Architectural Technician

Description

Students in this program prepare to assist architects, engineers, and other professionals connected to building projects. While developing skills in architectural design and gaining an understanding of the Ontario Building Code and construction technology, students take courses in computer-aided drafting and modeling and learn about sustainability and environmental subjects. This program is compatible with the first four semesters of the Architectural Technology program, and graduates may choose to continue into the third year of that program.

Career Opportunities

Graduates may find work in the private sector as architectural and civil draftspersons, working in teams to prepare designs or working drawings. They may also find careers as sales representatives and technicians in building product manufacturing firms and as building officials in government departments. They may also find employment in construction site offices and interior design firms.

Program Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. communicate with the project team, project stakeholders, and authorities having jurisdiction to support project delivery;
2. assist in the preparation, and interpretation of drawings, and other graphical representations to support the design and completion of building projects;
3. assist in the preparation of project documentation used for site planning, building design, and project execution;
4. assist in the preparation of time, cost, and quantity estimates to participate in a tendering process;
5. contribute to identifying technical solutions supported by principles of building science during the design and construction phases of building projects;
6. engage with members of professional disciplines such as structural, mechanical, and electrical building systems to confirm technical information;
7. assist in the development of building designs, for new and existing buildings, by analyzing project requirements;
8. comply with the legal, professional, and regulatory requirements as well as established standards and current building codes, in the practice of building design and construction;
9. assist in the implementation of sustainable and resilient design principles and practices to manage impacts in building projects;
10. use current and emerging technologies to support building projects;
11. assist in the administration of the construction phase of building projects by applying principles of project management;
12. develop strategies for professional development to enhance performance and maintain currency within the industry.

Practical Experience

All co-operative education programs at Georgian contain mandatory work term experiences aligned with program learning outcomes.  Co-op work terms are designed to integrate academic learning with work experience, supporting the development of industry specific competencies and employability skills.

Georgian College holds membership with, and endeavours to follow, the co-operative education guidelines set out by the Co-operative Education and Work Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL) and Experiential and Work-Integrated Ontario (EWO) as supported by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.

Co-op is facilitated as a supported, competitive job search process. Students are required to complete a Co-op and Career Preparation course scheduled prior to their first co-op work term. Students engage in an active co-op job search that includes applying to positions posted by Co-op Consultants, and personal networking.  Co-op work terms are scheduled according to a formal sequence that alternates academic and co-op semesters as shown in the program progression below.

Programs may have additional requirements such as a valid driver’s license, strong communication skills, industry specific certifications, and ability to travel. Under exceptional circumstances, a student may be unable to complete the program progression as shown below. Please refer to Georgian College Academic Regulations for details.   

International co-op work terms are supported and encouraged, when aligned with program requirements.

Further information on co-op services can be found at www.GeorgianCollege.ca/co-op

External Recognition

This program is accredited by Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL Canada).

Program Progression

The following reflects the planned progression for full-time offerings of the program.

Fall Intake

• Sem 1: Fall 2025
• Sem 2: Winter 2026
• Work Term 1: Summer 2026
• Sem 3: Fall 2026
• Work Term 2: Winter 2027
• Sem 4: Summer 2027

Articulation

A number of articulation agreements have been negotiated with universities and other institutions across Canada, North America and internationally. These agreements are assessed, revised and updated on a regular basis. Please contact the program co-ordinator for specific details if you are interested in pursuing such an option. Additional information can be found on our website at https://www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/credit-transfer/

Admission Requirements

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or mature student status
• Grade 12 English (C or U)
• Grade 12 Mathematics (C or U)

Mature students, non-secondary school applicants (19 years or older), and home school applicants may also be considered for admission. Eligibility may be met by applicants who have taken equivalent courses, upgrading, completed their GED, and equivalency testing. For complete details refer to: www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/academic-regulations/

Applicants who have taken courses from a recognized and accredited post-secondary institution and/or have relevant life/learning experience may also be considered for admission; refer to the Credit for Prior Learning website for details:
www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/credit-transfer/

Additional Information

Having an automotive driver’s licence prior to applying to co-op work term positions, which usually occur during semester two, is strongly recommended. Many employers require a full G licence to drive a company vehicle from worksite to worksite and will prefer applicants who have it.

