COA Writing Guidelines and Stylebook
For more information, see the university’s style dictionary or the AP Stylebook.
A
abbreviations and acronyms
In general, do not use abbreviations or acronyms that the reader would not quickly recognize. Never abbreviate university, department or association.
Abbreviations of degrees, expressions of time and names of countries take periods with no space between the elements.
- Ph.D.
- a.m.
- U.S.
To prevent awkward line breaks in printed material, do not put a space between initials used as a first name.
- E.B. White
Do not use periods in abbreviations of phrases longer than two words or when each letter is pronounced.
- FBI
- NATO
Add an “s” but no apostrophe to plural forms of abbreviations.
- The committee was made up of CEOs and CFOs.
The first mention of organizations, firms, agencies, groups, etc., should be spelled out.
- The Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station is the state’s primary engineering research agency. TEES was established in 1914.
academic colleges and departments
Capitalize only if referring to a specific academic unit by its full, proper name.
- School of Architecture
- architecture department
- Department of Landscape Architecture & Urban Planning
- She is a professor of construction science
Aggie Workshop
Annual series of charrettes and lectures hosted by the Texas A&M student chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects.
articulated degrees
Programs where students earn credit toward undergraduate and graduate degrees at the same time, often earning the degrees more quickly.
Automated Fabrication & Design Lab (Fab Lab)
The school’s large-scale research and fabrication lab for student, faculty and industry projects.
C
Camp ARCH
Summer camp designed to give high-achieving high school students an opportunity to experience the professions within the school.
Celebration of Excellence
Annual ceremony that celebrates the outstanding performances of selected architecture students, including the top five Master of Architecture Final Study projects.
center
A smaller, interdisciplinary, collaborative effort, revolving around specific research or educational activity, whose participants are involved in more than one academic department or unit. It is administered by a director or agency director or someone holding a lower title. Its focus is largely on externally supported research or educational activities broader than those interests of an individual department or administrative unit.
Center for Health Systems & Design (CHSD)
Center that focuses on evidence-based design and planning of health facilities and healthy communities.
Center for Heritage Conservation (CHC)
Professional center for interdisciplinary research and service projects on all aspects of built and natural heritage.
Center for Housing & Urban Development (CHUD)
Center dedicated to leading the creation of sustainable housing and communities through research and community engagement.
charrette
An intense period of design or planning activity. May also refer to any collaborative session in which a group of designers drafts a solution to a design problem.
class year
As appropriate, include the last two digits of the class year after the name, with an inverted apostrophe, as in the examples below. When referring to a former student with multiple degrees, list the degrees in the order in which they were received. When referring to a couple who are both former students, include the last two digits of the class year with an apostrophe after each person’s name.
- Mays Business School is the namesake of Lowry Mays ’57.
- “Northgate had fewer bars and more pickup trucks when I was a student,” said John O’Reilly ’77, ’79 (MBA).
- Marvin ’98 and Marlene Finkelstein Smith ’03
COA North
Building in downtown Bryan that houses offices and classrooms for the School of Architecture.
School of Architecture
The School of Architecture offers a top-notch education in disciplines that address critical, complex challenges in our natural, built and virtual environments.
Colonias Program
Texas A&M University Colonias Program partners with a wide variety of public and private agencies to provide services that increase self-sufficiency and enhance the quality of life for colonias residents all along the Texas-Mexico border.
Construction Academies
Programs for high school students to introduce them to the study and field of construction science. Hosted by the Department of Construction Science.
Construction Industry Advisory Council (CIAC)
CIAC consists of construction industry leaders and former construction science students who advise department administrators and faculty on contemporary construction issues and influence the department’s strategic direction and course content.
Constructionarium
A hands-on construction experience for students and professionals in the built environment sector. Students participate while studying abroad in the UK.
CoSci
Accepted abbreviation for Construction Science, especially in headlines.
CRS Center for Leadership & Management in the Design & Construction Industry (CRS Center)
Center that continues the contributions of Caudill Rowlett Scott (CRS) architectural design firm as a locus for education, research, and public service.
D
Degrees
See Appendix A for specific degrees available from the college.
If your readers might not be familiar with academic degrees, it usually is better to use a phrase instead of an abbreviation.
