Bachelor of Science Major in Architecture (Post Diploma)
(4 years – 120 credits)

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 Graduate Diploma in Architecture (GDA). 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. Athabasca University has also developed program learning outcomes that describe the career options that may be available to you upon graduating.

Program Requirements

Students complete the program regulations in effect at the time of their enrolment.

Program Structure
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	(3)
	or
PHYS 202	Introductory Physics III
APST 340	Advanced Structures	(3)

2. 3 credits in Mathematics from:
MATH 215	Introduction to Statistics	(3)
	or
MATH 216	Computer-Orientated Approach to Statistics

3. Computing course
COMP 210	Introduction to Information Systems and Computer Applications	(3)

4. The following courses:
PHIL 252	Critical Thinking	(3)
PHIL 333	Professional Ethics	(3)
	or
PHIL 371	Ethics: Science, Technology and the Environment
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
ADST 350	Foundations of Architectural Design: Simple Habitat	(6)
	or
RAIC 350	Foundations of Architectural Design – Simple Habitat
ADST 400	Foundations of Architectural Design – Collective Habitat	(6)
	or
RAIC 400	Foundations of Architectural Design – Collective Habitat
ADST 450	Architectural Design – Cultural, Recreational and Institutional	(6)
	or
RAIC 450	Architectural Design – Cultural, Recreational and Institutional
ADST 490	Architectural Design, Workplace	(6)
	or
RAIC 490	Architectural Design, Workplace

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):
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, the following regulations supersede some of the general policies governing academic studies at Athabasca University:

1. 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 staledated if students are not currently working in the field of Architecture.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Upon graduation in the BSc Architecture degree students may subsequently complete the Graduate 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.