You can do architecture

Dec 05, 2007

Dear Jamesa,<br>I am in Senior Four vacation and would like to take Physics, Economics and Technical Drawing in Senior Five and do Architecture at university.

Dear Jamesa,
I am in Senior Four vacation and would like to take Physics, Economics and Technical Drawing in Senior Five and do Architecture at university. However, people are discouraging me. I need more information about this programme.

I also wouldn’t mind doing Civil Engineering but the same people tell me that female engineers face various challenges in the field. Are there other programmes I can pursue with my combination?
Rachel

Dear Rachel, Subject combination at A’ level lays a foundation for your career. Career choice is a key life decision that should not be subjected to trial and error. Your friends or relatives’ opinions should not be the guiding yardstick for your decision. Different people perceive careers differently.

From what you have mentioned, it seems you would like to have Civil Engineering as your second choice and Architecture as your first choice. Knowing your academic strength is a principal step towards success in your career.

Do you have a passion for designing buildings? Then Architecture would be fulfilling for you. It is one thing having a career and another having a fulfilling one. The best way to live a fulfilling life is by doing what you love. Here’s information regarding a career in Architecture:

TRAINING:
Makerere University, Faculty of Technology, Department of Architecture offers a five- year Bachelor of Architecture degree programme.

SKILL:
The following are some of the skills offered by the programme:
l Architectural design fundamentals
l Building technology and services
l Design portfolio
l Environmental building science
l Construction management
l Landscape design
l Building design economics
l Interior furniture design
l Computer aided design
l Theory and design of structures
l History of Architecture

REQUIREMENTS:
Essential subject that you must pass is Mathematics. Desirable subjects are Fine Art, Technical Drawing, Economics, Geography, or Physics.
Apart from Architecture, your subject combination would also qualify you to study the following:

Faculty of Technology, Makerere University:
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Land Economics, Construction Management, Telecom Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Surveying.

Faculty of Economics and Management:
Bachelor of Arts in Economics and BA in Development Studies.
There are many other programmes you can pursue with your combination. It all depends on whether you want an art or science-based career.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES:
Architects are needed to play key roles in construction projects. Graduate architects can work in either private or government firms. In government, they are mainly absorbed in the ministries of housing or local government. The starting salary for graduate Architects ranges from sh1m to sh1.5m.

Using their skills in project management, architects can also team up with other construction professionals to set up their own firms.

Civil Engineering:
Challenges in civil engineering are not reserved for ladies. You should also note that Engineers are doing most of their work using specialised computer programmes. Although fieldwork is important, there is more computerised work than fieldwork.

jwagwau@newvision.co.ug

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