The two may sound similar, but architectural engineering and architecture are two different fields that unite over a common purpose: to design buildings. Architects have the vision, and architectural engineers take that vision and make it happen. Architectural engineers must find safe, healthy, durable, economical, energy-conserving solutions to architects' designs.

According to the Architectural Engineering Institute, architectural engineering is the discipline concerned with the planning, design, construction, and operation of engineered systems for commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities. Engineered systems include electric power, communications, and control; lighting; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC); and structural systems. Architectural engineers work closely with professionals in all areas of the building process to design and construct the engineered systems that bring buildings to life.

Architectural Engineering Programs
Architectural engineering programs teach you the ins and outs of engineering and ways engineering applies to the design and construction of buildings. In architectural schools, you will become proficient in math as well as calculus-based physics and general chemistry. You will study the strength of materials, electric circuits, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and engineering economics. You will also learn about the history of architectural design.

Architectural engineering programs typically focus on construction management, structural, mechanical (HVAC), acoustics, lighting, or electrical engineering. architectural schools may not offer all of these specializations, and sometimes two (e.g., lighting and electrical) may be combined. Depending on your architectural engineering specialization, when you become an architectural engineer, you could deal with anything from building materials and plumbing systems to electrical layouts and climate control. You may even specialize in transportation systems or fire safety code.

Architectural Skills
At architectural schools, you will gain the education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context. You will also gain knowledge of how the built environment relates to contemporary issues. Through practical coursework applications, you will learn to apply your knowledge of math, science, and engineering to building structures.

After extensive laboratory work, you will be able to design a building system, component, or process to meet needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, ethical, health and safety, social, political, regulatory, constructability, and sustainability. Architectural engineering schools also emphasize teamwork so that you will be able to function in interdisciplinary teams for the design and construction of buildings.

Accreditation and Licensure
The American Board for Engineering and Technology is the official accreditation body for architectural engineering programs in the U.S. Currently, there are only 17 accredited programs in the U.S. Click here for a list of accredited architectural engineering programs.

If you choose to pursue a Professional Engineer license, graduation from an accredited architectural engineering program is a prerequisite. The 80-question, multiple-choice Architectural Engineering Professional Engineer Exam is offered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying to the state licensure boards each April. Individual states govern the licensure, registration, and practice of architectural engineering within their own states. Find your state licensure board to learn about the requirements for licensure in your state.

If you're interested in turning artistic vision into physical reality, start researching architectural engineering schools today.