Minors Offered by the College of Fine Arts
The College of Fine Arts offers minors in Architecture, Art, Design, Drama, and Music to students from other colleges at Carnegie Mellon University. These minors allow students at Carnegie Mellon to take courses and develop a direction for electives in any of the five schools in CFA. Students in the College of Fine Arts may also earn minors outside of their major within other schools in the College. They may also study any of the minors offered by the other colleges to the University at large, thus taking advantage of the broad educational opportunities available at Carnegie Mellon University.
Minors Offered by the College of Fine Arts:
- Architecture
- Architectural History (available also to B. Arch candidates)
- Architectural Representation and Visualization (available also to B. Arch candidates)
- Architectural Technology
- Art
- Building Science (available only to B. Arch candidates)
- Communication Design
- Drama
- History of the Arts
- Industrial Design
- Music
- Music Technology
- Music Theory
- Photography
Guidelines for students are: 1) except where so designated, CFA students are not eligible to earn a minor in their own school; students from outside CFA may earn a minor in any school in CFA; 2) faculty advisors in the student's home school (in consultation with the academic officer of the other unit involved) will advise students as to the structuring of the courses in each minor; 3) a minor is not to be considered an overload; rather, through the assistance of faculty advisors it should be integrated into a student's overall units required for graduation; 4) the advisors will also monitor the student's development in these minors and keep records in their files which indicate the fulfillment of the course requirements in the minors, as well as in the majors in the student's own school. Courses listed as possible for the minors may be available, but not all courses are offered every semester. Students should consult with their advisors.
Students interested in earning a minor in any of the CFA schools should contact: Architecture: Heather Workinger; Art: Keni Jefferson; Design: Melissa Cicozi; Drama: Ari Blackford; Music: Sharon Johnston.
Minors under Architecture
Minor in Architecture
This sequence is for candidates who intend to develop intellectual links to the architectural profession. The scope of courses offered includes a full spectrum of professional issues in architecture.
9 unitsPrerequisite Courses
| 79-104 | Global Histories | 9 |
| or 62-100 | Critical Histories of the Arts | |
18-21 unitsRequired Courses
| 48-100 | Architecture Design Studio: Foundation I | 12 |
| or 48-095 | Spatial Concepts for Non-Architects I | |
| 48-240 | Historical Survey of World Architecture and Urbanism I | 9 |
27 unitsElective Courses*
| 48-130 | Architectural Drawing I: A Tactile Foundation | 9 |
| 48-135 | Architectural Drawing II: Appearance | 9 |
| 48-210 | Statics | 9 |
| 48-215 | Materials and Assembly | 9 |
| 48-217 | Structures | 9 |
| 48-351 | Human Factors in Architecture | 9 |
| 48-452 | Real Estate Design and Development | 6 |
| 48-453 | Urban Design Methods | 6 |
| 48-551 | Ethics and Decision Making in Architecture | 9 |
| 48-xxx | Architecture History (Pre-Approval of coursework required) | 9 |
| 48-xxx | Architecture Elective (Pre-Approval of coursework required) | 9 |
Minimum Units: 54
*Students should consult the Architecture advisor regarding elective choices.
Minor in Architectural History
(available also to B. Arch Candidates)
This sequence is intended for candidates interested in the history of architecture in its many manifestations, including high style and vernacular buildings, western and non-western traditions, built and theoretical works, and rural to urban contexts. Non-architecture majors are required to take 54 units of architectural history. Architecture majors wishing to minor in Architectural History must fulfill the three core required courses in architectural history, plus four additional architectural history electives, for a total of 63 units. Students wishing to pursue the minor should meet with the Architecture advisor to determine if a course is eligible.
