Berenice University of Architecture and Urbanism at the start of its founding decided to make its main goal to become a pioneer in establishing the first specialized university in the sciences of architecture and urbanism at the level of Libyan universities, keeping pace with the global development that is taking place in this field. Thus, the university can work according to a flexible study program that not only provides opportunities for learners to choose appropriate specializations according to their personal desires, but also to expand their technical skills and scientific knowledge through their presence in a diverse multidisciplinary environment that facilitates their academic interaction in areas with  close relationship to architecture and urbanism.

At Berenice University we believe that creativity, critical thinking and strong academic foundations are key characteristics of architectural education in order to succeed in the field of practice. Our pioneering design program, delivered by professors who are working at the cutting edge of modern architecture in Libya, is composed within exceptional teaching in the studio design courses, as well as history and philosophy of architecture, contemporary culture and urbanism, and environmental design.

The foundation of our curriculum is carried out in our studio where you’ll have your own dedicated design space. You’ll be supervised on your design projects individually by highly qualified professors and teaching assistants who draw from their extensive experience as practicing professional architects.

Course Outline

First Year: 39 Credits

First Semester (20 Credits)

N Number Course Name Credits
1 101URB

Design Studio 1

Description:

Intended to familiarize students to ideas, ideologies, and approaches of solving architectural problems in a studio setting.  Through a progressed sequence of exercises concluding in a major semester project, students will be driven to examine the architectural concepts of form, space, and function using both two and three-dimensional exploration.  The studio teaching method is a highly personalized critique of individual student work by the course instructors, other university faculty, as well as periodic assessments of students work by guest faculty and critics.

Goals and Objectives:

  • Develop the capacity to THINK SPATIALLY 
  • Understand GRAPHIC CONVENTIONS and develop a GRAPHIC FLUENCY 
  • Develop the capacity to SPEAK and WRITE about the work in direct ways 
  • Understand the BASIC DESIGN PRINCIPLES that inform design 
  • Develop the ability to establish CRITICAL INQUIRY in drawn and made things 
  • Develop a repertoire of PRESENTATION TECHNIQUES 
 8 Credits
2 ARCH101

Intro to Architecture

Description:

Goals and Objectives:

 2 Credits
3 URB111

Drawing for Designers – Drafting

Description:

Construction or working drawing is an introduction for first year students to the various aspects of architectural drawings. The course also includes various rules guiding architectural working drawing details.

Goals and Objectives:

  • Prepare students to be able to specifically put their ideas into drawing with utmost comprehension
  • Use of techniques readable through a well-studied drawing, detailing and symbols 
  • Provide the students with the ability and confidence required to put on paper their ideas and concepts before involving computer aided programs for final production of the respective projects.
 3 Credits
4 ARCH114

Free Hand Drawing

Description:

This course provides a foundation in the principles of drawing without any utensil’s such as rulers and protractors. Students will learn the basics of drawing and composing, including how to create sketch perspectives, assume scale and ability to apply texture and tone into their illustrations through shading.

Goals and Objectives:

  • Improve hand-eye coordination
  • Learn to observe analyze and express through drawing
  • Become proficient in communicating quickly with just a pencil and paper
 3 Credits
5 110MATH

Calculus

Description:

This course aims to introduce students to the basic concepts and topics related to Calculus such as
definition of derivatives, rules for differentiation, applications of derivatives, definition of the
integral, and applications of the integral.

Goals and Objectives:

  • Know and identify the concept of functions, elementary functions and their properties: linear,
    quadratic, trigonometric exponential and logarithmic functions.
  • understand and use the definition of derivative , and compute the derivatives using the rules of
    the differentiation.
  • understand the concept of integral and use the basic techniques of integration to compute
    integrals.
 2 Credits
6 ENGL101

English Composition 1

Description:

This ESP course is offered to freshmen students of Architecture. It is carefully prepared in order to present vocabulary and terminology related to architecture and engineering in general, needed to study in this department. This course gives students the ability to understand and therefore read and write short paragraphs about different architectural topics. They are also encouraged to seek information on the internet to write brief reports on their favorite architects, styles, buildings and other topics related to their studies. This enables them to convey ideas, concepts and messages clearly and professionally in academic, business and real life situations.

