BUILDING SCIENCE PROGRAMS ACROSS CANADA University of Toronto The Building Science program at the University of Toronto has a long, distinguished history and has trained many of the industry’s current leaders. The Building Science group offers both undergraduate courses and graduate courses through the MEng, MASc and PhD programs. Fundamental courses include building science theory, HVAC fundamentals and sustainable buildings and applied courses include indoor air
quality, design of building enclosures, case studies in building science and building performance assessment. Research areas include indoor air quality, indoor environmental quality, building energy performance, and occupant comfort and behaviour. Many graduates go on to positions in leading building science firms across the country or further graduate studies in building science.
Ryerson University Ryerson’s Graduate Program in Building Science is an engineering-based graduate program offering degrees at the Ph.D., M.A.Sc. and M.B.Sc. levels. The program is unique in Canada, offering a graduate-level building science education to prepare students for careers in the building science industry and academia. As part of the Department of Architectural Science, the program is influenced by its roots in architecture with a culminating graduate building science studio course and other collaborative design opportunities offered throughout each year. Our diverse students come from various backgrounds, including engineering, architecture, planning, and others. Students receive a building science education rooted in theory with a high level of practical application. Core courses focus on building science theory, building envelope systems, sustainable
design, ecological design, energy efficient HVAC systems with elective courses focusing on a variety of complimentary applied topics, including building performance simulation, restoration, building performance assessment, life cycle assessment and renewable energy systems, just to name a few. In addition to courses, students have the opportunity to engage in a variety of building science research activities in the department. Graduates gain employment across the spectrum of our industry, including working for consulting engineering firms, large and small construction firms, developers, government, NGOs. For more information, visit our website at https://www.ryerson.ca/architectural-science/building-science/ home or contact us directly at bldgsci@ryerson.ca.
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology's (NAIT) Architectural Technology program consists of learning freehand sketching techniques and computer-aided drawing skills to develop graphic images and technical drawings. A program advisory committee of industry representatives ensures that the courses are current and relevant to the skills required in the workplace. The program offers two levels with two terms per level. In Level 1, students can take Introduction to Construction Documents and Detailing, Design Studio I: Fundamentals of Design, Building Technologies I: Structures and Building Systems, Introduction to Revit and more. In Level 2, students can take Architectural Construction Documents II - BIM Application, Building Technologies II: Building Envelope Construction and more. In the first semester 32 AN ABECN/ABECS PUBLICATION
students are learning basic residential construction, whereas in the second semester they are learning about the rainscreen principle in the building envelope course. In addition to the fundamentals, the program has also adapted to include up-andcoming topics, and we want students to know the trends in the industry. Aside from architectural technologists, students have graduated from the program to become draftspeople in architects’ offices, salespeople for building materials and product manufacturers. Graduates have also done inspection, estimation and contract administration. Students interested in problem-solving and doing and learning something new every day are encouraged to apply. Find more information at nait.ca/programs/ architectural-technology?term=2021-fall.
