Program: Design Studies Minor - University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Apr 17, 2025

2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog

The College of Architecture and Design offers a minor in Design Studies for students of any College in the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. This minor will expose students to the basic design thinking and visualization at the heart of architecture, graphic design, industrial design, and interior architecture. Additionally, students will gain a greater understanding in a range of topics related to the study and design of the built environment.

Application to the minor is available via the online minor form for the College of Architecture and Design.

Faculty in professional courses will make provisions for students with declared Design Studies Minor when necessary. Students who are receiving a Bachelor of Architecture, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, or Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture are not eligible for this minor.

Minor Requirements

The Minor in Design Studies consists of 14-15 credit hours.

Prerequisite requirements and registration restrictions may apply for some courses.

Select 6 hours:

Students must take courses from at least two disciplinary codes.

ARCH 212 - History and Theory of Architecture II 3 Credit Hours * or
ARCH 218 - Honors: History and Theory of Architecture II 3 Credit Hours * or
ARCN 212 - History and Theory of Architecture II 3 Credit Hours * or
ARCN 218 - Honors: History and Theory of Architecture II 3 Credit Hours *
ARCH 213 - Modern Architecture: Histories and Theories 3 Credit Hours or
ARCH 227 - Honors: Modern Architecture Histories and Theories 3 Credit Hours
ARCH 231 - Technology I: Introduction to Building Technology 3 Credit Hours
ARCH 422 - Special Topics in Urban Design 3 Credit Hours
ARCH 425 - Special Topics in Architecture 3 Credit Hours or
ARCN 425 - Special Topics in Architecture 3 Credit Hours
ARCH 450 - Special Topics in History, Theory, and Criticism 3 Credit Hours
ARCH 451 - Special Topics in Representation 3 Credit Hours
ARCH 452 - Special Topics in Sustainable Design 3 Credit Hours
ARCH 454 - Special Topics in Materials and Construction 3 Credit Hours
ARCH 455 - Special Topics in Digital Fabrication 3 Credit Hours
ARCH 462 - Professional Practice 3 Credit Hours
ARCH 495 - Cultural Engagement 3 Credit Hours
COAD 431 - Trans-disciplinary Studio 1-6 Credit Hours
GRDS 330 - The Art of Presentation Design 3 Credit Hours
GRDS 331 - The Art of Identity Design 3 Credit Hours
IARC 200 - Human-Environment Relations 3 Credit Hours * or
IARC 207 - Honors: Human-Environment Relations 3 Credit Hours * or
IARN 200 - Human-Environment Relations 3 Credit Hours * or
IARN 207 - Honors Human-Environment Relations 3 Credit Hours *
IARC 221 - Theory of Color 3 Credit Hours * or
IARN 221 - Theory of Color 3 Credit Hours *
IARC 261 - Materials, Resources and Textiles for Interiors 3 Credit Hours
IARC 311 - History of Interior Architecture 3 Credit Hours * or
IARC 317 - Honors: History of Interior Architecture 3 Credit Hours *
IARC 360 - Business Principles and Practices 2 Credit Hours
IARC 361 - Lighting for Interior Architecture 3 Credit Hours * or
IARN 361 - Lighting for Interior Architecture 3 Credit Hours *
IARC 422 - Inclusive and Exclusive Design 3 Credit Hours or
IARN 422 - Inclusive and Exclusive Design 3 Credit Hours
IARC 425 - Special Topics in Interior Architecture 3 Credit Hours or
IARN 425 - Special Topics in Interior Architecture 1-6 Credit Hours
IARC 464 - Research Methods for Designers 3 Credit Hours or
IARN 464 - Research Methods for Designers 3 Credit Hours
IARN 480 - Furniture Design 3 Credit Hours
IARC 491 - International Study 1-15 Credit Hours
IARC 495 - International Design Travel 3 Credit Hours * or
IARN 495 - International Design Travel 3 Credit Hours *
INDS 321 - Digital Representation and Fabrication for Industrial Design 3 Credit Hours
* Meets Volunteer Core Requirements .

Minor Requirements

Complete one course: Introduction

Complete one course: Design Studio/Lab

Complete one course: History and Theory

Select 6 hours:

Undergraduates

Graduate Students