Is Architecture a Science Course —or an Art?

You are welcome to another educative post in the Sure Success Career Guide Series. Today, we want to help prospective university students to make the right choices and also fill out their JAMB forms correctly. So we are going to provide answer to those asking the question, “Is Architecture a Science course?” This clarification is very crucial because many university aspirants are confused as to whether the course “Architecture” is an art, commercial, social science or science course.

The Need to Clarify Whether Architecture is a Science, Art or Commercial Course

There is a very important need to help candidates gain clarity on where exactly Architecture belongs as a course. Is Architecture a Science course? Is it a Commercial course or an Art Course?

Actually, there are three stages when candidates need this clarification the most. The first is during the season of buying and filling of JAMB form.

The second time candidates ask the question we are dealing with on this post is during application for Change of Course. That is, when they have seen that their JAMB score is too low for their initial course, and they are considering changing to Architecture.

The last stage at which candidates need clarification on where Architecture belongs as a course is during application supplementary admission. That is, when they have missed merit admission into their dream course but have a chance of getting Architecture through supplementary admission.

At those points, candidates want to know who is qualified to apply for Architecture; is it the science, art or commercial student?

Any mistake here will close the door of admission into Architecture against you.

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Why are Candidates Confused as to Whether Architecture is a Science, Art or Commercial Course?

Many candidates are confused as to whether Architecture is a science, art or commercial course. The reason for the confusion is the interdisciplinary nature of Architecture. The course adopts both scientific principles and artistic expression.

Students of Architecture are taught to understand structural engineering, materials science and environmental systems necessary to create functional and safe buildings. They learn precision and strict adherence to building codes which is what the sciences are all about.

On the other hand, everyone knows that Architecture is a form of Art since it requires creativity and aesthetic sensibility. Good Architects can use their skills to evoke emotions and reflect cultural values.

So those are some of the reasons why there is confusion about the classification of Architecture as either a science or an art course. But we are going to bring clarity to that in the next few sections.

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Is Architecture a Science Course?

Yes, Architecture is a Science course.

This is true, despite the fact that its practice requires creativity and aesthetic sensibility.

However, non-science students may qualify to apply for Architecture if they have the required O’level subjects in their SSCE and the right JAMB subject combination for Architecture.

Note that some tertiary institutions, especially Polytechnics, offer the course as Architecture and Design. They are all the same

Why is Architecture a Science Course?

There are three major evidences that prove that Architecture is a science course. Here they are:

1. Architecture involves application of systematic methods, principles and techniques.
2. It requires pure science subjects like Physics at O’level.
3. Most schools require science subjects like Mathematics and Physics as part of JAMB subject combination for Architecture.

Architecture Involves Application of Systematic Methods, Principles and Techniques

Science is essentially a body of systematic and organized knowledge. It is in this sense that we consider Architecture to be a science course because it involves the application of systematic methods, principles and techniques to create functional and safe buildings.

Architects must also understand structural engineering and materials science in order to function effectively; and these are pure sciences.

Architecture Requires Pure Science Subjects at O’level

According to the Official JAMB Brochure, candidates seeking admissions into Architecture must possess credit level passes in five (5) subjects in not more than two sittings in Mathematics, English Language, Physics and any two of the following: Chemistry, Tech. Drawing, Building Const., Woodwork, Fine Art, Geography, Economics.

In other words, Physics is a compulsory subject that in SSCE for any candidate who wishes to study Architecture. Chemistry is also there as the first option in the list of subjects that can be used to complete the O’level subject requirement for Architecture. Obviously, Art and Commercial students do not offer these Science subjects. So a typical Art or Commercial student would not qualify to gain admission into Architecture.

