Architectural Engineering Major

DIRECTOR: S. VAN DESSEL (CEAE)

ASSOCIATED FACULTY: L. D. Albano (CEAE), T. El-Korchi (CEAE), S. Farzin (CEAE), S. Liu (CEAE), N. Ma (CEAE), S. Van Dessel (CEAE) 

Mission Statement

Architectural Engineering is a discipline that focuses on the planning, design, construction and operation of buildings and, particularly, on their parts that support the functioning of the inner space and the undertaking of human activities, including environmental protection, comfort, well-being, sustainability and security. One of the major focuses of the architectural engineering program at WPI is the use of energy in buildings, and this is addressed through courses and projects that incorporate engineering science and design fundamentals that relate to those building parts, e.g., envelope, heating and air conditioning, and electrical systems, which impact the consumption of energy and natural resources. The program seeks to impart to students strong technical competence in fundamental engineering principles as they are applied to a sustainable built environment. The program, in addition, seeks to foster a student’s creative undertaking and his/her development of high standards of professionalism. The project approach at WPI offers students a unique opportunity to explore the humanistic, technological, societal, economic, legal, and environmental issues surrounding architectural design problems. The architectural engineering degree prepares students for careers in the private and public sectors, architectural and engineering consulting, real estate and construction firms, and advanced graduate studies.

Program Educational Outcomes

The objective of the undergraduate program in Architectural Engineering is to prepare graduates for successful careers in the Architectural Engineering profession. A few years after graduation WPI Architectural Engineering graduates are expected to have the ability to: 

1. Attain registration as Professional Engineers,
2. Earn a graduate degree in Architectural Engineering or a related discipline,
3. Enhance their skills through continued education, 
4. Serve their profession through engagement with professional societies, 
5. Demonstrate commitment to sustainable design principles within their professional work

Student Outcomes

The Student Outcomes for the Bachelor degree in Architectural Engineering are that all graduates will attain:

1. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
2. an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
3. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
4. an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
5. an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
6. an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
7. an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies
8. the design level in one of the four architectural engineering areas, the application level in a second area, and the comprehension level in the remaining two areas.