The Department of Architectural Engineering in the College of Engineering offers graduate study and research leading to the M.Eng., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees. The building mechanical and energy systems area focuses on HVAC simulation and optimization, building energy analysis, building automation and control, solar and alternate energy sources, indoor air quality control, and vibration and noise control. Building illumination engineering focuses on lighting design, luminaire optics, photometry, lighting system modeling and visualization, psychological and behavioral issues, and daylighting. The course requirement for students pursuing the M.S. degree is 30 credits, which include 24 course credits and 6 thesis credits. A thesis is required for the M.S. degree.
Students entering the doctoral program take the candidacy exam within two semesters of enrollment.
There is no foreign language requirement for the doctoral degree. When a Ph.D. student has substantially completed the course work, a comprehensive written and oral examination is administered by the student's doctoral committee. After the doctoral candidate has satisfied all other requirements for the degree, the final oral examination is held. This exam is related primarily to the thesis, but it may cover the candidate's entire program of study. A wide variety of facilities are available to the architectural engineering student in support of graduate study and research.