| Class times: |
- M,W,F 11:45am - 12:40
- Room: Hall of Languages Room 202 [
Note: this is a change from the previously posted schedule ]
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| Grading |
- Assignments = 25%
- Final project = 25
- Class Attend + participation = 5
- Exams (3@15%ea) = 45
- Total: = 100%
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| Course format: |
- Material related to theory and computer principles is
presented in class.
- Exams cover readings and material presented in class.
- Application of those principles is demonstrated via the use
of software.
- Homework assignments cover the application of principles, by
use of software.
- A final project applies the material learned in both class
and in the assignments by generating a computer model of an architectural work.
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| Assignments |
- Assignments are usually short exercises, designed to develop
an understanding of the general principles and *not* to achieve proficiency. Each
assignment has its own due date, but typically, they are due at the beginning of the
second class after they are issued. The intention is to provide one class period during
the homework so that questions raised by the assignment may be addressed in class.
- The assignments are intended to develop knowledge and
understanding. Proficiency is the ability to use the system without hesitation, to utilize
all of the high level capabilities of a given software, to use keyboard shortcuts or
macros when available or where use of the system is "transparent". As such,
proficiency requires the investment of considerable time at the workstation, well beyond
that necessary for reasonable performance within the course. Thus it is up to the student
to determine whether proficiency is a desired objective. For the purposes of this course,
it is NOT.
- All exercises are issued via the course schedule which is
posted on the web. The web version of the schedule is therefore the official schedule for
the course. This has a tendency to change frequently as the lecture topics, reading
assignments, and homeworks are constantly adjusted to the actual progress of the course.
The student is well advised to check the schedule on a daily basis.
- Most exercises produce computer files which may be stored on
the system, within your own directory. In most cases they may be submitted for review via
email. Because of this, file names must be adhered to precisely.
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| Exams |
- Exams are intended to cover lecture and reading material
together with material covered in class.
- Exams are accumulative.
- See the Course Schedule for exam dates. These are fixed and
not subject to change.
- The final exam is scheduled by the university and is not
subject to change.
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| Notebook |
- There are almost no handouts. Most of the
documentation issued is done via the web. You may wish to print out copies but be careful.
The advantage of having things on the web is that they can be readily changed and during
the progress of the course that is just what is likely to happen. All web pages for the
course display a "Last update" at the bottom of the page. It is your
responsibility to checked to see that you are referring to the latest version of
information.
- You may wish to maintain a tabbed three ring notebook to
incorporate printouts plus photocopies of selected readings..
- Web pages cover three areas of information:
- Class organization.
- Computer theory and principles.
- Simplified software procedural guidelines and command
summaries.
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| Suggested text: |
Mitchell, William J., and McCullough, Malcom, Digital Design
Media, second edition, VanNostrand Reinhold, 1997, New York
This is by far the best text for the course. It is not devoted to any one software program
but focuses instead on general computer principles. There is no programming and no math.
It is available from amazon.com or barnes&noble.com for about $60.00 |
| Reference text: |
- Mitchell, William J., Computer-Aided Architectural Design,
Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, 1977
- McCullough, Malcolm, The Electronic Design Studio,
Architectural Knowledge and Media in the Computer Era, MIT Press 1990
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| Software documentation: |
Each of the application software programs that we use has extensive
documentation that is available. Most of the programs also have books by third parties
that are available. None of these is required. If you decide that you wish to pursue a
particular program to develop a higher level of skill and proficiency, then it is a good
idea to acquire a text devoted to the particular program. |
| Support |
Support is available through
- Extensive online help
- Access to the course TA
- Email access to the instructor
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| Notice on Individual Property Rights and Plagiarism. Learning more advanced software can be challenging. Students are
encouraged to develop a working environment in which assistance is readily asked for and
given. However, work which is submitted in fulfillment of course requirements must be the
work of the individual student. Copying of another's work and submitting another's work as
one's own, either wholly or in part, constitutes plagiarism and is a violation of
university academic policy. Punishment may range from failure for the assignment to
referral to the School's ethics committee. |
Notice on Use of Student Work
Work developed within ARC550 may be used as illustrations
of the course, in publications relating to the course in general, in publications relating
to the School of Architecture, and as illustrations of the course distributed over
electronic media. Enrollment in the course is understood to imply the granting of
permission to publish such material, with appropriate credit to the student. If this is
not acceptable to the student then written notice should be sent to the instructor and no
material will be published. |
