Speciality Requirements Student must complete 24 credit hours

Course Code	Course Name	Credit Hours	Prerequests
462600	Urban Regeneration	3
Studying the elements and components of less organized and developed areas in cities and the countryside, especially slums, and studying their characteristics and the reasons for their formation, with a focus on the types of buildings, urban spaces, infrastructure, and services therein. The course also addresses the challenges facing these areas with the aim of proposing technical solutions and appropriate policies to renew and revive those areas by improving and developing urban and living standards. This course also discusses the practice of urban revitalization by presenting realistic international and local examples and projects and discussing the mechanism for benefiting from them in developing similar Palestinian areas such as dense population centers and camps.
462607	Architectural Design and Building Information Modeling BIM	3
This course focuses on enhancing students' skills in architectural design using Building Information Modeling (BIM), a transformative methodology in building design, documentation, and urban planning. The course introduces core BIM concepts and emphasizes its role throughout the building lifecycle?from conceptual design to construction and facility management. Students will gain hands-on experience with 3D digital modeling tools such as Revit, including applications for environmental performance analysis, clash detection, and interdisciplinary coordination. The course aims to equip students with the ability to develop integrated models that represent architectural, structural, electrical, and mechanical systems, fostering collaborative design in a unified virtual environment.
462608	Engineering and Architecture of Islamic Cities	3
Study of the historical development of Islamic cities, their planning and architecture. The basic principles of spatial and urban planning will also be introduced. In addition, a wide range of factors that encouraged the development of the spatial and architectural fabric of the Islamic city will be highlighted. Furthermore, the discussion will be expanded to include the variety of Islamic legislation that prevailed and influenced the growth of these cities. Thus, achieving a clearer understanding of the relationship between the concepts of Islamic architecture and planning and linking them to modern theories.
462612	Housing Issues & Policies	3
The course addresses topics related to the challenges facing the construction sector in general and housing for people with limited income in particular, and methods for confronting them globally, and locally, with a focus on the challenges of the housing sector in Palestine, which are related to demographic, political, social, and economic aspects. The course also studies and analyzes housing policies in developed and developing countries in order to benefit from them in evaluating and improving the Palestinian experience in terms of improving the current reality and enhancing local strategic planning for housing.
462638	Philosophy and Theories of Architecture	3
This course addresses the most important philosophies and theories of architecture that have developed over time, beginning with Vitruvius, passing through the European Renaissance, and ending with modern theories and trends in the philosophy and theories of architecture. The course enables students to understand the changes and developments in architectural thought and concepts throughout the ages and their connection to criticism and history. In addition to focusing on aspects of architecture that respond to human needs.
462640	Advanced Technologies in Architecture	3
The course focuses on digital fabrication and advanced construction technologies in architecture: explores the use of 3D printing and other advanced manufacturing technologies in architectural design and construction. The course explores the use of virtual reality and augmented reality in architectural presentations, walkthroughs, and design evaluation. The course examines the use of artificial intelligence algorithms for architectural design, optimization, and decision making.
462688	Thesis (1)	3
In this course, the graduate student must submit a thesis and pass an oral defense related to his/her thesis. (See Academic Rules and Regulations for Graduate Students).
462689	Thesis (2)	3
In this course the graduate student must submit a thesis and pass an oral defence related to his/her thesis. (See Academic Rules and Regulations for Graduate Students).
462691	Seminar	0
Studying the basics and methodology of scientific research through preparing and discussing selected research in planning, which gives the student experience and the ability to write a master?s thesis.

Speciality Optional Requirements Student must complete 12 credit hours

Course Code	Course Name	Credit Hours	Prerequests
434670	Urban Geography	3
This course consists of an analysis of settlement systems and hierarchies. This includes models of urban form, land use type and density of variations in urban space and different statistical methods for the description and analysis of spatial distributes.
435670	Urban & Rural Sociology	3
This course consists of a comparative study of urban societies and institutions including the origins and evolution of towns and cities. It focuses on the relationship between industrialisation and urbanisation in the Third World, rural-urban migration, unemployment, the informal sector and squatter housing and the changing social structures in urban populations.
461558	Environmental Impact Analysis	3
Basic concepts of environmental engineering. Environmental impact assessment studies. Preparation of impact statements. Sources and control of environmental pollution. Impact of urban and industrial development. Criteria for urban planners.
461661	Urban Transportation Planning	3
This course looks at the context and definition of urban transportation planning. This includes the characteristics of urban travel, transportation planning and decision making, transportation demand and supply, data collection and processing. Issues regarding the urban land use, location choice of urban activities and transportation are also analysed.