- John Jones, who has a doctorate in architecture, said his study found that the salaries of web designers should be doubled.
Use an apostrophe.
- bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and so on.
Uppercase when spelled out.
- Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, Doctor of Philosophy and so on.
Use abbreviations such as B.A., B.S., M.A., M.S. and Ph.D. (with periods and no spaces between letters) only when needed to identify many individuals by degree on first reference or if usage would make the preferred form cumbersome. Spell out all others. Use these only after the person’s full name, and set the abbreviation off by commas.
- John Wimberly, Ph.D., is president of the National Association of Underwater Basketweaving Professionals.
Department of Architecture (ARCH)
The Department of Architecture educates students in the theory and practice of architectural and environmental design to maximize creative impact on the global societies of the 21st century.
Department of Construction Science (COSC)
The Department of Construction Science leads the way as one of the finest programs of construction higher education in the nation.
Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning (LAUP)
The Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning educates students in areas related to landscape architecture, urban planning, and land and real estate development.
Diversity Council
Executive advisory council composed of faculty, staff, undergraduate, and graduate students from throughout the college that advocate for equal treatment for all.
Diversity Hackathon
Annual 24-hour event where teams are challenged to solve diversity-related issues. Hosted by the Diversity Council.
Diversity Peer Advisor Leader (DPAL)
Diversity Council program of trained student mentors who assist School of Architecture international students.
E
em dash
Put a space on both sides of the dash.
- Leadership — a Texas A&M core value — is developed through more than 1,000 student-led clubs and organizations.
F
Fab Lab
See Automated Fabrication & Design Lab.
Francis Hall
Construction Science facility. Abbreviated FRAN on campus maps only.
G
Gig ’em
Two words. Capitalize and use an inverted apostrophe.
H
Hard Hat Ceremony
Construction Science ceremony where each graduating student receives a personalized hard hat as a memento of their time at Texas A&M. Sponsored by the Construction Industry Advisory Council (CIAC).
Harold L. Adams Interdisciplinary Design Charrette for Undergraduates (ICU)
Interdisciplinary design competition hosted by the School of Architecture. Undergraduate students from throughout the college form five-member teams in an exercise reflecting a real-world problem-solving scenario.
Hazard Reduction & Recovery Center (HRRC)
Center dedicated to understanding of the nature and impact of hazards upon humans and the environments in which they live.
I
institute
A large integrative unit, housing intercollegiate or interagency activities. It is administered by a director reporting to a dean or agency director or someone with a title above dean or agency director. It is focused largely on externally supported research or educational activities that are much broader than those interests of a given college or administrative unit.
Institute for Sustainable Communities (IfSC)
The university’s focal point of interdisciplinary sustainable community research, engagement and high impact service learning.
international students
This phrase is preferred over foreign students.
L
laboratory
Lesser administrative, educational or research entities, usually residing within an academic department or unit.
Langford Architecture Center
Three building complex that houses the School of Architecture. Referred to as Langford A, B, and C. Abbreviated ARCA, ARCB, and ARCC on campus maps only.
Langford Living Wall
“Green” wall outside Langford B created from waste metal from the automotive industry and native plants. Created by Ahmed Ali, assistant professor of architecture, and Bruce Dvorak, associate professor of landscape architecture.
M
MakerPlace
Open-use and general working area with 3D printers and laser cutters in Langford A.
O
Outstanding Alumni
The Outstanding Alumni award is the highest honor the college bestows on former students.
P
program
Lesser administrative, educational or research entities, usually residing within an academic department or unit.
S
student employee
This phrase is preferred over student worker.
Student Organizations
Participation in the “other education” is an integral part of the Texas A&M experience. A large part of this is participating in student organizations. Student organizations related to our disciplines include:
- Aggie Screenwriting Acting and Media Production Club (AGGIE S.W.A.M.P CLUB)
- American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS)
- American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA)
- Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Associated General Contractors of America (AGC)
- Association of Student Planners (ASP)
- Christian Architecture Leaders (CAL)
- Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA)
- Emerging Green Builders (EGB)
- Facility Management Student Chapter (FMC)
- Future Leaders in Urban Planning (FLUP)
- National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
- Real Estate Development Association (REDA)
- Student Health Environments Association (SHEA)
- Urban & Regional Sciences Student Organization (URSSO)
studio
Classroom spaces specifically set up for creative work, including painting, architecture, sculpture, woodworking, graphic design, animation, and more.
study away
School of Architecture requirement that all students spend one semester away through study abroad, serving an internship, or studying at another U.S. university.
study abroad
Texas A&M courses taken by Aggies while studying outside of the United States.