Goals and Objectives:

  • Develop the English language skills of reading and writing in the field of Architecture.
  • Expose students to the kind of language encountered in the field of Architecture & Urbanism.
 2 Credits

Second Semester (19 Credits)

N Number Course Name Credits
1 URB 102

Design Studio 2

Description:

A continuation of familiarizing students to ideas, ideologies, and approaches of solving
architectural problems in a studio setting. Through a progressed sequence of exercises
students will be asked to develop their design skills through research and experimentation.
The Studio will be divided in to two major projects. The first will be heavily research based
with an emphasis on abstract conceptualization of a project inspired by the student’s
research. The second part will be a real usable small scale project, designed to give
students their first experience in designing a full small scale usable space with all that is
needed for a human to inhabit. The studio teaching method is a highly personalized critique
of individual student work by the course instructors, other university faculty, as well as
periodic assessments of students work by guest faculty and critics.

Goals and Objectives:

  • Develop the capacity to thank spatially.
  • Understand graphic conventions and develop a  fluency.
  • Develop the capacity to speak and write about the work in direct ways.
  • Understand the basic design principles that inform design.
  • Develop the ability to establish critical inquiry in drawn and made things.
  • Develop a repertoire of presentation techniques.
 8 Credits
2 ENGL 102

English Composition 2

Description:

This ESP course is offered to first year students of Architecture. It presents vocabulary and
terminology related to architecture and engineering in general. This gives the student the tools to
use in reading, writing, listening and speaking using professional and correct wording. This enables
them to use the appropriate and precisely correct language to convey, ideas, concepts and
messages clearly and professionally in academic, business and real life situations.

Goals and Objectives:

  • Develop the English language skills of reading listening and speaking in the field of
    Architecture and Urbanism.
  •  Expose students to the more advanced kind of language encountered in the field of
    Architecture.
 2 Credits
3 ARCH 110

History of Architecture

Description:

Goals and Objectives:

 3 Credits
4 ARCH 115

Model Making

Description:

Students are taught the basics in how to deal with materials like fabriano paper and cardboard in
order to make simple geometric shapes such as a Cube, cone, or cylinder. They will be trained on
the process of first drawing the shapes properly in 2d, then how to cut these shapes, followed by
how to assemble them. After learning the basics, students then progress to other model making
projects which include practical 1:1 scale models, as well as a scaled function project. The course is
aimed to make students aware of how to display ideas, and fine details in their architectural models.

 3 Credits
5 ARTE 1

Art Elective 1

Description:

Goals and Objectives:

 3 Credits

First Semester (17 Credits)

N Number Course Name Credits
1 ARCHE 1

Architecture Elective 1

Description:

Goals and Objectives:

 3 Credits
2 ARTE 2

Art Elective 2

Description:

Goals and Objectives:

 3 Credits
3 ARCH 201

Design Studio 3

Description:

Intended to familiarize students to ideas, ideologies, and approaches of solving architectural
problems in a studio setting. Through a progressed sequence of exercises concluding in a
major semester project, students will be driven to examine the architectural concepts of
form, space, and function using both two and three-dimensional exploration. The studio
teaching method is a highly personalized critique of individual student work by the course
instructors, other university faculty, as well as periodic assessments of students work by
guest faculty and critics.

Goals and Objectives:

  • To understand the meaning of space, form, function, activity, and its relationship to the site and surroundings.
  • To develop the presentation skills- written, verbal and graphic.
  • To understand the design principles that inform design.
 8 Credits
4 ARCH 210

History of Architecture 2

Description:

Study and analysis of art and architecture of Christian architecture including Early
Christian, Byzantine, Medieval (Romanesque and Gothic) periods, Renaissance, and
the influence of surrounding factors, culture and religion on the architectural
character. In addition to the study and analysis of Islamic architecture and its
development from early years going to maturity, then glory, passiveness, and finally
reawakening. The course introduces the factors and elements in main Islamic
architecture.

Goals and Objectives:

Providing basic architectural vocabulary for the student to understand
the methodology of the development of architecture and the factors
influencing this development and the resulting features in the
architectureproviding basic architectural vocabulary for the student to understand
the methodology of the development of architecture and the factors
influencing this development and the resulting features in the
architecture.

