Bachelor of Architectural Studies (Honours) - Technology and Environment

The Honours Bachelor of Architectural Studies degree provides the foundation of skills, knowledge, judgment and practical experience required for subsequent professional studies in architecture. Though the Academic Program is pre-professional, it is fully dedicated to imparting to students the culture and practice of design. Design is a synthetic activity. To do it well and serve the needs of the individual and society requires an extremely broad education. Students acquire an understanding of the workings of society and culture, of the principles of physics, of materials and techniques of construction, of the human interaction with the natural and built environment, of historical process, of critical thought and of the diverse forms of creative expression. In one of North America's top schools of architecture, youll get a broad education that covers everything from building materials and construction techniques to cultural history, social context, green architecture, and more. Not to mention you'll combine it all with paid co-op work experience. However, the core of pre-professional program is design courses, starting right in year one. Youll get your own dedicated space in our studio where youll develop your ideas and skills through a series of hands-on projects. Learn about society and culture, the principles of physics, materials and techniques of construction, human interaction with the natural and built environment, critical thought, and the diverse forms of creative expression. It all happens in a beautiful historic building in the city of Cambridge, about 30 kilometres south of the main Waterloo campus, complete with labs, exhibition galleries, and a world-class design library.

The study of the technical aspects of building and design begins with a series of courses that provide students with an understanding of the materials and methods of building construction, structural design and analysis, and environmental issues and their impact on design. Within this sequence students learn not only about the technologies of buildings and their material systems and assemblies, but also about architecture's essential relationship with its environmental context, as they are introduced to important topics such as sustainability, building energy, and environmental assessment systems such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED TM). Upper level electives in this sequence give students the opportunity to engage in design-build projects and offer coursework in such areas as materials, advanced structural systems, alternative energy systems and ecological design among others.

Official/Unofficial High School Transcripts Required.
Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) - 90 Overall (25 writing, 25 speaking)
IELTS Academic - 6.5 Overall (6.5 writing, 6.5 speaking, 6.0 reading, 6.0 listening)

International Baccalaureate (IB) - Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches and Physics (HL recommended), minimum 4 in each. HL or SL English A, minimum 4. Total 32. Qualified applicants will be invited to complete an English precis-writing exercise and to submit a portfolio.

Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including

English (ENG4U) (A minimum final grade of 75% is required)
Advanced Functions (A minimum final grade of 70% is required)
Calculus and Vectors (A minimum final grade of 70% is required)
Physics (A minimum final grade of 70% is required)
Recommended: Grade 11 or 12 art courses, independent art studies, creative and cultural studies such as visual arts and history

Admission average: Individual selection from the mid-80s