University of Illinois Chicago College of Architecture, Design, and the Arts 29 courses 120 total credits
To earn a Bachelor of Arts in Design Studies degree from UIC, students need to complete university, college, and school degree requirements. The degree requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Design Studies are outlined below. Students should consult College of Architecture, Design, and the Arts (p. 137) section for additional degree requirements and college academic policies.
| General Education and Core Requirements | 30-32 credits |
| Foundation Course Requirements | 17 credits |
| Design Studies Major Requirements | 51 credits |
| Electives | 22 credits |
| Total Hours | 120 credits |
General Education and Core Requirements: Required Courses
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 160 | Academic Writing I: Writing in Academic and Public Contexts | 3 |
| ENGL 161 | Academic Writing II: Writing for Inquiry and Research | 3 |
| AH 110 | World History of Art and the Built Environment I | 4 |
| AH 111 | World History of Art and the Built Environment II | 4 |
| Total General Education and Core Requirements: Required Courses | 30-32 credits | |
Program Requirements
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DES 110 | Design Colloquium | 1 |
| DES 140 | Design Drawing | 4 |
| DES 150 | Digital Media Design I | 4 |
| ENGL 160 | Academic Writing I: Writing in Academic and Public Contexts | 3 |
| Total Program Requirements | 3 credits | |
Understanding the Individual in Society General Education course
1 Hours 15 Spring Semester
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DES 160 | Design Photography | 4 |
Sophomore Year Fall Semester
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AH 110 | World History of Art and the Built Environment I | 4 |
| DES 208 | Typography I: Form | 4 |
| DES 209 | Typography II: Systems | 4 |
| DES 222 | Human Experience in Design | 4 |
| DES 235 | History of Design I: 1760-1925 | 3 |
| DES 208 | Typography I: Form | 4 |
| DES 222 | Human Experience in Design | 4 |
| Total Sophomore Year Fall Semester | 4 credits | |
4 Spring Semester
Exploring World Cultures General Education requirement
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DES 256 | Integrative Design Studio II | 4 |
| DES 322 | Design Research Methods | 4 |
Junior Year: Fall Semester
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DES 355 | Design Seminar | 3 |
| DES 235 | History of Design I: 1760-1925 | 3 |
| DES 357 | Integrative Design Studio III | 4 |
| DES 255 | Integrative Design Studio I | 4 |
| DES 458 | Integrative Studio Project | 4 |
| DES 410 | Senior Design Colloquium I | 1 |
Elective (chosen in consultation with advisor)
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DES 411 | Senior Design Colloquium II | 1 |
Select one of the year-long professional practice track: 8 Spring Semester
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DES 236 | History of Design II: 1925 to the Present | 3 |
| DES 420 | Professional Practice Project I | 0-5 |
| DES 256 | Integrative Design Studio II | 4 |
| DES 421 | Professional Practice Project II | 4 |
Elective (chosen in consultation with advisor)
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DES 430 | Interdisciplinary Product Development I | 4 |
Elective (chosen in consultation with advisor)
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DES 431 | Interdisciplinary Product Development II | 4 |
Elective (chosen in consultation with advisor)
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DES 440 | Design and Identity I | 4 |
Senior Year
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DES 441 | Design and Identity II | 4 |
Fall Semester
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DES 452 | Information Aesthetics I | 4 |
| DES 355 | Design Seminar | 3 |
| DES 453 | Information Aesthetics II | 4 |
| DES 357 | Integrative Design Studio III | 4 |
or Interdisciplinary Product Development I
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DES 440 or DES 452 | Design and Identity I or Information Aesthetics I | 4 |
| Total or Interdisciplinary Product Development I | 4 credits | |
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