Overview
Delivery Mode: ONLINE
- This program will be delivered online during COVID-19.
- Your education is our priority and we will continue to deliver the applied instruction, collaborative experience, and industry connections that you expect from BCIT.
Architectural technology is a bridge between pure design theory and construction practice. This program will broaden the knowledge and skills of the architectural technologist in areas of current interest to the building community, increase opportunities for job placement within the industry, and improve graduates’ opportunities for career advancement.
The Bachelor in Architectural Science is a full-time,four-year program that delivers a broadly based, technically current curriculum on the theoretical and applied aspects of architectural science.
The Program
The degree will enable students to:
- Develop the technical, artistic, and managerial literacies necessary for advanced placement as architectural technologists.
- Apply emerging technological theory and practices within the process of planning and design to solve complex problems in the workplace.
- Apply problem-solving methodologies to construction technology, design, and
management issues with respect to the building industry. - Incorporate environmental issues associated with building and urbanization.
- Strengthen knowledge in the analysis and synthesis of construction projects.
- Pursue further educational opportunities toward professional designation.
- Next up Entrance Requirements
Entrance Requirements
COVID-19 Notice to Applicants
In response to COVID-19, BCIT has made the following changes to this program’s entry process for the September 2021 intake:
- Portfolios are to be submitted electronically; no hard copies can be accepted. To submit your portfolio:
- Portfolios must be a single PDF file.
- Do not use any links in your PDF file or email.
- Compress your PDF file to appropriate file size to be sent via email.
- Name your PDF using this format: ARSC_2021_LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_PORTFOLIO.pdf.
- Email your portfolio to archsci@bcit.ca by April 15, 2021.
Application processing
Applications are accepted October 1st* to April 15th.*
*or next business day
We recommend that you apply early. All supporting documents must be submitted by the application deadline.
Entrance requirements
Competitive entry: Two-step process
Preference will be given to applicants with:
- Requirements completed within the last five years
- A BCIT Diploma in Architectural and Building Technology with a minimum 70% course average in one of the following elective streams:
- Architectural
- Building Science
Applicants currently in the final term of the diploma program must be on track to graduate prior to the start of the intake and may be conditionally accepted based on successful completion of their diploma.
Step 1: Meet the entrance requirements
- English: two years of education in English in an English-speaking country with one of the following:
- English Studies 12 (67%) or
- English First Peoples 12 (67%) or
- Other acceptable BC and Yukon courses or
- 3.0 credits of post-secondary English, humanities or social sciences (67%) from a recognized institution
What if I don’t meet these English requirements? - Post-secondary: one of the following:
- A BCIT Diploma in Architectural and Building Technology or
- An equivalent diploma from another institution in Canada with:
- A minimum of 60.0 credits in architectural technology or related coursework
- A minimum 70% average in architectural technology courses
BCIT will assess architectural technology, building technology or other engineering technology diplomas from other institutions for equivalency on an individual basis.
- Mandatory Applicant Questionnaire [PDF]
This form will be used with other entrance requirements in the competitive selection for this program. - Course by Course Self-Assessment Form [PDF]
Complete this form only if you completed your diploma at an institution other than BCIT.
Read more about how to meet BCIT’s entrance requirements
Step 2: Department assessment
All applications will be reviewed by the program area at the application deadline. Admission is competitive and will be offered to the most qualified applicants.
Portfolio submission
Applicants will be required to submit a portfolio that includes examples of varied work. Pieces are to be student projects from former education or industry-related work and should demonstrate a cross section of skills. Examples of design-related work such as photography, fashion, art work, sculpture, graphics, painting, etc. that demonstrate highly-developed design skills can be included in the portfolio.
Presentation of work
- The portfolio is to be a maximum of 20 pages.
- The portfolio may not be larger than 8.5” x 11”. Work should be reduced to fit this format.
- Present your portfolio in a clear, neat, professional manner. Label each page and include a note for each piece of work explaining why you have included it.
- Student projects or industry related work must include details of the work completed by the individual. When necessary, credit must be given to team members in a project.
Portfolio evaluation
Portfolios will be assessed according to the following criteria:
- Quality of prior student or industry project work included in the portfolio.
- Quality, clarity and completeness of the material included.
- Design of the portfolio- size, paper/image quality/typography, composition.
Submitting your portfolio
Please drop off your portfolio to the program assistant’s office in NE1-308 between the hours of 8:30-12:00 or 13:00-15:30, Monday-Friday by April 15th.
Please note that any application material submitted (including the portfolio) may not be returned.
