In the Liberal Arts program at Berkshire Community College, various classes helped me develop skills that are crucial for my interest in architecture. Here’s how some of the key classes contributed to my skill set:
PHY-111A Ideas of Physics and PHY-111L Ideas of Physics Lab:
- Outcome: Understanding fundamental physics principles in architecture.
- How Classes Helped: The Physics course provided the background necessary to understand forces, motion, and material strengths. In the Physics Lab, we put these theories to the test through experiments. For example, one project involved the strength of metal, copper, and wood, calculating load capacities, and then testing these calculations by applying force until it snapped. This helped me understand the basic material and structural strength.
MAT-121 Precalculus and MAT-102 College Algebra:
- Outcome: Enhanced problem-solving skills and ability to calculate precise measurements.
- How Classes Helped: Courses in calculus and algebra were valuable for learning how to solve complex problems and work with different equations, which are essential skills in architecture. For example, in calculus, we worked on projects where we figured out how to measure slopes and areas, like how much space is under a curved line. This helps a lot when designing buildings with curves.
FAS-111 Drawing I and FAS-120 Drawing II:
- Outcome: Developed ability to represent architectural ideas.
- How Classes Helped: Drawing classes focused on both freehand and technical drawing skills. An important project was to design the outside of a house; we had to make detailed plans and side views of the house. This helped me learn about perspective, size, and how to make buildings look good.