Education Articles from College Matching Service

Before showing off our beautiful houses or villas to our friends and relatives we need to thank a group of people- the architects. The designs which fit our dreams are actually made by them. However, other than designing our dream residences an architect’s job cover many other things and these are:

a) Think before drawing up a plan: Before he or she develops a design for a building an architect needs to think about lots of things. These are:

1) Whether the buildings is made for residence or as a corporate headquarter or a school: This is very important because all of these three have different requirements. An office needs smaller rooms, a school needs medium sized rooms while a residence might need rooms with bigger sizes and different shapes.

2) Whether the building is safe or not: The building must have requisite fire exits and have protection against earthquake before the final design is submitted. Moreover the building should also have emergency exits through which the people can escape during any calamity.

b) Stay associated with the building: After the full proof design plan of an architect gets approved now it is the duty of the architect to stay associated with the building to see whether it is made according to his or her recommendations and designs. If the architect has his or her own business then he or she needs to find a good construction firm and if he or she is working for a construction firm then he needs to be always with the construction workers. It is also the job of the architect to check that the materials used in making the building are original. This would ensure the safety of the building as well as the quality of the building.

Other than these responsibilities an architect also need to think about the climate, light, city and carefully considers the how to use the available resources.

Architecture is an advanced type of learning program. After getting a degree in Architecture and Planning, it is very easy to get a job. Planning is a part and parcel of our present day civilization. When houses spring up in series and there are too many planning required to be made, then experts are required. The schools for planning and architecture create students who are well equipped with present day planning and architecture.

The students are given excellent degree programs. They include the following:

• CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled ) laser cutter, it enables students to generate a design by making use of CAD (Computer Aided Design). The design is henceforth sent to the laser cutter, which can cut through material like plywood and glass. A detailed model is thus generated with an excellent display.

• Multimedia Lab Houses Non-Linear (iMac and PC based ) digital video and audio editing suites, has a wide number of facilities and one of them is preparing video and multimedia presentations.

• Spatial Analysis Lab comprise of supported and open access terminals for students who are required to work with Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis, printing and plotting and gaining access to current Ordnance Survey datasets

• Wind Tunnel is generally used for aerodynamic testing building shapes and while designing models.

• Artificial Sky is prepared which is usually made in order to see how the terrace will look when sun appears at various angles. The students can get an idea from this and can apply this in their job field.

• Visualization Facility : It is a room from where the entire wall is visible. It has a screen for back-projection, which helps the users to feel that they are inside the main building. It is extremely essential for blocking the projector, which is also helpful for video conferencing.

If you are reading this article then most probably you are interested in the exciting career of architecture. You may already be an architect who aspires to reach greater heights in your profession or you may aspire to be an architect in future and be involved in designing magnificent buildings and monuments. You may also be someone who had aspired to be an architect in past but were not successful for any reason.

We are fortunate to be living in such times where there’s no dearth of opportunities for individuals who are determined enough. Thanks to the internet and the system of online education, any body can now study and get training in the occupation of their choice and prepare themselves for careers they desire within a very short period of time.

All you require is the single minded determination to make it as an architect and a reasonably creative bent of mind combined with the loads of enthusiasm and the ability to work hard. You can work as an apprentice with an architect, though you may not be paid much, you will gain valuable skills and knowledge as well references and openings for future. You can study architecture in school or universities and if you cannot do that then you have the option of online schools. Online schools have come a long way and now they offer very well designed and useful courses in the field of architecture. You can study from the comfort of your home or work-place. All you will need is a personal computer with a net connection. That’s the advantage of online education, you can work as an apprentice with an architect and educate yourself at the same time and within a year or two you will be good enough to make a big leap in your career as an architect.

In construction industry and designing new buildings, decorating the encircling land is the work of an architectural engineer. He has to directly deal with the users, and take account of the demands of the clients.

The person should make sure that the projected designs meet the conditions which have been put forward by the client. The career comprises a large number of duties like meeting the demands of the people and also of the officials. An architect is required to work in a new building and associated ones. His work is to renovate and regenerate.

An architect works in close association with different kinds of people like laborers. He is required to make changes, instruct them for a better quality work and makes precise measurements surveyors, to make sure that their buildings meet the necessary standards. Therefore they work is a very close proximity to the construction sites and sometimes in the site itself.

