Program Overview
The Bachelor of Architecture program at Near East University is a four-year undergraduate program that awards a Bachelor of Architecture degree. The curriculum combines fundamental scientific principles with architectural skills, focusing on project realization and critical thinking in design. Students complete internships and can pursue careers in both the public and private sectors, including architecture, construction, and design. The program is designed to prepare graduates for professional practice or further academic pursuits.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The program, successfully completed, awards a Bachelor of Architecture degree. It's a four-year undergraduate program (Lisans programı). The program aims to equip graduates with both fundamental scientific principles and the architectural skills to apply these principles in practice. The curriculum is planned with a multidisciplinary approach, consisting of eight semesters integrating design theory, conceptual approaches, construction knowledge, and environmental control courses in studio-based architectural projects. The first two years focus on art education, technical drawing, art and architectural history, human factors, introduction to architecture, aesthetics, and building construction. The studio serves as a melting pot for all these courses, guiding students towards critical thinking about design and proposing ideas for projects of different scales. The inverted teaching method is applied to all courses, focusing on the realization of projects; detailing, cost estimation, product detailing, ergonomics, repurposing of historical structures, professional practice, and computer-aided design. Studio-based projects are mostly multi-functional spaces where technical drawing of system details is deemed necessary. Students undertake two internships throughout their four-year education, providing practical experience. Upon graduation, students are prepared for careers as architectural professionals or further academic pursuits. Graduates will be flexible professionals who can integrate into various sectors of the industry relatively quickly.
Outline:
The Bachelor of Architecture program comprises a total of 52 courses with 240 ECTS credits. There are at least 5 courses per semester, excluding common compulsory and elective courses. Each program includes common compulsory courses determined by the Turkish Higher Education Council (YÖK) and other common courses determined by the University Senate. Elective courses are offered from the 3rd year onwards, with 25% of electives taken from other faculties. Each undergraduate program includes at least 10 elective courses. The first two years cover: art education, technical drawing, art and architectural history, human factors, introduction to architecture, aesthetics, and building construction. Later years incorporate design theory, conceptual approaches, construction knowledge, and environmental control courses in studio-based architectural projects. Studio-based projects are mostly multi-functional spaces requiring technical drawing of system details. Two internships are mandatory (one summer internship and one office internship). The table shows courses categorized by year and semester, including theory and application hours, local credits, and ECTS credits. Elective courses are also listed, categorized as technical, non-technical (from the Common Courses Coordination Unit or established common elective courses), and faculty electives (from other departments).
Assessment:
Each course is assessed by the academic staff teaching the course, resulting in a letter grade. A table details the letter grades (AA, BA, BB, CB, CC, DC, DD, FF), their numerical equivalents (4.0, 3.5, 3.0, 2.5, 2.0, 1.5, 1.0, 0.0), and ECTS equivalents. To pass a course, students need at least a DD grade (in undergraduate programs) or S (Satisfactory) for non-credit courses. The weighted GPA (CGPA) must be at least 2.00/4.00 for graduation.
Teaching:
The text mentions the "inverted teaching method" is applied to all courses, focusing on project realization. The studio is described as a key component of the learning process, guiding students towards critical thinking about design.
Careers:
Graduates can work in both the public and private sectors. They can work on construction sites with construction engineers, in architectural offices, in design studios, or establish their own companies. They can choose to be designers, specialists in marketing related products, or controllers in a manufacturing company. They can also apply to postgraduate programs to specialize in a field and work as teaching or research assistants at universities.
Other:
To graduate, students must complete 240 ECTS credits with at least a DD/S grade in all courses, achieve a CGPA of at least 2.00/4.00, and complete mandatory internships. The program is full-time. The program is overseen by Prof. Dr. Zeynep Onur, Head of Department, Faculty of Architecture, Near East University. International students are admitted based on SAT, ACT, or high school diploma scores. Exchange students are admitted according to agreements between Near East University and partner universities. Visiting students can enroll in courses with the approval of the relevant academic unit. All students must demonstrate English language proficiency as English is the language of instruction. Students may be exempted from certain courses based on prior learning at other institutions, subject to equivalence assessment and faculty approval.
