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AREN2111 Architectural Design I (3 credits)
Foundation studio aimed at developing critical and conceptual design skills. Students develop understanding of design through exploring 2 & 3D pattern making, form and space compositions, exploration of design domain, design analysis and simple design problems. Small projects are used to explore the domain of architectural design and enhance communication skills.
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AREN2312 Architectural Drawing (2 credits)
The aim of this basic course is to develop student's knowledge, understanding and communication skills required for producing general architectural engineering drawings. The course covers the following topics: drawing tools and materials, principles of orthographic representation (plan, elevation, section), and three-dimensional drawings (isometric, axonometric), and architectural standards. By the end of this course students should be able to read, understand, and draw general architectural engineering drawings.
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AREN2313 Architectural Graphics (3 credits)
The aim of this course is to enhance knowledge and understanding of the relation of perception and representation through free-hand drawing and graphical communication. The course covers the following topics: drawing and observation: line and shape, contour, tone and texture, light and color, form and structure, space and depth; principles of shade and shadow, and perspective drawing.
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AREN2411 History of Architecture (1): Modern and Contemporary (2 credits)
Course examines historical development in western art and architecture from the industrial revolution to the present. Focus is on understanding how cultural settings shaped the direction of artistic thinking and built form in each period. Emphasis is on technical developments, artistic movements, institutions (such as Bauhaus) and important personalities.
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AREN3112 Architectural Design (2): Simple Function (3 credits)
Understanding the generic design process with emphasis on conceptualization, order, function, and form and space relationship. Structure and environment are also introduced as design issues. Design focus is on simple buildings with limited functional and technical complexity for different sites, situations, and programs, and design ideas are developed through analytical and compositional studies.
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AREN3113 Architectural Design (3): Complex Multi-Function (4 credits)
The course will address, through methodical design process, complex architectural organization in terms of function, context, structure, formal expression and environmental considerations. Also, the course will address technical aspects such as choice of materials and the design of architectural details. Human needs and values, visual and physical qualities of the designed environment are expected to be addressed.
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AREN3211 Architectural Design Theory (2 credits)
Course examines design theory as a means to develop cognitive and problem-solving skills. Difference between theory and design theory of architecture is explored. Also explored are issues of order and organization, phenomena of perception, elements and organizing principles of form and space, ordering principles, design typology, designers and design thinking, and design process.
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AREN3312 Introduction to Computer Aided Architectural Design (3 credits)
Course introduces students to digital media and its application in architecture. Focus is on enabling skill acquisition in the use of 2D drafting, 3D modelling and Rendering software. Image processing and postproduction programs may also be explored.
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AREN3313 Architectural Working Drawing (3 credits)
Introduce methods of preparing working drawing as part of building construction documents and provides a hands-on experience in preparing such documents. The course will emphasize the use of computer in generating such drawings. Topics to be covered include working drawing conventions, drawing organization, working drawing of plans, sections, elevations, and details.
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AREN3412 History of Architecture (2): Islamic and Vernacular (2 credits)
This course concentrates on Islamic architecture in different regions and times. It searches for the forms while examining the embedded meanings and symbolic appearances. It examines the design principles of different styles in Islamic architecture. A field trip to observe and document a selected traditional Omani architecture is undertaken as part of the course.
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AREN3611 Principles of Settlement Planning (2 credits)
Overview of the historical development of human settlements. Examination of different types, morphology, structure and growth of settlements. Overview of factors influencing settlement form and growth. Contemporary urban form with emphasis on the influence of rapid urbanization. Examination of settlement form in Oman in the context of global practices. Sustainability issues in settlement planning.
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AREN3808 Computer Aided Lighting Design (2 credits)
The course will give a review in lighting design (daylighting and artificial lighting). Introducing overview of modeling of the building and simulation of lighting. Concepts relating to the simulation of daylight, sunlight and artificial lighting in buildings. Use of on-market simulation tools such as: Ecotect and Radiance software.
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AREN3809 Architectural Conservation Techniques (2 credits)
The course will cover: evolution of historical conservation, historic buildings and architectural cultural heritage, conservation decisions, ethics, and values, conservation team, causes of decay in historic buildings. The course will introduce different methods of intervention and techniques, and examples from different geo-climatic regions and periods.
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AREN3811 Building Construction Methods (3 credits)
Types of structures and their construction methods and techniques. Foundation, floor, wall and roof systems. Moisture and thermal protection. Doors and windows. Building details. Pre-fabrication techniques of building components. Construction techniques of special form: dome, vault, shell, space frame and metal structure. Local materials and construction systems. Building joints and movements. Finishing and cladding.