18 unitsPrerequisite Courses
| 48-240 | Historical Survey of World Architecture and Urbanism I | 9 |
| 62-100 | Critical Histories of the Arts | 9 |
36 units/45 unitsElective Courses
| 48-338 | European Cities in the XIX Century: Planning, Architecture, Preservation | 9 |
| 48-340 | Modern Architecture and Theory 1900-1945 | 9 |
| 48-341 | History of Architectural Theory | 9 |
| 48-343 | American Built Environment Since 1860 | 9 |
| 48-344 | Architecture of Henry Hornbostel | 9 |
| 48-345 | The Cultural Landscape of Northern Italy: Land, City, Architecture | 9 |
| 48-348 | Architectural History of Mexico & Guatemala | 9 |
| 48-350 | Postwar Modern Architecture and Theory | 9 |
| 48-352 | A History of Preservation: Debate, Theories and Practices | 9 |
| 48-368 | Rediscovering Antiquity:Travelers, Archeologists & Architects in Mediterranean | 9 |
| 48-371 | American House and Housing | 9 |
| 48-440 | American Regionalism | 9 |
| 48-441 | Frank Lloyd Wright | 9 |
| 48-447 | History and Preservation | 9 |
| 48-448 | History of Sustainable Architecture | 9 |
| 48-xxx | Architectural History (Pre-Approval of coursework required) | 9 |
Minimum Units: 54 (non architecture majors)
Minimum Units: 63 (architecture majors)
Minor in Architectural Representation and Visualization
This sequence is for candidates who intend to develop particular skills in architectural representation. Architecture majors wishing to pursue a Minor in Architectural Representation and Visualization must complete the required 33 units and at least an additional 30 units to fulfill the minor for a total of 63 units.
33 unitsRequired Courses
| 48-120 | Introduction to Digital Media I | 6 |
| 48-130 | Architectural Drawing I: A Tactile Foundation | 9 |
| 48-135 | Architectural Drawing II: Appearance | 9 |
| 48-3xx | Architectural Drawing Elective (Pre-Approval of coursework required) | 9 |
21 units/30 unitsElective Courses
| 48-125 | Introduction to Digital Media II *Architecture majors cannot use 48-125 as an elective requirement | 6 |
| 48-477 | Undergraduate Making things Interactive | 9 |
| 48-568 | Advanced CAD, BIM, and 3D Visualization | 9 |
| 48-576 | Mapping Urbanism | 9 |
| 48-724 | Parametric Design | 6 |
| 48-xxx | Architectural Representation/Visualization Elective: (Pre-Approval of coursework required) | 9 |
| 48-xxx | Architectural Representation/Visualization Elective: (Pre-Approval of coursework required) | 9 |
Minimum Units: 54 (non-architecture majors)
Minimum Units: 63 (architecture majors)
Minor in Architectural Technology
This sequence is for candidates who intend to develop intellectual links to the technical aspects of the profession. It is not available to B. Arch Candidates.
22 unitsPrerequisite Courses
| 33-106 | Physics I for Engineering Students | 12 |
| 21-120 | Differential and Integral Calculus | 10 |
32-40 unitsElective Courses
| 48-116 | Building Physics | 9 |
| 48-210 | Statics | 9 |
| 48-215 | Materials and Assembly | 9 |
| 48-217 | Structures | 9 |
| 48-315 | Environment I: Climate & Energy | 9 |
| 48-412 | Environment II: Mechanical Systems | 9 |
| 48-415 | Advanced Building Systems | 6 |
| 48-xxx | Architecture Elective | 9 |
Minimum Units: 54
Minor in Building Science
(Available only to B. Arch Candidates)
This sequence is intended for candidates seeking in depth knowledge in the area of architectural science and for those interested in gaining advanced placement in the M.S. Program offered by the School of Architecture in Building Performance and Sustainable Design.