462604	Advanced Architectural Design (2)	3
Integrated design of a project within the framework of the surrounding urban environment by focusing on site planning, the built environment, urban fabric, architectural heritage, building systems and technology, social interaction and architectural identity.
462605	Urban Design Studio	3
The course focuses on the development of urban design concepts and their applications through realistic design that takes into account social, economic, cultural, environmental and technical needs and requirements as well as implementation strategies. The studio is interested in balancing design at the level of the entire city and the architectural design level, as the proposed projects address several levels, including the city, the residential neighborhood, and the street level. The focus is also on design within the challenges imposed by the characteristics of the site.
462606	Housing Studio	3
Providing students with the opportunity to absorb and apply theoretical information through practical design projects, housing design in an urban environment, analysis and theory of urban fabric and infrastructure, focusing on architectural form and its relationship to social, economic and environmental factors and user needs.
462615	Sustainable Architecture	3
The course aims to introduce sustainable architecture by studying the design foundations of sustainable buildings and understanding design principles taking into account the environment surrounding the building, analyzing bioclimatic factors and building adaptation, benefiting from natural and traditional methods in heating and cooling the building, how to use alternative energy sources (sun, wind, etc.) , water conservation, sanitation methods, as well as the principles of selecting sustainable building materials.
462616	Design Theory and Methodology	3
Study of intellectual trends in design, review of the various means and techniques used to overcome problems related to architectural design. Study of the technological base for building construction, environmental control, protection and public safety systems, and physical systems related to design topics.
462617	Theory & History of Housing	3
Studying the development of housing in terms of individual composition and the pattern of population centers, studying historical examples of housing in the industrial era and the present era, analyzing the basic concepts and theories of housing within the framework of social, economic, political, physical, technological and ideological aspects.
462618	Housing Economy	3
Studying market theory in housing, experimental methods for measuring market conditions and performance, demand and supply for housing, reviewing and analyzing the role of both the public and private sectors within the housing market. Focus on trends and technologies that increase user role and reduce cost. Study and discuss the content, nature and characteristics of low-cost housing.
462619	Building Systems & Technology	3
Studying the development of the use of technology in architecture from ancient times until the present era. The optimal use of technology in the design and construction of buildings, an advanced study of modern building systems and modern technology used in building construction.
462621	Architectural Conservation	3
Study of issues and problems related to historical sites and buildings and their evaluation, basic concepts in architectural preservation theory, historical development, contemporary international regulations and instructions related to architectural preservation, study of research techniques necessary to document historical buildings and sites that will be registered, protected and preserved. Discussion and analysis of case studies that include the social, economic and architectural aspects of the preservation and adaptive use of historic buildings.
462622	Urban Conservation	3
Analyze the content and theory of urban conservation, urban conservation planning and programs by focusing on conservation strategies and their application at multiple levels that include the residential neighborhood, neighborhood and city. Studying the contradictions between urban preservation policies and urban change and development policies. A practical study of the management of the cultural heritage of historical buildings and sites. Focus on conservation problems and policies in Palestine.
462623	Methods of Architectural Conservation	3
Analyzing methods and techniques for surveying historical buildings and methods for preparing and implementing projects, studying and discussing newly developed techniques and methods to address problems related to the deterioration of the condition of buildings and their preservation.
462624	Comparative Studies in Architectural Conservation	3
Discussing and comparing theoretical trends on architectural protection and preservation in different countries with a focus on contemporary issues, analyzing and discussing general trends and recent international developments in architectural preservation.
462625	Design of Buildings Resistant to Earthquakes	3
This course provides mitigating earthquake risks by identifying the most important specifications in the architectural and structural composition of earthquake-resistant buildings, the impact of land use policy and prevention and preparation procedures to mitigate disaster risks, in addition to deepening the relationship between the university, society and Palestinian institutions by contributing to preparing the human being and the Palestinian institution to absorb the concepts and foundations of public safety.
462630	Contemporary Trends in Architecture	3
Study and review the concepts and theories of architecture and urban design since the modern movement through qualitative, technical and philosophical analysis. Study and evaluate the most famous contemporary architects by analyzing their trends, ideas, and works
462631	Venrnacular Architecture	3
Studying the historical development of all styles of local and popular architecture, studying the patterns and characteristics of population centers and individual buildings built according to local traditions by analyzing the social and physical factors that contributed to the formation of these characteristics.
462632	Architecture Criticism	3
Study of the intellectual and theoretical framework of architectural criticism, identifying topical and cultural differences between and within the different forms of architectural criticism, critical and selected study of contemporary topics, concepts, buildings and architects.
462633	Regionalism in Architecture	3
This course aims to focus on the factors and influences that make up the architectural character of a particular geographical region, and how to employ these factors to create an architectural identity specific to that region while at the same time keeping pace with global developments in building technology and changes in contemporary lifestyle and preserving the distinctive characteristics of that region?s architecture.