Apply to program
To submit your application:
- Include proof of meeting all entrance requirements.
- Convert all transcripts and supporting documents to PDF files.
- Have a credit card ready to pay the application fee.
Apply Now
Scheduled Intakes
September each year.myCommunication
Within two business days of submitting your completed application, BCIT will send a message to your personal and myBCIT e-mail addresses. All correspondence regarding your application will be posted to your online myCommunication account at my.bcit.ca. We'll send you an e-mail when a new message is posted. It's important to watch for these e-mails or regularly check your account online.
You can expect to receive communication concerning the status of your application within four weeks.
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- Next up Advanced Placement
Advanced Placement
Conditions
You may be eligible to apply to an advanced level of the program through re-admission. Please note that applications are considered based on:- Complete applications: you must show proof that you have completed (or are registered in) all requirements to be considered.
- Competitive entry: if the number of applicants exceeds available seats, BCIT will accept those deemed to have the best opportunity for success.
- Seat availability: confirmation may not be available until approximately one week before the term begins.
Re-admission
If you have previously completed part of this program at BCIT and wish to re-enter the program at an advanced level, you can apply for re-admission.
If you have been withdrawn from the program due to failures or have left of your own accord, you must apply for re-admission when ready to re-enter full-time study (minimum 60% course load) after completing all outstanding courses. BCIT recommends that you apply as early as possible. If you have been withdrawn from the program due to failure, you must wait one full year before re-applying to the program, and may be required to sign an academic performance contract if re-admitted.
Applications are accepted throughout the year.
Ready to submit your application? Apply now.
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Costs & Supplies
Tuition fees
Please see the Full-Time Studies Tuition & Fees page for full-time tuition fees.
Books & supplies
Level 1: $1,195; Level 2: $485; Level 3: $600; Level 4: $350; Level 5: $950; Level 6: $1,050; Level 7: $750; Level 8:$ 750 (general estimated cost, and subject to change)
In addition, all students prior to continuation into 3rd year of the program are required to purchase a laptop computer suitable to run software used in their courses. Costs for such a computer will vary depending on configuration chosen but will likely range from approximately $1500 to $2500. Software purchases will increase this cost. Contact the Program Head for specifications on software and hardware requirements
Financial assistance
Financial assistance may be available for this program. For more information, please contact Student Financial Aid and Awards.
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- Next up Courses
Courses
Class hours
8:30 am to 5:30 pm
Program matrix
Level 5 (15 weeks) | Credits | ||
---|---|---|---|
ARSC 7002 | Architectural Foundation Studio | 7.5 | |
ARSC 7010 | History of Materials and Building Systems | 3.0 | |
ARSC 7102 | Tectonics Architecture and Design/Build | 3.0 | |
ARSC 7200 | Sustainable Design | 3.0 | |
ARSC 7250 | Environmental Separators | 3.0 | |
LIBS 7001 | Critical Reading and Writing | 3.0 | |
Level 6 (15 weeks) | Credits | ||
ARSC 7100 | Architectural Technology Studio 4 | 7.5 | |
ARSC 7140 | Graphic/Digital Communications | 3.0 | |
ARSC 7150 | Technical Language of Architecture | 3.0 | |
ARSC 7300 | Building Envelope Performance | 3.0 | |
Level 7 (15 weeks) | Credits | ||
ARSC 7350 | Building Envelope Lab | 3.0 | |
ARSC 8000 | Systems Integration Studio | 7.5 | |
ARSC 8280 | Graduating Project - Project Proposal | 3.0 | |
BUSA 7250 | Management Skills and Applications | 3.0 | |
Liberal Studies Electives: All students will be required to achieve an additional 6.0 credits of Liberal Studies electives in accordance with the BCIT policy on Liberal Studies course requirements. As part of the program, 3.0 of these credits will be offered in Level 7. Program head approval is required. |
|||
Level 8 (15 weeks) | Credits | ||
ARSC 8070 | Project Delivery | 2.0 | |
ARSC 8350 | Building Science Design Project | 4.0 | |
ARSC 8800 | Graduating Project | 9.0 | |
LIBS 7002 | Applied Ethics | 3.0 | |
Liberal Studies Electives: All students will be required to achieve an additional 6.0 credits of Liberal Studies electives in accordance with the BCIT policy on Liberal Studies course requirements. As part of the program, 3.0 of these credits will be offered in Level 8. Program head approval is required. |
|||
Professional Electives (6.0 credits): | Credits | ||
All students are required to complete 6.0 credits of Professional Electives. |
|||
ARSC 7040 | Directed Studies in Architectural Science | 3.0 | |
ARSC 7050 | Wood Design | 3.0 | |
Please note: ARSC 7040 and ARSC 7050 are only available in Level 8 or by approval of the program head. Contact the program head for additional elective options and for approval. |
|||
Total Credits: | 85.5 |
Transfer credit
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
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- Next up Program Details
Program Details
Program length
The Bachelor of Architectural Science is a full-time, four-year program.
