College of Design

www.design.iastate.edu
Mark C. Engelbrecht, Dean
Kate Schwennsen, Associate Dean
Timothy O. Borich, Associate Dean

Departments of the College
Architecture
Art and Design
Community and Regional Planning
Landscape Architecture

Objectives of the Curricula in Design

The College of Design is among a small, elite number of comprehensive design schools offering outstanding opportunities for both disciplinary and interdisciplinary education.

The College of Design strives to provide each student with a broad educational background and preparation in a specific environmental design or art discipline. Each program is designed to develop knowledge and appreciation of the physical and cultural environment, to stimulate creative thinking and analysis, and to prepare students for participation in a wide variety of careers.

The college’s programs also encompass many opportunities for individualized study and extracurricular activities such as visiting lectures and symposia, workshops, gallery exhibits, practicum and internship programs, field trips, and international study programs.

Graduates of the college are employed in private firms, government, industry, and education, or are self-employed as designers or artists. Opportunities for graduates include

careers as architects, landscape architects, community and regional planners, graphic designers, interior designers, studio artists, arts administrators, art educators, and environmental designers.

Graduate Curricula

The College of Design offers graduate study in the areas shown below. Graduate study is conducted through the Graduate College. Details are found in the Graduate College section of this catalog.

Majors

Architecture
Architectural Studies
Art and Design
Art Education
Community and Regional Planning
Graphic Design
Integrated Visual Arts
Interior Design
Landscape Architecture
Transportation Planning*

Double Degree Programs
Architecture/Community and Regional Planning
Community and Regional Planning/Landscape Architecture
Architecture/Business
Community and Regional Planning/Public Administration

Minor

Gerontology*

*The College of Design participates in these interdepartmental graduate programs.

Undergraduate Curricula

Majors

Architecture
Art and Design
Community and Regional Planning
Graphic Design
Interior Design
Landscape Architecture

Secondary Majors

Environmental Studies*
International Studies*

Minors

Design Studies
Entrepreneurial Studies*
Environmental Studies*
Gerontology*
International Studies*
Technology and Social Change*
*The College of Design participates in these interdepartmental secondary majors and minors.

Organization of Curricula

The undergraduate curricula in design are divided into two phases: a pre-professional Core Design Program and a professional program. The Core Design Program grounds the undergraduate degree programs, providing a rich, rigorous inclusive base for the curricula; Creates shared language, experience, and community for programs, faculty, and students; Exposes students to all design disciplines, allowing students to make more informed degree choices, apply to multiple programs, and experiment with interdisciplinary work.

For students entering the Core Design Program, the college highly recommends purchase of a digital camera.

The intense, discipline-specific professional curricula that follows the Core, focus on developing students’ ability and knowledge in their major. Within the major area, students advance creative and professional skills through classroom and studio work, critiques of student projects, discussion with professional practioners, and field studies.

General education, contained in both the Core and the professional programs, is composed to insure that students receive a well-rounded undergraduate education.

High School Preparation

Courses in fine arts and design that develop visualization and freehand drawing abilities are highly recommended though not required for entrance. Students planning to enroll in an academic program of the College of Design must complete the following high school course requirements: 4 years of English to develop communication skills, critical reading and writing ability, including coursework in composition and literature, and, up to 1 year of speech and/or journalism; 3 years of mathematics to develop problem solving skills, including 1 year each of algebra, geometry, and advanced algebra; 3 years of science, including at least two of the following: 1 year of biology, 1 year of chemistry, or 1 year of physics; 2 years of social studies, including at least 1 year of U.S. history and 1 semester of U.S. government.

Admission Standards to Enrollment Managed Professional Programs

Admission into the enrollment managed professional programs of Architecture, Graphic Design, Interior Design, and Landscape Architecture requires a separate application after completing the Core Design Program, depends on available resources, and is subject to review by faculty committee. Applicants are reviewed on the basis of a portfolio of original work, scholastic performance, and a written essay.

Advising

Each student receives personal assistance from an academic adviser within the student’s curriculum area. Students enrolled in the college’s Core Design Program are advised by professional advisers. Once admitted to professional programs, students are assigned to faculty advisers. Advisers help students develop a program of study, access pertinent university resources, as well as provide information on career choice.

The college’s career services office works with students to develop their career goals as well as prepare and search for employment.

Honors Program

The College of Design participates in the Honors Program which provides opportunities for outstanding students to individualize their programs of study. See Index, Honors Program.

Requirements in the College of Design

All students in the College of Design are expected to meet the following requirements of the college.

* General education credits in the Core Design Program may count toward the minimum credits.

See departmental curricula for specific course requirements within the general education areas.

*To meet requirements for graduation, a minimum grade of C– must be received.

Minor in Design Studies

The undergraduate minor in Design Studies is constructed to facilitate design awareness among interested students and to provide a vehicle for interdisciplinary study within the College of Design. This minor is open to all undergraduate students at Iowa State University.

This minor requires fifteen credits of course work: three credits of history selected from College of Design course offerings and twelve additional credits selected from College of Design course offerings.

At least six of the fifteen credits must be taken at Iowa State University in courses numbered 300 or above. At least nine of the fifteen credits must not be used to meet any other college or university requirements except the credit requirement for graduation.

Students enrolled in the College of Design may not use courses in their major or in the Core Design Program to satisfy this minor.