The work of an architectural engineer consists of the following works:

• Consulting with people and assessing the design of the construction. The design of the associated areas is also decided by the engineer. Therefore in constructing huge mansion, offices and public area, architectural engineers are consulted

• The engineer is also required to make designs for the client. The business proposals are made with precise measurements and the quality of work determines the amount which the engineer is paid

• The engineer is also required to use IT in design and project management, which are usually used in software packages such as Auto Cad and SketchUp

• The engineer is also required to advertise to the client on the usefulness of their project. This is a tedious work but it is interesting as well. For this the engineer is required to have a thorough knowledge about the project.

• The most important task of the engineer is to keep in mind the time limit and meet the deadline which has been set by the client.

For getting an engineering degree in Architecture, what you need to do is get an admission to an Architectural Engineering college which is renowned in its own way an engineer’s prestige and getting jobs would not be a problem. The basic requirement of getting admission to architectural engineering is the following:

• Qualification required for getting an admission to engineering degree : A student should have a minimum 10+2 (or class XII) with a science background is required for getting chance in Architectural engineering degree

• Criteria for getting admission in Engineering Colleges: One should have Pure Science with Mathematics as the main subjects. Pure Science includes Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.

• Minimum Marks Required: Getting a minimum of 50% marks in all these subjects is required

• Entrance Level Test for getting admission: Qualifying the entrance examination which is performed by the engineering college is mandatory

During the course of study, you shall have to learn about the following topics:

Acoustics, Audio and Video : This subject mainly deals with acoustics, sound effect and video effects. The student is given a basic knowledge about video soundings and picture effects. This subject is extremely interesting and most of the students enjoy this subject.

Computer Science, Multimedia and Telecommunications : Computer Science is taught to the students along with related studies like multimedia and telecommunication. Computer Science is a vast subject and while going for engineering course, computer science is a must-read one. Multimedia and Telecommunication are associated courses which are integral part of this engineering course.

Physics and Materials : Without Physics, the engineering world would be absolutely devoid of life. Therefore, a student is given a thorough knowledge about Physics and Materials. Matter and its diverse forms, quality, character and changeability are taught in physics. The effects of heat and thermodynamics are also integral parts of the subject.

Westwood College and Red Vector are online schools that offer high standard and accredited online courses that would help contribute towards a satisfying career in architecture and/or structural engineering.

• Westwood College: Westwood College stands out among so many other online schools with its high quality courses which have been duly accredited. For aspiring architects it offers an Associate Degree Program in CAD- Architectural Drafting. CAD (Computer-Aided Design) is very important to the study of architecture. Today almost every building is designed with the help of CAD. So students who would like to ensure a good career in the field of architecture, structural engineering or drafting would do well to take up this course. Students of this program get training on the latest AutoCAD software which is one of the most popular software used in CAD.
• The Art Institute of Pittsburgh is an online school that offers a diploma program in Residential Planning. This program has been designed to prepare students for careers in residential planning and sales consultation. It provides the students with basic level skills in drawing, space planning, drafting and computer skills which are required by the interior designing industry.
• The program is especially suitable for working adults who have a college degree and would like to upgrade themselves. The program encourages the students to learn with a hands-on approach which prepares them well for facing real world problems. It includes courses such as AutoCAD, Drawing and Drafting which would help the students conceive, plan and create models for residential remodeling projects.

The program is taught by faculty who are themselves experienced architects or engineers. This allows them to provide valuable real world insight to the students.

Those students who successfully complete this program would be eligible for entry level positions as residential planning consultants, retail sales associate, and kitchen & bath planner.

Magnificent buildings and monuments have always enthralled human beings. Rich and powerful full people from all times have frequently built monuments which have continued to awe people long after their makers have passed away. Just like the buildings their architects have also enjoyed envious positions and those who have proved their mettle have achieved great success as well as personal satisfaction.

Architecture is a popular career taken up by people with a creative bent of mind. It involves an exciting mixture of art and science. Architects design and build scale models of proposed buildings they also supervise and mange the construction of buildings. The career has satisfying mix of intellectual work and activity. There is no dearth of courses which train people in the art and science of architecture. Most of the highly respected universities and schools have departments and sections dedicated to the study of architecture. The stupendous influence and progress of the internet has also enhanced the way we educate ourselves. In the recent years there has been a boom in online schools which offer high quality education on almost any subject under the sun.

