Bachelor of Science Major in Architecture (Post Diploma)
(4 years – 120 credits)
Regulations effective July 1, 2014.
Students must have successfully completed an approved diploma in Architecture from an accredited college or institute of technology before enrolling in the Bachelor of Science Architecture Major (Post Diploma).
The academic components of the Syllabus program are shared between first, a Bachelor of Science in Architecture (BSc Arch) and second, a Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Architecture (PBDA). Together, the studio and work experience (offered by RAIC) and the academic components (offered by Athabasca University) fulfill the requirements of the RAIC Syllabus Professional Diploma in Architecture.
The BSc Arch program, which has a strong focus on environmental and community sustainability, will also be beneficial for public and private careers in urban and construction planning and design, as well as studies of the built environment. Students are strongly encouraged to register in ENGL 255 early in their program.
Students who have an approved diploma or credentials in architecture may apply for the Post Diploma route and will be awarded 30 credits towards the BSc Architecture (PD). Students may receive additional credits pending review of course content completed throughout the diploma program.
Program Plans
Our online program plans can assist you in selecting the courses needed to fulfill your program requirements.
Counselling Services offers an assessment website, "Mapping Your Future: Your Career and Athabasca University." Athabasca University has also developed program learning outcomes that describe the career options that may be available to you upon graduating.
Students complete the program regulations in effect at the time of their admission.
Program Structure | |
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Total credits in the program | 120 |
College diploma receives | 30 |
Residency Requirement. A minimum of 30 credits at the senior (300/400) level must be obtained through AU. | 30 |
Graduation with Distinction or Great Distinction. At least 24 credits must be obtained through AU in order to be considered. | 24 |
Maximum Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) credits | 30 |
Minimum credits required beyond the college diploma (90 credits) | |
---|---|
Core course requirements | 30 |
Science and Arts breadth and senior-level requirements are fulfilled by a combination of specific Science, Arts, and Architecture courses (many of which are disciplinary in nature and cover both requirements). As a result, the BSc Arch requirements replace the breadth and depth of the BSc requirement. | |
Required Core Credits | 30 |
Architecture Major Credits | 60 |
Within those 90 credits: | |
Required senior (300/400) level credits | 66 |
Maximum Credits Allowed | |
In junior (200) level credit courses | 24 |
Maximum Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) credits | 30 |
Core Course Requirements (30 credits)
Note: To better meet Architecture needs, a few requirements vary from the general BSc requirements and are replaced with similar, discipline-related courses.
1. A total of 12 credits from: | ||
---|---|---|
APST 230 | Materials, Properties and Applications | (3) |
PHYS 200 | Introductory Physics I | (3) |
PHYS 201 | Introductory Physics II | |
or | ||
PHYS 202 | Introductory Physics III | (3) |
APST 340 | Advanced Structures | (3) |
2. 3 credits in Mathematics from: | ||
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MATH 215 | Introduction to Statistics | |
or | ||
MATH 216 | Computer-Orientated Approach to Statistics | (3) |
3. Computing course | ||
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COMP 210 | Introduction to Information Systems and Computer Applications | (3) |
4. The following courses: | ||
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PHIL 252 | Critical Thinking | (3) |
PHIL 333 | Professional Ethics | |
or | ||
PHIL 371 | Ethics: Science, Technology and the Environment | (3) |
PSYC 432 | Psychology and the Built Environment | (3) |
ENGL 255 | Introductory Composition (see English Writing Skills Requirement below) |
(3) |
Architectural Major Courses (60 credits) | ||
---|---|---|
Design Workshop Courses (30 credits): Note: The courses below with "RAIC" course codes are offered to Syllabus students through RAIC. |
||
ADST 300 | Foundations of Architectural Design: Elements | (6) |
or | ||
RAIC 300 | Foundations of Architectural Design – Elements | (6) |
RAIC 350 | Foundations of Architectural Design – Simple Habitat | (6) |
RAIC 400 | Foundations of Architectural Design – Collective Habitat | (6) |
RAIC 450 | Architectural Design – Cultural, Recreational and Institutional | (6) |
RAIC 490 | Architectural Design, Workplace | (6) |
Architectural Theory (15 credits): | ||
---|---|---|
ARCH 330 | Architectural Design Theory Fundamentals | (3) |
ARCH 340 | History and Theory of Modernism | (3) |
ARCH 350 | Landscape | (3) |
ARCH 400 | Urbanism | (3) |
ARCH 420 | Contemporary Architectural Theory and Research | (3) |
Architectural History (9 credits): | ||
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ARCH 200 | History of Ideas in Architecture I | (3) |
ARCH 300 | History of Ideas in Architecture II | (3) |
ARCH 320 | History of Canadian Architecture | (3) |
Advanced Architectural Technologies (6 credits): | ||
---|---|---|
APST 470 | Building Envelope and Assemblies | (3) |
APST 480 | Mechanical Equipment of Buildings | (3) |
Specific Architectural Program Regulations
Given the professional nature of the BSc Architecture program, some of the following regulations supersede some of the general policies governing academic studies at Athabasca University:
- Athabasca University will not grant transfer credit for science courses that were completed more than 10 years ago. Computer Science (COMP) and Computer Management Information Systems (CMIS) courses older than 5 years will be stale dated if students are not currently working in the field of Architecture.
- Student who hold an approved college or technical institute architecture diploma that is more than five years old, but who can supply evidence of employment indicating that they are currently in architecture, will gain admission to this degree program. A letter of reference from an immediate supervisor may be submitted as proof of employment.
- To be awarded a BSc Architecture degree, a minimum grade-point average of 2.3 is required in all Athabasca University courses used towards the degree. Students unable to obtain the required GPA will be requested to re-register in courses.
- Upon graduation in the BSc Architecture degree students may subsequently complete the Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Architecture in order to apply for the RAIC Professional Diploma in Architecture.
English Writing Skills Requirement
The English Writing Skills Requirement (ENGL 255) will be waived (students must replace the three credits to satisfy the credit requirement) if you satisfy one of the following:
- have a grade of B- (70 per cent) or better in an AU English course above the preparatory (100) level;
- or received transfer credit for a university-level English course in which a grade of B- or better was achieved.
Information effective July 1, 2014 to Aug. 31, 2014.
Updated December 14, 2015
Related Links
- General Program Information
- Bachelor of Science Major in Architecture
- Program Website
- Transfer Credit Services
- Archived Program Regulations