Designing Dynamic Buildings
Architectural engineers ensure the structural integrity and sustainability of buildings, along with the health and safety of people inside them. These in-demand professionals design structural, mechanical, plumbing, power and lighting systems, while also handling project and construction management.
Academics > Faculty Strengths > Outside the Classroom > Career Paths >
Balance top-down architecture and component-up engineering design.
Academic Focus
Based in the close-knit Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering and Mechanics and offered in partnership with the School of Architecture, the BS in architectural engineering at the University of Arizona is one of only four such programs in the western United States. Courses combine civil, structural, electrical and mechanical engineering principles with architectural theory, history and design.
Faculty Strengths
- Smart buildings
- Green construction
- Earthquake-resistant structures
- Water and energy efficiency
- Structural health analysis and monitoring
Outside the Classroom
In addition to senior design projects and architectural studios, internships and research opportunities round out the architectural engineering experience. Plus a number of diverse student clubs, organizations and national competitions give students a place to hone their skills and build camaraderie.
Career Paths
UA architectural engineering alumni are qualified to work with engineering, architecture and construction firms and prepared for graduate studies in civil engineering, construction engineering and architecture. Entry level architectural engineers typically start at between $62,000 and $75,000 year. With significant growth in the construction industry over the last few years and a projected 20-percent increase in employment rates in the next five years, job prospects in this burgeoning field are promising.