9 unitsRequired Courses
| 48-711 | Paradigms of Research in Architecture | 9 |
45 unitsElective Courses
| 48-596 | LEED Buildings and Green Design | 6 |
| 48-721 | Building Controls and Diagnostics | 12 |
| 48-722 | Building Performance Modeling | 12 |
| 48-723 | Performance of Advanced Building Systems | 9 |
| 48-728 | Special Topics in BPD: Redesigning Our Built Environment | Var. |
| 48-729 | Productivity, Health and the Quality of Buildings | 9-12 |
| 48-749 | Special Topics in CD: Parametric Modeling with BIM | Var. |
| 48-752 | Zero Energy Housing | 9 |
Minimum Units: 54
Minors under Art
Minor in Art
10 unitsConcept Studio (choose one)
| 60-101 | Concept Studio I | 10 |
| 60-201 | Concept Studio II | 10 |
| 60-202 | Concept Studio III | 10 |
Media Studios (choose two)
| 60-110 | Electronic Media Studio I | 10 |
| 60-210 | Electronic Media Studio II | 10 |
| 60-130-60-130 | 3-D Media Studio I and 3-D Media Studio I Mini 1 and Mini 2 must be in different media. | 10 |
| 60-131-60-131 | 3D Media Studio II and 3D Media Studio II Mini 3 and Mini 4 must be in different media. | 10 |
| 60-150 | 2D Media Studio: Drawing | 10 |
| 60-160 | 2D Media Studio: Imaging | 10 |
| 60-250 | 2D Media Studio: Painting | 10 |
20 unitsAdvanced Media (choose two)
| 60-4xx | Advanced ETB: Electives | 10 |
| 60-4xx | Advanced SIS: Electives | 10 |
| 60-4xx | Advanced PDP: Electives | 10 |
| 60-4xx | Advanced CP: Electives | 10 |
9 unitsArt History/Theory (choose one)
| 60-1xx | Art History Elective | 9 |
| 60-2xx | Art History Elective | 9 |
| 60-3xx | Art History Elective | 9 |
Minimum units: 59
Minor in the History of Arts
This minor of six or more courses as designated below, will offer students a grouping of Arts History courses that can provide a broad survey in the arts or a highly specialized field. For College of Fine Arts students, all courses meeting the requirements of the Minor in the History of the Arts must be taken outside of their major School, with the exception of the School of Architecture. Interested students should contact Patty Doane in the College of Fine Arts, Room 100.
27 unitsIntroductory Level Courses:
(choose at least three, CFA students pick 3 outside of major)
| 48-240 | Historical Survey of World Architecture and Urbanism I (pre-requisite for all advanced architecture classes below) | 9 |
| 51-271 | Design History I | 9 |
| 54-239 | History of Architecture and Decor | -1 |
| 54-245 | History of Clothing | -1 |
| 54-246 | History of Clothing | -1 |
| 57-173 | Survey of Western Music History | 9 |
| 60-205 | Modern Visual Culture 1789-1945 | 9 |
| 60-206 | Contemporary Visual Culture from 1945 to the Present | 9 |
27 unitsAdvanced Courses:
(choose at least three, CFA students pick 3 outside of major)*
| 48-340 | Modern Architecture and Theory 1900-1945 | 9 |
| 48-341 | History of Architectural Theory | 9 |
| 48-343 | American Built Environment Since 1860 | 9 |
| 48-344 | Architecture of Henry Hornbostel | 9 |
| 48-345 | The Cultural Landscape of Northern Italy: Land, City, Architecture | 9 |
| 48-348 | Architectural History of Mexico & Guatemala | 9 |
| 48-440 | American Regionalism | 9 |
| 48-441 | Frank Lloyd Wright | 9 |
| 48-447 | History and Preservation | 9 |
| 51-272 | Design History II | 9 |
| 51-378 | History of the Book and Printing | 6 |
| 54-381 | Special Topics in Drama: History, Literature and Criticism | 6 |
| 54-382 | History of Drama | 3 |
| 57-209 | The Beatles | 9 |
| 57-477 | Music of the Spirit | 6 |
| 57-478 | Survey of Historical Recording | 6 |
| Art History/Theory Special Topics 60-350 to 60-398 (instructor permission only) | 9 | |
| 62/79-360 | Photographers and Photography Since World War II | 9 |
| 62-371/79-372 | Photography, The First 100 Years | 9 |
| 79-395 | The Arts in Pittsburgh | 9 |
| 79-396 | Music and Society in 19th and 20th Century Europe and the U.S. | 9 |
minimum units required: 54
* Other courses not on this list may qualify as approved by CFA Dean's Office (College of Fine Arts, Room 100).
