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Transfer Course Criteria for

Architecture


Along with the general selection criteria, every major has required and recommended coursework for transfer students to have completed in order to be considered competitive during the selection process.

Required Courses

Before applying to a major, you should successfully complete or be in the process of completing the required courses to maximize (but not guarantee) your chance of selection. You must complete these units by the spring of the term before your intended fall enrollment to receive consideration during the selection process.

Desired Courses

Because Cal Poly is highly impacted and selection to all majors is very competitive, desired courses should also be successfully completed or in progress when you apply for admission.

Evaluating Your Courses

All the courses listed are Cal Poly Courses. You can use www.assist.org to identify the course equivalencies between Cal Poly and the California Community Colleges. Be sure to use the corresponding academic year in which you completed the course. If you are out-of-state or a transfer student from another four-year institution, you may have to compare your catalog course descriptions with Cal Poly’s catalog to identify the equivalent courses. Cal Poly is unable to evaluate transcripts for you prior to selection.

Course Listings

Fall 2024

Required Courses

English Language Communication and Critical Thinking

  • Oral Communication
  • Written Communication/English Composition
  • Critical Thinking

Mathematics

  • MATH 141/Calculus I (Class must equal 5-semester-units)
    OR
  • MATH 141/Calculus I
  • ​​​​​​MATH 182/Calculus for Architecture and Construction Management
    or MATH 142/Calculus II

Physics

  • PHYS 121/College Physics I or PHYS 141/General Physics IA (Class must equal 5-semester-units)
    OR
  • PHYS 121/College Physics I or PHYS 141/General Physics IA
  • PHYS 122/College Physics II or PHYS 142/General Physics II

Major Related 1

  • ARCH 131/Design and Visual Communication 1.1
  • ARCH 132/Design and Visual Communication 1.2
  • ARCH 133/Design and Visual Communication 1.3

Major Related 2

  • ARCH 241/Architectural Practice 2.1
  • ARCH 251/Architectural Design 2.1
  • ARCH 242/Architectural Practice 2.2
  • ARCH 252/Architectural Design 2.2
  • ARCH 207/Environmental Control Systems 1
  • ARCH 253/Architectural Design 2.3

Desired Courses

Major Related 

  • ARCE 211/Structures I
  • ARCE 212/Structures II
    OR
  • ME 211/Engineering Statics
  • CE 204/Mechanics of Materials I
     
  • ARCH 217/ History of World Architecture: Prehistory - Middle Ages
  • ARCH 218/ History of World Architecture: Middle Ages - 18th Century
Fall 2025

Required Courses

English Language Communication and Critical Thinking

  • Oral Communication
  • Written Communication/English Composition
  • Critical Thinking

Mathematics

  • MATH 141/Calculus I (Class must equal 5-semester-units)
    OR
  • MATH 141/Calculus I
  • ​​​​​​MATH 182/Calculus for Architecture and Construction Management
    or MATH 142/Calculus II

Physics

  • PHYS 121/College Physics I or PHYS 141/General Physics IA (Class must equal 5-semester-units)
    OR
  • PHYS 121/College Physics I or PHYS 141/General Physics IA and
  • PHYS 122/College Physics II or PHYS 142/General Physics II or CSU GE B1 & B3 or CSU GE B2 & B3

Major Related 

Design Studios

  • ARCH 131/Design and Visual Communication 1.1
  • ARCH 132/Design and Visual Communication 1.2
  • ARCH 133/Design and Visual Communication 1.3
  • ARCH 251/Architectural Design 2.1
  • ARCH 252/Architectural Design 2.2
  • ARCH 253/Architectural Design 2.3

Technology Courses

  • ARCH 241/Architectural Practice 2.1
  • ARCH 242/Architectural Practice 2.2
  • ARCH 207/Environmental Control Systems 1

Desired Courses

Major Related 

  • ARCE 211/Structures I and ARCE 212/Structures II
    OR
  • ME 211/Engineering Statics and CE 204/Mechanics of Materials 
    AND
  • ARCH 217/ History of World Architecture: Prehistory - Middle Ages
  • ARCH 218/ History of World Architecture: Middle Ages - 18th Century

All information is subject to change without prior notice.