Faculty of Engineering

The Bachelor of Architectural Studies, Honours Architecture academic program includes eight terms of study, six four-month co-op work terms (of which five are required to graduate), and one "off term." The work terms must be pre-approved by Co-operative Education.

Note

The "off term" in the Bachelor of Architectural Studies academic program follows the first two terms of study (from September to April) in Year One. Students may use the "off term" as a vacation period or they may seek employment. Any employment arrangements made for the "off term" are the student's own responsibility. If architecture related employment is obtained during the "off term" following 1B, it will not be considered as a replacement for any subsequent work term requirement.

Students wishing to take time off from school or going on an exchange opportunity must complete a Study/Work Sequence change form.

Although co-op begins in 2A, admission is made at the time of the initial application to the University.

Work-Term Reports

The work-term report (WKRPT) is intended to illustrate the understanding and experience that co-op students have acquired during employment and to record and assess their educational and work experience, tracked against two sets of criteria, the Student Performance Criteria established by the Canadian Architectural Certification Board and the Canadian Experience Record used by the provincial licensing bodies. To graduate with a Bachelor of Architectural Studies (BAS), Honours degree, a student must successfully complete three acceptable work reports as per the table showing the requirements below. If students do not secure work-term employment, they may still submit a work report for credit. The Faculty of Engineering must first approve the topic. The work report will be evaluated as a professional document. Each work report will be specific to the level of the work term. All work reports will be evaluated in the Faculty of Engineering, School of Architecture.

For more information on work report requirements, see the School of Architecture Co-op web page, under work reports, or contact the School's undergraduate student services co-ordinator.

Professional Development - Architecture

There are a total of five Professional Development courses, four Professional Development for Architecture (PDARCH) courses and one Professional Development course (PD), required for the Bachelor of Architectural Studies (BAS) degree. These courses are normally taken during work terms and students are expected to enrol in one such course each off term or work term until the requirement has been completed.

In the event that students have taken a PDARCH course in each work term, but have failed the most recent PDARCH course, students may request permission to repeat in a subsequent academic term the PDARCH course that was failed. Students should contact their academic advisors to determine if they qualify for this alternative. Failed PDARCH and PD courses contribute towards the accumulated fail count.

It is recommended that the PDARCH courses be taken in the sequence set out in the chart below. In the instance of the fifth Professional Development course, students are permitted to enrol in one of the following WatPD elective courses that deal with issues directly relevant to the architectural workplace: Communication (PD 3), Teamwork (PD 4), Project Management (PD 5), Problem Solving (PD 6), Conflict Resolution (PD 7), Intercultural Skills (PD 8), Ethical Decision Making (PD 9), Professional Responsibility in Computing (PD 10), or Critical Reflection for Growth in the Workplace (PD 12).

Sequence of Study/Work Terms and Co-op Requirements

Professional Development courses are online offerings. It is the responsibility of students to ensure that they have adequate internet access during work terms to complete course requirements.