A personal laptop is strongly recommended (Windows operating system is required if purchased) in order to support a wider job search, facilitate more co-op employment opportunities, and assist on-campus learning and in-class activities (as needed). Online access, trial versions, or educational licenses are available for most required software.

Graduation Requirements

27 Program Courses
2 Communications Courses
3 General Education Courses
2 Co-op Work Terms

Graduation Eligibility

To graduate from this program, the passing weighted average for promotion through each semester, from year to year, and to graduate is 60%. Additionally, a student must attain a minimum of 50% or a letter grade of P (Pass) or S (Satisfactory) in each course in each semester unless otherwise stated on the course outline.

Program Tracking

The following reflects the planned course sequence for full-time offerings of the Fall intake of the program. Where more  than one intake is offered  contact the program co-ordinator for the program tracking.

Plan of Study Grid

Semester 1		Hours
Program Courses
ARCH 1000	Architectural Design - Fundamentals	42
ARCH 1005	Architectural Drafting 1	42
ARCH 1007	Drawing for Architecture	42
CONS 1005	Construction Technology - Structures	42
CONS 3010	Occupational Health and Safety Act Regulations	42
MATH 1046	Extended Math for Construction	56
SURV 1002	Surveying	42
Communications Course
Select 1 course from the communications list during registration.		42
	Hours	350
Semester 2
Program Courses
ARCH 1001	Quantity Surveying 1	42
ARCH 1002	Architectural Design - Residential	42
ARCH 1006	Architectural Drafting 2	42
ARCH 2002	Architectural Codes and Standards 1	42
ARCH 2003	History of Architecture	42
BLDG 3000	Legal Processes and Responsibilities in the Ontario Building Code Act	42
CONS 1006	Construction Technology - Interiors	42
Communications Course
Select 1 course from the communications list during registration.		42
	Hours	336
Semester 3
Program Courses
ARCH 1003	Quantity Surveying 2	42
ARCH 2000	Architectural Design - Commercial	42
ARCH 2004	Architectural Drafting 3	42
ARCH 2005	Architectural Codes and Standards 2	42
CONS 2005	Construction Technology - Building Envelope	42
MENG 2016	Statics	42
General Education Courses
Select 2 courses from the general education list during registration.		84
	Hours	336
Semester 4
Program Courses
ARCH 2006	Architectural Design - Sustainable Solutions	42
ARCH 2008	Building Information Modeling 1	42
BLDG 2000	Ontario Building Code and Provincial Standards	42
CONS 2006	Building and Materials Reuse	42
ENVR 1008	Architecture and the Environment	42
MENG 2017	Strength of Materials	42
MGMT 2025	Project Management	42
General Education Course
Select 1 course from the general education list during registration.		42
	Hours	336
	Total Hours	1358

Plan of Study Grid

Co-op Work Terms		Hours
COOP 1062	Technology Work Term 1	560
COOP 2009	Technology Work Term 2 (occurs after Semester 3)	560
	Hours	1120
	Total Hours	1120

Graduation Window 

Students unable to adhere to the program duration of two years (as stated above) may take a maximum of four years to complete their credential. After this time, students must be re-admitted into the program, and follow the curriculum in place at the time of re-admission.

Disclaimer: The information in this document is correct at the time of publication. Academic content of programs and courses is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational objectives and employment market needs. 

Program outlines may be subject to change in response to emerging situations, in order to facilitate student achievement of the learning outcomes required for graduation. Components such as courses, progression, coop work terms, placements, internships and other requirements may be delivered differently than published.