Overview
First-year courses include required study in design visual and digital media architectural history and theory technological systems writing and other electives in cultural knowledge and scientific inquiry The emphasis in first-year design focuses on developing a fundamental understanding of formal spatial and material principles in architecture while obtaining a strong skill base in freehand drawing descriptive geometry material techniques and visual and digital media First-year electives allow students to supplement their background in physics or calculus begin or advance foreign language study broaden their skills in the arts or choose any other subject area from among dozens offered by the university s undergraduate divisions In their first semester students may also participate in one of the many TIDES Tulane InterDisciplinary Experience courses offered by the university to engage other students and faculty in an intimate interactive environment