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Courses

As a student in the bachelor of architectural science (BArchSc) program, you’ll study the principles, precedents and theories of architectural design, as well as technical and regulatory aspects of building and construction. You’ll also learn about environmentally sound design, site evaluation, and time and resource management. The program is designed to prepare you to become the adaptive, proficient professional that the industry values so highly.

A full description of each course can be found in the undergraduate calendar.

Common First Three Years

When it comes to buildings, a strong foundation is essential. The same applies to your education. That’s why the first three years of our program provide you and your classmates with a common curriculum that covers a range of topics, from principles of design to the intricacies of various building systems.

First year sets the context for your education. You’ll be introduced to architectural concepts, issues and fundamental skills, as well as the studio environment.

1st Semester

Curriculum for students admitted Sept 2022 or earlier:

ACS 104 - Ideas That Shape the World
ASC 101* - Communications Studio
ASC 102 - The Built World
ASC 103 - The Built Context
PCS 107 - The Natural Context

Liberal Studies: One course from the list below



Revised 1st year curriculum starting Sept 2023:  

ASC 101* - Communications Studio
ASC 102 - The Built World
ASC 103 - The Built Context
ASC 200 - Sustainable Practices

Liberal Studies: One course from the following:

ENG 101 - Laughter and Tears: Comedy and Tragedy
ENG 104 - The Short Story
ENG 112 - Zap, Pow, Bang: Pop Lit
ENG 201 - Myth and Literature
ENG 203 - The Literature of Indigenous Peoples
ENG 212 - Cultures in Crisis

* This course has a GPA weight of 3.00.

2nd Semester

Curriculum for students admitted Sept 2022 or earlier:

ASC 200 - Sustainable Practices
ASC 201* - Design Studio I
ASC 202 - The Building Project
ASC 203 - Structures I
ASC 205† - Collaborative Exercise I
ASC 206 - Ideas, Tech and Precedents I


Revised 1st year curriculum starting Sept 2023:

ASC 201* - Design Studio I
ASC 202 - The Building Project
ASC 203 - Structures I
ASC 205† - Collaborative Exercise I
ASC 206 - Ideas, Tech and Precedents I


* This course has a GPA weight of 3.00.
† This course is graded on a pass/fail basis. For students admitted to the program in fall 2020 or later, this course can be taken in either semester 2 or 4.

 

 

Second year exposes you to a deeper exploration of architectural science processes and tools. You’ll take on projects of increasing complexity and develop your analytical, critical thinking and design skills.

3rd Semester

ASC 301* - Design Studio II
ASC 302 - Envelope Systems
ASC 303 - Structures II
ASC 304 - The Construction Project
ASC 306 - Ideas, Tech and Precedents II

Liberal Studies: One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

* This course has a GPA weight of 3.00.

4th Semester

ASC 401* - Design Studio III
ASC 402 - Bodily Comfort Systems
ASC 403 - Site Development and Planning
ASC 406 - Ideas, Tech and Precedents III
CVL 407 - Structures III

ASC 205† - Collaborative Exercise I
ASC 405**- Collaborative Exercise II

* This course has a GPA weight of 3.00.
† This course is graded on a pass/fail basis. For students admitted to the program in fall 2020 or later, this course can be taken in either semester 2 or 4.
** This course is graded on a pass/fail basis. This course is not required for students admitted to the program in fall 2020 or later.

In third year, the multiple components of your education will come together. You’ll have all of the tools and information you need to decide which specialization to pursue: architecture, building science or project management. (After third year, you may also apply to the architectural science co-operative education internship.)

5th Semester

ASC 520* - Integration Studio I
ASC 522 - Project Economics
ASC 621 - Tectonics and Materiality
ASC 523 - Theories of Urban Design

Liberal Studies: One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

* This course has a GPA weight of 3.00.

6th Semester

ASC 521 - Light/Sound in Architecture
ASC 620* - Integration Studio II
ASC 622 - Documentation and Construction Contract
ASC 623 - Principles of Detailing

ASC 605† - Collaborative Exercise II

Liberal Studies: One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

* This course has a GPA weight of 3.00.
† This course is graded on a pass/fail basis. For students admitted to the program in fall 2020 or later, this course can be taken in either semester 6 or 8.

Choose Your Concentration in Fourth Year

In fourth year, you’ll undertake comprehensive work through lectures, seminars, studios and hands-on experiences. You will have the opportunity to tailor your program to suit your individual interests and goals, with the option of pursuing one of three concentrations: architecture, building science or project management. 

Students who wish to graduate with a concentration must choose specific studios and courses, as outlined below. All fourth-year bachelor of architectural science (BArchSc) students, regardless of concentration, must successfully complete:

Students who were admitted to the bachelor of architectural science program prior to fall 2017 should refer to the Office of the Registrar calendar (opens in new window)  for fourth-year requirements.

*This course is graded on a pass/fail basis. For students admitted to the program in fall 2020 or later, this course can be taken in either semester 6 or 8.
† This course is graded on a pass/fail basis. This course is not required for students admitted to the program in fall 2020 or later.

