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Architectural Science

Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Architectural Science (BArchSc)
Program Website: ryerson.ca/architectural-science
Administered by: Department of Architectural Science
Program Format: Full-time, four-year program.
Full-time, five-year co-op program.

The Bachelor of Architectural Science program prepares students for a wide range of professional roles in architecture, engineering and the construction industry. The program emphasizes studies in design, technology, and management. The long-standing reputation of the program rests in part on this unique integration of aspects of the curriculum.

O.S.S.D. with six Grade 12 U/M courses, including Grade 12 U courses in: English, Physics (SPH4U) and Mathematics (one of Advanced Functions (MHF4U) or Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U)).

Notes:

  1. ENG4U/EAE4U is the preferred English.
  2. The grade(s) required in the subject prerequisites (normally in the 70 percent range) will be determined subject to competition.
  3. Applicants will be required to submit a collection of their own creative work for consideration and assessment. A digital submission process will be used to submit this work. Further information regarding the above will be communicated by Undergraduate Admissions as part of the admissions process. Visit the Architectural Science program page for further details about the non-academic requirements.
  4. A non-academic assessment fee of $50 CDN (non-refundable and subject to change) is required and will be requested by Ryerson as applicable.
  5. Subject to competition, candidates may be required to present averages/grades above the minimum.
Notebook Computer Recommendations

The architectural profession and construction industry extensively use computer technology for design production, building science simulation and construction documentation and management. In addition to Ryerson's e-mail account policy, many courses in the Department of Architectural Science include instruction and assignments relying on software delivery methods. The department recommends students have access to a personal computer while enrolled in the program. Please visit the undergraduate tab of the Forms & Resources page on the department’s website. Current recommended specifications for computers are available in the "Pick Between Laptop and Desktop Computers" section.

Students admitted into the program in 2016 or earlier:

In the final two semesters, students select from one of the three options available – Architecture, Building Science or Project Management – and undertake intensive work in their chosen specialization. In addition, the program requires a number of courses in liberal studies, as well as a range of professional electives, offered by the Department and other Departments at the University.

Enrolment in each program option may be limited, placement of students in fourth year program options is determined by academic performance to best suit their career goals and academic strengths.


Students admitted into the program after 2017

In the final two semesters, students can complete a general program with selection of courses and studios from across the curriculum, or choose one of three Concentrations – Architecture, Building Science or Project Management – and undertake intensive work in their chosen concentration. In addition, the program requires a number of courses in liberal studies, as well as a range of professional electives, offered by the Department and other Departments at the University.

Enrolment in any Concentration is optional and to be discussed with the department.

The Department offers a competitive co-operative program which provides top-performing students who have completed their third year in the architectural science program, with 16 months of work experience that enhances their acumen in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. Although neither the Department nor the Co-operative Education Office can guarantee a placement, they provide major assistance in locating suitable positions and counselling of students in their search for suitable jobs. This co-operative program enables students to earn competitive wages to offset the costs of a university education. Students will work directly with architects, engineers and other skilled professionals from the AEC industry, gaining experience in several different settings.

The architectural science program promotes an integrated approach to architectural science, through studio and lecture courses. Students have the opportunity to apply theory learned in the lecture courses to studio projects which engage with real-life problems in design, construction, management, and the environment.

The Architecture Option/Concentration offers a focus on in depth exploration of architectural design principles in society today. Through lectures, seminars, and hands-on studio projects, students learn program planning, design, presentation techniques, research, planning and the role of architecture today.

The Building Science Option/Concentration offers a more detailed technical base of studies including the selection and design of building construction assemblies, the evaluation of their suitability and performance, and the development of construction and technical drawings.

The Project Management Option/Concentration examines the managerial and economic aspects of construction projects, including the planning, organization, management, supervision and control of the process.

