Master of Architecture

PROGRAM_M.ARCH

The Master of Architecture graduate degree program offers a complete, accredited curriculum providing Canadian Architectural Certification Board [CACB] approved professional standing, affording automatic parity with the professional standards set by the US National Architectural Accreditation Board [NAAB]. As with all accredited, professional degrees, the course of study is highly demanding, with a large proportion of the curriculum being assigned to core, required coursework. Within this challenging program, opportunities to develop individual identity and special skills are made possible through the selection of topic design studios, thoughtful engagement with electives and especially through the execution of the Graduation Project.

Admirable faculty-student ratios are maintained in all aspects of the curriculum, including design studios. As well, the size of the Architecture program implies a strong likelihood that each student will have the opportunity to work with a broad array of full-time faculty. Beyond immediate University resources, including a research library ranked among the best in Canada, the program enjoys significant links with the local professional design community who frequently participate in studio reviews, attend as guests in lecture and seminar classes and participate on graduation project committees. As demonstrated through the activities of faculty as well as regular offerings of Study Abroad programs, the MArch curriculum enjoys a healthy engagement with cultural concerns worldwide.

Curriculum

While the overall scope of the MArch curriculum remains constant, trajectories through the program can vary depending upon previous academic experiences, their consequence in advanced placement, and individual fine-tuning of content and sequence. Students with a background in design studies are given varying degrees of advanced placement, but will in general share the essential sequence of progress through the curriculum with students from unrelated disciplines.

The program sequence for an incoming student requiring the full 119 credits of study may resemble the following:

First Year | August
Arch 502 (2) Introductory Workshop

First Year | Fall Term
Arch 500 (9) Introductory Design Studio Core 1: Elements of Architectural Design
Arch 503 (3) Themes | Looking at Buildings
Arch 512 (3) Architectural Structures I
Arch 515 (3) Design Media I

First Year | Spring Term
Arch 501 (9) Vertical Design Studio
Arch 504 (3) Architectural History IA
Arch 511 (3) Architectural Technology I
Arch 517 (3) Design Media II

Second Year | Fall Term
Arch 520 (9) Vertical Design Studio1
Arch 505 (3) Architectural History 1B
Arch 513 (3) Environmental Systems and Controls I
Arch 531 (3) Architectural Technology II

Second Year | Spring Term
Arch 521 (9) Comprehensive Building Studio:  High Density Housing Vancouver
Arch 523 (3) Contemporary Theories in Architecture
Arch 532 (3) Architectural Structures II
Arch 533 (3) Environmental Systems and Controls II 

Third Year +

The remaining requirements are noted below.  The trajectory for completing these requirements can vary greatly and thus students need to set their own trajectory.

Arch 540 (9) Vertical Design Studio 3a  1
Arch 541 (3) Process and Practice of Architecture  [offered in the Fall term each year]
Arch 543 (3) Contemporary Practice  [offered in the Spring term each year]
Advanced History/Theory Requirement (3)  2
Electives (15)  3
Arch 548 (3) Graduation Design Project Part I: Directed Study  4
Arch 549 (9) Graduation Design Project Part II: Design Thesis  4,5

Notes:

1.  Vertical design studios:  Each student is generally required to complete three vertical topic studios.  These studios are completed at the level of ARCH 501, 520 and 540.

2.  Advanced history/theory requirement:  The advanced history/theory requirement is fulfilled by completing ARCH 561, ARCH 538b completed during a full term study abroad, or through additional course offerings which have been designated as meeting the advanced history/theory requirement.

3.  Electives:  A total of five three-credit electives are required to be completed within one's trajectory through the Master of Architecture program and may be completed during the fall and spring terms as well as during one or more summer terms.  In an effort to foster flexibility within the demands of a professional program, one or more electives are typically offered within Architecture during a summer session with summer session offerings often including a six-credit Studies Abroad course as well as one or two elective offerings.

4.  Graduation Project:  Students may enroll in the first phase of the Graduation Project: ARCH 548, together with ARCH 540, Architectural Design 3a, once all second year core coursework has been completed however students often choose to complete the design studio sequence prior to commencing the graduation project sequence: ARCH 548 + 549.  In addition, students often choose to reduce their credit load in the terms in which the graduation project is undertaken given the intense demands of the graduation project.

5.  In order to enroll in ARCH 549, in addition to passing ARCH 548, a student must have reduced any outstanding course requirements beyond ARCH 549 to a maximum of 18 credits.

Study Abroad:  The decision to pursue Architectural Studies Abroad, typically offered in alternate years in the Fall term, may affect the trajectory outlined herein, with adjustments being made accordingly.

Prerequisites:  Prerequisite requirements are generally clear from course name and number, but should in any case be confirmed prior to registration.

Co-operative Program

An elective co-operative program is available in which MArch students spend the equivalent of two consecutive terms of time [eight months] in an appropriate professional context. Credit towards the MArch degree will accrue with students involved acquiring invaluable insight into potential professional roles. Students will receive a total of six elective credits for successfully completing the program. In addition, the requirement of ARCH 543 will be waived on successful completion of a Professional Practice workbook.

Graduation Project

The Graduation Project represents the culmination of the Master of Architecture education by providing students in the professional Master of Architecture program with the opportunity to draw on their total knowledge, experience and interest.  The Graduation Project invites students to identify, delineate and explore a topic of their choice leading to a proposal for a specific architectural project clearly situated in a fully articulated context.