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Bachelor of Science in Architecture (Post Diploma)

Regulations effective Sep. 1, 2024.

Athabasca University and Architecture Canada, Royal Architecture Institute of Canada (RAIC), have formed a partnership dedicated to offering a high quality online architecture program. This is Canada’s first online architecture program and it is a component of the renewal of the RAIC Syllabus which constitutes an alternative path to professional licensure as an architect in Canada. The RAIC Syllabus consists of studio, work experience and academic components taken while working under the supervision of a licensed Canadian architect.

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.

The BSc Arch program has open admission, however 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 through the diploma program.

The Bachelor of Science in Architecture (BSc Arch) program at Athabasca University provides a new way to study architecture and it is designed for the adult learner who wishes to earn a quality university education regardless of age, gender, culture, ability or disability, geographic location, career and family commitments.

Planning your program

Our online program plans can assist you in selecting the courses needed to fulfill your program requirements.

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.

Students are strongly encouraged to register in APST 215: Introduction to Graphic Representation early in their program.

Program structure

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)

minimum credits required past the college diploma
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 60

Maximum credits allowed

maximum credits allowed
In junior (200) level credit courses 30
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.

A total of 18 credits from:

a total of 12 credits from
APST 215 – Introduction to Graphic Representation (3)
APST 220 – 3D Modelling, Digital Representation and Presentation (3)
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)

3 credits in mathematics from:

3 credits in mathematics from
MATH 215 – Introduction to Statistics (3)
or
MATH 216 – Computer-Orientated Approach to Statistics

The following courses:

the following courses
PHIL 252 – Critical Thinking (3)
PHIL 333 – Professional Ethics (3)
or
PHIL 371 – Ethics in Science and Technology
PSYC 432 – Psychology and the Built Environment (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.

design workshop courses
ADST 200 – Foundations of Design I
and
ADST 205 – Foundations of Design II		 (6)
or
RAIC 200 – Foundations of Design (6 credits)
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)

architectural theory
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)

architectural history
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)

Advanced Architectural Technologies
APST 470 – Building Envelope and Assemblies (3)
APST 480 – Mechanical Equipment of Buildings (3)

Specific program regulations

Given the professional nature of the BSc in 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 in 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 in Architecture degree students may subsequently complete the Graduate Diploma in Architecture in order to apply for the RAIC Professional Diploma in Architecture.

There are two ways to complete this degree:

General interest students may complete the BSc Arch program. This approach does not involve a work/study component and can lead to licensing through the more traditional route of a Masters of Architecture (from another university) and internship.

Both the academic courses and the studios within this route will be completed online although there may be some face-to-face immersive studios as well.

The BSc Arch by itself can also lead to a variety of design careers.

Students may also complete the BSc Arch as part of the RAIC Syllabus program which is a work/study program that can provide an alternative pathway to licensing as an architect in Canada.

Students who are interested in this route of the BSc Arch program should first register with the RAIC to ensure they qualify for professional certification at the end of the program. In the Syllabus, students will complete 9800 hours of work experience while taking academic courses and design studios. The design studios are run by the RAIC in major cities across Canada and are face-to-face rather than virtual. The academic courses are run by Athabasca University and are online. The RAIC also supervises the work experience component.

The terminal credential in this program is the RAIC Syllabus Diploma. There are two routes to this diploma.

  1. The Degree Route: Beginning in July 2014, students may choose to complete the BSc Arch, the Graduate Diploma in Architecture (GDA) and 9800 hours of work experience under the supervision of a licensed Canadian architect.
  2. The Existing Route: Students may also choose to only complete the courses and studios required by Part I, II and III and 9800 hours of work experience under the supervision of a licensed Canadian architect. There are fewer courses in this route but students do not earn the BSc Arch or GDA.

In both cases successful students will receive the RAIC Syllabus Diploma and may then apply for individual certification by the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB). This, in turn, will make a student eligible to apply for membership with a provincial architectural association – although students may be required to complete exams and additional internship hours.

You will find the Syllabus Diploma application steps listed at the following link: https://www.raic-syllabus.ca/application

For further information pertaining to the Syllabus Diploma registrations please contact the Syllabus Assistant Registrar at 613-241-3600, ext. 204

Information effective Sep. 1, 2024 to Aug. 31, 2025.

Updated July 26, 2024 by Office of the Registrar (calendar@athabascau.ca)

https://www.athabascau.ca/calendar/ e4d5c3cb0a2a55fc5964e4ffb0aad560