Graduates of this program will find career opportunities in:

  • the design, documentation, and management of projects in architectural, engineering, environmental management, and planning firms
  • the production, marketing, sales, research, development, testing, and evaluation of building products or systems in material fabrication, product manufacturing, and construction firms
  • office and field supervision in trade and general construction organizations
  • development and management of real estate/planning/conservation feasibility studies; environmental and management strategy planning
  • local, regional, provincial, federal, and international government agencies
  • post graduate education and research

Architectural Science Students - Transfer Credit

Architectural Science applicants cannot expect to receive any transfer credits in architectural science discipline or architectural science related discipline courses if their post-secondary education was not completed at a program accredited by the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (external link, opens in new window) .

Liberal Studies

Students must take three lower level liberal studies courses and three upper level liberal studies courses to graduate. Students must not choose courses that are restricted for their program or major.

Please refer to the liberal studies chapter of this calendar for more information on the Liberal Studies Policy. Further information on liberal studies can also be found at the Faculty of Arts' Liberal Studies website (opens in new window) .

Table A - Lower Level Restrictions

ITM 277, MEC 110, BMS 150, IRL 100, and ASC 120 are not available for credit.

In Semester 1, students are required to enrol into one of the following liberal studies courses: ENG 101, ENG 104, ENG 112, ENG 201, ENG 203 or ENG 212. Students may take only one additional English course for credit.

Table B - Upper Level Restrictions

CHY 583, CPS 650 and IRL 500 are not available for credit.

Minors

Students may pursue any Minor offered by Ryerson (with some exceptions). Please refer to the Minors chapter of this calendar for further information on individual Minor requirements and exclusions.

The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education Certificates

Undergraduate students wishing to pursue a continuing education certificate program should be aware of possible program exclusions. Please refer to the Certificate Registration section of the Curriculum Advising website (opens in new window)  for complete details.

1st & 2nd Semester

1st Semester

REQUIRED:

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 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 Native Peoples
ENG 212 Cultures in Crisis

* ASC 101 has a GPA Weight of 3.00.

2nd Semester

REQUIRED:

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

* ASC 201 has a GPA Weight of 3.00.
ASC 205 is graded on a pass/fail basis. ASC 205 can be taken in either 2nd Semester or 4th Semester.

  

3rd & 4th Semester

Revised curriculum begins 2021-2022 for students admitted Fall 2020.

3rd Semester

REQUIRED:

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.

* ASC 301 has a GPA Weight of 3.00.

4th Semester

REQUIRED:

ASC 205 Collaborative Exercise I
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 401 has a GPA Weight of 3.00. 
ASC 205 can be taken in either 2nd Semester or 4th Semester. 


  

5th & 6th Semester

Last offered 2021-2022 to students admitted Fall 2019. Students admitted Fall 2020 see revised curriculum below.

5th Semester

REQUIRED:

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

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

* ASC 520 has a GPA Weight of 3.00.

6th Semester

REQUIRED:

ASC 521 Light/Sound in Architecture
ASC 605 Collaborative Exercise III
ASC 620* Integration Studio II
ASC 622 Documentation and Construction Contract
ASC 623 Principles of Detailing

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

* ASC 620 has a GPA Weight of 3.00.
ASC 605 is graded on a pass/fail basis.

  

5th & 6th Semester

Revised curriculum begins 2022-2023 for students admitted Fall 2020.

5th Semester

REQUIRED:

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

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

* ASC 520 has a GPA Weight of 3.00.

6th Semester

REQUIRED:

ASC 521 Light/Sound in Architecture
ASC 605 Collaborative Exercise III
ASC 620* Integration Studio II
ASC 622 Documentation and Construction Contract
ASC 623 Principles of Detailing

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

* ASC 620 has a GPA Weight of 3.00.
ASC 605 is graded on a pass/fail basis. ASC 605 can be taken in either 6th Semester or 8th Semester.

 

The first three years of the program provide students with a common foundation. Students must select one of the following options for their final year.

  

7th & 8th Semester

Revised curriculum for students admitted Fall 2018 and Fall 2019. For students admitted Fall 2020 and after see revised curriculum below.