Minors under Design
Minor in Communication Design
This program gives an overview of basic visual communication skills and the concerns of the communication design professions. Entry into the program and course registration is contingent upon your ability to demonstrate an acceptable level of design skills and aptitude through a portfolio review. Students must receive approval and course counseling for a Minor in Communication Design from the Communication Design Faculty Advisor before beginning the sequence of required courses. Through this advising system, a curriculum sequence will be chosen to meet your specific needs and fit within Design’s current course capacities. Applications are reviewed each February.
18 unitsRequired Courses
| 51-261 | Communication Design Fundamentals (fall or spring) | 9 |
| 51-271 | Design History I (fall) | 9 |
36 unitsElectives Courses
Elective courses are to be chosen from those listed in the current course catalog. This program description is based on the latest information at the time of publication. Interested students should contact the School of Design regarding any changes in the program and the availability of courses.
minimum units required: 54
Minor in Industrial Design
This program gives an overview of basic design skills and concerns of the product design profession. It is intended to enable students from Engineering, Humanities and Social Science, Management and other colleges to interact effectively with professional Product Designers. Entry into the program and course registration is contingent upon your ability to demonstrate an acceptable level of design skills and aptitude through a portfolio review. Students must receive approval and course counseling for a Minor in Industrial Design from the Industrial Design Faculty Advisor before beginning the sequence of required courses. Through this advising system, a curriculum sequence will be chosen to meet your specific needs and fit within Design’s current course capacities. Applications are reviewed each February.
18 unitsRequired Courses
| 51-264 | Industrial Design Fundamentals (Spring semester) | 9 |
| 51-271 | Design History I (fall) | 9 |
36 unitsElective Courses
Elective courses are to be chosen from those listed in the current course catalog. This program description is based on the latest information at the time of publication. Interested students should contact the School of Design regarding any changes in the program and the availability of the courses.
minimum units required: 54
Minor in Drama
The Drama minor provides students with a well-rounded opportunity to obtain preliminary professional exposure to the theatre arts. Courses may involve acting, directing, playwriting, design, production technology and management, and dramatic literature courses. Students also become involved with Drama productions by signing up for Production for Non-Majors, which involves evening crew work on various Drama productions.
Admission Requirements
- Students must apply to enter the program in the office of the Drama Sr. Academic Advisor, PCA 223.
- The student must successfully pass one Drama course prior to being considered for minor status.
25 unitsRequired Courses
| 54-163 | Production for Non Majors | 6 |
| 54-164 | Production for Non Majors | 6 |
| 54-175/176 | Conservatory Hour | 1 |
| 54-177 | Foundations of Drama I | 6 |
| or 54-178 | Foundations of Drama I | |
| 54-281 | Foundations of Drama II | 6 |
| or 54-282 | Foundations of Drama II | |
Students must meet with the School of Drama Production Manager (PCA 224) for assignments related to Production for Non-Majors.
30 unitsElective Courses
The remainder of the minor is fulfilled with Drama courses of the student’s choosing, with approval from the Sr. Academic Advisor in the School of Drama. For certain courses, students may need instructor permission to register.