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AREN3812 Architectural Acoustics (2 credits)
This course introduces theoretical foundations, computational approaches, and design methods in architectural acoustics (room acoustics, building acoustics, noise control). Topics include a review of the physical properties of sound, fundamentals of sound perception, prediction of air-borne and structure-borne sound propagation, noise control, relevant design methods, and fieldwork measurements will be introduced.
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AREN3814 Climate-responsive Design (3 credits)
This course addresses the impact of hot climate on architectural design. Topics covered are climatic elements and site microclimate, human comfort, solar control, shading systems, wind movements and ventilation, urban environment and dynamics of external space, built environment and effects of the building envelop.
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AREN3815 Sustainable Design in Hot Climates (2 credits)
This course addresses the issues of sustainable architectural design in hot climates. The course covers: global issues of sustainability and green architecture, environmental constraints on future sustainability, problems of non-sustainable cities, future sustainable urban patterns in Oman, bases and application of sustainability rating systems of LEED - LEED/N- Estidama, study and analyses of examples of sustainable building projects in the world.
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AREN3816 Building Mechanical Systems (3 credits)
Psychrometrics, human thermal comfort in the internal environment, basic heat transfer in buildings, heating and cooling load calculation, introduction to computerized cooling load calculation, air-conditioning systems and equipment, air duct design, air distribution systems design, fan design, vertical transportation systems design.
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AREN4113 Research Project (1 credits)
This course focuses on the preparatory research studies of the graduation project's requirements in response to cultural, social, environmental, and urban context factors. The research study should cover the requirements of the three main areas of the graduation project: architectural, and HVAC.
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AREN4114 Architectural Design (4): Design in an Urban Context (4 credits)
Studio explores design at the scale of the urban context. Focus is on designing a new housing neighbourhood or intervention aimed at neighbourhood/district regeneration. Scope covers design of architectural elements and their situation in the urban context. Attention is paid to contextual issues, such as site, location, and climate. Social, cultural and behavioural issues are also addressed.
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AREN4115 Graduation Project (1) (4 credits)
The graduation project (1) aims at developing a comprehensive architectural design. The architectural solution should integrate the requirements of structural and HVAC systems as a translation of the previously prepared design report.
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AREN4202 Architectural Professional Practice (2 credits)
Issues affecting current architectural theory and practice. Legal framework of practice and the role of the architect in building industry and process. The regulatory system: planning and urban design controls, building code and approval process. Management principles and practices for the range of architectural practice. The selection process and the conditions of the design market. Responsibilities and liabilities of different building professionals in all sectors of practice as the outcome of their relationship to local authorities and current building legislation.
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AREN4203 Behavioral Factors in Housing Design (2 credits)
Introduction to the science of spatial behavior. Perceptual learning and way finding. adaptation. motivation. emotion development and cultural and personal context, and the process of feedback. Human Senses (vision; olfactory, auditory, touch) and Sensory process. Perception cognition. Social influence on behavior and space syntax. Personal space and territoriality.
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AREN4205 Residential Planning and Design (2 credits)
Course examines housing planning, design and financing issues with a focus on urban areas. Issues covered include housing problems, housing market and planning, family cycle and housing demand, delivery systems, types of housing, housing design, criteria for housing location, and neighbourhood planning. Concepts such as territoriality, sense of place and defensible space are also examined.
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AREN4222 Fire and Smoke Control in Buildings (2 credits)
This is an introductory course to the fire and smoke control in buildings. This course is an elective course offered for senior architectural engineering students. This course provide students with basic skills to carry our fire safety design in buildings with particular emphasis on the following topics: introduction to Principles of fire and compartment fires, means of escape, human behaviour in fire, detection and warning systems, smoke and heat exhaust ventilation, emergency lighting, alarm systems and sound level calculations, automatic sprinklers protection systems, and aspects of passive fire protection in buildings. The course is covered through lectures and tutorials.
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AREN4304 Special Topics in Computer Aided Design (2 credits)
Course explores emerging ideas and applications of information technology in architecture. It provides a forum for faculty to share research findings and or experience in the use of Computer Aided Design, or to explore the use of particular computer programs. The course also serves to cater for the CAD interest of students.