 3 Credits

Second Semester (20 Credits)

N Number Course Name Credits
1 ARCH 202

Design Studio 4

Description:

This course studies five different categories of human experience in architecture: way
finding, task-performance, territoriality, cultural expression, and visual non-visual aesthetics.
Such experiences are programmed for two design projects in the semester and are the
primary basis for course evaluation.
Teaching Format: Studio content enhanced with occasional lectures and seminars.

Goals and Objectives:

  • Understanding of the attitudes, beliefs, perceptions, behavior, and specific goals and
    requirements of one or more user groups.
  •  Ability to identify users values, goals and needs; to research applicable code and ADA requirements; and to design a facility responsive to the requirements of the program.
  •  Ability to develop and use bubble diagrams, precept diagrams, concept diagrams, plans,elevations, sections, and three dimensional models as means to represent and evaluate architectural accommodations of human experience.
  •  Ability to synthesize knowledge and skills obtained in this course, and previous courses in architectural design.
 8 Credits
2 ARCH 211

Architecture Theory

Description:

Goals and Objectives:

 3 Credits
3 ARTE 3

Art Elective 3

Description:

Goals and Objectives:

 3 Credits
4 ARCHE 2

Architecture Elective 2

Description:

Goals and Objectives:

 3 Credits
5 COMS 101

Communication and Speech

Description:

This course follows two courses in English that give the students basic and advanced terminology used in architecture and engineering in general,illustrated in real world situations.

This course encourages the students to use this gained terminology and puts major emphasis on the preparation and
delivery of formal speeches, PowerPoint presentations and also helps develop their skills in debating and holding discussions where they can give their opinions based on true facts and thus be able to defend them.

Goals and Objectives:

  • plan, prepare and deliver a good speech.
  •  participate in a public debate about certain issues especially those related
    to their field of study.
  • give them the tools to recognize the basic techniques for the planning and preparation of oral presentation and identify the main points in a debate.
 3 Credits

First Semester (20 Credits)

N Number Course Name Credits
1 ARCH 301

Design Studio 5

Description:

Goals and Objectives:

 8 Credits
2 ARCH 310

Assemblies & Construction System

Description:

Goals and Objectives:

 3 Credits
3 ARCH 313

Structure 1

Description:

Goals and Objectives:

 3 Credits
4 ARCHE 3

Architecture Elective 3

Description:

Goals and Objectives:

 3 Credits
5 ARCH 311

Architecture Theory 2

Description:

Goals and Objectives:

 3 Credits

Second Semester (17 Credits)

N Number Course Name Credits
1 ARCH 302

Design Studio 6

Description:

Goals and Objectives:

 8 Credits
2 ARCH 312

Architectural Lighting

Description:

Goals and Objectives:

 3 Credits
3 ARCH 314

Structure 2

Description:

Goals and Objectives:

 3 Credits
4 ARTE 4

Art Elective 4

Description:

Goals and Objectives:

 3 Credits

First Semester (17 Credits)

N Number Course Name Credits
1 ARCH 401

Design Studio 7

Description:

Goals and Objectives:

 8 Credits
2 ARCH 410

Pre-Design Analysis & Programming

Description:

Goals and Objectives:

 3 Credits
3 ARCH 413

Environmental Systems

Description:

Goals and Objectives:

 3 Credits
4 ARCHE 4

Architecture Elective 4

Description:

Goals and Objectives:

 3 Credits

Second Semester (17 Credits)

N Number Course Name Credits
1 ARCH 402

Design Studio 8

Description:

Goals and Objectives:

 8 Credits
2 ARCH 415

Architectural Acoustics

Description:

Goals and Objectives:

 3 Credits
3 ARCHE 5

Architectural Elective 5

Description:

Goals and Objectives:

 3 Credits
4 ARTE 5

Art Elective 5

Description:

Goals and Objectives:

 3 Credits

Note: All 5th year students will choose a path to specialize in for their graduation Project (Health and Wellness, Design Competition, Professional Practice, Design and Build, Study Abroad) and will spend the first semester preparing for the implementation studio their final semester.

