Architectural Engineering Curriculum: Integration of Architecture and Architectural Engineering

Architectural engineers apply engineering principles to the construction and design of buildings. They often collaborate with architects, who focus on function layout or aesthetics of building projects. Architectural Engineering often encompasses elements of other engineering disciplines, including mechanical, electrical, fire protection, and others. The architectural engineers are responsible for the different systems within a building, structure, or complex. Architectural engineers focus several areas, including: the structural integrity of buildings; the design and analysis of heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems; efficiency and design of plumbing, safety and fire protection and electrical systems; acoustic and lighting planning, and energy conservation. In this paper, our objective is to introduce the new curriculum at University of Wyoming that focuses on several disciplines: HVAC systems design, energy, plumbing, fire protection and building electricity. This multidisciplinary program focuses on the integration between architecture and engineering. It includes capstone design courses that cover the major areas. The integration aspects of different disciplines of architectural engineering will be discussed. As well, a methodology presented to our students in the framework of this course is discussed through case studies. This methodology is based on using actual buildings, where local weather conditions as well as engineering considerations and architecture are used in an integrated approach to achieve a successful design. History of Architectural Engineering at University of Wyoming: Over USA, only 18 programs of architectural engineering are accredited by ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology). Architectural Engineering program at University of Wyoming (UW) is one of the oldest programs in the country. Data obtained from the UW archive reveals the architectural engineering program at UW has been in existence as an independent program since at least 1968 (the old bulletins before 1968 are not available). At that time, a completion of the Architectural Engineering curriculum leads to a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering (Architectural Engineering option). It was mainly based on structural engineering, but students took also mechanical (heating and air conditioning) and construction