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With the establishment of a separate NCEES Professional Engineer ing registration examination in the 1990s, and first offering in April 2003, architectural engineering is now recognized as a distinct engineering discipline in the United States. But many practicing 'architectural engineers' hold degrees or registration in civil, mechanical, electrical, or other engineering fields and become architectural engineers via experience. Conversely, many degree-holding architectural engineers have professional registration in civil or mechanical engineering, for example. The number of architectural engineering degree programs is increasing, but demand far exceeds the availability in the U.S., especially on the East and West Coasts, and in the South. Note that "architectural engineering technology" is different from architectural engineering; architectural engineering technologists tend to be drafters or other assistants in the design and construction process. DIFFERENCE FROM COMPONENT DISCIPLINES What differentiates architectural engineering (abbreviated AE, ARE, AREN, or ARCE, for example) from its component engineering disciplines is its appreciation of Architecture . Architectural engineers, with their inter-disciplinary background, understand and address architects' goals as they design building systems. Architectural engineers attempt to integrate buildings' HVAC , Plumbing , Fire Protection , Electrical , Lighting , transportation, and structural systems with the architectural design. DIFFERENCE FROM ARCHITECTURE A common confusion is the distinction between Architecture and architectural engineering. In essence, architectural engineering is the Engineering discipline for the analysis, design, and construction of building systems. Architects are directly responsible for the form and appearance of a building, including the way in which people use and experience the spaces of the building. Architects traditionally act as the leader of the design team, and are thus known as the 'prime professional'. They also typically coordinate the efforts of the various engineering and other design consultants for building projects. Before about 1975, architectural engineering graduates in the U.S. typically went to work as 'technical architects'. Since that time architectural engineers have defined themselves as separate consulting engineers. Architectural engineers concentrate on ensuring that "the buildings work", e.g., that they stand up, that the HVAC systems operate well, that light and electrical power are delivered safely and as needed, and that fire safety is addressed . By the 1950s, there were approximately 60 architectural engineering degree programs in the U.S. However, as architecture split from engineering -- most architecture programs were in engineering schools -- many architectural engineering programs lost institutional support. But from a low of eight programs in the early 1980s, and with the redefinition of the discipline as 'engineers for building systems', architectural engineering education is experiencing significant growth. Demand for admission to the programs, and quality of applicants, is very high. The academic Honor Society for architectural engineering is Phi Alpha Epsilon . THE ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEER Architectural engineers' roles can overlap with that of the architect and other project engineers. Like architects, they seek to achieve optimal designs within the overall constraints, except using primarily the tools of engineering. In most parts of the world, architectural engineers are not entitled to practice architecture unless they are also licensed as architects. In some jurisdictions, registered professional architectural engineers are limited, by virtue of the exams taken, to practicing only one or more of the component areas of building engineering practice such as mechanical (HVAC/plumbing/etc.), electrical, structural, or fire protection. In recent years there has been increasing emphasis on sustainable and green design, including in engineered building systems. Architectural engineers increasingly seek LEED ((R) USGBC ) Accredited Design Professional (LADP) status in addition to their Professional Engineer ing registration. SOME POTENTIAL CAREER TITLES
MAJOR SPECIALIZATIONS
SUBJECTS OF INTEREST
TYPICAL COURSEWORK IN BACHELOR DEGREE PROGRAMS Curricula vary considerably between universities, but the following are often present in ABET -accredited four- or five-year B.S. in architectural engineering degree programs in the U.S.:
Engineering science courses in:
Engineering design courses in:
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS OFFERING BACHELOR'S DEGREES IN ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING Institutions offering similar degrees not titled 'architectural engineering' can be found toward the end of the Building Engineering article. Check with each program about ABET , or the equivalent from abroad, engineering accreditation.
In Other Countries:
More programs needed Although the number of architectural engineering degree programs has doubled in the past 20 years, many more programs are needed. In the U.S., programs are plentiful in the Midwest and Plains states but there is unmet demand in much of the Northeast, South, Southwest, and Far West. Institutions that have both engineering and architecture schools already offer most of the required courses; only a modest number of new faculty are needed for the specialty engineering design courses. Universities with only engineering schools will need to hire at least one registered architect as well. Faculty, administrators, or alumni/donors interested in founding architectural engineering degree programs are encouraged to contact the Architectural Engineering Institute , or faculty at current programs, for more information. HIGH SCHOOL PREPARATION For enhanced success in an architectural engineering bachelor's degree program, at an institution with English instruction, completing at least the follow courses are recommended during a student's high school years:
EXTERNAL LINKS For all architectural engineers: For the specializations:
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