Architecture & Sustainable Design

Bachelor of Science Degree (B.S.)

When you define your future at Penn College, you’re investing in yourself. With a degree in Architecture and Sustainable Design, you’re taking that impact to a whole new level. Explore alternative building methods and technologies that promote energy efficiency, preserve natural resources, and reduce negative environmental impacts.

The architecture labs have been newly and completely renovated. Check out the details. →

See Student Work

Courses

Your coursework will cover classes specific to your area of specialization along with foundational concepts and lessons that invite fresh perspectives.

Semesters

Courses

131

Credits

Legend# Credits
Program-specific courses
General courses

Fall 2026

Spring 2026

Fall 2027

Spring 2027

Fall 2028

Spring 2028

Fall 2029

Spring 2029

Please Note: The outlined curriculum assumes a fall semester start for students completing a full credit load schedule without additional developmental math requirements. Students beginning in the spring or summer, taking less than a full load, and/or requiring developmental coursework follow an altered curriculum sequence. Speak to your academic advisor or school office with questions.

Curriculum Notes

Students taking PHS 103 during their fourth semester must take a 4-credit science elective with a lab in the sixth semester.
Those students who complete PHS 114 during their fourth semester may take a 3- credit science elective during their sixth semester.
In order to meet core educational requirements, science elective credits must be a minimum of 7.

Detailed Major Requirements

Careers

Sustainable designer
Sustainability contractor
Detailer
Architectural project team member
Graduate school

Graduate School Pathways

24/7

Access to Design Studios

Sustainability Careers are Rapidly Growing

Guaranteed Momentum:

Pursue your Master of Architecture at RIT

Penn College and Rochester Institute of Technology have established an articulation agreement that grants students in the Architecture & Sustainable Design major advanced placement into the second year of RIT's master's program. And the best part? RIT will offer up to three annual scholarships equivalent to at least 25% of tuition costs.

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Facilities: Collaborative Studio Space

Mixed use studios carve out space for design presentation, computer work, and layout table with designated model-building areas.

Launch Virtual Lab Tour

Tomorrow is in the Making: The Dr. Welch Workshop

The makerspace is an open workshop for all students. Take hands-on learning to the next level. Explore your creativity. Bring your ideas to light. Collaborate with other students, faculty and staff, or work independently to test theories, explore ideas, and gain real-world skills to power your career.

Read About What Happens Here

Tour Schedule: Seeing is believing.

Think Penn College might be a good fit for you? Make plans to visit and discover what hands-on learning is all about.

Apr26

Undergraduate Open House

Sunday, April 26 9 AM - 3 PM

Scholarships

As a Architecture & Sustainable Design student at Penn College, you may be elgible for 131 scholarships.

25 Program-related scholarships

106 Additional scholarships

Explore scholarships

Penn College News: Real World Ready

Lester receives Pennsylvania Impact Award

November 25, 2025

Ellyn A. Lester, assistant dean of construction and architectural technologies, recently received a Pennsylvania Impact Award from City & State Pennsylvania.…

Architecture students design ideas for net-zero youth center

July 31, 2025

A team of Pennsylvania College of Technology students recently completed the U.S. Department of Energy’s BuildingsNEXT challenge – and simultaneously provided…

Architecture grads 'cap' studies with exhibition

May 20, 2025

On the threshold of their graduation from Pennsylvania College of Technology, 18 architecture & sustainable design seniors showcased their four years of…

Architecture exhibit showcases students’ visionary creativity

May 11, 2025

Eighteen graduating seniors from Pennsylvania College of Technology’s architecture & sustainable design major will showcase their work in “Architecture &…

Architecture faculty member presents on universal design

April 11, 2025

Dorothy J. Gerring, associate professor of architecture at Pennsylvania College of Technology, was a keynote speaker at the recent Pennsylvania Housing Research…

'Women Building the Future' features Lester

March 10, 2025

On Monday evening, Ellyn A. Lester, assistant dean of construction & architectural technologies at Pennsylvania College of Technology, appeared on WVIA-TV’s…

Lester on WVIA-TV series Monday evening

March 07, 2025

Ellyn A. Lester, assistant dean of construction & architectural technologies, will be a panelist on WVIA-TV’s “Keystone Edition: Business” program. The episode,…

Spring 2025 magazine features feats

March 05, 2025

Read the Spring 2025 edition of Penn College Magazine, featuring the feats of the Diesel Performance Club and its lightning quick “Accelerated Learning” Mack…

Students make valuable connections during Architectural Alumni & Student Day

March 03, 2025

Students in the college’s architecture and sustainable design majors received a wealth of real-world wisdom and one-on-one time with graduates during the…

Gallery receives grant to update lighting system, reduce energy

January 29, 2025

The Gallery at Penn College has updated its lighting system, thanks to a $15,000 award from the Frankenthaler Climate Initiative, a grantmaking program…

People: Meet the Makers

Industry Partners: Work with experts to become an expert

Penn College's strong corporate partnerships impact every step of your journey – from your first day in the classroom and labs, to career placement (oftentimes before graduation) and beyond.