Architecture and structural engineering have not been let behind in this progress. Several well-established and respected educational institutions have forayed into the area of online educations. There is no dearth of quality online schools which are highly career focused and offer quality education. The curriculums of such schools are up to date and designed to gear the students for rewarding careers. Online schools offer several advantages over regular schools because they offer a lot of flexibility in timings and locations. They are especially suitable for people who are working in some other field but would like to make a career in architecture and/or structural engineering or for people who are already working as architects and structural engineers and would like o upgrade themselves. Such people can continue doing their jobs and at the same time get desired education.

Architecture is an age old device of self expression; be it impressive towers, colossal pyramid or even grand palaces, architecture have always been the highest form of art. There are various schools which offer degree course in architecture. In America, Architecture offers attractive career opportunities.

University of South Florida : Also called SACD or School of Architecture and Community Design, is located in Florida. It emphasizes on technical perfection of architecture and highest level of competency. The school offers such an ambiance that a student can feel from his heart the poetry of architecture. The myriad forms of community. Human habitats and those golden designs of the past teach a student about architecture and gradually he starts adoring the subject from the core of his heart.

Arizona State University: This is a School of Architecture and a School of Design. In this school, the collaborative design and landscape architecture is taught with the highest precision. In a metropolitan city like the United States, where architecture reigns supreme, this school of architecture offers the opportunity to gain jobs in the relevant field.

Georgia Tech-College of Architecture provides degree courses in Architecture. It also offers masters degree courses. The duration of the degree ranges from 3 years to 3 ½ years. Architecture which is one of the highest forms of art is taught here with perfection and precision.

Kent State University: It is one of the most prestigious colleges located in the city of Kent. It is guided by expert professionals who would inspire students to understand the basics of architecture and also make them feel the depth of the subject from their heart.

The students enrolling their names in the above mentioned Universities gets an opportunity to equip themselves with the necessary provisions required for Epitomizing man’s victory over nature, architecture speaks of the destiny of man, carved out in stones or in the form of statues.

The architecture course is offered in numerous schools in the United States. It is one of the most interesting courses which open the door for job sector. Students from way off countries gather here for getting a degree in Architecture. In most of the colleges the 4 year Architecture Degree program leads to a Bachelor of Science degree. After completing a degree course of four years, you shall be able to obtain a bachelor’s degree in science.

The course is subdivided into a number of subsidiary courses. Mostly it comprises 4 year program. The program mainly consists of Introduction to Architecture and Industrial Design, Design Studio, Freshman Composition, College Algebra. A course on pre-calculus is also offered. It is quite evident that a person who has an aptitude for mathematics would be able to study architecture.

The student should also be aware of the basics of history since history is replete with architectural elegance. The student is also taught about the basics of material and methods. Architectural Degree earns lucrative job opportunities in the relevant field. Nowadays there are numerous branches of architecture and colleges offer them as degree or diploma course.

Industrial Design: This is a study of basic industrial requirements and from this subject a student learns the demands of the job market. Thus he/ she can equip with substantial knowledge and get a dream job.

College Algebra: College Algebra teaches students about the basics of algebra as a calculative device. In architecture, a student is required to make minute calculations and algebra is extremely vital for that.

Computer Knowledge: A basic computer education is mandatory for enhancing your career in the field of architectural science. This knowledge would also enable you to make precise notes and calculations. In most of the industries, computer knowledge is required in a mandatory basis.

Architecture involves several skills and talents like a good eye for design, good organizational skills and imagination which would be required for masterful space planning. All these make a architecture a rigorous discipline but this should not disappoint the aspirants because life as an architect can be rewarding financially as well as personally.

There are many online schools that offer courses in architecture. But a student should be careful in choosing a school especially if he or she intends to pursue online education. Though the courses offer great flexibility, the requirements of a good architectural program is such that it needs a very good and thorough course to ensure that your time and money are well spent and you are able to build the career you desired.

Before you enroll yourself in an online school to pursue a course in architecture or structural engineering, check out the following things:

• The field of architecture is substantially regulated by accrediting agencies. This makes it important that the program you choose to pursue should be up to the standards set by these accrediting agencies.
• Make sure that the program or degree is accredited and would contribute towards a final degree.
• You can consult the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) or the American Institute of Architects (AIA) for information about such schools,
• Every state has laws related to professional registration, before one starts practicing. You need to check them out with the appropriate state agencies.

The following online schools offer reliable programs in architecture:-

• Westwood College is an online school offers Associate’s degree in CAD architectural designing.
• Red Vector is an online school that offers online programs for continuation of education, certification, and preparation for exams.

The AIA also holds online classes for architecture professional who would like to continue their education.