what is the difference between a master of science ans a master of architecture

A master of science in Architecture is generally a two year non-professional degree that is research based and requires a thesis for completion. A master of Architecture is about a three year program that is one of the many painful steps towards attaining an architecture license. This reminds me of my fifth question:

5. What sort of jobs have people been getting coming out of a master of science in architecture program? What percentage of students move onto to the PHD program?

-Beefy

Never heard of a Master of Science. Why wouldn't you get a MArch? That would give you more flexibility, I'd imagine. Most schools should offer a 1.5-2 year program if you already have a professional degree.

Don't know anyone that went on to a PHD, personally. 2 degrees in architecture is far more than needed!

offers MS in Arch. and MS in Building Performance and Diagnostics, and I guess it somewhat falls into the category (Building Technology) that you are looking into.

oh, and for your 5th question; one of my college buddies with MS Arch degree went to work for some consultant firm that offers feasibility studies for big company's existing headquaters and manufacturing plants... I haven't heard from him a while, but he was making some sweet $.
Another dude who did the same program, and decided to stay in traditional architecture career path made about as same (I think it was less) $ as ones with BArch... and he got laid off a while ago.

Look up Emily Kemper here on Archinect. I believe she just graduated with an MS in Building Science from USC.

Trace,

I am interested in furthering my education about buildings. I enjoy design as well as the technical details. This has been a problem throughout my education, I have flip flopped back and forth between Architecture and Engineering a few times now. I do not see myself getting licensed, but I do want to further my design education with a focus on building envelope performance. I've been scratching my brain for a bit, but my newest idea (could be completely off) is that this Masters of Science program will let me explore and get to the nitty gritty of an aspect of building envelope performance while maintaining some degree of design tasks in my curriculum rather than solely crunching numbers. My other idea was the Stevens Institute Product-Architecture Lab. Any advice would help.


Fulcrum,

Do you know what sort of backgrounds your friends had before entering the MS Arch program? Im a bit concerned that a BA in Architecture (non-professional) plus a year of engineering consulting is gonna be a disadvantage in applying to these programs.

Citizen,

Thanks for the reference to Emily. Her blog is very informative.

Interesting. So are you looking to be a consultant or work for a large company, for system designs or something?

Since you already have an arch degree, why not look into specific engineering?

I have no suggestions beyond calling companies you think you might want to work for and talking to as many people in those fields as you can.

Beefy,
They both got B Arch (5-year) degree before they moved onto MS A degree. I must say one with interest in engineering and building performance got the better end than the other, who I think should have been better off working as a typical architect. When I was in Carnegie Mellon, they built this Intelligent Workplace, and MS A students spent many hours (happily, I guess) tweaking their new toys and whatnot ... It was more than 10 years ago, so I am not sure whether the school and MS A people are still tweaking things around there. I think MS A was more into creating an ultimate space that performs well than coming up with some bs design.... and I can't see how your engineering experience would hurt your chance to get in any MS A program.

Where's Emily Kemper blog?
I'm already a licensed architect and looking a for a change and to make my self more marketable and increase my knowldge as an architect. I was looking at TU Wien at Masters in Building Science and Technology. it's in english and free.
I would like to work in europe for a couple of years and think this could be a good way to network, master the language and learn something that will be a benefit if I work on either side of the ocean.
I'm still looking into having my license transferred, but it can be done.
It's a big decision - two years is along time.

Pressburg,

go to the school blog project and search Emily.

I would like to know more about the TU Wien program. The website doesn't give too much info. The application process seems a bit strange. Sounds like all you need to do to get accepted is to apply, wait six weeks, and you're in. They don't even want a portfolio or a CV. Also is it really only 363 euros per term? This all seems way too easy. And I'd have a healthy diet of schnitzel and beer? damn. Tell me more.

Beefy..
I do admit I was also somewhat skeptical about it as the admission process is easy and basically guaranteed, but I think it might also have to do with the european policy of making education accessible to everyone, hence the low price. I have EU citizenship so for me the cost is 0 although the brochure says 370euros. There's a PDF you can download and also if you explore the website you can get more elaborate description of the courses.
The other school I thought about was Delft, but I don't really see myseld in Holland, so in terms of netwroking t wouldn't do me much good.
I think this is the actual website, check it out.

http://bst.tuwien.ac.at/

I'm sort of stuck in trying to figure out or get some feedback as to how reputable this program is.

I still want to focus on architecture, but i think this would a big asset. It could take years to learn the fundamentals of building and envelope performance. In a typical architectural office (from my experience) there are very few people that actually know enough about this, especially if you're trying to push the envelope with the design of buildings.