462634	Contemporary Architecture in the Islamic World	3
The development of contemporary architecture in the Islamic world, a comparative study and analysis of contemporary architectural trends, the most famous architects in the Islamic world.
462635	Special Topics in Architecture	3
An empirical study of selected topics in architecture including theory, methodology and fundamentals of architectural evaluation, analysis of the implications of these topics for architectural practice, research and education, discussion and analysis of contemporary architectural issues of a special nature.
462636	Palestinian Architecture	3
This course is a general overview about the scope, characteristics and patterns of traditional architecture in the Arab world with emphasis on the Palestinian architecture. It is an attempt to lay the bases for the establishment of an architectural school aiming at the development of the local architecture through the analysis and discussion of the evolution of the Palestinian architecture in the twentieth century and evaluation of the different architectural patterns as well as the discussion of the contemporary trends and attitudes.
462650	Computer Aided Design	3
This course looks at the advanced applications of computer-aided design (CAD) to architectural design and practice. It consists of the study of graphic database, database management and cad systems programming.
462673	Landscape Planning & Architecture	3
This course looks at the conceptual and theoretical bases of landscape. This includes the nature and use of natural and manmade landscape materials and elements to develop an understanding of the making of outdoor spaces and of their sequential development.
462676	Fundamentals of Site Planning	3
This course consists of an analysis of the main physical site elements, relation and location of activities on a site. It includes the study of alternative choices of vehicular and pedestrian circulation systems and the architectural design elements of site design. Finally, the course looks at the criteria for the evaluation of good site design.
462678	Urban Morphology	3
This course looks at the emergence of the nineteenth century urban design schools and the twentieth century urban design models within a framework of the evolution of urban design approaches and theories. It includes the exploration of urban space from a structuralist perspective. The primary emphasis of this course is on the relationships between socio-economic, experiential and formal structures of the urban environment.
462679	Urbanization in Developing Countries	3
This course looks at the historical evolution of city system in the developing countries. This includes cultural and environmental factors effecting similarities and variations, comparative analysis of urbanisation and social change and changing physical morphology of the major cities.
465673	Techniques of Project Evaluation	3
This course looks at alternative approaches to the evaluation of development projects at the micro and macro levels, private versus social costs and benefits, intertemporal choice problem, market imperfections and shadow prices, integration of project and sector studies. The course also consists of an analysis of the major evaluation techniques in the field of urban planning such as cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analysis, planning balance sheet, optimisation, goal achievement matrix and energy analysis.
466501	Sustainable Construction Materials	3
This course aims to gain knowledge about sustainable construction and green building materials. It also sheds light on sustainable practices and methods that promote environmentally friendly construction. During this course, current irresponsible construction practices and methods will be discussed, and the impact of various types of construction and construction processes on the environment will be demonstrated through the discussion. The sustainability of the building will be addressed based on the rules of the life cycle from material extraction to waste disposal. During the course, basic building materials will also be explored during the stage of extracting raw materials from the origin in addition to the manufacturing stage. In addition, the stages of building use and maintenance and their relationship with sustainability will be explained. Finally, the end of a building's life will be discussed which may include reuse or demolition, and different sustainability assessment systems will be explained.
466504	Climate Change Mitigation for Buildings	3
The course addresses the main drivers of climate change and the challenge represented by working to mitigate climate change. The course addresses the following issues: (1) The effect of global warming, and climate response to anthropogenic emissions or land use changes. (2) the potential consequences of climate change and associated costs for the building sector; (3) Technological options to reduce emissions from buildings (incorporation of renewable energy into the building, changes in building operation and management mode, negative emission technologies and solar radiation control) and outdoor site management strategies to mitigate climate change impacts (4) Climate change mitigation status and experience in Selected sectors, such as buildings, transportation and energy; (5) Climate change resilience policies and framework conditions (Paris Agreements).
466505	Design for Technology Integration and Sustainable Buildings	3
This course develops research skills through a collaborative design project that explores the integration of sustainability concepts and strategies into a building. The course also provides opportunities to apply different approaches to evaluating performance and developing a comprehensive understanding of the building and its systems. This course is research-based with an emphasis on modelling, design and analysis. Students will be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to evaluate interactions between buildings, their occupants and local climate conditions. Integrated design solutions that seek to reduce the use of energy resources in building heating, cooling, lighting and water while achieving good environmental performance will be explored. Students will work in groups to develop a building design from which individual projects will be identified that will evaluate basic sustainability performance and investigate appropriate, sustainable, energy- and water-efficient, material sustainability and indoor environmental quality strategies to improve building efficiency.