Architectural Engineering

What differentiates architectural engineering from its component disciplines is the effort to understand and design for the integration of all the building systems. Civil engineers, for instance, can and do design the structure of a building. The architectural engineer with a specialization in structures will understand and accommodate not only the structural requirements for a building, but also the Architectural, HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical, Transportation, Acoustic requirements - only the most common of those usually considered.

Source - entry written by Prof. Mitchell for Wikipedia

What is the difference between architecture and architectural engineering?
Architects design buildings to meet people's spatial, organizational, and aesthetic needs; they also coordinate the building design process. After earning a bachelor of architecture degree, graduates become registered architects by completing the required work experience and state licensing examinations.
Architectural engineers specialize in the design of engineering systems within buildings. architectural engineers earn bachelor of science degrees and become professional engineers with the required experience and state examinations.


Student Profiles

B.S. in Architectural Engineering
Architectural Engineering at Drexel prepares its graduates for professional work in the design, construction, and maintenance of commercial, institutional, and industrial building systems. The goal of the program is to develop an engineer who is familiar with all aspects of safe, economic construction and can work effectively with a team of Architects, Engineers and Contractors. Each student studies the principles of structural, mechanical, and electrical design for buildings while developing strength in one particular discipline.

Thus, the Architectural Engineering program is broadly based. It incorporates elements of the Civil, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering programs. Students can select from two concentrations to specialize in:

- Structural Engineering
- Building Mechanical Systems

Because the Drexel Architectural Engineering program coordinates with Civil Engineering, the program also emphasizes the materials of construction and site issues such as geology, transportation, and outside utilities. For this reason, it is possible to also obtain a simultaneous B.S. in Civil Engineering with an average of five additional courses.

Degree Requirements

Recommended plan of study: Mechanical Concentration
Recommended plan of study: Structural Concentration