Internship: Your knowledge in practice

Internships are key for career preparation. Apply your know-how in the workplace and learn about the industry first-hand.

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Student Life: Lead and put your skills to the test

American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) at Penn College

Appreciate architecture with friends and make connections that last a lifetime. This organization focuses on building leadership skills and community outreach.

Learn more

Student Organizations at Penn College

Your college experience is about more than the classroom. Join one of 65+ clubs and organizations, or create your own.

Get Involved

Study Abroad: Gain global experience

See the world via Williamsport. Take your education abroad and get hands-on experience learning about your industry on a global scale.

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Student Experience: Sitting idly by? Not these students!

Six teams of third-year students in Architectural Design Studio V pursued the literal “seat of knowledge” in fashioning functional furniture out of corrugated cardboard on each side of the recent Spring Break. Offered annually since at least 2016, the creative exercise gives the groups two weeks each to design and build full-scale chairs from sheets of the recyclable material that integrate the concepts of function, aesthetics, ergonomics and detail.

More Information

In addition to the transfer standards established by the College, students seeking transfer credit from another institution for architecture program courses may be asked to submit examples of coursework to the architecture department head.

Determination by the department head as to whether transfer credit is given will be based on alignment of the transfer course with Penn College course content.

Students must acquire their own tools and laptop computer as noted below.

Required Laptop Computer

64-bit Windows 11 or higher (recommended).
Multi-core Intel Core i7 or i9 CPU running at 2.5 GHZ or higher (recommended).
32+ GB RAM (required).
1+ TB M.2 NVMe Drive (recommended).
Dedicated 8+ GB graphics card (required).
Video Display Resolution 1920 x 1080 (could be higher, but will impact Lumion® performance).
Laptop must include a webcam and microphone (required).
Laptop must include a wireless network card (required).
Broadband Internet connection when working off campus.
Additional plug-ins for software may be required (Information Technology Services Service Desk available for assistance).
Multi-year support plan including accidental damage protection (recommended).
The specifications above are based on requirements for Revit ® 2022 “Performance” system recommendations and Lumion® 12 system requirements. Please review those sites to ensure your laptop meets the requirements.
*Apple computers and Chromebooks are prohibited.

View the Architectural Technology Tool List

Architecture Related Software and Computer Specifications

Students in the Architecture Department programs are required to purchase their own laptop computers for use during our courses and labs. The minimum computer specifications below are based on the hardware requirements needed to run the software that we utilize including:

Autodesk AutoCAD®
Autodesk Revit®
Adobe Photoshop®
Act-3D Lumion®
Microsoft Office®

Minimum Laptop Computer Requirements

64-bit Windows 10 or higher (recommended).
Multi-core Intel Core i7 or i9 CPU running at 2.5 GHZ or higher (recommended).
32+ GB RAM (required).
1+ TB M.2 NVMe Drive (recommended).
Dedicated 8+ GB graphics card (required).
Video Display Resolution 1920 x 1080 (could be higher, but will impact Lumion® performance).
Laptop must include a webcam and microphone (required).
Laptop must include a wireless network card (required).
Broadband Internet connection when working off campus.
Additional plug-ins for software may be required (Information Technology Services Service Desk available for assistance).
Multi-year support plan including accidental damage protection (recommended).
The specifications above are based on requirements for Revit ® 2023 “Performance” system recommendations and Lumion® 12.5 “Recommended requirements”. Please review those sites to ensure your laptop meets the requirements.
*Apple computers and Chromebooks are prohibited.

Tools are available for purchase through The College Store.

Program Review Executive Summary AY2013-2014: Architectural Technology

Alternative Credit refers to academic credits earned through means other than traditional college course completion, including: credit by exam, articulation, proof of competency gained in high school, work/life experience, and advanced placement.

Visit the Alternative Credit Options page for requirements and procedures and for information on credit through Advanced Placement.

Architecture and Sustainable Design Advisory Committee Members

Mr. Larry Basile

Executive Vice President

Supply Source, Inc.

Mr. David W Daneker

Construction Project Manager

UPMC Susquehanna

Mr. Robert J Gehr, AIA, NCARB

Vice President, Retail Design & Buildings

Larson Design Group, Inc.

Mr. Jeff A LeFevre