Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering

Architectural engineering is a building-oriented discipline that offers students an opportunity to obtain an engineering education specializing in building science, building systems integration, building construction, and structural and computer-aided design.

Professional architectural engineers are concerned with the structural integrity of buildings; the design and analysis of heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems; plumbing, fire protection, electrical, and lighting systems; acoustics; energy conservation; building energy and environmental performance; and the management of construction resources and schedules. Graduates of the architectural engineering program will be well prepared for careers as consulting engineers, building contractors, construction managers, structural engineers, and knowledgeable specialists in related areas of building design and analysis.

The objective of the architectural engineering program is to prepare graduates to enter and be successful in the architectural engineering profession. Graduates are expected to become licensed professional engineers, and to reach responsible positions in a wide range of professional settings, including consulting firms, industry, or government. This program will prepare students to begin and successfully complete graduate studies in engineering and/or post-baccalaureate education in a professional degree program. The architectural engineering program provides breadth in core sub-disciplines and depth in areas of specialization. This degree program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

Architectural engineering shares much in common with civil, environmental and mechanical engineering but is distinct in its exclusive concentration on building projects. Architectural engineering students should have an aptitude in and an appreciation of the following areas of knowledge: basic principles of mathematics; physics and chemistry; manual and computer-aided drafting and design; surveying; construction materials; engineering mechanics; structural analysis and design; building science and building systems integration; and professional practice and ethics.

Architecture students who plan to pursue a Master of Engineering in Architectural Engineering degree should take the following courses:

CAE 208Thermodynamics3
or MMAE 320 Thermodynamics
CAE 302Fluid Mechanics3
or CAE 209 Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer
or MMAE 313 Fluid Mechanics

Students should consult the Master of Engineering in Architectural Engineering curriculum for additional details.

Required Courses

Architectural Engineering Requirements (50)
CAE 100Introduction to Engineering Drawing and Design2
CAE 101Introduction to AutoCAD Drawing and Design2
CAE 105Surveying2
CAE 110Professional Practice I1
CAE 111Professional Practice II1
CAE 208Thermodynamics3
or MMAE 320 Thermodynamics
CAE 302Fluid Mechanics3
or CAE 209 Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer
or MMAE 313 Fluid Mechanics
CAE 303Steel Structures I3
CAE 304Structural Analysis I3
CAE 307Concrete Structures I3
CAE 315Materials of Construction3
CAE 331Building Science3
CAE 383Electrical and Electronic Circuits3
CAE 461Plumbing and Fire Protection Design3
CAE 464HVAC Systems Design3
CAE 466Building Electrical/Lighting Systems Design 13
or CAE 323 Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering
CAE 468Architectural Design3
CAE 470Construction Methods and Cost Estimating3
CAE 471Construction Planning and Scheduling3
CAE 496Fundamentals of Engineering Preparation0
Capstone Design Requirement (3)
CAE 495Capstone Senior Design3
CAE Technical Electives (9)
Select nine credit hours 29
Mathematics Requirements (21)
CAE 312Engineering Systems Analysis3
MATH 151Calculus I5
MATH 152Calculus II5
MATH 251Multivariate and Vector Calculus4
MATH 252Introduction to Differential Equations4
Physics Requirements (8)
PHYS 123General Physics I: Mechanics4
PHYS 221General Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism4
Chemistry Requirement (4)
CHEM 124Principles of Chemistry I with Laboratory4
Computer Science Requirement (2)
CS 104Introduction to Computer Programming for Engineers2
or CS 105 Introduction to Computer Programming
Engineering Course Requirements (6)
CAE 286Theory and Concept of Structural Mechanics3
CAE 287Mechanics of Structural Materials3
Humanities Requirements (3)
AAH 119History of World Architecture I3
or AAH 120 History of World Architecture II
Interprofessional Projects (IPRO) (6)
See Illinois Tech Core Curriculum, section E6
Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements (18)
See Illinois Tech Core Curriculum, sections B and C18
Total Credit Hours130
1

Students who intend to take electives in structural engineering should take CAE 323 (CAE 466 can still be taken as a technical elective if desired).

2

All technical electives must be CAE, EG, or ENVE courses at the 400-level or above. Students are limited to only one EG elective course.

All architectural engineering students are required to register for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination during their senior year. The examination is offered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) throughout the year. 

 
 

Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering Curriculum

Year 1
Semester 1Credit HoursSemester 2Credit Hours
CAE 1002CAE 1012
CAE 1101CAE 1111
CAE 1052CS 104 or 1052
CHEM 1244PHYS 1234
MATH 1515MATH 1525
Humanities 200-level Course3Humanities or Social Sciences Elective3
 17 17
Year 2
Semester 1Credit HoursSemester 2Credit Hours
CAE 208 or MMAE 3203CAE 2873
CAE 2863CAE 302, 209, or MMAE 3133
PHYS 2214CAE 3123
MATH 2514MATH 2524
AAH 1193Humanities or Social Sciences Elective3
 17 16
Year 3
Semester 1Credit HoursSemester 2Credit Hours
CAE 3043CAE 3033
CAE 3153CAE 3073
CAE 3313CAE 4643
CAE 3833CAE 466 or 32313
IPRO Elective I3IPRO Elective II3
 Humanities or Social Sciences Elective3
 15 18
Year 4
Semester 1Credit HoursSemester 2Credit Hours
CAE 4613CAE 4713
CAE 4683CAE 4953
CAE 4703CAE 4960
CAEE Technical Elective23CAEE Technical Elective23
Humanities or Social Sciences Elective3CAEE Technical Elective23
 Humanities or Social Sciences Elective3
 15 15
Total Credit Hours: 130
1

Students who intend to take electives in structural engineering should take CAE 323 (CAE 466 can still be taken as a technical elective if desired).

2

All technical electives must be CAE, EG, or ENVE courses at the 400-level or above. Students are limited to only one EG elective course.

This program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

All architectural engineering students are required to register for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination during their senior year. The examination is offered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) throughout the year. 

Professional Specializations in Architectural Engineering

Students who select an area of specialization must take a minimum of nine credit hours from the following technical electives listed under the respective area of specialization. Other 400- or 500-level courses may be used towards a specialization with the prior approval of the student's adviser.

Building SYSTEMS ENGINEERING 

Select a minimum of nine credit hours from the following courses:9
Applications of Computational Fluid Dynamics in Engineering3
Control of Building Environmental Systems 3
Measurement and Instrumentation in Architectural Engineering3
Building Commissioning3
Building Enclosure Design3
Energy Conservation in Buildings3
Building Electrical/Lighting Systems Design3
Lighting Systems Design3

Construction and Engineering Management 

CAE 472Construction Site Operation3
CAE 473Construction Contract Administration3
CAE 474Introduction to Building Information Modeling3

Fire Protection and Life Safety

CAE 422Sprinklers, Standpipes, Fire Pumps, Special Suppression, and Detection Systems3
CAE 424Introduction to Fire Dynamics3
CAE 425Fire Protection and Life Safety in Building Design3

Structural Engineering

CAE 411Structural Analysis II3
CAE 431Steel Structures II3
CAE 432Concrete Structures II3