Specific O’level Subject Requirements for Architecture by Some Universities

• UNILAG requires credit passes in English, Mathematics, Physics, Fine Arts or Tech. Drawing and any of Economics, Chemistry, Geography or Biology.
• UNIJOS accepts five credit passes at ‘O’ level Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination or equivalent and must include: English Language, Mathematics, Physics, either Technical Drawing or five Arts and Applied Arts and one of the following: History, Economics, Geography, Chemistry.
• MAUTECH and BAUCHI requires five ‘O’ level credit passes in Mathematics, English Language, Physics and two others from any of Chemistry, Technical Drawing, Fine Art, Geography, Economics, Building Construction and Land Surveying.
• LAUTECH accepts a credit pass in Technical Drawing/Fine Art in lieu of Biology.
• ESUTECH requires credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Physics and any two from Chemistry, Art, Geography, Biology and Economics.
• JABU requires five credit passes English Language, Physics, Mathematics, chemistry and any one of the following Geography, Fine Art, Woodwork, Technical Drawing, Biology or Economics plus National Diploma in relevant subjects at Upper Credit level

The above are just a few examples of the specific O’level requirements for admission into Architecture. You can see that virtually every school requires that aspirants must have science subjects like Mathematics and Physics in their SSCE. Those science subjects are not offered by Art and Commercial students.

This goes to show that Architecture is a science course.

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Most Schools Require Science Subjects as Part of JAMB Subject Combination for Architecture

If you check the JAMB brochure, you will find the JAMB subject combination for Architecture stated as follows: Use of English, Physics, Mathematics and one other subject.

This is the general subject combination for Architecture in JAMB brochure.

The challenge that Art and Commercial students have with the JAMB subjects for Architecture is that Physics and Math are compulsory. Furthermore, almost all the schools in Nigeria require that the remaining one subject must be picked from Chemistry, Geography, Art, Biology and Economics.

So if you did not offer Chemistry, Biology and Geography in your O’level as an Art or Commercial student, you will find it difficult to meet the UTME subjects requirement for Architecture.

Other Related Questions to Our Topic: “Is Architecture a Science Course?”

Before we conclude, let’s answer one or two other questions around our topic, “Is Architecture a Science course?”

Is Architecture a Commercial Course?

No, Architecture is not a commercial course. It’s true that the course requires Economics which most commercial students offer, but it also requires some pure science subjects which commercial students don’t normally offer. So it’s easier for a Science student with Economics in their SSCE to gain admission into Architecture than for a Commercial student.

Is Architecture an Art Course?

No, Architecture is not an Art course in the strict sense of it. This is partly because an Art student is very unlikely to meet the O’level and JAMB subject requirements for Architecture. Architecture requires that candidates credit some pure science subjects in their SSCE. Sadly, the phobia for those pure science subjects is the major reason why the Art students ran away from sciences.

Is Architecture Art or Science?

Architecture is Science. Some of the obvious reasons why Architecture is a science are discussed above.

Is Architecture an Engineering Course?

No, Architecture is not an engineering course although architects and civil/structural engineers work together in the field.

In most institutions, Architecture is under the faculty of environmental sciences while engineering is a separate faculty on its own.

Is Architecture a Social Science Course?

No, Architecture is not a social science course as the discipline is not focused on human beings. Rather, Architecture is a science course in Nigeria and most other countries of the world.

Is Architecture Harder than Medicine?

We cannot give an easy YES or NO to this question. More so, there is no general answer to the question. One course may be ‘hard’ for someone and easy for another. It all depends on academic background, natural intelligence and personal effort.

Read Also: 20 Types of Personality You Will Meet on Campus

Conclusion

In this article, we set out to answer the pertinent question, “Is Architecture a Science course?” And we did justice to it.

If you are a science student with Physics, Chemistry and other necessary subjects in your SSCE result, you are in the best position to apply for Architecture. As a science student, the JAMB subjects for Architecture shouldn’t be difficult for you to handle. However, social science or Art students may not have the required pure science subjects like Chemistry and Physics. More so, they may not be confident enough to sit for two pure science subjects in JAMB.

In conclusion, Architecture is a science course in Nigerian universities and polytechnics.

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