First Semester (11 Credits)

N Number Course Name Credits
1 ARCH 501

Graduation Design Option

Description:

Goals and Objectives:

 8 Credits
2 ARCH 510

Architecture Elective 6

Description:

Goals and Objectives:

 3 Credits

Second Semester (11 Credits)

N Number Course Name Credits
1 ARCH 502

Graduation Design Option

Description:

Goals and Objectives:

 8 Credits
2 ARCH 511

Architecture Elective 7

Description:

Goals and Objectives:

 3 Credits

Elective Courses

Course Description
Color Theory
  • Developing the abilities of  student and helping them to know the types and uses of colors.
  • Strengthening the technical outlook of the student regarding the environment around them.
  • Developing the student’s imagination for ideas that help them in architectural design
CAD 1 (Revit 1) Description:

Autodesk Revit software is a powerful Building Information Modeling (BIM) program that works the way architects think. The program streamlines the design process through the use of a central 3D model, where changes made in one view update across all views and on the printable sheets.

This class is going to teach you the Autodesk Revit functionality as you would work with it throughout the design process. You begin by learning about the user interface and basic drawing, editing, and viewing tools. Then you learn design development tools including how to model walls, doors, windows, floors, ceilings, stairs and more. Finally, you learn the processes that take the model to the construction documentation phase.

Goals and Objectives:

This course is to enable students to create full 3D architectural project models and set them up in working drawings.
CAD 2 (Revit 2) Description:

All students are required to take a minimum amount of architecture elective courses before they graduate.  These courses are distributed throughout the curriculum and are aimed to give students a choice to pursue courses in their interest.  A list of courses are available below for students to choose from and these classes are opened every semester depending on faculty availability and student demand.
Architectural Graphics 2 Description:

All students are required to take a minimum amount of architecture elective courses before they graduate.  These courses are distributed throughout the curriculum and are aimed to give students a choice to pursue courses in their interest.  A list of courses are available below for students to choose from and these classes are opened every semester depending on faculty availability and student demand.
Sustainable Design Description:

All students are required to take a minimum amount of architecture elective courses before they graduate.  These courses are distributed throughout the curriculum and are aimed to give students a choice to pursue courses in their interest.  A list of courses are available below for students to choose from and these classes are opened every semester depending on faculty availability and student demand.
Sustainable Design (LEED Design) Description:

All students are required to take a minimum amount of architecture elective courses before they graduate.  These courses are distributed throughout the curriculum and are aimed to give students a choice to pursue courses in their interest.  A list of courses are available below for students to choose from and these classes are opened every semester depending on faculty availability and student demand.
Special Topics in Visual Representation Description:

All students are required to take a minimum amount of architecture elective courses before they graduate.  These courses are distributed throughout the curriculum and are aimed to give students a choice to pursue courses in their interest.  A list of courses are available below for students to choose from and these classes are opened every semester depending on faculty availability and student demand.
Furniture Architecture Description:

All students are required to take a minimum amount of architecture elective courses before they graduate.  These courses are distributed throughout the curriculum and are aimed to give students a choice to pursue courses in their interest.  A list of courses are available below for students to choose from and these classes are opened every semester depending on faculty availability and student demand.
Medieval Architecture Description:

All students are required to take a minimum amount of architecture elective courses before they graduate.  These courses are distributed throughout the curriculum and are aimed to give students a choice to pursue courses in their interest.  A list of courses are available below for students to choose from and these classes are opened every semester depending on faculty availability and student demand.
Social and Behavioural Factors for Design Description:

All students are required to take a minimum amount of architecture elective courses before they graduate.  These courses are distributed throughout the curriculum and are aimed to give students a choice to pursue courses in their interest.  A list of courses are available below for students to choose from and these classes are opened every semester depending on faculty availability and student demand.
Building Mechanical Systems Description:

All students are required to take a minimum amount of architecture elective courses before they graduate.  These courses are distributed throughout the curriculum and are aimed to give students a choice to pursue courses in their interest.  A list of courses are available below for students to choose from and these classes are opened every semester depending on faculty availability and student demand.
Modern American Architecture Description:

All students are required to take a minimum amount of architecture elective courses before they graduate.  These courses are distributed throughout the curriculum and are aimed to give students a choice to pursue courses in their interest.  A list of courses are available below for students to choose from and these classes are opened every semester depending on faculty availability and student demand.
Historic Building Preservation Description:

