The Hines College's Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design (BSED) degree prepares creative, adaptable thinkers to collaborate across disciplines and respond to the complex challenges of a changing world.

The BSED is a pre-professional degree plan that is a trimester based, educating students in the skills of multi-scale design through varied coursework with emphasis on interdisciplinary opportunities. Through the degree program, students develop a well-rounded knowledge of design and design tools, while also honing their abilities for practice at all scales of design, from micro to meta.

BSED offers a trans-curriculum degree with courses and studios currently offered in the Hines College’s architecture, interior architecture, and industrial design programs.

The curriculum progresses systematically through foundation studios and scale-based projects, beginning with industrial design studios for small-scale, advancing to interior architecture studios for medium-scale, and expanding to architecture studios for large-scale. Students ultimately synthesize all scales in a comprehensive extra-large Urban scale project.

BSED is built around a trimester degree plan, requiring students to attend classes in the fall, spring, and summer semesters throughout their studies at the College.

What is the benefit of a trimester model?

BSED students can graduate in three years and qualify for fixed tuition through the University’s UHin4 program. The current Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) degree plan is a five-year program and, therefore, does not qualify for UHin4.

BSED students can more easily pursue two-year graduate studies programs following their undergraduate program. 

• Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) – Students interested in obtaining a professional degree for future licensure may consider a Master of Architecture through the College’s two-year program. By pursuing the BSED and M.Arch., students can receive both bachelor's and master’s degrees in the same amount of time (five years) it takes students in the B.Arch. to complete their undergraduate degree. 
• Master of Arts in Architectural Studies (M.A.) – Students not interested in obtaining a professional degree may consider a Master of Arts in Architectural Studies. The M.A. is a one-year program. It offers concentrations in urban design, media and fabrication, sustainable design, and sustainable urban systems.
• Master of Science in Industrial Design (M.S.) – BSED students who established a thrust toward industrial design are qualified to pursue a Master of Science in Industrial Design through the College’s two-year program.

What career paths are possible with a BSED?

The three-year BSED also prepares graduates to enter the design profession with skills that cross multiple disciplines and scales—from objects and interiors to buildings, landscapes, cities, and environmental systems.

• Career paths may include:
• Environmental Design
• Architectural Design + Support
• Landscape Architecture + Design Support
• Interior + Spatial Design
• Urban Design
• Environmental + Urban Planning
• Product + Furniture Design
• Exhibition + Installation Design
• Design Research
• Design Visualization + Drafting
• Digital Fabrication + Prototyping
• Sustainability Consulting
• Community-Based Design
• Public Space + Placemaking
• Environmental Analysis + Mapping
• Resilience + Climate Adaptation
• Design-Build + Fabrication
• Project Coordination + Management

Interested in the BSED degree plan?

• New Prospective Students (currently enrolled at UH or first-time UH students) – Attend a Hines College information session! You can also contact the College’s Student Services Office at 713.743.3463 or archsso@central.uh.edu.
• Current Hines College Students – Contact your academic advisor to discuss the program further and how you can change your major. At this time, only first-year design students are eligible to change their major to BSED.