T
Texas Target Communities (TTC)
Service learning program and university-wide community engagement initiative that works alongside local governments and community stakeholders to create sustainable communities across Texas.
W
Wright Gallery
Gallery located in Langford A dedicated to showcasing the visual arts with a focus on diversity.
Appendix A
Degrees by Program
Department of Architecture (ARCH)
| Field | Program | Program Abbr. | Degree | Degree Abbr. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Master of Architecture | M.Arch | Master of Architecture | M.Arch. |
| Architecture | Master of Architecture (Career Change) | CC-M.Arch | Master of Architecture | M.Arch. |
| Architecture | Master of Science in Architecture | M.S. Arch | Master of Science in Architecture | M.S. |
| Architecture | Master of Science in Architecture + Master of Architecture | M.S. + M.Arch | Master of Science in Architecture; Master of Architecture | M.S.; M.Arch. |
| Architecture | Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture | Ph.D. Arch | Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture | Ph.D. |
| Environmental Design – Architectural Studies | Bachelor of Environmental Design | ENDS | Bachelor of Environmental Design | BED |
Department of Construction Science (COSC)
| Field | Program | Program Abbr. | Degree | Degree Abbr. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Science | Bachelor of Science in Construction Science | COSC (or COAL) | Bachelor of Science in Construction Science | B.S. |
| Construction Management | Master of Science in Construction Science | MSCM (or COMG) | Master of Science in Construction Management | M.S. |
| Construction Science | Doctor of Philosophy in Construction Science | Ph.D. COSC | Doctor of Philosophy in Construction Science | Ph.D. |
Department of Landscape Architecture & Urban Planning (LAUP)
| Field | Program | Program Abbr. | Degree | Degree Abbr. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscape Architecture | Bachelor of Landscape Architecture | BLA (or LAND) | Bachelor of Landscape Architecture | B.L.A. |
| Landscape Architecture | Master of Landscape Architecture | MLA | Master of Landscape Architecture | M.L.A. |
| Land & Property Development | Master of Land & Property Development | MLPD (or LPDV) | Master of Land & Property Development | M.L.P.D. |
| Urban & Regional Planning | Bachelor of Science in Urban & Regional Planning | B.S. URPN | Bachelor of Science in Urban & Regional Planning | B.S. |
| Urban & Regional Planning | Master of Urban Planning | MUP | Master of Urban Planning | M.U.P. |
| Urban & Regional Planning | Doctor of Philosophy in Urban & Regional Sciences | URSC | Doctor of Philosophy in Urban and Regonal Sciences | Ph.D. |
School of Architecture
| Field | Program | Program Abbr. | Degree | Degree Abbr. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University Studies | Bachelor of Science in University Studies – Global Arts, Planning, Design & Construction | USARS | Bachelor of Science in University Studies | B.S. |
Articulated Degree Programs
- Bachelor of Landscape Architecture + Master of Land and Property Development
- Bachelor of Landscape Architecture + Master of Urban Planning
- Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning + Master of Land and Property Development
- Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning + Master of Urban Planning
Minors
- Architectural Fabrication & Product Design
- Architectural Heritage Conservation
- Art & Architectural History
- Facility Management
- Sustainable Architecture & Planning
- Urban Planning
Certificates
Certificates offered through the college or its affiliated research centers.
| Certificate | Administered by | For |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Hazard Management Certificate | Hazard Reduction and Recovery Center (HRRC) | Graduates |
| Diversity Certificate | Department of Multicultural Services | Undergraduates |
| Health Systems & Design Certificate | Center for Housing and Urban Development (CHUD) | Graduates |
| Historic Preservation Certificate | Center for Heritage Conservation (CHC) | Graduates |
| Sustainable Urbanism Certificate | Center for Housing and Urban Development (CHUD) | Graduates |
| Transportation Planning Certificate | Center for Housing and Urban Development (CHUD) | Graduates |