Monday, November 21, 2011

Attend an Architecture Program Focused on Technology

Architects, architectural technology firms, engineers, builders, contractors, developers, construction material manufacturers and suppliers, and municipal building departments: These are some of the types of people and sectors that students who attend Centennial College’s architecture program can work with upon graduation. In addition, graduates are eligible to join the Association of Architectural Technologists of Ontario and the Ontario Association for Applied Architectural Sciences.

This Architectural Technology program three years to complete and results in an Ontario College Advanced Diploma. To apply, students are expected to have completed at least an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. In addition, they must have the compulsory English 12C or U credit or skills assessment, or equivalent and the Math 11M or U or 12C or U credit or skills assessment, or equivalent. Possession of minimum admission requirements does not, however, guarantee admission to Architectural Technology program.

This specific architecture program has met the national technology accreditation requirements established by the Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists (CCTT) and, as such, has received national accreditation status by the Canadian Technology Accreditation Board (CTAB). In addition, the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists recognizes the Architectural Technology program as meeting all the academic requirements for certification in the Technologist category.

Using state-of-the-art computer technology, students of this architecture program prepare designs, construction drawings and specifications needed to communicate with clients, construction professionals and approval authorities. This is achieved through student activities such as preparing drawings for residential, industrial, commercial and institutional building types, as well as complex buildings and multi-use buildings. Students are also introduced to building materials, construction methods, structural design, mechanical and electrical services, building codes, contracts, specifications and the business environment for providing design and construction services. Among the specific courses in the architecture program are: Design and Computer Aided Drafting Project, Environment, Mathematics for Architecture, Materials and Methods, Building within the Municipality; Contacts, Law and Professional Practice & Ethics, and more.

Please note that in order to gain entry into the fifth semester of the architecture program, student must maintain a 2.0 GPA. Also, students who have completed all courses in semesters 1 to 4 will have all the prerequisites requirements for courses in semester 5 and 6.

Upon graduation, professionals essentially become the link between the architect’s design and the finished building by ensuring that they use correct materials and that any planning and building regulations are complied. In addition, they prepare designs, create construction drawings and specifications, be responsible for quality and cost control, as well as communicate with clients and other construction professionals. According to Service Canada, the anticipated growth in construction and the demand for architectural services means that the number of architectural technology jobs should increase significantly in the next few years. In addition, Service Canada states that these opportunities will be first available to candidates with a Diploma of Collegial Studies (DEC) in architectural technology/technician.

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