7th Semester

REQUIRED:

STUDIO COURSE: One course from Core Studio Table II

CORE ELECTIVE: Three courses from Core Elective Table III

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

 

8th Semester

REQUIRED:

ASC 805 Collaborative Exercise IV

STUDIO COURSE: One course from Core Studio Table II

CORE ELECTIVE: Three courses from Core Elective Table III

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

  

7th & 8th Semester

Revised curriculum begins 2023-2024 for students admitted Fall 2020 after.

7th Semester

REQUIRED:

STUDIO COURSE: One course from Core Studio Table II

CORE ELECTIVE: Three courses from Core Elective Table III

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

8th Semester

REQUIRED:

ASC 605* Collaborative Exercise II

STUDIO COURSE: One course from Core Studio Table II

CORE ELECTIVE: Three courses from Core Elective Table III

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

* ASC 605 can be taken in either 6th Semester or 8th Semester.

  

Co-operative Work Terms

In addition to the regular Architectural Science curriculum Architectural Science Co-operative Program students must complete WKT 106, WKT 206, WKT 306, WKT 406 before graduation. 

The following table shows the sequence of academic and work terms:

The following table shows the sequence of academic and work terms for this program:

WKT courses are graded on a pass/fail basis.

Students are expected to follow the sequence prescribed for their program. Deviation from the sequence requires the submission of a formal request to the Co-op Faculty Advisor and approval from the School. With permission from the School/Department, students may be allowed to graduate with the co-op endorsement with fewer than the prescribed work terms.

Concentrations (for students students admitted Fall 2017 and after)

A Concentration is a structured plan of study within a program (6 to 12 core or professional electives) that provides an opportunity for advanced or in-depth study in a particular area of interest. Students must declare their concentration prior to applying to graduate. Courses used to fulfil the requirements of a concentration cannot also be used to fulfil the requirements of a minor.

Students may choose to complete one of the following three optional Concentrations which are comprised of courses from the Core Studio Table II and the Core Elective Table III. Concentrations must be formally declared and must be completed before graduation to be noted on the academic transcript

Architecture Concentration

The following six (6) courses are required:

ARC 920* Advanced Architecture Studio (This course must be taken twice. Please see note below)
ARC 721 Theorizing Technology in Architecture
ARC 821 The Architect in Society

Plus two (2) ASC courses from Core Elective Table III (opens in new window) 

*ARC 920 must be successfully completed twice, each time with a different topic, to fulfil the requirement.  

Building Science Concentration

The following six (6) courses are required:

BSC 720 Building Performance Assessment Studio
BSC 820 Building Science Detail Design Studio
BSC 721 Existing Building Forensics
BSC 722 Sustainable Environmental Control Systems
BSC 821 Sustainable Detail Design
BSC 822 Advanced Envelopes/Components

Project Management Concentration

The following six (6) courses are required:

PMT 720 Project Management Studio in Development
PMT 820 Project Management Studio II
PMT 721 Economics for Project Management
PMT 722 Information Systems
PMT 821 Construction Practices and Management
PMT 822 Procurement and Construction Management

A Program Advisory Council (PAC) is a group of volunteers that provides expert advice to a school or department on program related matters such as curriculum, program review, technology and trends in the industry, discipline or profession. For more information, see  (PDF file) Senate Policy #158 (Program Advisory Councils).

Craig AppleGath
Principal
Dialog

Paul Dowsett
Principal Architect
Sustainable TO

Zhivka Hristova
Architect
Diamond Schmitt Architects

Steve Kemp
Principal
RDH Building Science

Jamie Lee
Associate Principal
WZMH

Alice Liang
Principal
Montgomery Sisam Architects

Amal Madanat
Design Manager and BIM leader
Multiplex

Veronica Madonna
Principal
Moriyama & Teshima Architects

David McKibbon
Senior Vice President, Project Management,
Cadillac Fairview

David Moses
Principal
Moses Structural Engineers

John Potter
Senior Advisor, Design Excellence Program
Metrolinx

Michelle Xuareb
Senior Associate for Sustainability
Quadrangle Architects

Further information is available on the departmental PAC webpage (opens in new window)  .