Elective Courses not requiring instruction permission:
| 54-187/188 | Introduction to Playwriting | 9 |
| 54-189/190 | Advanced Playwriting | 9 |
| 54-191/192 | Acting for Non-Majors | 9 |
| 54-193/194 | Introduction to Screenwriting | 9 |
| 54-195/196 | Advanced Screenwriting | 9 |
Selected Elective Courses requiring instructor permission:
| 54-109 | Dramaturgy 1:Approaches to Text | 9 |
| 54-121 | Directing I: Sources | 9 |
| 54-157 | Basic PTM | 6 |
| 54-169 | Studiocraft | 13 |
| 54-171 | Basic Design | 6 |
Additional Drama Courses are available by instructor agreement and may require an audition, interview, or portfolio review. Students should contact the Drama Sr. Academic Advisor to inquire about permission for specific courses in which they are interested.
minimum units required: 55
Minors in Music
Minor in Music
This sequence is for candidates who are majors from any discipline in the university other than music who have some background in music and would like to know more about music.
Admission Requirements:
1. The student must apply to enter the program in the office of the Director of Student Services (CFA 108).
0-3 unitsPrerequisite Course
Beginning Piano is required of students who do not pass a piano proficiency test.
| 57-294 | Beginning Piano Test | 0 |
| 57-329 | Beginning Piano for Minors | 3 |
25 units Required Music Courses
Basic Harmony I and/or Basic Solfege I are required of students who do not qualify for entrance into Harmony I and/or Solfege I, based on their scores on the theory and solfege placement tests.
| 57-152 | Harmony I | 9 |
| 57-161 | Eurhythmics I | 3 |
| 57-181 | Solfege I | 3 |
| 57-173 | Survey of Western Music History | 9 |
| 57-188 | Repertoire and Listening for Musicians | 1 |
24 unitsRequired Studio Courses (studio fee is charged)
| 57-1xx | Elective Studio | 6 |
| 57-1xx | Elective Studio | 6 |
| 57-1xx | Elective Studio | 6 |
| 57-1xx | Elective Studio | 6 |
18 unitsElective Courses
Elective courses are to be chosen from those courses listed for the School of Music in the current course catalog. Performance electives are encouraged. (An audition is required for all School of Music performance ensembles.)
Minimum units required: 67
Minor in Music Technology
This sequence is for candidates who majors from any discipline in the university who have some background in music and would like to know more about music technology.
Note: Students in the School of Music have slightly different requirements for the Minor in Music Technology. See School of Music.
Admission Requirements
The student must apply to enter the program in the office of the Director of Student Services (CFA 108).
0-3 unitsPrerequisite Course
Beginning Piano is required of students who do not pass a piano proficiency test.
| 57-294 | Beginning Piano Test | 0 |
| 57-329 | Beginning Piano for Minors | 3 |
25 units Required Music Courses
Basic Harmony I and/or Basic Solfege I are required of students who do not qualify for entrance into Harmony I and/or Solfege I, based on their scores on the theory and solfege placement tests.
| 57-152 | Harmony I | 9 |
| 57-161 | Eurhythmics I | 3 |
| 57-173 | Survey of Western Music History | 9 |
| 57-181 | Solfege I | 3 |
| 57-188 | Repertoire and Listening for Musicians | 1 |
21 unitsSound Recording Courses
| 57-337 | Sound Recording | 6 |
| 57-338 | Sound Editing and Mastering | 6 |
| 57-438 | Multitrack Recording | 9 |
21 units Music Technology/Sound Courses (choose 3)
Choose three courses. One of the three courses must be either Introduction to Computer Music or Electronic and Computer Music. (Note that 15-112 is a prerequisite for 15-322; 57-101 or 57-171 is a prerequisite for 57-347.)
| 15-322 | Introduction to Computer Music | 9 |
| 15-323 | Computer Music Systems and Information Processing | 9 |
| 33-114 | Physics of Musical Sound | 9 |
| 54-509 | Advanced System Design | 9 |
| 54-666 | Production Audio | 6 |
| 57-347 | Electronic and Computer Music | 6 |
Minimum units required: 67
Minor in Music Theory
This sequence is for candidates who are majors from any discipline in the university who have some background in music and would like to know more about music theory.
Note: Students in the School of Music have slightly different requirements for the Minor in Music Theory. See School of Music.
Admission Requirements
The student must apply to enter the program in the office of the Directory of Student Services (CFA 108).