All students are required to take a minimum amount of architecture elective courses before they graduate.  These courses are distributed throughout the curriculum and are aimed to give students a choice to pursue courses in their interest.  A list of courses are available below for students to choose from and these classes are opened every semester depending on faculty availability and student demand.
Design of Steel Structures Description:

All students are required to take a minimum amount of architecture elective courses before they graduate.  These courses are distributed throughout the curriculum and are aimed to give students a choice to pursue courses in their interest.  A list of courses are available below for students to choose from and these classes are opened every semester depending on faculty availability and student demand.
New Building Technologies Description:

All students are required to take a minimum amount of architecture elective courses before they graduate.  These courses are distributed throughout the curriculum and are aimed to give students a choice to pursue courses in their interest.  A list of courses are available below for students to choose from and these classes are opened every semester depending on faculty availability and student demand.

Course Description
Oil Painting Description:

All students are required to take a minimum amount of art elective courses before they graduate.  These courses are distributed throughout the curriculum and are aimed to give students a choice to pursue courses in their interest outside the realm of architecture.  A list of course are available below for students to choose from and these classes are opened every semester depending on faculty availability and student demand.
Painting on Glass Description:

All students are required to take a minimum amount of art elective courses before they graduate.  These courses are distributed throughout the curriculum and are aimed to give students a choice to pursue courses in their interest outside the realm of architecture.  A list of course are available below for students to choose from and these classes are opened every semester depending on faculty availability and student demand.
Intro to Sculpture: Wood Description:

All students are required to take a minimum amount of art elective courses before they graduate.  These courses are distributed throughout the curriculum and are aimed to give students a choice to pursue courses in their interest outside the realm of architecture.  A list of course are available below for students to choose from and these classes are opened every semester depending on faculty availability and student demand.
Intro to Sculpture: Metal Description:

All students are required to take a minimum amount of art elective courses before they graduate.  These courses are distributed throughout the curriculum and are aimed to give students a choice to pursue courses in their interest outside the realm of architecture.  A list of course are available below for students to choose from and these classes are opened every semester depending on faculty availability and student demand.
Intro to Sculpture: Mold Making Description:

All students are required to take a minimum amount of art elective courses before they graduate.  These courses are distributed throughout the curriculum and are aimed to give students a choice to pursue courses in their interest outside the realm of architecture.  A list of course are available below for students to choose from and these classes are opened every semester depending on faculty availability and student demand.
Wood Carving Description:

All students are required to take a minimum amount of art elective courses before they graduate.  These courses are distributed throughout the curriculum and are aimed to give students a choice to pursue courses in their interest outside the realm of architecture.  A list of course are available below for students to choose from and these classes are opened every semester depending on faculty availability and student demand.
Photography Column 2 Value 7
Introduction to Video and Photo Editing Description:

All students are required to take a minimum amount of art elective courses before they graduate.  These courses are distributed throughout the curriculum and are aimed to give students a choice to pursue courses in their interest outside the realm of architecture.  A list of course are available below for students to choose from and these classes are opened every semester depending on faculty availability and student demand.
Visual Thinking Description:

All students are required to take a minimum amount of art elective courses before they graduate.  These courses are distributed throughout the curriculum and are aimed to give students a choice to pursue courses in their interest outside the realm of architecture.  A list of course are available below for students to choose from and these classes are opened every semester depending on faculty availability and student demand.
Water Color and Acrylic Painting Description:

All students are required to take a minimum amount of art elective courses before they graduate.  These courses are distributed throughout the curriculum and are aimed to give students a choice to pursue courses in their interest outside the realm of architecture.  A list of course are available below for students to choose from and these classes are opened every semester depending on faculty availability and student demand.
Typography Description:

All students are required to take a minimum amount of art elective courses before they graduate.  These courses are distributed throughout the curriculum and are aimed to give students a choice to pursue courses in their interest outside the realm of architecture.  A list of course are available below for students to choose from and these classes are opened every semester depending on faculty availability and student demand.
Print Making Description:

All students are required to take a minimum amount of art elective courses before they graduate.  These courses are distributed throughout the curriculum and are aimed to give students a choice to pursue courses in their interest outside the realm of architecture.  A list of course are available below for students to choose from and these classes are opened every semester depending on faculty availability and student demand.

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