Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Architectural Design (Face-to-Face)

CCET 3610-01

Course: CCET 3610-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: ET
CRN: 30741

Course Description

An introduction to architectural design and architectural working drawings with solar design applications. Study of architectural practices, procedures, symbology, dimensioning techniques, standards and terminology, traffic patterns. Practical applications in energy efficiency, solar design, and planning and functional utility in design and working drawings. (Fall) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): CCET 1040 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C-

Required Texts

Drafting and Design for Architecture and Construction by Dana Hepler, Donald Hepler, and Paul Ross Wallach





Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  • Apply Design Tools and Techniques
    • Complete complex architectural drawings using architectural design programs. 
    • Learn how to use Autodesk Revit to design building structures and architectural components.
    • Properly use tools and techniques in the architectural design process.
    • Perform basic dimensioning and layout procedures accurately.
  • Communicate Architectural Ideas 
    • Express design concepts clearly through sketches, CAD drawings, and written communication.
    • Communicate effectively with clients through architectural representations and terminology.
  • Understand and Use Architectural Language
    • Demonstrate knowledge of architectural terminology and standards used in the industry.
  • Demonstrate Professionalism and Work Ethic
    • Show a commitment to quality, timeliness, and continuous improvement.
    • Adhere to professional standards, including academic integrity and attendance expectations.
  • Engage in Collaborative and Independent Work
    • Participate actively in class discussions and group learning.
    • Independently complete out-of-class assignments and manage a personal design portfolio.
  • Apply Engineering Technology Knowledge
    • Select and apply the knowledge, skills, and modern tools of architectural technology to solve design problems aligned with program educational objectives.
 

Course Requirements

1. Prerequisites
  • Completion of:
    • CCET 1010 (Introduction to CAD)
    • CCET 1040 (Construction Graphics)

2. Attendance Requirements
  • 75% attendance is mandatory to pass the course, regardless of assignment completion or portfolio quality.
  • Attendance credit: 10 points per class if on time and prepared.
  • Arriving late or without required materials (e.g., textbook, tools) results in an absence.
  • Attendance credit will count toward half of the final grade.
  • Students must stay the full class period to receive credit.

3. In-Class Participation
  • Active participation is strongly encouraged.
  • Students are expected to engage in discussions and complete drawing assignments during class time.
  • Working on other coursework during this class results in an absence.
  • Students who do not work on their assigned drawings in class or plagiarize will receive an F, regardless of portfolio quality.

4. Required Materials
  • Textbook (available at the bookstore; up to 2 students can share one).
  • Drawing tools and supplies appropriate for architectural design.
  • Access to CAD software, especially Autodesk Revit.

5. Coursework
  • Daily assignments based on questions and drawings
  • Unannounced pop quizzes
  • Midterm exam held during class
  • Final exam administered during the scheduled final exam period
  • Final project to be completed by the end of the semester
  • Extra credit opportunities are available but must be submitted before the specified deadline
  • No late work will be accepted after the last day of class

6. Out-of-Class Expectations
Additional time outside class is required to complete assignments and readings.
All assigned readings must be completed before class for participation in discussions.

Course Outline

1 | Architectural History & Styles; Fundamentals of Design; Scales & Measurements | Explore major architectural movements, basic design principles (line, form, proportion), and how to apply scales/measurements in drawings. Introduce Revit interface, project setup, levels, and grids.
2 | Drafting Conventions; Intro to CAD | Learn industry-standard symbols, line weights, and notations, plus the basics of computer-aided design. In Revit, create walls, doors, and windows while applying drafting conventions digitally.
3 | Environmental Design Factors | Understand how site orientation, climate, and environmental conditions influence design. In Revit, set up sites, add toposurfaces, and conduct basic sun path studies.
4 | Site Development Plans; Designing Floor Plans | Develop site plans considering zoning, access, and landscaping. Learn principles of space planning and circulation. In Revit, create room separations, area plans, and apply spatial constraints.
5 | Drawing Floor Plans | Produce accurate and clear floor plans with all required symbols and annotations. In Revit, add dimensions, tags, and detail components to finalize floor plan layouts.
6 | Designing & Drawing Elevations | Explore how exterior elevations communicate building form, proportion, and materials. In Revit, create elevation views, adjust materials, and refine façade designs.
7 | Sectional & Detail Drawings | Learn to cut through a building to show vertical relationships, structural systems, and interior detailing. In Revit, generate section views, detail callouts, and add annotations for clarity.
8 | Pictorial Drawings & Renderings | Understand perspectives, axonometric, and isometric drawings. In Revit, create 3D views, assign materials, and produce basic renderings for presentation.
9 | Architectural Models; Principles of Construction | Discuss the use of physical and digital models for design communication. In Revit, use massing tools, create conceptual forms, and link construction assemblies to design.
10 | Structural Systems – Wood, Masonry, Concrete | Learn basic structural design principles for different materials. In Revit, place structural components and integrate them into the architectural model.
11 | Framing Drawings – Floor, Wall, Roof | Develop framing plans that illustrate load paths and structural logic. In Revit, use framing tools to model structural systems for floors, walls, and roofs.
12 | Drawing Management; Schedules & Specifications | Organize construction documents and manage views in Revit. Create door/window schedules and produce title blocks, legends, and sheet layouts.
13 | Codes, Legal Documents, Planning | Understand the role of building codes, legal requirements, and project planning in design. In Revit, annotate code compliance and update documentation.
14 | Final Review & Portfolio Presentation | Complete and present final building project, including plans, elevations, sections, renderings, and schedules. Prepare professional drawing sets and walkthrough presentations in Revit.

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

  • Final Deadline for Assignments:
    •  All assignments must be submitted by the last day of regular classes.
    •  No assignments will be accepted after this date—no exceptions.

  • Makeup Work:
    •  Makeup work is not accepted for missed quizzes or in-class exercises. However, students who fall behind are encouraged to meet with the instructor as early as possible to develop a plan for catching up.

  • Extra Credit:
    •  Extra credit opportunities (e.g., additional drawings, research papers, or activity participation write-ups) are available during the semester and must be turned in before the final week of class.
    •  No extra credit will be accepted after the last week of regular instruction.

  • Assignment Substitution:
    •  The instructor reserves the right to substitute or add drawing assignments during the semester to support learning objectives.

  • Encouragement to Stay on Track:
    •  Students experiencing difficulties are strongly encouraged to communicate with the instructor. Support is available, and it is possible to catch up with additional effort if issues are addressed early.

Attendance Policy

  • 75% attendance is mandatory to pass the course, regardless of assignment completion or portfolio quality.
  • Attendance credit: 10 points per class if on time and prepared.
  • Arriving late or without required materials (e.g., textbook, tools) results in an absence.
  • Attendance credit will count toward half of the final grade.
  • Students must stay the full class period to receive credit

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.