Grading
In order for students to continue to the fifth term, they must have a 70% course average over the first two years and present a portfolio for evaluation. Upon completion of the first two years of study, students will have the opportunity to exit and receive a Diploma in Architectural & Building Technology.
Course Failure and Program Continuation
A student who fails or withdraws from one to three courses in a specific term may be required to move from "set" registration to course-by-course registration. In these cases the student will be notified by mail at the end of term in which the failures or withdrawals occurred. Students will be required to meet with their program head during the first week of the following term to create an approved registration plan.
Students on "set" registration will be given first priority for course placement; students who are registering on a course-by-course basis and who are registering for at least 60% of a standard term course load will be given second priority; and students registering course-by-course with less than 60% of a standard term course load will be given third priority for course placement.
A student who fails or withdraws from four or more courses in any one term will be required to withdraw from the program. Prior to applying for re-acceptance the student must complete the failed course(s) successfully through BCIT Part-time Studies or an alternate route approved in writing by the program head. Completion of the missing course(s) does not guarantee re-acceptance into the program.
A student who fails to complete a first-year course for a second time may be required to withdraw from the program for a period of one academic year. Prior to applying for re-acceptance, the student must complete the failed course successfully through BCIT Part-time Studies or a program head-approved alternate route. Completion of the missing course does not guarantee re-acceptance into the program.
A student who fails to complete a second-year course for a second time will be required to enter into a re-admission contract with the program head of the department. This contract may require the student to repeat prerequisite courses (even if they had previously been completed successfully) prior to a third, and final, attempt to complete the second-year course. The student would not qualify for continuation into the third year of the degree and could exit out of the program at the diploma level.
Accreditation
The Architectural and Building Technology Diploma program is accredited by the Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC). Full-time students may apply for Student Associate status with AIBC. Graduates are eligible for membership and may apply for registration as an Architectural Technologist after completing two years of relevant experience and the registration examination. Please refer to the AIBC website for further information.
The Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors will accept graduates as Probationary Members and gives credit in a similar manner. Information on this professional development possibility is available from the program head. Please refer to the CIQS website for further information.
Program location
Burnaby Campus
3700 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC
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Graduating & Jobs
Job Opportunities
The Bachelor’s degree in Architectural Science will prepare graduates with the skill set needed for advanced placement within the architecture, engineering, and construction industry.
Graduate employment outcomes
The BCIT student outcomes report presents summary findings from the annual survey of former students administered by BC Stats one to two years after graduation. These reports combine the last three years of available results for the 2017-2019 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2016-2018 graduates and for Degree 2015-2017 graduates. The reports are organized into three-page summaries containing information on graduates’ labour market experiences and opinions regarding their education. More detailed information can be accessed at the BC Student Outcomes website.
To view these results, you may need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your Web browser.
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- Next up Faculty, Advisors & Staff
Faculty, Advisors & Staff
- Jody Patterson, BAS, MArch, MRAIC, Program Head
- Ron Kato, BSc. Arch, B. Arch Architect AIBC, MRAIC, LEED AP
- Michel Labrie, BArch, MASA, Architect AIBC, MRAIC, LEED AP, ENV SP
- Donald Luxton, BArch, FRAIC, CAHP
- James Taggart, Dipl Arch, MA, FRAIC
- Jens Voshage, Dipl.-Ing. Arch., Architect AKBW (GER), LEED AP BD+C
- Matthew Woodruff, BES, BArch, Architect AIBC
- Tatsiana Filipenka, B.ED, Program Assistant
Advisory committee
- Alex Chang, Morrison Hershfield
- Chris Forrest, BCIT Campus Development (Chair)
- Gordon Richards, Jensen Hughes Consulting Canada Ltd.
- Helen Goodland, Brentwood Consulting Partnership
- Richard Shipway, AXIOM Builders Inc.
- Sean Francis Rodrigues, Archdiocese of Vancouver
- Stuart Hood, Intergal Group
- Wayne DeAngelis, De Angelis Architecture
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Contact Us
Program Assistant
Email: archsci@bcit.ca
Questions or comments?
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