 

The architecture concentration gives you the opportunity to practise, enhance and refine your architectural design abilities by addressing problems of the built environment through research, analysis, synthesis, planning, design and presentation. As a graduate of this concentration, you will find career opportunities in architects’ offices, as well as in product design, historic building conservation and urban planning. Should you wish to become a licensed architect, you may pursue that career after graduating from a Master of Architecture (MArch) program. Or you can apply for a master of building science degree (MBSc or MASc).

7th Semester

ARC 721 - Theorizing Technology in Architecture
ARC 920* - Advanced Architecture Studio

Core Electives: One course from Table III with ASC code. One other course from Table III or from the Open Elective list.

Liberal Studies: One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

8th Semester

ARC 821 - The Architect in Society
ARC 920* - Advanced Architecture Studio

ASC 605† - Collaborative Exercise II
ASC 805** Collaborative Exercise IV

Core Electives: One course from Table III with ASC code. One other course from Table III or from the Open Elective list.

Liberal Studies: One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

* ARC 920 must be successfully completed twice, each time with a different topic, to fulfil the requirement.
† This course is graded on a pass/fail basis. For students admitted to the program in fall 2020 or later, this course can be taken in either semester 6 or 8.
** This course is graded on a pass/fail basis. This course is not required for students admitted to the program in fall 2020 or later.

The building science concentration offers an advanced level of technical studies into the properties, selection and design of building construction materials and assemblies. As a graduate of this concentration, you’ll find career opportunities as a building science consultant, a technical specialist in architects’ offices or an expert in the research, development and testing of building products or systems. You may also find employment in material fabrication, manufacturing and construction. You can also pursue a master of building science (MBSc or MASc) or Master of Architecture (MArch) degree.

7th Semester

BSC 720* - Building Performance Assessment Studio
BSC 721 - Existing Building Forensics
BSC 722 - Sustainable Environmental Control Systems

Core Electives: One course from Table III or from the Open Elective list. 

Liberal Studies: One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

8th Semester

BSC 820* - Building Science Detail Design Studio
BSC 821 - Sustainable Detail Design
BSC 822 - Advanced Envelopes/Components

ASC 605† - Collaborative Exercise III
ASC 805** Collaborative Exercise IV

Core Electives: One course from Table III or from the Open Elective list.

Liberal Studies: One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

* BSC 720 and BSC 820 have a GPA weight of 3.00.
† This course is graded on a pass/fail basis. For students admitted to the program in fall 2020 or later, this course can be taken in either semester 6 or 8.
** This course is graded on a pass/fail basis. This course is not required for students admitted to the program in fall 2020 or later.

With the project management concentration, your studies will focus on the managerial and economic aspects of construction projects, including planning, organization, supervision and control of resources. As a graduate of this concentration, the career opportunities include construction management, design process management for architects, field supervision and environmental and management strategy planning, as well as development and management of real estate/planning/conservation feasibility studies. You can also pursue graduate studies through a master of building science (MBSc or MASc) or Master of Architecture (MArch) degree.

7th Semester

PMT 720* - Project Management Studio in Development
PMT 721 - Economics for Project Management
PMT 722 - Information Systems

Core Electives: One course from Table III or from the Open Elective list. 

Liberal Studies: One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

8th Semester

PMT 820* - Project Management Studio in Procurement
PMT 821 - Construction Practices and Management
PMT 822 - Procurement and Construction Management

ASC 605† - Collaborative Exercise III
ASC 805** Collaborative Exercise IV

Core Electives: One course from Table III or from the Open Elective list.

Liberal Studies: One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

* PMT 720 and PMT 820 have a GPA weight of 3.00.
† This course is graded on a pass/fail basis. For students admitted to the program in fall 2020 or later, this course can be taken in either semester 6 or 8.
** This course is graded on a pass/fail basis. This course is not required for students admitted to the program in fall 2020 or later.

Students who choose to forgo a fourth-year concentration are able to tailor their professional course selection to their individual interests. Courses offered explore topics of architectural science, building science, interior design, planning and project management.

7th Semester

Studio Course: One course from Table II.

Core Electives: Three courses from Table III (one can be replaced by a course from the Open Electives list).

Liberal Studies: One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

8th Semester

Studio Course: One course from Table II.

Core Electives: Three courses from Table III (one can be replaced by a course from the Open Electives list).

Liberal Studies: One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

ASC 605* - Collaborative Exercise III
ASC 805† Collaborative Exercise IV

* This course is graded on a pass/fail basis. For students admitted to the program in fall 2020 or later, this course can be taken in either semester 6 or 8.
† This course is graded on a pass/fail basis. This course is not required for students admitted to the program in fall 2020 or later.

Co-operative Internship

The Architectural Science Co-operative Education Internship (ASCEI) program provides eligible third-year students with work experience at a professional firm. You’ll graduate in five years with invaluable experience, a strong industry network, and a co-op designation on your transcript and degree.

Year Fall Winter Spring/Summer
Year 1 1st Semester 2nd Semester --
Year 2 3rd Semester 4th Semester --
Year 3 5th Semester 6th Semester WKT 106 - Work Term I
Year 4 WKT 206 - Work Term II WKT 306 - Work Term III WKT 406 - Work Term IV
Year 5 7th Semester 8th Semester --