Design Technology focuses on the search for principles of architectural form and design. A research and teaching group in Design and Computation is central to this area. A few students can enter the areas of History, Theory and Criticism, and Building Technology, where they work alongside S.M.B.T. and doctoral students, and, as a result, are able to carry their learning experience back to professional practice, design education, or technology research. In all of these areas, related subjects are available in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning, in other departments at MIT, and at Harvard. About 60 percent of the students in the S.M.Arch.
Students often use a site in their home countries as a base for their theses.
Simultaneous Master's Degrees in Architecture and City Planning Students who have been admitted to either the Department of Urban Studies and Planning or the Department of Architecture can propose a program of joint work in the two fields that will lead to the simultaneous awarding of two degrees. S. and M.C.P. students must apply during the spring admissions process. All candidates for simultaneous degrees must meet the requriements of both degrees, but may submit a joint thesis. Urban Design Certificate Students in the M.C.P., M.Arch., or S.M.Arch. S. programs who complete a specific curriculum in urban design are awarded a Certificate in Urban Design.