Welcome New Students!

Hello incoming Cal Poly ARCH and ARCE students!

Welcome to the Cal Poly and the College of Architecture and Environmental Design! We are looking forward to meeting you in the Fall. The Fall 2026 Welcome Letter will answer some of your questions about design studio this year, and provide you with a list of required and recommended supplies and software. 

Below is additional information that may be useful to B.ARCH. Majors as you navigate the flowchart, course descriptions, and catalog.

We look forward to meeting you in person during Week of Welcome.

Architecture Department Faculty and Staff (architecture@calpoly.edu)

Architecture Advising:  Major & Support Courses

It is important to understand the sequential nature of the Architecture curriculum. Many courses are delivered as a series (i.e., ARCH 1101, 1102). Each course in such a series is offered only once a year and is a prerequisite to the next course. These series are arranged to be taken sequentially over one academic year. 

Cal Poly's Office of the Registrar enroll (Block Schedule) first-time freshmen a full-time schedule in Fall Semester and a partial schedule in the Spring Semester.

Academic Advisors help students to make sense of their schedules.  As well as, understanding the process of making changes or configuring schedules based on individual circumstances.  The Architecture Department highly recommends all Freshman do not change their block schedule.  If you have a special individual circumstance, please email the Architecture Department, architecture@calpoly.edu.

Please visit the Cal Poly Academic Advising Website for all your academic advising needs and resources.

Still have questions? Contact Mustang Success Center

College of Architecture & Environmental Design Advising:

For GE advising, contact CAED Advisors

ARCH 1101 & 1102 Architectural Design I & II (4 units each): Every freshmen student should be enrolled in ARCH 1101 Fall Semester. It is the beginning course in the first year design and visual communication studio program sequence. You will be enrolled in ARCH 1101 Fall semester and ARCH 1102 Spring semester.

ARCH 1131 & 1132 Architectural Representation I & II (2 units each): This course supplements the objectives of ARCH 1101 & ARCH 1102. Every freshmen architecture student should be enrolled in ARCH 1131 during Fall semester and ARCH 1132 Spring semester. 

ARCH 1121 Equity, Social Justice, and Architecture (3 units): All students will be blocked into this course in either Fall or Spring semester. One-half of the freshman students will be blocked scheduled into this course during Fall semester. If your schedule does not reflect this course in Fall semester, please note you will be blocked scheduled into this course during Spring semester.

MATH 1007 Precalculus (3 units) or  MATH 1261 Calculus I (4 units): Take either of the optional math courses and should be completed during your first year. Students will be blocked scheduled into a Math course based on their Math testing scores or AP tests for Math transfer credits. If your Fall semester schedule does not reflect this course and you need to take Math, you will be blocked scheduled into the course during your Spring semester. It is important to review your spring semester, if needed. 

PHYS 1121 College Physics I or PHYS 1141 General Physics I (4 units each): Take either of the optional physics courses and should be completed during your first year. Students will be blocked scheduled into a PHYS course unless they tested out for Physics transfer credits.  If your Fall semester schedule does not reflect this course and you need to take Physics, you will be blocked scheduled into the course during your Spring semester.  It is important to review your spring semester, if needed.

EDES 1123 Place, People, and the Build Environment (3 units): EDES 1123 is offered in both Fall and Spring semesters and should be taken within the first year. Students will be blocked scheduled into this course in either Fall or Spring semester. If your schedule does not reflect this course in Fall semester, please note you will be blocked scheduled into this course during Spring semester. This is a GE 4B and Support course for the B.ARCH. program.

General Education & Breadth (GE&B) (4 units each)

• GE Area 1A & 1B should be completed within your first year.
• Based on the BArch flowchart, GE Area 1C may be taken in 3rd year or sooner.
• Take other GE&B courses as necessary to complete your schedule, if need, and graduation requirements.

 

 

Updated 07.30.26