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AREN4305 Introduction to Interior Design (2 credits)
This course introduces students to principals of interior design. The course explores the historical background of the interior design, space planning and spatial arrangements, furniture, style, materials and finishes, illumination, psychological and functional effects of colors, and human factors through assignments and projects. Several design communication means might be used (free hand drawing, manual drafting, CAD and models).
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AREN4306 Spatial Analysis Techniques (2 credits)
This course introduces students to principles of spatial analysis techniques, namely space syntax theory and the associated methods. The course explores the role of space design -at micro (building) and macro (city) levels- on the socio- cultural, behavioural and economic activities. After the theoretical background and basic knowledge of the analytical techniques are established through lectures and assignments, students will learn to use the related software to perform the analysis. All knowledge gained during the course will be used in a research project.
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AREN4601 Landscape Design in Hot Regions (2 credits)
Comprehensive application of landscape design skills. Landscape-design applications involving site inventory and analysis, functional and planting diagrams, preliminary and master planning. Theories & concpts for creating exterior spaces with plant materials; and the principles, concepts, and techniques used by landscape architects in the design of a variety of landscape types, including soft-and-hard-scape that will be applied on real projects in Oman.
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AREN4604 Concepts and Elements of Urban Design in Hot Regions (2 credits)
This course will discuss and present terms, concepts, fundamentals, principles and the criteria of urban design. The urban design criteria in addition to social and cultural factors that influence the urban context will be discussed with particular emphasis on formal aspects of urban design and applied on real design project of Omani-built up environment.
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AREN4813 Building Illumination (2 credits)
The course introduces theoretical foundations, computational approaches, and design methods in building illumination (daylighting, electrical lighting). Topics include: Review of visual performance criteria and lighting psychology, analytical and numeric methods for the prediction of lighting conditions in interior spaces, lighting engineering and design methods. Computer-aided lighting design methods will be introduced.
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AREN4817 Sanitary and Plumbing Design (2 credits)
Basic elements, organization, design and layout of plumbing, sanitation and fire safety systems in buildings; plumbing systems including water sources, water requirements, water supply and distribution in buildings; sanitary systems including drainage, venting, storm water, waste disposal and recycling; fire safety systems.
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AREN4818 Building Electrical Systems (3 credits)
Introduction, electrical safety, DC circuits, AC circuits, polyphase, transformers, electrical systems, electrical wiring for various types of buildings, electrical distribution and circuit design, and electrical drawing.
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AREN5116 Graduation Project (2) (3 credits)
The second part of the graduation project course is focusing on integrating the structural and building system designs with the previously accomplished architectural design in part one. The first phase of the course is devoted to design structural and services systems and preparation of related working drawing. Then, architectural solution revision and preparation of final presentation to be addressed.
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AREN5403 Omani Vernacular Architecture (2 credits)
This course concentrates on the Vernacular Architecture in Oman. It aims at introducing in general the typologies of settlements and buildings developed by Omanis through their traditional know-how. It will explore some representative buildings of the different types of construction. The course will also link the differences of typologies with the climatic regions in the country as well as the historical events it went through. Field work will be introduced. Field work will be introduced to learn and apply the technics of architectural documentation on site and rendering by using traditional and technological tools. The main outcome of the course will be the documentation of specific settlements and buildings.
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AREN5801 Solar Energy in Buildings (2 credits)
Available solar radiation, radiation on opaque and transparent materials, theory, types, and performance of solar collectors, energy storage in solar systems, solar water heating in buildings, passive and active solar heating, design of solar heating systems, solar cooling in buildings, desiccant cooling systems, economics of solar systems, computer applications.
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AREN5802 Modern Building Construction Systems (2 credits)
Advanced aspects of building construction and green building solutions, new technological aspects of building structure and material: reinforced concrete, prefabrication, pre-cast concrete, steel framing systems; innovative building envelope systems: curtain walls, window walls, glazing and roofing systems; new industrialized methods of designing and assembling buildings.
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AREN5805 Building Energy Conservation and Analysis (2 credits)
Energy conservation as a design determinant, energy use in buildings in Oman, design techniques to minimize energy consumption in building, mechanical and electrical systems, energy conservation standards & codes, computer models for estimating building energy consumption, computer-aided energy analysis and evaluation of alternative building energy conservation measures (ECMs).
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AREN5819 Specifications and Quantities (2 credits)
The course focuses on the principles underlying specification writing and material selections and the preparation of project tender documents. Understanding various types of materials according to international and local standards. Bill of quantities calculations and ways of integrating drawings with quantities.
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