Architectural Engineering
The Department of Architecture at the College of Engineering, University of Baghdad was established in 1959, offering a five-year undergraduate program leading to a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture. Until the academic year 2022-2023, the department had produced over 3000 architectural engineers, many of whom have achieved remarkable architectural accomplishments in various sectors within Iraq, as well as on the Arab and global architectural scene.
The department admits between 50-60 students annually for undergraduate studies, with 10% of the accepted students being foreign or Arab. The curriculum includes both theoretical and practical subjects, covering architectural design, graphics, building construction, interior design, landscape design, architecture theory, Islamic architecture, philosophy and criticism, environment, technology, planning, urban design, and supporting courses in construction, HVAC, and plumbing. In addition, courses in Arabic and English languages, human rights, and democracy are also offered. The courses are structured in balanced units, adhering to international university standards.
The Master’s degree program in Architectural Sciences was established in the late 1970s, and has been a two-year program since then. The program offers three specific tracks: Environment and Architecture Technology, Architecture Theory and Islamic Architecture, and Housing and Urban Design. The program has produced around 300 graduates until the academic year 2022-2023.
The Doctorate degree program in Architectural Sciences was also established in the mid-1980s. The program is at least three years long and has produced around 55 graduates until the academic year 2022-2023. The curriculum covers a wide range of specialized subjects, including history and philosophy of architecture, Islamic architecture, technology, urban development, housing issues, and other related sciences.
The department aims to establish a base of creative scientific personnel who strive to achieve Iraq’s new goals through scientific and engineering curricula. This is achieved through:
1- Reinforcing ethical and national concepts in the architectural field and enhancing Iraqi architectural heritage in practical work.
2- Encouraging perseverance and continuity in developing the specialized role through rigorous scientific and field research, and readiness to complete postgraduate studies.
3- Developing the foundations for an Iraqi architectural school that relies on Arab-Islamic and Iraqi architectural heritage and has solid historical roots.
4- Enhancing the modern understanding of the Iraqi architectural school’s direction and using civilization and history as a source for creating innovative and modern architecture.
5- Solidifying the local importance of architectural constants and applying them in urban planning and construction.
6- Keeping up with technological developments in curricula and courses of study, and enhancing students’ skills in using advanced applications in drawing and architectural representation using computers.
Thus, the department seeks to prepare distinguished graduates who can achieve national and international goals in the field of architecture and urban design.
Agreements and collaboration have been reached between the Department of Architecture at the University of Baghdad and several state institutions, including the Ministry of Planning, for the purpose of designing and planning modern cities that align with Iraq’s economic identity. This collaboration aims to develop innovative and high-quality engineering projects to improve the quality of life in cities and meet the growing needs of society.
The collaboration also involves the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities and the engineering consulting office affiliated with the Prime Minister’s office, to develop innovative engineering strategies and solutions to address current and future challenges facing Iraqi cities, using modern and advanced technologies that are sustainable, economical, and technological.
This collaboration between the Department of Architecture at the University of Baghdad and other state institutions is an important step towards improving infrastructure and developing cities in Iraq, and achieving social, economic, and environmental sustainability.
The applicant for admission to the undergraduate program in the Department of Architectural Engineering at the University of Baghdad must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Holds a high school diploma or equivalent in natural sciences or technology, with a high GPA that qualifies them for admission to engineering colleges. The admission process is centrally controlled by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
- Students are distributed among the engineering departments, including the Department of Architectural Engineering, according to the capacity plan and the estimated GPA of the applicants and their preference. The number of admitted students is determined based on the available capacity in the college. The plan includes admitting outstanding students from technical institutes and distinguished employees from government institutions and ministries.
- The plan includes admitting outstanding students from technical institutes and distinguished employees from government institutions and ministries.
Educational Outcomes
These are the top 10 skills that graduates of an architecture department can expect to have:
1- Technical proficiency: Graduates have a strong foundation in technical skills, including design principles, construction systems, and building methods.
2- Building systems: Graduates are knowledgeable about different types of construction systems, including steel, concrete, brick, and wood, and can integrate them into their building designs.
3- Digital tool proficiency: Graduates are skilled in using digital tools such as computer-aided design (CAD) software, building information modeling (BIM) software, and 3D modeling software to create and represent architectural designs.
4- Hand drawing and modeling proficiency: Graduates are able to use hand drawing and modeling techniques, including freehand drawing and physical modeling, to create and represent architectural designs.
5- Knowledge of architectural history and theory: Graduates have a strong foundation in architectural history and theory, which enables them to draw inspiration from historical and cultural precedents in their designs.
6- High-rise building design proficiency: Our graduates have the necessary skills to design high-rise buildings, analyze their systems, manage them, and understand building codes, regulations, and instructions. They have the ability to play a significant role in shaping city skylines around the world and creating buildings that combine function and beauty.
7- Architectural design critique and evaluation proficiency: Graduates are capable of evaluating and critiquing design work, whether their own or others’, using critical and analytical thinking to identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement.
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Distribution of undergraduate students by academic stage
Distribution of male and female undergraduates
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