0-3 unitsPrerequisite Course
Beginning Piano is required of students who do not pass a piano proficiency test.
| 57-294 | Beginning Piano Test | 0 |
| 57-329 | Beginning Piano for Minors | 3 |
25 units Required Music Courses
| 57-152 | Harmony I | 9 |
| 57-161 | Eurhythmics I | 3 |
| 57-173 | Survey of Western Music History | 9 |
| 57-181 | Solfege I | 3 |
| 57-188 | Repertoire and Listening for Musicians | 1 |
21 unitsRequired Theory Courses
| 57-151 | Counterpoint in Theory and Application | 6 |
| 57-153 | Harmony II | 9 |
| 57-408 | Form and Analysis | 6 |
6 units Advanced Theory Course (choose 1)
See theory courses on the Music Support Courses Two-Year Rotation list. It is available on the insideMusic website:http://music.cfa.cmu.edu/. Click on Music Support Course Two-Year Rotation. A graduate course may be taken with the permission of the instructor.
18 unitsElective Courses
Elective courses are to be chosen from those courses listed for the School of Music in the current course catalog.
Minimum units required: 70
Minors under CFA Dean's Office
Minor in Photography
The Photography Minor exposes students to the breadth of photography offering experiences in traditional photography (i.e. film exposure and silver printing) to digital shooting and output. The student who takes the Photography Minor will become familiar with photography’s craft, its history and significant practitioners, and develop his/her own distinct engagement with the medium.
Students may apply for the Photography Minor after they have taken a CFA or Pittsburgh Filmmakers’ beginning photography course. Freshmen should not apply for the minor. Students in four-year undergraduate programs may apply in their sophomore or junior year. Students in five-year undergraduate programs, such as Architecture, may apply in their second, third, or fourth year. Applications are accepted in both the fall and spring semesters. Students will be admitted to the minor based on their aptitude, appropriate level of photography skills, and space availability within the program. Once admitted, students will be assigned a faculty advisor who will help them determine a sequence of courses that best fits their needs and interests.
Application Requirements
The application process for the Photography Minor requires submission of: a completed application form signed by the home department advisor, a personal statement, and a portfolio of photographs. Contact the CFA Photography Administrator, Jamie Gruzska, MM B18, for further information and an application form.
minimum 27 unitsPhotography Required Courses (3)
| 62/60-141/51-265 | Black and White Photography I * ** | 10 |
| 62-241 | Black and White Photography II | 10 |
| 62-381 | Color Photography and Digital Output | 10 |
minimum 9 unitsPhotography Elective (1)
Choose one (1) additional photography course from the list below in consultation with the photo advisor, or consult Jamie Gruzska for current offerings. Also, photo courses may be taken at Pittsburgh Filmmakers. Please refer to their course catalog that is available in the CFA Dean’s Office, CFA 100, or online: pghfilmmakers.org
| 62-165 | Mutable Landscape: Drawing and the Digital Photographic Image | 10 |
| 62-205 | Documentary Photography | 9 |
| 62-245 | Portrait Photography | 10 |
| 62-265 | Alternative Photo Processes | 10 |
| 62-325 | View Camera | 10 |
| 62-326 | Photographic Narrative | 9 |
| 62-329 | Modern Ruin | 10 |
| 62-337 | Studio Lighting | 10 |
| 62-375 | Large Format Photography: The Antiquarian Avant-Garde | 10 |
9 unitsPhoto History Required Course (1)
| 62-371 | Photography, The First 100 Years ** | 9 |
| or 62-360 | Photographers and Photography Since World War II | |
9 unitsHistory, Theory, or Criticism of the Visual Arts Elective (1)
Choose one (1) additional History, Theory or Criticism of the Arts course in consultation with the photo advisor. A second Photo History course (62-360 or 62-371) can be used for this requirement.
* prerequisite for photo courses other than history, theory, and/or criticism course
** or course approved by the photography advisor
Minimum units required: 54