Bachelor of Science in Urban Design (Tacoma)

The School of Urban Studies has created the first undergraduate urban design degree on the west coast. While architecture focuses on the design of individual buildings, urban design operates on a larger scale - envisioning new ways of designing public spaces like parks, streets, groups of buildings, whole neighborhoods, and entire cities. Urban designers work to make these spaces functional, attractive, and sustainable. Our Urban Design major will prepare students to become proficient in the latest in design software, including SketchUp and Lumion as they create 2D and 3D plans and designs. Additionally, the BS in Urban Design helps students turn their passions for social change and equity into meaningful urban design solutions producing livable cities and neighborhoods. This degree is designed to incorporate community questions and challenges into studio projects, preparing students for a life-time of commitment to public engagement. Through a sequence of studio courses, students apply skills including: Computer modeling Design thinking; Visual communication Public presentation; Data gathering Visualization; Community-engaged design processes; Urban designers focus on place-making. These skills are applied in design studios dedicated to engaging with local and regional urban issues. Courses draw on the teaching resources of UW Tacoma faculty and experienced regional practitioners.

To be eligible for full admission consideration, applicants must present the following: Completion of a college-preparatory course of study to include the following high school credits: a. 4 high school credits of English; b. 2 high school credits of a single world language; c. 3 high school credits of mathematics: algebra, geometry, and preferably trigonometry (a fourth high school credit of mathematical analysis or calculus is recommended forstudents preparing for majors in the sciences or engineering; d. 3 high school credits of socialscience; e. 3 high school credits of science, including 2 years of labscience; f. 1 senior-year math-based quantitative course; g. 0.5 high school credits of the fine, visual, or performing arts; h. 0.5 high school credits of electives taken from the above areas; One high school credit represents a standard full year of high school coursework.